Organic Chemistry Semester II

Course information and syllabus, 2006

Faculty contact information

Dr. Rachel Jameton                                                        office: MLH 231

792-2268                                                                         rajameton@lcsc.edu

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 your second semester of organic chemistry.  Last semester, we focused on how structure determines the function of a molecule and also how to determine structure with spectroscopy.  This time, we will focus on how structure determines reactivity and also how to plan synthetic routes. This will require you to apply your understanding of structural and electronic motifs to new mechanisms and new reactions.  We will explore classic synthetic routes and biosynthetic routes, as well.  For those of you who are planning a career in chemistry, this course will be an introduction to synthesis, structure, characterization and mechanism. For those of you planning a career in biology, environmental science, toxicology or medicine, this will be an introduction to the molecules and reactions found in nature. 

Goals

(1)   To visualize how molecules interact with one another, how those interactions depend on functional groups and how the interactions lead to reactions.

(2)   To predict the reactivity of molecules based on structure and electronics.

(3)   To connect physical properties of materials to their molecular structure.

(4)   To propose reasonable mechanisms based on observations.

(5)   To apply creativity and logic to the solution of synthetic problems.

Texts

McMurry Organic Chemistry 6^th ed. Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 2004 bundled with study guide/answer book.

McMurry takes a great deal of pride in writing clearly, logically and succinctly.  The text comes with access to a website that offers review questions and images that you may find helpful for visualizing reactions. 

            In addition to the text, you will also need a molecular model kit, a lab notebook and goggles.  These items are available in a wide variety of prices and styles.  If you do not have these items, please ask me for details

Attendance, assignments and tests

            Classes are composed of quizzes, lectures, group discussion and in-class problem solving. 

There are several types of assignments for this course, as follows:

Quizzes: Classes on Monday and Wednesday will begin with a 15 minute quiz on reactions.  Each of these quizzes will be 5 points each and you will have at least 24 opportunities to earn up to 100 points.  In your final grade, the quizzes will be weighted x 4, so they will be about 40% of you grade. The rationale for having quizzes is to make sure that you stay caught up with the material.

A weekly problem set: You will not hand these in, but do make sure to do the assigned problems as they will appear on the quizzes and tests. As part of your text package, you have the complete solutions to the problems that I assign.  As you know, there are useful and not so useful ways of using this solution book.  Useful includes checking your answers or getting help when you are truly stuck.  Not so useful involves checking the solutions prematurely, before you are actually stuck.

Brief essays: You will be asked to write reflections on connections between lab, course material and your life.  Each of five essays will be about a page long and you can receive a maximum of 20 points for each.

Class preparation:  Every week, I will ask you to hand in a few sentences about the chapter that we will be covering that week.  In other words, you will need to look through the chapter yourself and pick out topics that look important and questions you may have.  The purpose of doing this is to make sure that you have an idea of the material before you come to class.  You may find that this makes the in-class portion of this course easier for you by helping you identify which areas you have questions about. 

There will be approximately fourteen class preparations at 10 points each.

Exams: We will have three one-hour tests plus one final.  These tests will be formatted identically with a multiple choice section, a short answer section and an essay question or two.  Your exam scores will be averaged and not curved.  Instead of grading on a curve, I will make sure that tests are fair and are written toward having a 75% average score. 

Grade distribution (approximate)

Quizzes (20@5 points each) x 4                                                                 400                

Short essays (5@20 points each)                                                              100

Class preparation (14@10 points each)                                                    140

3 tests + 1 final (4@100 points each)                                                        400

total                                                                                                                 1040                                                                          

Grading scale

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. 

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.

 Late homework, making up exams, incompletes and drops

            Late work (in this case, the class preparations and essays) will be accepted at 50% of its point value until the homework has been returned to the rest of the class.  After return of homework, late homework will not be accepted. 

            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. 

            Quizzes cannot be made up.  There is ample opportunity to get your points even if you must miss a few.

           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 31. 

Email contact and the website

            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 /ochem205home.htm).  At the website, you can find this syllabus and assignments, as well as links to sites that you might find interesting or helpful. 

Tentative lecture schedule