Fall 2009 CHEM105 General Chemistry I (Owens) Syllabus
This syllabus is a living document; students must check the
syllabus posted on the Department web site http://chem.winthrop.edu/
for any changes prior to every class attendance
Course Objectives:
Course Outline: This is the first half of General
Chemistry, a rigorous chemistry course for incoming science majors.
The class will cover a wide range of modern chemical
topics. The thematic focus of the semester will be "Structure,
Energy, and Dynamics." The sequence of topics initially parallels
the formation of our universe, beginning with light, followed by examination of
nuclei, then atoms, building to molecules, and finally collections of molecules
culminating in examination of the materials modern societies rely upon for
quality of life. This understanding of molecular structure and energy provides
the necessary foundation to then examine molecular transformations and the
dynamics of bond-making and bond-breaking processes that provide most of this
nation’s energy, that drive the synthesis of modern materials, that
determine the fate of toxic substances released into the environment, and that
literally govern life itself.
All chemistry is based upon physics; a good deal of classroom
discussion will focus on underlying physical principles. For example,
molecules, liquids, and solids are held together nearly entirely by
electrostatic charges (Coulombic attractions). The exchange between
kinetic and potential energy and the distribution of kinetic energies among
large groups of particles represent fundamental concepts used extensively
throughout all science and engineering disciplines. Thermodynamics will
be closely examined this semester to provide an early introduction for students
and to allow the discussion of intermolecular forces, boiling points, vapor
pressures and other topics to be presented from a thermodynamic perspective..
Over 80% of our nation's energy needs come from chemical
energy production; most of the rest from nuclear power. We will examine
these subjects and develop a fundamental understanding of these processes; we
will examine and discuss the inherent limitations on energy production governed
by the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Because of its relevance, students usually find this material
to be quite interesting. During the semester, we will examine these
specific subjects:
Schedule: Class lectures are scheduled MTR at
the appointed hour in the appointed room. A mandatory class recitation session
will be conducted every Wednesday for problem solving and for further
examination of principles being covered in lectures that week. The course syllabus schedule provides the specific
class lecture schedule, topics, announced graded exercises, and
assignments. All course information is posted on the chemistry
department's web page (chem.winthrop.edu).
Final Exam: Students must take the final exam
with their section.
Class Preparation: You are responsible for all assigned
material and for all material discussed in lecture. You are expected to
take detailed notes during each lecture and will be responsible for everything
discussed in class throughout the remainder of the course. For each class
I recommend that you do the following:
Student
Competencies: Assigned
chapters, class discussion, homework, problem sets, unannounced quizzes,
announced quizzes, tests, and the final exam will all center on development and
evaluation of student competencies. Students should expect to face challenging
and unfamiliar questions on all graded work; this is done to focus attention on
competencies that students have not yet fully mastered. Students can be evaluated five to six
separate times on a given competency: homework problems, unannounced quizzes,
problem sets, announced quizzes, tests, and the final exam. Students are urged
to not fall behind and to master each competency as soon as it is first
examined.
The course web site will itemize
chapter sets of student competencies to more effectively focus student study
and to allow student self-evaluation of progress. Links to quizzes given to
date will be added to the syllabus schedule as they are returned. Solutions to problem sets and to quizzes will
not be posted since more effective student learning occurs through working
through these problems individually. Class time will be used to review the quiz
and test questions that challenged students most. Periodically, as time allows,
graded problem sets will be reviewed in class.
Course Requirements
and Graded Exercises
Grades: Percentages will be calculated based upon total
earned points divided by total points tested. You must score better than 50% on
the final exam to pass the course. You must score an A on the final exam
to earn an A in the course. The
following grade range will be used: A = 93-100%; A- = 88-92%; B+ = 85-87%; B =
80-85%; B- = 76-79%; C+ = 72-75%; C = 66-71%; D = 56-66%; F = <56%
Attendance: You are expected to attend all
class meetings for the full scheduled time. A student who is absent for
any reason is responsible for obtaining the assignments from the instructor or
a classmate. Roll will be taken occasionally and the attendance practices of
students will be taken into account when final grades are assigned. Absence
from a test or quiz without a written doctor's excuse or similar external
agency valid documentation is inexcusable. An unexcused student absence
will result in a zero for the missed grade AND a deduction of 20-100 points
(determined by the weight of the missed test) from the student's previously
earned points in the course. For excused absences, missed exercises will
not be included for neither earned nor total points when calculating overall
course grades. Makeup tests and quizzes will not be given.
Students with Disabilities:
Student Conduct Code: “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).