Chemical Sciences

Biographical Details:

After completing PhD in area of heterogeneous catalysis, then worked in industry for two years. Appointed as Lecturer in Analytical Science at Carlow IT, then joined NIHE in 1987 as Lecturer in Physical Chemistry. Appointed Senior Lecturer in Science Education in 2001.

Research Interests:

Key area of research is in science education including appropriate use of technology in the teaching of science, the effects of technology on science teaching at 2nd and tertiary level, and the impacts of these developments on curricula. Students approaches to learning in science and the development of suitable methodologies in this regard e.g. context based learning (problem based and project based). Developmet and exploitation of links between schools, Universities, industry. A further interest is in heterogeneous catalyst technology particularly used in combustion processes.

Selected Peer Reviewed Journals

• M.J.Tiernan, O.E.Finlayson. 1998. Effects of ceria on the combustion activity and surface properties of Pt/alumina catalysts. 19 Applied Catalysis B: Environmental,, pp23-*.
• N.D.McMillan, F.M.J.Fortune, O.E.Finlayson et al. 1992. A fiber drop analyser ; a new analytical instrument. Review Of Scientific Instruments, 63(6),
• N.D.McMillan, O.Finlayson etal. 1992. The Fiber drop analyser:. Measurement Science & Technology, 3,, pp746-*.
• J.W.Curley, M.J.Dreelan, O.E.Finlayson. 1991. High Temperature Stability of Alumina Fibre. Catalysis Today, 10,, pp401-*.
• M.J.Dreelan, O.E.Finlayson. 1989. Thermal Stabilisation of Alumina Fibres. Proceedings Of Royal Irish Academy, 89B,, pp411-*.
• O.E.Finlayson, J.K.A.Clarke, J.J.Rooney. 1984. Mechanisms of 1,5-dehydrocyclisation and Isomerisation of Alkanes on Iridium, Rhodium, Palladium and Platinum Films. Faraday Transactions 80,, pp191-*.
• J.K.A.Clarke, O.E.Finlayson, J.J.Rooney. 1982. Dehydrocyclisation of Alkanes. Chemical Communications, *,, pp1277-*.

Selected Books

• O.E.Finlayson and L.Killen. Case study of schools successful in science, *, 2002.
• Eds: TJDines, CHRochester and J Thomson. Catalysis and Surface Characterisation, Royal Society of Chemistry, 1992.

• O.E.Finlayson, Approaches to Science Teaching, Summer School for Science Teachers, - , DCU
• O.E.Finlayson, O Kelly, Small scale reactions in Chemistry, Variety in Chemistry Education, - , University of Keele
• *, *, *, - , *
• O.E.Finlayson, O Kelly, PBL approach to teaching and learning chemistry, Variety in Chemistry Education, - , University of Keele
• O.Kelly, O Finlayson, Investigative science, *, 04-SEP-03 - , Sligo Education Center
• Oral Kelly, O Finalyson, Problem Based Learning in the First Year Chemistry Lab - A work in progress, Variety in Chemistry Education in association with Irish Variety in Chenistry Teaching, 31-AUG-03 - 02-SEP-03, DCU
• O.Kelly, O Finlayson, Microscale Modules for Use in Introductory Chemistry, Variety in Chemistry Education in association with Irish Variety in Chemistry Teaching, 31-AUG-03 - 02-SEP-03, DCU
• O.E.Finlayson, *, Variety in Chemistry Education, 31-AUG-03 - 02-SEP-03, DCU
• O.E.Finlayson, Problem based learning in Chemistry, Nyholm Lecture meeting, 17-MAR-03 - 17-MAR-03, London
• M.Feeley, M.J.Tiernan, O.E. Finlayson, Combustion of propane by ceria-zirconia and manganese-zirconia mixed oxides, TMR Summer School on Green Chemistry, 04-SEP-00 - 10-SEP-00, Venice, Italy
• M.Tiernan, O.E.Finlayson, Catalytic oxidation for Hydrocarbon Removal, SURCAT meeting, 01-SEP-94 - 04-SEP-94, Brunel,UK
• N.O'Hare, R.Langbien, O.E.Finlayson, M.Meaney, Catalytic combustion of Volatile Organic Compounds, SURCAT meeting, 01-SEP-94 - 04-SEP-94, Brunel,UK