Conference Session

ChE: Curriculum Reform & Assessment

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey Froyd; Jean Layne, Texas A&M University; Lale Yurttas, Texas A&M University; David Ford, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

the Page 11.416.2sequence). From the perspective of the individual faculty member, the “curriculum” may beviewed as a bureaucratic, organizational entity for which administration has responsibility.However, systemic department curricular reform requires the unified perspective, which in turnrequires the tension between the two perspectives be explored rather than ignored.Faculty time is another impediment to successful curricular change initiatives. Senge et alidentified the perception of the lack of discretionary time that might be invested in the project asthe second major process that hinders initiation of change18. Some curriculum change

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering in K-12 and the First Year

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Anthony Butterfield, University of Utah

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

,” Proc. IDC 2015 14th Int. Conf. Interact. Des. Child., pp. 347–350, 2015, doi: 10.1145/2771839.2771913.[7] M. Hlubinka et al., “Makerspace Playbook,” p. 78, 2013.[8] C. McKay, T. D. Banks, and S. Wallace, “Makerspace Classrooms: Where Technology Intersects With Problem, Project, and Place-Based Design in Classroom Curriculum,” Int. J. Des. Learn., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 11–16, 2016, doi: 10.14434/ijdl.v7i2.20267.[9] S. Freeman et al., “Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics.,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., vol. 111, no. 23, pp. 8410–5, 2014, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1319030111.[10] R. Beichner, “The SCALE-UP Project: A Student-Centered Active learning Environment

Conference Session

ChemE Curriculum: Junior, Senior, and Graduate

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Angela R Bielefeldt, University of Colorado, Boulder; Madeline Polmear, University of Colorado, Boulder; Chris Swan, Tufts University; Daniel Knight, University of Colorado, Boulder; Nathan E. Canney

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

describes the specific affective andcognitive domain outcomes related to ESI that are desirable [2]. Across engineering as a whole,some individuals advocate an ethics across the curriculum approach as most effective fordeveloping students’ ethical reasoning abilities [3-7]. This includes thoughtful design of theethics education of students across multiple courses. The design is intentional, crossing multipletopics as well as depth of cognitive and affective outcomes for ethical knowledge, values, andbehaviors. This may include micro-insertion, which are a few small ethics issues integrated intoclass for a few minutes on multiple occasions during an academic term [8-9]. Vanasupa et al.[10] proposed a four-domain development diagram for effective

Conference Session

Demonstration and Project Enhancements in Chemical Engineering Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephanie Farrell, Rowan University; Zenaida Otero Gephardt, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

AC 2010-180: INTRODUCING FRESHMAN ENGINEERING STUDENTS TOEXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: COFFEE BREWINGStephanie Farrell, Rowan University Stephanie Farrell is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University. Her educational interests include the incorporation of experiential learning throughout the ChE curriculum and the development of academe-industry-government collaboration. She is the recipient of the National Outstanding Teaching Award (2004) and the Robert G. Quinn Award (2006), and she currently serves on the ASEE Board of Directors as Zone I Chair.Zenaida Otero Gephardt, Rowan University

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering in Silico

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Erick J. Nefcy, Oregon State University; Philip H. Harding, Oregon State University; Milo Koretsky, Oregon State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

characterize student teams’ modeldevelopment as they proceed through a laboratory project. In this paper, the ModelRepresentations for 15 teams are examined as they complete physical and virtual laboratoryprojects in the senior year of the curriculum. Analysis of the Model Representation confirms thatthe virtual laboratory project affords students a richer opportunity for model development,modification, and use of evidence-based reasoning.IntroductionAs technology is integrated into classroom instruction, virtual laboratories have been receivingmore attention as an alternative mode to engage students and promote learning.1 Mostcommonly, the virtual laboratory is used as an alternative mode to deliver the correspondingphysical laboratory by simulating

Conference Session

New Trends in CHE Education I

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kevin Dahm, Rowan University; William Riddell, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Page 14.1205.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 THE EFFECT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN SOPHOMORE DESIGN INSTRUCTION ON PERFORMANCE IN SUBSEQUENT COURSE OFFERINGSAbstractThe chemical engineering curriculum at Rowan University includes a team-taught,multidisciplinary sophomore course sequence called Sophomore Engineering Clinic I and II,intended to teach engineering design and technical communication. Prior to 2005, SophomoreClinic I featured a semester-long design project. The faculty team made substantial changes tothe course in the Fall of 2005 to address various shortcomings in student achievement of thecourse goals. The new course design featured a 4-week project intended to introduce students tothe

