Chemistry Professor Pens Textbook

Chemistry professor Nivaldo Tro is the author of a new textbook, “Introductory Chemistry,” published by the nation’s top chemistry textbook publisher, Prentice Hall.

Tro has worked with Prentice Hall for the last two and a half years on the project, which also has a Web site for students and teachers to use along with the book. The book is unique in its approach to developing problem solving skills in chemistry and in its use of molecular graphics to communicate important chemical concepts.

“I like Tro’s style of writing, and am also quite happy with his effort to develop problem solving skills,” wrote Kim Summerhays from the University of San Francisco in a review of the text. “I think the text is crisp in that it gets to the key points in a clear and direct way…in a way that I think will capture students’ interest.”

“The illustrations are uniformly excellent, showing distinctive style without appearing unusual or cartoony,” reviewed C. Michael McCallum from the University of Pacific. “Best artwork out there at this level.”

Tro has been in the chemistry department at Westmont since 1990 and was named “Teacher of the Year” in 1994 and again in 2001. In 1996 he won the Faculty Research Award. He is the author of “Chemistry in Focus: A Molecular View of Our World,” a book designed for college level liberal arts chemistry courses. He is currently under contract with Prentice Hall to write a general chemistry textbook as well.

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