Course Description
The Chemistry 119H/120H sequence of lecture courses is intended to provide a rigorous introduction to important theories and concepts in the broad area of general chemistry. Chemistry 119H covers atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, the gas laws, and properties of liquids and solids. Chemistry 120H deals with the laws of thermodynamics, chemical and solution equilibria, and kinetics of chemical reactions. Successful completion of these courses provides an excellent foundation for further study in more specialized areas of chemistry, as well as in related disciplines such as biology, biochemistry, and engineering.
As noted in its Howdy listing, the lecture portion of this course will be conducted entirely online. My lectures will be given "synchronously," i.e., at the same times as those shown in the Howdy listing, viz., on MWF during the period 10:40-11:30 AM. All class meetings will be conducted using the Zoom application for video conferencing. You can get information about downloading and using the Zoom software here. If you have previously used Zoom in any of your high school courses, the application may already be installed on your computer. If you have not previously used Zoom, the application will automatically be downloaded and installed on your computer when you click on the Zoom link that I will send you for the first class meeting. In order to enable you to fully participate in our class meetings, you will need a computer that has both a video camera and a microphone (most recent laptops have both of these).
Because this is an honors course, it will be conducted at a conceptually (and mathematically) more rigorous level than that of the corresponding non-honors sections of the course. Students enrolled in Chem 119H should have had at least one year of high school chemistry (and preferably one year of high school physics), and should already be knowledgable about many elementary chemical concepts. I will assume, for example, that you are already familiar from your high school course(s) with essentially all of the concepts in the introductory "Fundamentals" sections of the textbook, and therefore only a few of these topics will be formally covered in class. However, you should review this material, particularly sections A, B, and C, and complete the assigned homework exercises from them during the first week of class to ensure that your background in chemistry is adequate for this course. (Homework problems from sections D through M of the "Fundamentals" material will be separately assigned in the accompanying Chemistry 119H laboratory portion of the course.) You should also review the material in sections A, B, and C of Appendix 1 in your textbook (pp. A1 to A6) to ensure that you are sufficiently familiar with the concepts of scientific notation, SI units, and unit conversions that are presented there. Proficiency in algebra and simple trigonometry and knowledge of the elementary principles of differential and integral calculus also will be assumed. Sections D, E, and F of Appendix 1 (pp. A6 to A8) briefly review some of the mathematical techniques and concepts that will be used during the course. If you have any concerns that you may not have an adequate background to succeed in this course, please consult with me during the first week of class, so that we may discuss your individual situation.
eCampus
Several important aspects of the
course will require you to access eCampus, a software package that
is utilized for management of some courses at TAMU. You will
periodically login to the eCampus web site during the semester to
submit homework assignments, quizzes, and exams, and to access the
grade book which will be updated on a regular basis and which will
contain your grades for all of the submitted assignments. The
URL for the login page of the eCampus web site is:
http://ecampus.tamu.edu.
Login to the site using your TAMU NetID user name and password.
After logging in, you will see a list of all of the courses in which
you are registered, and for which the instructor has created an
eCampus site (not all courses utilize eCampus). To access the
eCampus site for Chem 119H, click on the following course
description:
20 FALL CHEM 119 201-203: HNR-FUND OF CHEMISTRY I.
In the resulting menu on the left side of the page, click on
"Content" to access the various graded assignments (homework,
quizzes. and exams) and their answer keys. Click on "My
Grades" to access the grade book, which contains a compilation of
all of your grades for the submitted assignments, up to that point
in the semester.
Examinations and Grading
As
summarized
on the home
page
of this syllabus, your final grade in
the
course will be based on three in-class one-hour examinations (each worth 100
points), a final examination (150 points), nine graded homework assignments
(worth a total of 100
points), 10 in-class quizzes (worth a total of 50 points), plus your grade for
the laboratory portion of the course (worth a maximum of 200 points), resulting
in a maximum total of 800 points for the course. Final course
letter
grades will correspond to the following
percentages of the 800 point maximum:
| ≥ 85% | A |
| 75 - 84% | B |
| 60 - 74% | C |
| 50 - 59% | D |
| < 50% | F |
Homework, Quizzes, and Exams
Homework. Chemistry is a quantitative discipline that can only properly be learned by solving problems. The assigned even-numbered homework problems from the textbook and their due dates for each Topic are summarized on the Homework Assignments page of the course syllabus. Each numbered Topic of the textbook ends with a section entitled "The skills you have mastered are the ability to:," which summarizes the principal concepts covered in the Topic. The "Skills" from each chapter for which you will be responsible are listed on the "Homework Assignments" page. The textbook's accompanying "Student Solutions Manual" contains complete solutions to all of the odd-numbered problems in the text, and should be used as a learning tool to study solutions of these unassigned problems because many of the assigned even-numbered problems have an odd-numbered counterpart, for which a solution is given in the manual.