Conference Session

Early ChemE Education

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jamie Gomez, University of New Mexico; Vanessa Svihla, University of New Mexico; Abhaya K. Datye, University of New Mexico

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

. Halvorsen, A.-L., et al., Narrowing the achievement gap in second-grade social studies and content area literacy: The promise of a project-based approach. Theory & Research in Social Education, 2012. 40(3): p. 198-229.6. Harris, C.J., et al., Impact of project‐based curriculum materials on student learning in science: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 2015. 52(10): p. 1362-1385.7. Mergendoller, J.R., N.L. Maxwell, and Y. Bellisimo, The effectiveness of problem-based instruction: A comparative study of instructional methods and student characteristics. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, 2006. 1(2): p. 5.8. Summers, E.J. and G

Conference Session

Chemical Engineering in Silico

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James P. Abulencia, Manhattan College

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

AC 2011-2265: ENGINEERING ETHICS CASE STUDIES IN SENIOR UNITOPERATIONS LABORATORYJames P Abulencia, Manhattan College Page 22.588.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Engineering Ethics Case Studies in Senior Unit Operations LaboratoryAbstract Placement of ethics in the Chemical Engineering curriculum has always been debated. Inthis project, the use of a real-world engineering ethics case study was integrated into the SeniorUnit Operations Laboratory course over two separate class years (i.e. Year 1 and Year 2). Themotivation behind this was twofold. First, the assignment provides the opportunity to develop

Conference Session

Grasping the "Concept"

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sayara Saliyeva, Nazarbayev University; Dinara McLaughlin; Moulay Rachid Babaa, Nazarbayev University; Hella Tokos, Nazarbayev University; Stefaan Jan Rogier Simons, University College London; Sarim Naji Al Zubaidy, Nazarbayev University; Joseph A. Menicucci Jr., Nazarbayev University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

-technical audience. Outline the scope of your project and the impact of this engineering project on industry and society. Demonstrate a thorough awareness of the significance and impact of project in societal/global context, explicitly and insightfully addressing issues such as energy, economics, government regulation, etc.In addition to meeting these requirements, each team was required to submit an environmentalimpact assessment comparing their project to two viable alternatives. Table 2 lists the topics ofthe final projects in the Engineering in Society course. Table 2: List of Final Project Topics in Engineering in Society The International Motor Road Corridor: Western China-Western Europe Alma Electricity

Conference Session

Instructional and Learning Assessment in Chemical Engineering

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jacqueline Gartner Ph.D., Washington State University; Bernard J. Van Wie, Washington State University; Kirk A Reinkens, Washington State University; Stephanie Anne Pitts, Washington State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

thesuccess of engineering students increases with modest participation in extracurricular activities7,because participation in extracurricular activities increases student engagement8.Some universities have overhauled the entire first-year engineering curriculum to integrateengineering design in every course taken by freshman engineering students with promisingresults9, 10, yet these articles also note the significant time requirement for faculty members inpreparing the sweeping curriculum changes11. Researchers at other universities have investigatedthe effects of augmenting or modifying the traditional first-year engineering design course withextracurricular activities to engage students in the engineering profession. Merritt et. al. reportedon an

Conference Session

SPECIAL SESSION: Interdisciplinary Course Design Opportunities for Chemical Engineers

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph J. Biernacki, Tennessee Technological University; Christopher D. Wilson, Tennessee Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

. Page 22.958.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2011 Introducing Interdisciplinary Content through ElectivesAbstractThe introduction of true interdisciplinary content into the engineering curriculum has beenamong the most debated and difficult to implement requirements of the current ABETaccreditation criteria. While most programs use soft activities such as role playing scenarios incapstone courses and similar interdisciplinary simulations, it is possible to design effectivecoursework with true interdisciplinary interaction. For over ten years the authors, faculty ofChemical (CHE), Electrical and Computer (ECE) and Mechanical Engineering (ME), have beenteaching various courses including

Conference Session

SPECIAL SESSION: Educational Methods and Tools to Encourage Conceptual Learning I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nancy K. Lape, Harvey Mudd College

