SYLLABUS Fall 1996 Chemistry 101 - Section 503 Dr. Yi-Noo Tang

Introduction
Policies
Calendar

INTRODUCTION

Chemistry 101 and 102 are the lecture courses of the first-year chemistry sequence in the core curriculum. Chemistry 111 and 112 are the laboratory courses designed to accompany these lecture courses. Many of you are taking these courses because those who designed the curriculum in which you major realize that a foundation in chemistry is required for your complete education in that major. Chemistry 101 is therefore a very significant course for you, your academic success, and your career development.

This is a very large course. Although this large enrollment does place certain limitations me, I and the others in the First Year Chemistry Program are committed to providing you an interesting and stimulating course. Each section of this course is independent of the other sections but we strive to cover similar content. We, the instructors, have carefully chosen a textbook for its clarity, examples, and problems; we will prepare our lectures to pace and guide your study; we will place a variety of supplemental materials in the Learning Resources Center (LRC, 004 Heldenfels). We all strive to be approachable both in and outside the classroom. My office hours will be announced within the next few days.

This handout outlines the course policies for Sections 501 & 503. Other sections may differ slightly. You should read this material carefully to familiarize yourself with the various rules and procedures, especially those which govern examinations and grades. You will also find on the last pages of this handout a calendar which contains exam dates for the entire semester. In order to get the most out of lectures in this course, please read the material before it is discussed in class.

Feel free to call upon me whenever I can be of help. I will hold a review session before each exam. Other review sessions will be scheduled, if requested. For several hours each day, teaching assistants will be available in Room 415, Heldendels.

POLICIES

II. Reading Assignments: Lectures are designed to enhance your understanding of the material in your textbook. To get the most out of lecture you should always read the appropriate sections before they are discussed in class

III. Homework Problems (BOPs): A total of 113 problems from the textbook are assigned to be handed in. You must turn in the original problems, but you should keep a copy for your own use. Bonus points will be awarded and added to the "course average" according to the percentage of completed problems as shown below.

BOP’s will not be returned. They are due on the Monday during class time after each exam. Details of the Bonus Opportunity Problems will be described in a separate hand-out. However, 20% of the points will be deducted if BOP's are handed in after the due date, and BOP's will not be accepted more than two class meetings after the due date. No BOPs will Be Accepted Outside of The Classroom.

IV. Attendance: Students are required to attend the lectures in their registered section. Attendance in other sections should be used only as a supplement and NEVER as a substitute. Attendance may be checked periodically.

V. Exams: There will be four hour-exams (Exams 1, 2, 3 and 4) given on the days indicated on the attached calendar. Additionally, there will be a FINAL EXAM and MAKE-UP EXAMS. All of these exams may include questions or problems in any format.

(A) Hour-Exams: Actually, these are 45-minute exams given during the regular lecture times. Each exam is worth 100 points. Exam 1 will cover material in Chapters 1-4 of the textbook. Exams 2, 3, and 4 will concentrate on the block of material covered after the previous exam; however, one or more review questions may also be included. You must bring your student ID to each exam.

(B) Final Exam: The Final Exam will be a 115 minure, 200 point test covering all the chapters taught during the semester. You must bring your student I.D. to the Final Exam.

(C) Make-up Exam: For students who have excused absences and who also notify me (their instructor) within 2 academic days, a make-up test will be arranged. The make-up exams will be at least as difficult as the regular exams.

Course Average = (Total of 4 Exams + Final Exam)/6 + Homework Points

The ranges of the letter grade will be determined at the end of the semester. I anticipate that the average grade will be a mid- to high C. This semester's ranges will be determined at the end of the semester.

Students with absences (excused or unexcused) who miss one or more exams without making up the missed exams should consult me about the assignment of a grade. In particular, students missing a small portion of the course but having at least a 50 average, who are unable to complete the course due to reasons beyond their control will receive a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if they request this grade and meet any other university criteria for this temporary grade. Students with less than a 50 average may not qualify for the grade of “I”.

VII. Exam Administration: Because of the large number of students taking an exam at any one given time I want you to please observe the following rules:

(A). Check the exam seating assignment one day in advance. Each exam has a different seating assignment. Seating assignments will be posted on the bulletin board outside Room 100 at least 24 hours in advanc of the exam.

(B) Prior to the First Exam, purchase FIVE standard (8 1/2" x 11") gray scanning sheets (Form No.0-101607-TAMU) from the bookstore and turn them in unmarked to Room 415 Heldenfels. Samples of the scanning sheet will be displayed on the official Chemistry bulletin boards, located near Rooms 100, 413, 004 and 117 in Heldenfels.

(C) Arrive at the exam on time. Cheating or bringing in material with intent to cheat will result in a zero for the exam or a more severe penalty. Do not bring unauthorized material into the exam.

(D) Bring to the exam at least two sharpened #2 pencils, an eraser, and your TAMU I.D. card. Pencil sharpeners and calculators (with certain restrictions) may also be brought. There must be NO "sharing" of calculators during an exam. Any other items must be "enclosed" out of sight in a briefcase, pack, purse, or sack, and stored under the student's desk upon taking the assigned seat.

(E) Students may NOT use calculators that are programmable or have alphanumeric capabilities for the exams. Some of the acceptable and unacceptable calculators are listed on the bulletin board outside Room 100 Heldenfels. Any student attempting to use an unacceptable calculator will receive a zero for the exam plus other penalties.

(F) Follow the directions on the large envelope given to you in the exam room. Do not write on the envelope or on the back of the scanner sheet. Failure to follow these directions may result in a withheld or zero grade. In addition, note that the multiple choice answers have to be recorded on the standard gray scanning sheet to be graded.

(G) During the exam, keep all work covered as much as possible. Talking or looking around the room will result in a withheld grade for the exam.

(H) Work carefully, but you must finish in the allotted time; exams handed in late will not be graded. Please remain seated quietly until asked to leave. Please mark Option A on your scanning sheet if you want your grade posted outside of Room 100 HELD by the last 5 digits of your social security number. If your score is different from what you believe it should be, or if your score is not posted, please see me.

IX. Information Window: The Information Office is at Room 415 HELD. Office Hours are approximately Monday through Friday, 9:30-11:30 A.M. and 1:30-3:30 P.M. Questions can be answered here pertaining to your course records, homework, etc. This is also where you turn in your scantron sheets.

X. Review Schedule: I will hold a Review Session before each exam. They are currently scheduled on (Wednesday) 9/18, 10/9, 10/30, 11/20, and 12/11. Other review sessions may be arranged for other dates and times. XI. Final Exam Schedule: Our final exam will be held in Room 100 Heldenfels. Please do not expect to take the final exam at any time other than its scheduled time. The schedule is as follows:

Section 501: Friday, 12/13 at 10 am.

Section 503: Tuesday, 12/17 at 8 am.

CALENDAR

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