Chemistry 108 Principles of Chemistry

Course information and Syllabus, 2006

Faculty contact information

            When you have questions or problems with assignments, questions about your grades or other things to discuss, please come see me during my office hours which are below.  If these times don’t work for you, call or email me and we will make other arrangements.  If an emergency arises and you need to get in touch with me right away, the best way to do that is to call me.  I am here to help you get the most out of this course.

Dr. Rachel Jameton                                                  rajameton@lcsc.edu            

Phone: 792-2268                                                      Office: MLH 231                                           

Office hours: M 9:00-10:00, T 1:30-4:00, W 1:30-3:00, Friday 12:00-1:00         

Introduction

Welcome to Chemistry 108, an introduction to organic and biochemistry.  This semester, we will explore the molecules that are involved in the body’s function, health and disease. Because the majority of students in this class are intending to pursue a career in the health field, we will focus on applications of chemistry to human health, nutrition and medicine.

Pre-requisites

This is a second semester chemistry course and so you are expected to have had either chemistry 101, high school chemistry or the equivalent.  You also should have taken math 025 (basic algebra), or its equivalent.  While we will review the relevant concepts that you learned in these courses, it is assumed that you have seen the material before (this does not mean that you need to have remembered all of it!).

Course objectives

(1)   You will be able to visualize how molecules interact with one another.

(2)   You will be able to connect issues in human health, nutrition and medicine with molecular structure and interactions.

(3)   You will recognize the relevance of chemistry in your future profession.

(4)   You will gain confidence and ability in problem solving and critical thinking.

E-mail contact

            Your WarriorWeb e-mail account is the official method of communication between the college and yourself and so you should check your account daily.  If you have trouble accessing your account, make sure you work out the problems as soon as you can by calling or stopping by the computer help desk (located at SGC B102 or phone 792-2231).

            Our class does have a website (http://www.lcsc.edu/rjameton/chem10806.htm).  At the website, you can find this syllabus, assignments and handouts, as well as links to sites that you might find interesting or helpful. 

Evaluation

            Your grade will be calculated based upon 1 personal statement/photo, 12 cards, 5 quizzes, 4 examinations and optional online homework, as outlined in the following table.  More details about these assignments, as well as the grading scale, are below. While there is no extra credit, you can replace your lowest test score with your online homework score if you choose.

            Your assignments will be returned to you in class, typically a week after the assignment is due.  If you do not pick them up during class, they will be placed in a box on the second floor of MLH for you to pick up at your convenience.

            Personal statement/photo

This is a large class.  To facilitate getting to know who you are, I will ask you to fill out a card about your goals and also provide a photo of yourself.  The photo can be any old snapshot, but make sure you are recognizable.  If there are several people in the photo, please circle yourself.  If you handed in a photo and statement last semester, you will not need to hand in a new one to receive your points.

            Cards

Every so often in class, I will stop lecturing and ask you to work a problem on an index card.  I will collect the cards and mark down that you handed them in as a way of keeping attendance and also make sure that the class is keeping up with the lecture material.  You will be given about an opportunity a week to hand in a card at 5 points each and you can earn up to 60 points from the cards. 

Because there are so many of them and you sometimes fill out the cards with a partner, I will not hand them back to you.  Instead, I will hold on to the cards for the semester.  You are always welcome to look through my stacks of cards if you are unsure whether or not you handed one in (but it would be a big job so best to avoid it if possible).

Quizzes

Quizzes will be composed of multiple choice questions, similar to those questions that you will find on the tests. Each will take about 20 minutes and contain 11 questions.  While you will have seven opportunities to take quizzes, only the top five of your scores will be counted. 

Examinations

Tests, like quizzes, will be composed of multiple choice questions.  Tests are scheduled for an entire class period. All four examinations will count toward your final grade. 

Homework and optional online homework

Odd numbered problems from your text will be assigned weekly.  While the answers to these problems are in your text, remember that is more helpful to think through the problems for a bit yourself before consulting the answers.  It is up to you to complete your homework by the assigned date and to seek help when you need it.  Help on your homework is available from your faculty, peers and the math and science tutoring center located on the first floor of MLH. There is no way to learn the material in this course without practicing. 

If you choose to, you can also do the online homework at www.webassign.com.  You will need to purchase an access code card at the bookstore.  Doing the online homework has several benefits.  First, the homework has a definite, monitored due date, so you have incentive to finish it in a timely manner.  Second, you will receive immediate feedback on how you did on your homework (and you can ask me questions through the program if a problem is giving you trouble). Third, this is an opportunity to practice more problems.  Finally, you can replace your lowest test grade with your online homework score.  

Grading scale

Getting help

            It is important to stay caught up in this course.  If you get stuck on a subject or problem, do not hesitate to get help.  One excellent resource is your classmates.  Sometimes talking through problems can help clarify topics and teaching others is an effective way to learn.  The Math and Science Tutoring Center is another vital resource.  It is located on the first floor of MLH, down the hallway next to the stairs.  There, students who have taken this or similar classes are available to help.  Of course, I am here to help you too.  My office hours are on the front page of this syllabus.

Special needs

            If you have any special needs such as a documented learning disability or other situation that limits your access or ability to participate in class or lab, please discuss the situation with me as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements.  Assistance with accommodations can also be found at the Office of Student Life, room 111 Reid Centennial Hall.

Special arrangements (such as incompletes, drops and making up quizzes, exams and labs)

            Because two quiz grades will be dropped, there will not be quiz make-ups.  If you must miss an exam, discuss your situation with me before the exam to make alternate arrangements.  It may not be possible to arrange an exam time if you do not notify me before the exam.  No student will be allowed to make-up more than one exam.  No cards will be accepted outside of class.

            There will be no incompletes awarded for students with less than an 80% average at the time of the incomplete.  The course cannot be dropped after March 25. 

Plagiarism policy

The vast majority of students are honest. However, in the rare instance that plagiarism (or cheating, fabrication or collusion) is apparent, it will be dealt with in accordance with college policy. 

Text and other supplies

• Karen Timberlake Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 9^th Edition Benjamin-Cummings (2006).

• Model kit

 Timeline