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering, Educational Research and Methods

“implicit models made explicit”and begin to construct their own learning. While Hmelo and Guzdial’s work was focusedon software, this concept can clearly be applied universally.The aim of the approach presented in this paper is to maintain PBL’s advantages intraining students to address ill-defined real-world problems while providing sufficientscaffolding (in a manner similar to Hmelo and Guzdial’s glass-box scaffolding) toaddress cognitive architecture concerns raised by Kirschner et al. and Sweller et al. 1, 2.Tiered Scaffolding ApproachThe six-tiered approach shown in Figure 1 below was used to prepare students for PBL(here in the form of challenge problems and Thermodynamics Inquiry Projects) bymoving them up the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy 10

Conference Session

Best. Class. Ever.

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bernard J. Van Wie, Washington State University; David B. Thiessen, Washington State University; Marc Compere, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ., Daytona Beach FL; Ximena Toro; Jennifer C Adam, Washington State University; Shane A. Brown P.E., Washington State University; Andrew P Easley, Washington State University; Xuesong Li P.E., Washington State University; Kevin Lee, University of Idaho; Mert Colpan, Washington State University; Kevin Tyler Gray, Washington State University; Benjamin Garrett, Washington State University; Shane Riley Reynolds, Washington State University; Paul B. Golter, Washington State University; Olusola Adesope, Washington State University, Pullman

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

disaster relief and concentrated solar power for electricity generation, water desalination, and engineering edu- cation. He leads a yearly effort named Project Haiti to design, build, and install a solar powered water purifier in Haiti with students on an annual basis. He teaches senior design, vehicle dynamics, and in- strumentation courses. In addition to Clean Energy his research pursuits include hybrid electric vehicles, hardware-in-the-loop modeling, simulation and control, and swarm robotics with multiple heterogenous unmanned air and ground vehicles.Ms. Ximena Toro Ms. Ximena Toro graduated with a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering in the Fall of 2011 and graduated with Bachelors of Science in

Conference Session

Innovations in the CHE Laboratory

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Marvi Matos, University of Washington; Danilo Pozzo, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

involved in the projectagreed or strongly agreed with the statement that the new experimental module coverscontemporary topics. This finding encourages us to develop modules that would incorporate newapplications. The majority of the students in the class (71%) were in agreement with the need toinclude polymers and colloidal science in the chemical engineering curriculum. Thisdemonstrates that most students are aware of the new fields involved in the chemical engineeringpractice. It also shows that most students are interested in the addition of modules thatincorporate topics in polymers. In the questionnaire we also addressed the students' response to the new teachingapproach and the use of an open-ended project. Two thirds of the students

Conference Session

Work in Progress: Hands-on Activities

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Negar Beheshti Pour, University of California - Berkeley; David B. Thiessen, Washington State University; Bernard J. Van Wie, Washington State University; Kitana Kaiphanliam, Washington State University; Aminul Islam Khan, Washington State University; Prashanta Dutta, Washington State University; Olivia Reynolds, Washington State University; Katelyn Dahlke, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Olusola Adesope, Washington State University; Olufunso Oje, Washington State University; Jacqueline Gartner Ph.D., Campbell University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

project was initiated with the goal of transforming the STEM learning environment to make itmore effective, exciting and experiential [1]. DLMs can be used to complement lecture-based coursesand clarify common misconceptions in the chemical engineering curriculum [3-4]. These hands-onmodules foster active, constructive, and interactive forms of engagement far more than lectures do [5]and allow students to see for themselves the real-world effects of the concepts and theories that theyare learning in class.The development of such novel, visual, hands-on learning tools has become increasingly popular [6-10]and data have shown that integration of these modules into the curriculum improves student learningoutcomes [11,12], however, a number of

Conference Session

Experiential Learning in Chemical Engineering

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Jia Li, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

University, Beijing, China, 1999. WORKING EXPERIENCE Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona, 2016 – present. • Teach Process Design and Process Control for senior students. Process/Project Engineer, Wahlco Inc, Santa Ana, CA, 2014-2016. • Lead Urea to Ammonia process development. • Responsible for marketing research review. • Conduct internal and customer factory acceptance test. • Design process control system with PLC/DCS implementation. Project Manager/Senior Engineer, ClearWaterBay Technology Inc. Pomona, CA, 2007-2014. • Managed a Large-scale Refinery Energy Optimization Project, 2012-2014. • Major project in process design: 30+ units and 2 utility systems, with

