SYLLABUS Fall 1997 Chemistry 101 - Sections 535-546 Dr. Li Sun

Lectures: Tues. Thur., 11:10 - 12:25 am, Rm. 100 Heldenfels Hall (HELD)
Instructor: Dr. Li Sun, 845-5870, Rm. 001J Chemistry Building (CHEM), lisun@chemvx.tamu.edu
Office Hours: W 11:30 am - 2:20 pm, 407 HELD (845-1960); W 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, 001J CHEM (5-5870).

1. Introduction

Welcome to Chem 101. As the science that describes matter, chemistry is central to our understanding of many fields from health to the environment to the evaluation of materials. Rapid new developments in very diverse areas virtually guarantee that chemistry will become even more important in the years to come. A knowledge of chemistry will be a vital ingredient in your liberal arts education and an essential foundation for your technical education. As educated citizens, you will likely be able to understand, interpret, and evaluate information that involves the molecular world.

Chem 101 and 102 are the first year chemistry sequence in the core curriculum. Unlike previous semesters, Chem 101 and 102 are now 4 credit courses. The separate laboratory courses, Chem 111 and 112, may not be taken by students enrolled in Chem 101 or 102.

Sections 535-546 of Chem 101 are a part of a much larger program. I and others in the First Year Chemistry Program and the Chemistry Department at Texas A&M University are committed to providing a meaningful and stimulating course. Sections (535-546) under my instruction are independent of the other instructors' sections but we strive to cover common content, etc. The instructors strive to be approachable both in and outside the classroom.

This syllabus outlines the course policies for the sections listed above and any section of mine that might have been added during the week before the start of classes. Other instructors' policies 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. Near the end of this syllabus you will find a Class Calendar that contains exam dates and reading/problem assignments for the entire semester. Another calendar pertaining to laboratory/recitation each week will be distributed on the first day of your lab.

2. Required Textbooks and Materials

1. "General Chemistry", Whitten, Davis and Peck, 5th Edition, 1996.
2. "Measurement and Synthesis in the Chemistry Laboratory", L. Peck and K. Irgolic, 2nd Edition, 1997.
3. "ChemSkill Builder", disk 1, version 4.1 or greater for windows, 1996, James D. Spain.
4. A lab notebook (8˝" × 11", perforated alternating white and yellow pages with carbon paper).
5. Approved eye protection.
University and Departmental Regulations require that splash proof, chemical goggles be worn by everyone present, any time any experimentation is being conducted or any time chemicals or equipment are being moved by anyone in the laboratory. The Graduate Chemistry Fraternity will be at the labs the first week of lab to sell suitable goggles. Failure to wear goggles will result in expulsion from the laboratory for the experiment involved.

3. Optional Textbooks and Materials:

1. "Saunders Interactive General Chemistry CD ROM", ver. 2.0, J. Kotz and W. Vining, 1996 (or newer)
2. "Student Solutions Manual, General Chemistry", 5th ed., Y. Tang and W. Keeney Kennicutt, 1996.
3. A calculator suitable for use on lecture exams. See later discussions for allowable calculators.
4. A lab apron, or a nonflammable lab coat: required if your shorts or skirt do not cover your knees.

4. Reading Assignments: Lectures are designed to help you develop an understanding of the material being emphasized. To get most out of lecture, one should always read the appropriate sections before they are discussed in class. See the class calendar for details.

5. Homework Problems: Selected problems from those at the end of each chapter are listed in the class calendar. Although these problems will not be collected and graded, you should work through most of them because of two good reasons. First, working out problems is one of the best ways to test your comprehension of the lecture material. Sometimes you think that the solution to a problem as explained by a tutor, a friend, your instructor, or a solutions manual "makes sense", but this does not necessarily mean that you have a good understanding of the problem and that you can readily work other problems which involve these concepts or appear in a different form. The most reliable way to understand a problem is to work it completely and correctly yourself without looking at the answer. Second, some exam questions will be similar to homework problems although the exact numbers or the details differ. Thus, the selected homework problems reflect the particular emphasis your instructor put on this course.