Because one of the best ways to truly learn a subject is to explain or teach it to others, all homework assignments (except the first one) will be performed in pre-assigned groups of three or four students. Each group will submit a single set of solutions for each assignment, and each member of the group will receive the same grade for the assignment. Pre-announced short quizzes will occur approximately once per week. These will also be completed as group exercises by the same pre-assigned groups as those for the homework problems, and again each member of a group will receive the same grade for the quiz.
Because the lecture portion of this course will be taught entirely online, with no in-person class meetings, students in each of the various assigned groups will have to commnicate with each other when completing their homework assignments and quizzes by using Zoom meetings, telephone conference calls, email messaging, etc. The goal is to ensure participation and exchange of ideas by all group members while working on the various assignments. Completed homework sets (legible hand written pages are adequate) are to be uploaded as PDF files to the Content page on the Chem 119H eCampus web site, no later than 5:00 PM on the due dates shown on the Homework Assignments page of the course syllabus. Creation of the PDF files to be submitted can best be accomplished by using any of various free apps, such as CamScanner, that convert phone pictures into PDF files, and will even re-align crooked pictures. Use your phone to take a picture of each page of the completed handwritten homework; convert each picture into a PDF file using CamScanner, and then combine the separate PDF files into a single composite PDF file, which should be saved on your local computer. Assign one group member to upload the composite PDF file to the "Homework Assignments" folder on the eCampus "Content" page. To do so, first click on the "Homework Assignment" folder and then on the folder with the appropriate due date. Under the Assignment Submission header, click on the "Browse My Computer" button, navigate to the location of the composite PDF file that was saved, and upload it to the eCampus page.
Each completed assignment must include a copy of a cover page, which lists all group members who participated in completing the assignment. The required cover page will be provided to you when the group memberships are finalized by the end of the second week of classes. Note that the first homework assignment, which is due on August 26th, is to be completed individually by each student, before any groups have yet been assigned. You should find that this first homework assignment is a review of the elementary chemical concepts that were covered in your high school chemistry course(s), and is intended to assess your mastery of these fundamental principles.
The review sessions that are scheduled prior to each homework assignment's due date will be conducted using Zoom meetings, beginning at 6:00 PM on the dates shown on the Homework Assignments page of the course syllabus. You can also send any questions that you have about the homework assignments to me by email at any other time, and I will respond to them as soon as possible.
Quizzes. A total of ten quizzes will be given during the semester, all adminstered via eCampus. Each quiz will be posted as a PDF file in the "Quizzes" folder on the Content page of the Chem 119H eCampus web site on the day of a regularly scheduled class meeting, which will be announced in advance by email. On days of quizzes, access to the posted quiz will be enabled at 10:40 AM, and groups will have 20 minutes to complete the quiz and upload a PDF file of the completed quiz to the same eCampus from which the quiz was downloaded, using the same method as that described above for homework assignments. The quizzes do not require a cover page because the names of participating group members are entered directly on the quiz page. Access to upload your PDF file will end at 11:00 AM. Immediately after this 20-minute period, I will provide the answer to the quiz in class and answer any questions that you may have about it, so that you receive immediate feedback. Unless announced otherwise in advance, all quizzes will be open-book, open-notes, but not "open internet." I will assume that the Aggie Honor Code will prevail.
Exams. The three one-hour exams and the two-hour final exam will be posted as PDF files in the "Exams" folder on the Content page of the Chem 119H eCampus web site on the dates that they are scheduled to be taken, which are shown in the Course Syllabus. Each of the one-hour exams will be made available for student access for a total of 70 minutes, beginning at 10:40 AM. At that time, you will download and complete the exam and send me an email with a list of your answers no later then 11:50 AM. Prior to the 10:40 AM start time, I will send you by email a template to be used for submitting your answers by return email. I will post a Study Guide in the "Exams" folder on eCampus for each exam approximately three days prior to the exam. Each student is expected to complete and submit each exam individually, without participation by roommates or "knowledgeable" visitors. Again, I will assume that the Aggie Honor Code will prevail.