Conference Session

Poster Sessions for Unit Operations Lab Bazaar and Tenure-Track Faculty

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael E. Prudich, Ohio University; Daina Briedis, Michigan State University; Robert Y. Ofoli, Michigan State University; Robert B. Barat, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Norman W. Loney, New Jersey Institute of Technology; Ali Pilehvari, P.E., Texas A&M University, Kingsville; Michael J. Elsass, University of Dayton; Robert J. Wilkens, University of Dayton; Danilo Pozzo, University of Washington; Jim Pfaendtner, University of Washington; William B. Baratuci, University of Washington; Jim Henry, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga; Bridget R. Rogers, Vanderbilt University; John F. Sandell, Michigan Technological University; Adrienne R. Minerick, Michigan Technological University; Jason M. Keith, Michigan Technological University; Horacio Adrian Duarte, Texas A&M University, Kingsville; David W. Caspary, Michigan Technological University; Charles Nuttelman, University of Colorado, Boulder; Pablo LaValle, University of Michigan; Naoko Ellis, University of British Columbia; Sergio Mendez, California State University, Long Beach; Arne Biermans, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

AC 2011-1640: UNIT OPERATIONS LAB BAZAARMichael E Prudich, Ohio University Mike Prudich is a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Ohio Uni- versity were he has been for 27 years. Prior to joining the faculty at Ohio University, he was a senior research engineering at Gulf Research and Development Company in Pittsburgh, PA primarily working in the area of synthetic fuels.Daina Briedis, Michigan State University DAINA BRIEDIS is a faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University. Dr. Briedis has been involved in several areas of education research includ- ing student retention, curriculum redesign, and the use of

Conference Session

A Virtual Community of Practice for Developing and Implementing Evidence-based Pedagogies

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephanie Farrell, Rowan University; Stephen J Krause, Arizona State University; Nancy Ruzycki, University of Florida; Amber L. Genau, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Brittany Nelson-Cheeseman, School of Engineering, University of St. Thomas; Cheryl A Bodnar, University of Pittsburgh; Joseph De-Chung Shih, Stanford University; Daniel Lepek, The Cooper Union; Lindsay Corneal, Grand Valley State University; Shannon Ciston, University of California, Berkeley; Richard E Eitel, Stevens Institute of Technology (SSE)

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering, Materials

State University. He teaches in the areas of introductory materials engineering, polymers and composites, and capstone design. His research interests include evaluating conceptual knowledge, mis- conceptions and technologies to promote conceptual change. He has co-developed a Materials Concept Inventory and a Chemistry Concept Inventory for assessing conceptual knowledge and change for intro- ductory materials science and chemistry classes. He is currently conducting research on NSF projects in two areas. One is studying how strategies of engagement and feedback with support from internet tools and resources affect conceptual change and associated impact on students’ attitude, achievement, and per- sistence. The

Conference Session

Computer-Based Learning in Chemical Engineering Courses

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jamie Gomez, University of New Mexico; Vanessa Svihla, University of New Mexico

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

, “Toward a Design Theory of Problem Solving,” Educ. Technol. Res. Dev., vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 63–85, 2000.[5] K. W. McElhaney, H.-Y. Chang, J. L. Chiu, and M. C. Linn, “Evidence for effective uses of dynamic visualisations in science curriculum materials,” Stud. Sci. Educ., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 49–85, 2015.[6] B. J. Reiser, “Scaffolding Complex Learning: The Mechanisms of Structuring and Problematizing Student Work,” J. Learn. Sci., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 273–304, 2004.[7] R. D. Pea, “The Social and Technological Dimensions of Scaffolding and Related Theoretical Concepts for Learning, Education, and Human Activity,” J. Learn. Sci., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 423–451, 2004.[8] I. Roll et al., “Understanding the

Conference Session

New Classrooms, New Challenges II: Assessing Non-traditional Approaches

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Milo Koretsky, Oregon State University; Kenneth J. Williamson, Oregon State University; Jeffrey A. Nason, Oregon State University; Goran Jovanovic Ph.D., Oregon State University; Chih-hung Chang, Oregon State University; Adam Z. Higgins, Oregon State University; Craig M. Gates, Oregon State University; Richard Mark Roehner, Oregon State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

