Chemistry 351: Independent Study – Fall 2008

 

This is a general syllabus for CHEM 351.  It may be supplemented by additional requirements, to be defined by your research mentor and committee.  Those requirements, if any, as well as scheduled assignment deadlines, etc., should be clearly outlined in your Course Contract (discussed below).

 

Course Objectives:

This course is intended to provide you with experience in conducting an independent laboratory project and presenting your results.  Specifically, you will:

·      Plan and conduct an investigation of a topic in one of the main disciplines of chemistry

·      Complete a search of the chemical literature relevant to your topic

·      Collect and analyze data

·      Present your work orally in formal and informal presentations

 

Time Commitment:

You are expected to devote at least 3 hours of laboratory time per week for each credit hour earned (i.e. minimum 3 hours in lab for 1 credit, 6 hours for 2 credits), in addition to time spent preparing course assignments.  Additional requirements will be outlined by your research mentor.

 

Research Mentor:

Your research mentor will outline the project on which you’ll be working and will guide your research throughout the semester, providing instruction in techniques and instrumentation as required, and making you aware of potential hazards and proper safety protocols.  He or she will also be the first reviewer of your written and oral assignments (in advance of “final” deadlines).  You are expected to meet with your mentor at least once each week.

 

Research Committee:

Each student will be assigned a research committee, consisting of his/her mentor and two other faculty members.  Committees will keep track of student progress and participate in evaluation of student work.  Students will be responsible for getting assignments to committee members and arranging committee meetings as required.

 

Research Coordinator:

Dr. Robin Lammi

Office: Sims 212A

Office Hours: MW 9:30-10:30, TR 11:00-12:00, and by appointment

Phone: 323-4946

E-mail: lammir@winthrop.edu

 

Course Meetings:

Students will meet with Dr. Lammi and the CHEM 551/552 students on the following Fridays from 12:00-12:50 in Sims 108:  August 29, Sept. 5 and 12.   In these meetings, you will become familiar with the structure of the course and the various student research projects planned for the semester.  You will also be introduced to the chemical literature, and techniques for literature searching and documentation.  After September 12th, you need not attend weekly course meetings; however, you will meet with your mentor and committee throughout the semester (dates and times to be determined.)

 

Required Text:

The ACS Style Guide, 3rd ed., Coghill and Garson, 2006 (or 2nd ed., 1997)

 

Assignment Policies:

 

Written assignments

1.      Your signed Course Contract and your Project Summary, described below, must be submitted to Dr. Lammi, in addition to your mentor and committee members. 

2.      Drafts of other written assignments (i. e., the Literature Search and written Progress Report), must be submitted to mentors by the scheduled due dates (determined by mentor/committee, and listed on the Course Contract).  

3.      Mentors will review assignment drafts and provide feedback for you to incorporate.  You will then submit these revised assignments to your mentor and committee members.  (In some cases, your committee may require another round of revision after that.)

a.      You are responsible for submitting assignments directly to committee members, either electronically or in paper form (depending on committee preference).

4.      Your mentor and at least one committee member will grade each of your written assignments, according to guidelines set out for all CHEM 351 students.  Grades will be recorded by your Committee Chair, and feedback will be shared with you.

 

Oral assignments.

1.      You are required to discuss all oral assignments with your mentor prior to presenting them to your committee (or to the class, in the case of the informal project introduction).

2.      All committee members will participate in grading your Oral Proposal and Oral Progress Report.

3.      Your final oral presentation will be given to the Chemistry faculty during exams week.  (Since there is not a final-exams slot for the Friday 12:00 meeting time, Dr. Lammi will arrange a time that is feasible for everyone involved.)  All Chemistry faculty will participate in grading this presentation.

 

Assignments/Grading:

These assignments apply to all students registered for CHEM 351.  Additional requirements may be outlined by your committee, and should be noted on your Course Contract.

 

1.      Course Contract (20 pts)

An individual, signed agreement between student, mentor, and committee members that specifies the expectations for the semester.  At a minimum, this must include:

·         Names and signatures for all parties, with one committee member designated the Committee Chair

·         The number of hours the student will work each week (the student should keep a log of hours worked)

·         The approximate days and times the student will be in the lab

·         A schedule for regular (weekly) student-mentor meetings 

·         Scheduled due dates for assignment drafts (submitted to mentor) and revised assignments (submitted to mentor and committee)

·         An approximate schedule for the two required committee meetings (e. g., the weeks during which these are intended to be held).

·         Any additional course requirements not listed on this general syllabus

Copies of the completed contract must be shared with all participants; additionally, a copy must be submitted to Dr. Lammi.

 

2.      Project Summary to Safety Committee and Safety Training (20 pts)

A description of materials and methods, hazards, and safety precautions to be encountered in the course of the semester, as outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan (Section C7, handed out in class), to be completed in consultation with your mentor.  Copies of the completed Project Summary should be submitted to mentor, committee members and Dr. Lammi.  You are also required to attend a safety training session, to be given by Dr. Snyder. 

                                                           

3.      Literature Search (80 pts)

A directed investigation of the scientific literature relevant to the specific project and broader field of research.  Searches will employ the SciFinder service and the Dacus Library online catalog (and other available databases, as appropriate).  At this stage, the focus should be on introductory material for the upcoming proposal – defining the problem and its significance, reviewing previous work in that specific sub-field, and describing the rationale and methods to be employed in the current studies.  The following items must be turned in:

  • A list of specific questions and/or topics for searching, due prior to the SciFinder instruction session.
  • Citations (using the correct, ACS-approved format described in class) for at least ten sources (books, articles, etc.) relevant to the project.  All sources listed must be available for circulation to the committee.
  • Brief written summaries for all sources, indicating main points of relevance to the project.

 

4.      Oral Proposal to the Committee (60 pts)

A brief (~15-minute) oral presentation to be given during the week of Oct. 1st.  The aim is to introduce committee members to the student’s project, focusing on goals for the semester and relevant background information (from the literature search, etc.).

 

5.      Written and Oral Progress Report (100 pts)

A detailed description of completed work related to the aims set out in the Contract, including experimental parameters and results (tables, graphs, etc.), and discussion of specific goals and plans for work to be completed by semester’s end.  The progress report will also be presented orally to the committee, during the week of Nov. 5th. 

 

6.      Final Presentation (120 pts)

A brief oral (PowerPoint) presentation of the semester’s work given to students and faculty (exact length and schedule to be determined).  The successful presenter will: (1) review the goals and significance of the project and the scientific basis of the techniques employed, (2) describe experimental methods utilized and results obtained, (3) discuss the interpretation(s) and implications of the results and (4) briefly describe possible future directions for the project.

 

7.       Laboratory Notebook (60 pts)

Mentors will grade notebooks on format, neatness, and completeness.

 

8.       Laboratory Technique (120 pts)

Mentors will assign grades based on the quality of students’ laboratory work.

 

9.      Attendance and Participation in Required Course Meetings (20 pts)

 

Total Points Possible:  600

 

S/U grading is used for this course.  Students must earn at least 70% of the available points for satisfactory completion.

  

 

Academic Integrity:

Any instances of academic misconduct will be dealt with as outlined in the Student Conduct Code (Sect. V), found in the Student Handbook.