The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th, during the 150-minute period 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. This exam will also be posted to the eCampus web site, and access will begin at 11:00 AM, and end at 1:30 PM, by which time you must have submitted your answers to me by email.
Reading Assignments
It
has been
said that "Teaching is the art of assisting
discovery."
My
role as your instructor is not to "teach" you chemistry, but to assist
you
in teaching yourselves and in "discovering" chemical principles through
self-study.
Consequently, the lectures, discussions, and in-class quizzes in this
course
are not intended to provide comprehensive coverage of each topic, but
to
highlight and strengthen the most important and difficult concepts, in
order
to assist and guide you in your study. The course syllabus
lists the text
sections for which
you
will be responsible, whether
or not they are formally covered
in
class. As described above, the "Skills" section at the end of each
text
Topic concisely summarizes the concepts that you should have mastered
from
that Topic. The syllabus also gives a tentative schedule of lecture/discussion
topics for the entire semester. To derive the greatest benefit from the class
meetings, I urge you to develop the habit of reading and studying each Topic before
the class(es) on that topic. This practice of prior study will not only
enable
you to better understand the material covered in the lectures, but
will
also allow for discussion in class about those topics with which you
are
having difficulty. Although I will always have adequate lecture
material
prepared for each class meeting, I hope to conduct as many classes as
possible
in an interactive "structured tutorial" style, rather than a formal
lecture
style.
Approaches to the Study of Chemistry
In his book, The Chemistry Classroom: Formulas for Successful Teaching, J. Dudley Herron refers to studies by Carolyn Carter, in which she describes two contrasting approaches by students to the study of chemistry:
Some students see chemistry as abstract and alien. Their job is to absorb and reproduce knowledge presented by the teacher, who is an authority from another world. Problems are tasks that require calculations and an answer, but not a question, and the only purpose of solving problems is to get an answer that "they" want. The way to do problems is to reproduce algorithms and recognize problem types; creativity has no role in chemistry. The way to succeed is to work the same problems over and over until they are memorized. Students such as these are estranged from chemistry as a discipline. Chemistry is "out there" and the people who do it are some undefined "they" who want students to perform in mysterious ways that do not make much sense. The student's job is to figure out what "they" want done, to recall how "they" say a problem should be solved, and to apply "their" procedure to generate an answer that "they" expect. There is little consideration of whether the answer to a problem or the problem itself makes sense. It is not supposed to.
Other (more enlightened) students have quite a different approach. To them, chemistry is a creative way of understanding concepts and problems. They see themselves as the source of knowledge, and they see their role as putting concepts together and applying them to solve problems. The teacher is there to motivate, answer questions, and explain when necessary. Problems are tasks in which one must think creatively and synthesize ideas; problems are not algorithmic. The goal of problem solving is to understand ideas and apply them to new contexts, and the way to get proficient at it is to work problems, think about the concepts involved, and relate ideas to previous knowledge.
Clearly, it is the second of these two attitudes that I hope you will cultivate in your study of chemistry. I will do all that I can to assist you in developing such an approach.
Attendance
The university views class attendance and
participation as an individual student responsibility. Students are
expected to attend class and to complete all assignments.
Makeup
Work Policy
Students will be excused from attending class
on the day of a graded activity or when attendance contributes to a
student’s grade, for the reasons stated in Student Rule 7, or other
reason deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Please refer to
Student Rule 7
in its entirety for information about makeup work, including
definitions, and related documentation and timelines.
Absences related to Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 may necessitate a period of more than 30 days for
make-up work, and the timeframe for make-up work should be agreed
upon by the student and instructor” (Student
Rule 7, Section 7.4.1).
“The instructor is under no obligation to
provide an opportunity for the student to make up work missed
because of an unexcused absence” (Student
Rule 7, Section 7.4.2).
Students who request an excused absence are
expected to uphold the Aggie Honor Code and Student Conduct Code.
(See Student Rule
24.)
Academic Integrity Statement and Policy
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or
tolerate those who do.”
