CHEM 530: Inorganic Chemistry (Section 001) – 3 credit hours

Spring 2020

 

Class Meetings:

 

TR 9:30-10:45, Sims 113C

 

Instructor:

 

Dr. Robin Lammi

Office: Sims 313A

Phone: 323-4946

E-mail: lammir@winthrop.edu

 

Office Hours:

M 1:30-3:00, W 9:00-10:30; please also feel free to stop by at any time or to make an appointment.

 

Required Course Materials:

 

Textbook: Inorganic Chemistry, 5th ed., Miessler, Fischer, and Tarr

Calculator: Any scientific or graphing calculator

Web page: Access course page from http://chem.winthrop.edu

 

Supplemental Materials:

 

General Chemistry Text:

This course will build on your earlier exposure to inorganic chemistry, refining knowledge gained in General Chemistry and other coursework. As such, your General Chemistry text (or any other Gen. Chem. book available in the study room) is a good resource for review. Texts and/or lecture notes from other courses (e.g., Physical Chemistry, Quantitative Analysis, Organic Chemistry) may also be helpful.

 

Molecular Model Kits:

A molecular modeling kit is a very useful tool for performing and recognizing the symmetry operations involved in group theory, particularly for those (like me) who struggle with 3-dimensional visualization. Two “inorganic” kits that permit construction of trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral compounds are available from Darling Models (for $22-$26 each; see Kits 1 and 4 at http://www.darlingmodels.com).

 

Course Goal:

 

To pursue in-depth study of atomic and molecular structure, bonding, crystals, coordination compounds, and current topics in inorganic chemistry

 

Student Learning Objectives:

 

·      To expand your understanding of bonding in inorganic substances using molecular orbital diagrams, crystal unit cells and band structures;

·      To learn the elements of group theory and use them to predict molecular orbital diagrams, orbital representations, and spectroscopic and magnetic properties of inorganic compounds;

·      To examine theory and reactions involving coordination and organometallic compounds; and

·      To appreciate the breadth and significance of inorganic chemistry through discussion of applied research.

 

Outline of Topics:

 

I.          Solid-State Chemistry, Nano- and Semiconductor Technology

II.        Review of Atomic Structure and Simple Bonding Models

III.       Symmetry, Group Theory and Molecular Orbital Theory

IV.      Acid-Base and Donor-Acceptor Chemistry

V.        Structure, Bonding, Spectroscopy and Reactivity of Coordination Compounds

VI.      Current Research (Student Presentations)

 

Course Requirements (Assignments):

 

Class Preparation and Discussion:

This is an advanced course that builds on a great deal of the chemical knowledge and intuition you have gained throughout your career. In order to achieve the course goals, it is crucial that we all arrive to class prepared to cover the scheduled topics, and that we engage in as much active in-class discussion as possible.

 

Toward that end, approximately 1-2 days before each class meeting, I will post discussion questions and a PowerPoint outline of material to be covered on the Lecture Notes page of the course website. I expect that you will come to class prepared to answer the discussion questions, which will be the basis for the “Class Preparation and Discussion” portion of your grade.

 

Graded Homework:

Working and re-working problems is the best way to learn chemistry. I will assign homework problems from each textbook chapter (as well as some non-textbook problems) that will be turned in for grading. I strongly suggest that you begin working on the homework as soon as we have covered the relevant material in class, so that you have the earliest indication of questions or difficulties to be addressed. I encourage you to work with your classmates and seek help with any topics you find difficult. Please start early and ask lots of questions! An in-depth understanding of the homework is by far the best predictor of success on exams.

 

Literature Reviews:

I will distribute lists of questions designed to guide reading and discussion of the two literature articles listed on the course schedule. Completion of these assignments should enhance your understanding of complex topics and impart strategies for reading the chemical literature; in addition, once completed, these questions and answers should be excellent summaries of your reading for use in exam preparation.

 

Presentations on Inorganic Literature:

Students will give presentations and lead class discussion on articles from the current inorganic literature. More details on this assignment will be provided in class.

 

Group Theory Mini-Exam:

There will be one “mini-exam” (or big quiz) on group theory, to help you gauge your progress with this material in advance of Exam II. The mini-exam is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 3; I will notify you in class if that date changes.

 

Exams:

Three midterm exams and a cumulative final will be given on the dates below. 

 

Exam I : Tues., Feb. 11

Exam II: Thurs., Mar. 12

Exam III: Thurs., Apr. 9

 

Final Exam: Fri., May 1, 11:30-2:00

 

If you will be unable to take an exam at the scheduled time due to participation in a University-approved activity (e.g., an athletic meet, scientific conference, etc.), you must make arrangements in advance to reschedule. If you are absent on the exam date without prior approval and do not provide a written doctor’s excuse or proof of other personal or family crisis, you will receive a zero for that exam. You must take the final exam in order to pass the course.

 

Grading:

 

The assignments for this course and their respective point values are shown below. Course grades will be determined based on the percentage of total points earned.

 

100 Class Preparation and Discussion

125 Homework

100 Presentation

50 Mini-Exam

375 Exams (3 x 125)

250 Final Exam___________________

1000 Total Points

 

The guaranteed grading scale is shown below; if necessary, it may be adjusted lower to reflect class performance.

 

A 92-100; A- 88-91; B+ 85-87; B 79-84; B- 76-78; C+ 72-75; C 68-71; C- 65-67; D 56-64; F <56

 

Additional Requirements for Graduate Credit:

 

A student wishing to earn graduate credit for this course must additionally write an 8-12-page paper on an instructor-approved topic of current research interest in inorganic chemistry. The student must propose his/her topic no later than March 13, with the final topic approved by March 27. The paper must cite at least five scholarly articles as sources. This assignment will contribute up to 200 points to the graduate student’s grade.

 

Getting Help:

 

I encourage you to see me frequently with questions. I have listed specific office hours above, but please feel free to see me any time. You will usually be able to find me on the 3rd floor of Sims; you are also welcome to set up an appointment, or to e-mail me with questions.

 

Attendance:

 

You are expected to attend all class meetings in their entirety – please be on time!and are responsible for all course material and assignments, regardless of absences. Unexcused absences and/or tardiness will also impact the class-discussion component of your grade.

 

Phones:

 

If you keep your phone on during class meetings, please ensure that it is in silent/vibrate mode. With the exception of calculators, all personal electronic devices are prohibited during quizzes and exams.

 

E-mail and Dropbox:

 

Please be sure to check your Winthrop e-mail frequently, as I will occasionally share reminders and answers to frequently asked questions. I will also use Dropbox to share literature articles and other materials.

 

Students with Disabilities:

 

Winthrop University is committed to providing equal access to education for all students. If you have a disability (e.g., mental health concern, medical condition, learning disability, etc.) and you anticipate or experience academic barriers due to this condition, please contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 323-3290 or accessibility@winthrop.edu. Once you receive approval for accommodations through OA, please inform me as soon as possible so that we may implement your accommodations in a timely manner.

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Any instances of academic misconduct will be dealt with as outlined in the Student Conduct Code, found in the Student Handbook (https://www.winthrop.edu/studentconduct/winthrop-university-student-handbook.aspx).

 

Syllabus Change Policy:

 

Changes to the policies listed here may be made at the instructor’s discretion. You will be notified of any modifications.