Organic Chemistry Semester I

Class information and syllabus, 2004

Faculty contact information

Dr. Rachel Jameton                                          rajameton@lcsc.edu                            

792-2268                                                         Office: MLH 231

Office hours: MWF 1:30 - 3:00 pm; W 7:30 - 8:30 am; Th 9:00 - 11:00 and by appointment

Introduction

            Welcome to your first semester of organic chemistry.  In this course, you will gain an understanding of the molecular structure of our natural and industrial worlds, and the reactions that are going on in and between them.  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. 

            This semester is the first of a two semester series.  In this class, we will focus on the basics of structure, functional groups and how we identify molecules. We will build on your understanding of the structure of the atom, bonding and acids and bases.  Next semester, we will explore the reactions of functional groups.   

            One of the primary goals for this class is that your ability to find your way through complex problems, visualize molecules and apply creativity to scientific problems improves as you puzzle through syntheses and connect your in-class work to labs.  Contrary to popular belief, organic chemistry is not just memorizing a bunch of reactions.  While memorizing some reactions is important, it is what you do with the reactions that is really interesting.  Organic chemistry is a little like chess in that you must memorize how each piece moves, but the interesting part is the actual game.

Goals

(1)   To improve skills in critical thinking and visualization.

(2)   To attain a working knowledge of characteristic functional group structure and reactivity, methods of characterization and stereochemistry.

(3)   To gain experience in scientific collaboration and communication.

(4)   To understand how organic chemistry fits into our understanding of the world around us.

(5)   To connect organic chemistry to your professional goals.

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 to purchase a molecular model kit, a lab notebook and goggles.  These items are available in a wide variety of prices and styles.  Details and examples will be available in class.

Attendance, assignments and tests

            Classes are composed of lectures, group discussion and in-class problem solving.  Because you will work through many problems in class, attendance and participation in class count heavily toward your grade (see grade distribution below).  

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

A weekly problem set: These will primarily come from your text.  You will hand all of your problems in and be asked to write rationales for selected problems.  These rationales will be a few sentences that describe your thought process in arriving at your answer.  The purpose of asking you to write rationales is twofold.  First, I want to make sure that you are using a thought process that is generally applicable to a variety of circumstances.  Second, I want to make sure that you can clearly communicate your process.  Note that these connect to two goals of this course: developing critical thinking and communication skills. 

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.

There will be fourteen problem sets at 20 points each.  

Brief essays: You will be asked to write reflections on class material, connections between class and your life, readings that will be handed out in class, and connections between lab and course material.  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 fourteen class preparations at 5 points each.

Exams: We will have three one-hour tests plus one cumulative final with an emphasis on chapters 9 through 11.  These tests will be formatted identically with a multiple choice section, a short answer section and a choice of essay questions from which you will answer one 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

Class attendance and participation                                                                    150 points

Problem sets (14@20 points each)                                                                   280 points

Short essays (5@20 points each)                                                                      100 points

Class preparation (14@5 points each)                                                              70 points

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

total                                                                                                                 1000 points

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 homework 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. 

            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 October 29. 

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/ochemhome.htm).  At the website, you can find this syllabus and handouts, as well as links to sites that you might find interesting or helpful.  If you miss a class and need a handout, you can print it out from the website.

Course timeline

Date: 8/5/04

Contact: rajameton@lcsc.edu

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