“Texas A&M University students are responsible
for authenticating all work submitted to an instructor. If asked,
students must be able to produce proof that the item submitted is
indeed the work of that student. Students must keep appropriate
records at all times. The inability to authenticate one’s work,
should the instructor request it, may be sufficient grounds to
initiate an academic misconduct case” (Section
20.1.2.3, Student Rule 20).
You can learn more about the Aggie Honor System
Office Rules and Procedures, academic integrity, and your rights and
responsibilities at
aggiehonor.tamu.edu.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy
Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact Disability Resources in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit disability.tamu.edu. Disabilities may include, but are not limited to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and their instructors as soon as possible.
Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality
Texas A&M University is committed to fostering
a learning environment that is safe and productive for all.
University policies and federal and state laws prohibit gender-based
discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault,
sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and
stalking.
With the exception of some medical and mental
health providers, all university employees (including full and
part-time faculty, staff, paid graduate assistants, student workers,
etc.) are Mandatory Reporters and must report to the Title IX Office
if the employee experiences, observes, or becomes aware of an
incident that meets the following conditions (see
University Rule 08.01.01.M1):
·
The incident is reasonably believed to be discrimination or
harassment.
·
The incident is alleged to have been committed by or against a
person who, at the time of the incident, was (1) a student enrolled
at the University or (2) an employee of the University.
Mandatory Reporters must file a report
regardless of how the information comes to their attention –
including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written
class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social
media post. Although Mandatory Reporters must file a report, in most
instances, you will be able to control how the report is handled,
including whether or not to pursue a formal investigation. The
University’s goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of
options available to you and to ensure access to the resources you
need.
Students wishing to discuss concerns in a
confidential setting are encouraged to make an appointment with
Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS).
Students can learn more about filing a report,
accessing supportive resources, and navigating the Title IX
investigation and resolution process on the University’s
Title IX webpage.
Statement on Health and Mental Wellness
Texas A&M University recognizes that mental
health and wellness are critical factors that influence a student’s
academic success and overall wellbeing. Students are encouraged to
engage in proper self-care by utilizing the resources and services
available from Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). Students
who need someone to talk to can call the TAMU Helpline
(979-845-2700) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on
weekends. 24-hour emergency help is also available through the
National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255) or at
suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Campus Safety Measures
To promote public safety and protect students,
faculty, and staff during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Texas A&M
University has adopted policies and practices for the Fall 2020
academic term to limit virus transmission. Students must observe the
following practices while participating in face-to-face courses and
course-related activities (office hours, help sessions,
transitioning to and between classes, study spaces, academic
services, etc.):
Personal Illness and Quarantine
Students required to quarantine must
participate in courses and course-related activities remotely and
must not attend face-to-face course activities. Students should
notify their instructors of the quarantine requirement. Students
under quarantine are expected to participate in courses and complete
graded work unless they have symptoms that are too severe to
participate in course activities.
Students experiencing personal injury or
Illness that is too severe for the student to attend class qualify
for an excused absence (See
Student Rule 7,
Section 7.2.2.) To receive an excused absence, students must
comply with the documentation and notification guidelines outlined
in Student Rule 7. While Student Rule 7, Section 7.3.2.1, indicates
a medical confirmation note from the student’s medical provider is
preferred, for Fall 2020 only, students may use the Explanatory
Statement for Absence from Class form in lieu of a medical
confirmation. Students must submit the Explanatory Statement for
Absence from Class within two business days after the last date of
absence.
Operational Details for Fall 2020 Courses
For additional information, please review the FAQ on Fall 2020 courses at Texas A&M University.
Legalities
Course Materials and Copyright Issues
All documents used in this course are copyrighted. Here, "documents" means all materials generated for this class, including, but not limited to, syllabi, quizzes, exams, problem sets, and all materials appearing on the class web site. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy any of them for any purpose other than your own personal academic use unless I expressly grant permission. In particular, course materials may not be given or sold to any for-profit enterprise.
Plagiarism
As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of submitting as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and submit it as your own, even if you have the permission of that person. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section "Scholastic Dishonesty."
Chem 119H Lecture Course
Dr. Michael P. Rosynek
Department of Chemistry
rosynek@chem.tamu.edu
Copyright © 2013
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843
All Right Reserved