6. Attendance and Pop Quizzes: Your attendance is expected at all lectures and recitations. You are responsible for all announcements made and all material presented. Several pop quizzes will be given in lecture during the course of the semester. The total credit for these quizzes is 5 points, or about 5% of the lecture portion of your grade. Most of these quizzes will involve cooperative efforts.

7. Exams: Three midterm exams and one final lecture exam will be given:

Exam #1	Tuesday, September 30	11:10 am - 12:15 pm, Room 100 HELD
Exam #2	Tuesday, October 28	11:10 am - 12:15 pm, Room 100 HELD
Exam #3	Tuesday, November 25	11:10 am - 12:15 pm, Room 100 HELD
Final Exam	Friday, December 12	3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Room 100 HELD

The final exam will NOT be given at anytime other than the time scheduled above. All exams will contain multiple choice questions with no partial credit. The midterm exams will cover material of selected chapters, and the final exam will include all the lecture topics. See the class calendar for details.

8. Make up Exams: For students who have excused absences AND who also notify me (the instructor) within 2 academic days (M, T, W, R, & F), a make up test will be arranged. The make up exam will be at least as difficult as the corresponding regular exam.

9. Grade Calculations: Your course grade will be determined by the total points of your course average, which, in turn, is calculated from your lecture average (about 75%) and lab average (about 25%).

Course Average = (3 x Lecture Average + Lab Average)/4

Lecture Average = [(Total Points from 3 Midterm Exams) + (Points from the Final Exam)]/5 + Pop Quiz Points

Laboratory/Recitation Average = [(Sum of all Reports, all Pre-Labs and all Post-Labs) + (Sum of all Lab/Recitations Quizzes) + (Sum of ChemSkill Builder Points) + (Lab/Reditation Finals)] x Factor X

Each midterm exam is worth 100 points and the final exam is worth 200 points. Thus, the highest lecture average is 105 points including the 5 "Bonus Points" from the Pop Quizzes. The sum of your lab points will be multiplied by a Factor X, which will result in your section’s class average for the lab portion of this course being between 84 and 90 on a 100-point scale. Numerical ranges for letter grades will be determined at the end of the semester. I anticipate that the average grade will be a mid to high C.

Students with absences (excused or non excused) who miss one or more exams without making up the missed exams should consult me about the assignment of a grade. In particular, students who request a grade of "I" (Incomplete) and meet all university criteria for this temporary grade, will need to review the records, etc., with me before I will consider giving the grade of "I".

10. Lecture Exam Administration

1. Scantron Sheets: Prior to the first lecture exam, purchase FOUR standard (8˝" × 11") gray Scantron sheets (Form No. O 101607 TAMU) from the bookstore and turn them in at the First Year Chemistry Information Office (Room 123 HELD) during operating hours. Do not write anything on them before you turn them in at Room 123. Samples of the correct scanning sheet are displayed on the bulletin boards.
2. Seating Assignment: check your seating assignment one day before an exam. Each exam will have a different seating assignment which will be posted on the bulletin boards outside of Room 100 HELD at least 24 hours in advance of the exam.
3. Arrive at the lecture 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 materials into the exam. "No TOAD." You must bring a picture ID to all exams and show it to a proctor if necessary.
4. Bring at least two sharpened #2 pencils and an eraser. Pencil sharpeners and calculators [with certain restrictions see (e) below] may also be brought to the exam. There must be no "sharing" of calculators during an exam. Any other questionable items must be out of sight in a briefcase, pack, purse, or sack, and stored under your desk or at the side of the room once you have taken your assigned seat.
5. You will need a calculator with logarithmic functions. It should also be able to display large numbers in scientific notation (e.g. 6.02 × 10²³ or 6.02 23). However, calculators with programmable or alphanumeric capabilities are NOT acceptable. See the bulletin boards for lists of some acceptable and unacceptable calculators. Any student who uses an unacceptable calculator during an exam will receive a zero for the exam plus other penalties.
6. Follow the directions given to you as you enter the exam room. Do not write on the back of the Scantron sheet. Failure to follow these directions may result in a withheld or zero grade. Encode all of your answers on the Scantron sheet which is the only item that will be collected for grading.
7. 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.
8. Work carefully, but you must finish in the allotted time; exams handed in late will not be accepted. Please remain seated quietly until asked to leave. Mark the Option "A" on your answer form to have your score posted outside of Room 100 HELD. These postings will be by your section and the last 4 digits of your ID number. If you think there is an error, you should resolve the problem at Room 123 HELD.