State University. We will provide a description of the studio approach, and analysis ofstudent perception of the first quarter of the widespread studio implementation in three classes:material balances, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. We will also comment on theadministrative support and department culture needed for this type of curricular innovation.The foundation of the studio architecture is based on the demonstrated effectiveness of activelearning pedagogies from the physics education research community. These methods seek topromote a substantially higher level of engagement from students during in-class times. In arecent study, Deslauriers et al.1 studied the effectiveness of active learning reform pedagogiesusing a split design

Conference Session

Novel Student Experiences in Chemical Engineering

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Milo Koretsky, Oregon State University; Samuel Alexander Mihelic, Oregon State University; Michael J. Prince, Bucknell University; Margot A. Vigeant, Bucknell University; Katharyn E. K. Nottis, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

focus on what prevents students from being able to integrate and extend the knowledge developed in specific courses in the core curriculum to the more complex, authentic problems and projects they face as professionals. Dr. Koretsky is one of the founding members of the Center for Lifelong STEM Education Research at OSU.Mr. Samuel Alexander Mihelic, Oregon State University Samuel Mihelic is a research asistant in Dr. Yantasee’s lab in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Oregon Health and Science University. He received a B.S. in chemical engineering and a B.S. in mathematics from Oregon State University in 2014. He worked as an engineering education researcher with Dr. Koretsky at Oregon State University in 2013

Conference Session

SPECIAL SESSION: Interdisciplinary Course Design Opportunities for Chemical Engineers

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wendy C. Newstetter, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

and learningThe challengeAs 21st century science and engineering assault disciplinary boundaries towards addressingproblems in healthcare, the environment and energy, many engineering departments are seekingways to make the curriculum and the classroom more interdisciplinary. Areas as diverse as drugdelivery systems, green waste treatment plants, and skin injury treatments are all instances wherechemical engineering principles have been applied to pressing problems beyond the purvey oftraditional chemical engineering. However, while many faculty readily embrace inter and multi-disciplinary research programs, replicating boundary crossing in the classroom remainschallenging, if not contentious. Often, faculty educated within single engineering

Conference Session

Business and Professional Literacy Within Chemical Engineering

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Kristen Ferris, University of New Mexico; Pil Kang, University of New Mexico; Madalyn Wilson-Fetrow, University of New Mexico; Vanessa Svihla, University of New Mexico; Eva Chi, University of New Mexico; Jamie Gomez, University of New Mexico; Yan Chen, University of New Mexico; Susannah C. Davis, University of New Mexico; Sang M. Han, University of New Mexico; Abhaya K. Datye, University of New Mexico

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

Paper ID #33454Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Care in Chemical EngineeringMrs. Kristen Ferris, University of New Mexico Kristen Ferris is a student in the Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences program at the Uni- versity of New Mexico. Her research interests include faculty mindset change, change management, and organizational citizenship behavior. Much of her research is part of a National Science Foundation grant at UNM where the chemical and biological engineering department is redesigning curriculum to support diverse student retention and graduation. She intends to further her knowledge in the

Conference Session

ChE: Innovations in the Classroom

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Marlin, McMaster University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

• Report writing • Good design requires a cost estimating • Oral presentation mastery of chemical engineering sciencesThe profession has nearly unanimous agreement that these learning goals are important andshould be achieved by performing a project within the undergraduate chemical engineeringcurriculum. Examples of design projects are available in many textbooks and from CACHE2. Page 12.1366.32.2 Learning Goals for Operability This paper presents an argument for an enhancement in the curriculum by providingadditional operability topics to achieve the following learning goals

Conference Session

Virtual and Online Learning Tools in Chemical Engineering Education

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alec Steven Bowen, Oregon State University; Daniel Robert Reid, Oregon State University; Milo Koretsky, Oregon State University

Tagged Divisions

Chemical Engineering

focus on what prevents students from being able to integrate and extend the knowledge developed in specific courses in the core curriculum to the more complex, authentic problems and projects they face as professionals. Dr. Koretsky is one of the founding members of the Center for Lifelong STEM Education Research at OSU. Page 24.426.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2014 Development of Interactive Virtual Laboratories to Help Students Learn Difficult Concepts in ThermodynamicsAbstractIn this project, we explore the use of threshold concept theory as a