Sarah M Bass
Associate Teaching Professor
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemistry Bldg 103
Education
Ph D University of Maryland Baltimore County 2017
BA Notre Dame of Maryland University 2006
+1 410 455 5782
About
I am an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UMBC. I earned my bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and mathematics from Notre Dame of Maryland University and my Ph.D. in chemistry from UMBC. My primary teaching responsibilities include general chemistry (CHEM 101 and 102) and advanced laboratory courses. I am deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment that empowers students to take ownership of their education and develop critical thinking skills.
In addition to my teaching, I actively engage in initiatives to enhance digital accessibility in higher education. Since the pandemic, I have focused on making course materials and assessments more accessible, serving as a faculty champion for digital accessibility at UMBC. I am also exploring the use of AI-powered tools, such as chatbots, to support students in CHEM 101 by providing 24/7 chemistry Q&A assistance.
Beyond the classroom, my professional activities include committee work, collaborative research on chemistry education, and instructional innovations that align with UMBC’s mission of inclusive excellence.
Research Interests
My research interests lie at the intersection of chemistry education, digital accessibility, and instructional innovation. I am particularly focused on assessing the impact of digital accessibility measures in STEM courses and exploring how technology can enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
Teaching Interests
I teach CHEM 101 and 102, as well as advanced laboratory courses, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based pedagogy. My teaching philosophy centers on three key goals: (i) enabling students to take responsibility for their learning, (ii) empowering students to develop critical thinking skills, and (iii) providing context to illustrate the relevance of chemistry in real-world applications.
I am committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable classroom where all students, regardless of background, feel a sense of belonging and can succeed. As part of this commitment, I actively integrate digital accessibility strategies into my course design to ensure all students can fully engage with course materials. Additionally, I am exploring the role of AI-driven chatbots in supplementing student learning, with the goal of providing scalable, round-the-clock academic support in introductory chemistry courses.
Selected Classes
- Fall 2017 CHEM 101 – Principles of Chemistry I
- – Principles of Chemistry I
Contracts, Fellowships, Grants, and Sponsored Research
Bass, Sarah. “Using AI and Analytics to Assess and Supplement Students’ Prior Knowledge Needed to Succeed in Large STEM Courses,” Fellowship Sponsored By: DoIT.
Presentations
Bass, Sarah (Author & Presenter). Student Success Summit. Oral Presentation. "Impact of Semester Timing on Student Outcomes in the First Course of a General Chemistry Sequence," Office of the Provost, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, and the Faculty Development Center. (Nov 1, 2025).
Bass, Sarah (Author & Presenter), Carpenter, Tara S (Presenter). Student Success Summit. Poster. "Impact of Semester Timing on Student Outcomes in the First Course of a General Chemistry Sequence," Office of the Provost, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, and the Faculty Development Center. (Nov 1, 2025).
Bass, Sarah M. (Author & Presenter), Carpenter, Tara S (Author). 2020 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education. Oral Presentation. "Personalized automated e-mail tool to connect faculty with students in large enrollment STEM courses," (Jan 1, 2020).
Bass, Sarah M (Author & Presenter). ACS Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting. Oral Presentation. "Using ALEKS to connect with students in a large class," American Chemical Society. (May 1, 2019).