CHEMISTRY 3A LECTURE SCHEDULE AND SYLLABUS–Fall 2001

MWF 0900-0950, MCL 161

Note: This schedule is subject to revision during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class.

High school algebra is a prerequisite for this course. Chem. 3A is designed for non-science majors to teach the fundamentals of chemistry as presented in the lecture, as described in the textbook and as performed in the laboratory.

Lecture attendance is not mandatory, however, students are responsible for all material covered and all announcements made in class whether or not the student is present.

LABORATORY ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.

Homework assignments are given because some students need the extra motivation to do them. In general, 20-30 of the questions at the end of each chapter are required; you must choose a mix of problems which provides a fair sampling of the work of each assigned section and at least one half of the problems must be from the black colored problems. Homework counts this way: if you have a good homework record and your final grade is borderline, you will be raised to the higher grade, at the discretion of the instructor.

To be given homework credit, your work must be complete, properly titled, and must be turned in on time. Your paper should be stapled, then folded in half, lengthwise. You must write in your name, date and Chapter Letter on the folded exterior page of the homework .

A variety of computer tutorials for Chem. 3A should be available on computers in MCL 239.

The laboratory provides an opportunity to perform experimental chemistry and to relate experimental observation to fundamental principles of chemistry. The laboratory is designed to teach the concepts and techniques of an experimental science. The experiments may also provide significant support for lecture concepts. LABORATORY ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY since an experiment must be performed to be properly understood. TWO ABSENCES (NOT MADE UP) IS AN AUTOMATIC F IN THE LABORATORY AND THUS AN F IN THE COURSE. An unavoidably missed lab may be made up only during the same week the experiment is scheduled and only during another scheduled Chem. 3A laboratory in which there is room to work. The laboratory instructor in the make up lab must give permission to work and must sign and date the lab book to verify your attendance in the lab.

Bring with you to all exams

THE ONLY CRITERION FOR GRADING IN THIS COURSE IS PERFORMANCE ON EXAMS AND IN THE LABORATORY, although borderline grades may be raised if evidence of effort is shown (i.e., a consistent record for completing homework .)

The course grade is determined by the following:

Tentative grade scale for the hour exams (in %):

100 A 87__A-B Border_85 B 73 B-C Border_70 C 53 C-D Border 50 D 43 D-F Border 40 F

*There are four scheduled quizzes, each worth 35 points. If it will improve your grade, the total of your highest three quizzes will be substituted for your lowest one hour exam. If you miss an exam, the total of your highest three quizzes will be substituted for the missed exam.

**Infrequently a lab TA will not turn in grades or will turn in grades which do not distinguish among students' chemistry competency (i.e., almost everyone has received an "A" or "B"). In these situations the laboratory grade will not be used in the calculation of a final grade. In situations where a student's total average score including lab is borderline, and is significantly higher (more than 2% points) than the lecture score average without lab, the instructor will place more emphasis on the lecture grade average in awarding a final grade.

The final is comprehensive and required. Each one hour exam (except the first) may contain some material covered on the previous exam.

Incomplete Grades: An incomplete grade (I) can be given only if a student has a passing grade in all work completed in the course AND has completed at least two-thirds of the course work AND presents to the instructor complete written documentation of the reason(s) for requesting the incomplete. Incomplete grades are rarely given and only for fully justified reasons.

A LONG STANDING DEPARTMENTAL POLICY CONSIDERS AN F IN EITHER LECTURE OR LABORATORY TO BE AN F IN THE COURSE. IF EITHER LECTURE OR LABORATORY IS FAILED, THE ENTIRE COURSE MUST BE REPEATED.

If you are having difficulty with the material in this course, GET HELP immediately from one or more of the following sources.

CRITICAL DATES FOR Fall 2001

Sept 5 Last day to drop a class using STAR without a serious and compelling reason.

Nov 20 Last day to drop a class for serious and compelling reasons. Your "serious and compelling" reason for dropping the course must be supported with written documentation and presented to the Dean of Natural Sciences. A poor grade in a course is not a "serious and compelling" reason.