11. Dishonesty: Students are expected to be the sole source for any work submitted in their name. The utilization or submission of work of others is a violation of Texas A&M University scholastic dishonesty policies and disciplinary steps will be taken. Only authorized electronic or printed materials or equipment may be used in or near the classroom. "No TOAD." As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off 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 turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research and knowledge cannot be safely communicated. If you have questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section "Scholastic Dishonesty."

12. Copyright: The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. Here, "handouts" refer to all materials generated for this class, including but not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems or study sheets, in class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets, notes, etc. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts, unless you are granted a written permission.

13. Sources of Information about This Course

1. Bulletin Boards: Special announcements (schedule changes, etc.) will be posted on the official bulletin boards (outside Rooms 100, 413, 004, 117 HELD). Information about exams (seating assignment, score posting, etc.) will be posted outside of Room 100 HELD as discussed previously.
2. Internet Web Pages: This syllabus, course announcements, and other related information can be accessed on the web through the First Year Chemistry Program's homepage (http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/fypintro.html). You can find it through TAMU Chemistry Department's homepage (http://www.chem.tamu.edu), then to Courses, and click on the First Year Chemistry Program. This semester you will be able to check your grades confidentially on the web. To do so, go to my homepage under the First Year Chemistry Program. Use the TAMU Messaging System as directed. Click on “Look me up” and input the Access Key as well as the Database Name (both are case sensitive!!!). The Access Key is the special password given in class and the class Database Name is CHEM-101.5XX.f.1997, where XX stands for the remaining two digits of your section number. Finally, press submit. It should work. E-mail Dr. Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt at kennicutt@chemvx.tamu.edu if there is a problem. You can also find information about this course for previous semesters, but remember that in previous semesters the laboratory was a separate course.
3. Information Office: The Information Office is at Room 123 HELD. Office Hours are approximately Monday through Friday, 9:30 11:30 am and 1:30 2:30 pm. Questions can be answered there pertaining to your course records, etc. This is also where you turn in your blank Scantron sheets. A Help Desk will also be staffed in Room 123 during about the same hours as the Information Office is open. Check outside of Room 123 for the exact schedules (845 2356).

14. Help is Available

1. Instructor: Feel free to ask for help during my office hours. I will hold a review session before each exam (see the class schedule).
2. Supplemental Instruction (SI): SI instructor will hold three 50-minute sessions each week to help you learn important concepts. SI instructor’s schedule will be available on the first day of class.
3. Tutoring: For several hours each day, teaching assistants will be available in Room 123 HELD to answer questions related to both laboratory and lecture. See the bulletin boards for their schedules.
4. Special Review Sessions: Some other instructors may hold frequent review sessions in addition to those for exams. Again, consult the bulletin boards for an updated schedule.

15. Other Important Dates (Not Including Exam Dates)

Sept. 4: Last day to drop a course with no record
Sept. 5: Beginning of Q drop. Last day to add a class or change sections.
Oct. 20: Midsemester Grades Due
Nov. 7: Last day to Q drop a course.
Nov. 27 &28: Thanksgiving holiday
Dec. 5: Course Evaluations
Dec. 9: Redefined Day Dead Day
Dec. 11: Reading Day (no classes)

For a look at the Class Calendar, click here.