syllabus
syllabus
Instructor
office hours:
Tue 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Wed 11:00am - 12:00n
room: BIO 3.11A
mccord301@cm.utexas.edu
Head TA / Specialist
Mon 3pm - 4pm, BUR 108
Wed 1pm - 2pm, WCH 1.120
WEEKLY REVIEWS:
Mon 5pm - 6pm, BUR 106
jimmy.wadman@gmail.com
Exam Reviews:
Sundays before Exams:
5pm - 6pm, BUR 106
Teaching Assistants
Wed 4pm - 5pm, BUR 108
Thu 12n - 1pm, RLM 5.112
tonyhollenback@gmail.com
Thu 2pm - 4pm, SZB 426
amanda_oakley@utexas.edu
Tue 1pm - 3pm, WEL 3.134
samdunning@utexas.edu
CH301 will cover the following subjects (chapters from our gchem site) in chemistry which will be delivered as four total units. Each unit of coverage will have an exam to go with it.
Chapter 2 - Gases The semester begins with the study of gases beginning with the gas laws and finishing with the kinetic molecular theory of gases. Note: Also a small amount of Chapter 1 - Fundamentals.
Chapter 3 - Atomic Theory Our second unit is all about the atom including its structure and energetics. Atomic structure leads follows trends that are recognizable on the periodic table.
Chapter 4 - Bonding Atoms combine via chemical bonds. As more atoms bond together, molecules are created. Bonding theory allows us to predict properties and describe the behavior of these molecules.
Chapter 5 - Intermolecular Forces (IMFs) The interactions between molecules govern key physical properties. Categorizing intermolecular forces (IMFs) helps us define key behaviors of chemical substances
Chapter 6 - Thermodynamics The final unit is a study of thermodynamics as it applies to specific substances, chemical reactions, and processes. Thermodynamics is the study of the energy requirements for all interactions both physical and chemical.
gchem website: All of our course topics are covered via our online "gchem" website. The gchem site has chapters presented in the same order that we will cover them in class. Plus, in addition to the textual content, there are hundreds of videos available via throughout the chapters. Some videos are for "big picture" concepts while others are for specific problem solving skills. When you do learning exercises (LEs) in Canvas, you will being seeing the content of the gchem site. You can always browse it independent of Canvas.
OpenStax eBook: Rice University has dozens of open source eBooks that were created for teaching. Here is a link to their "Chemistry" eBook. Browse the table of contents to find the right chapters.
Quest: The College of Natural Sciences has an assignment/testing service called Quest. We will only use Quest for exams. There is no charge to the student for Quest in our gchem chemistry classes - the Department of Chemistry pays Quest a fee on your behalf so that we can use the service for exams.
iClicker REEF Polling Software: We are using iClicker REEF software as our in-class response system. Each student will need to set up an account and have a smart device (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.). You will need to bring your wifi enabled device to each and every class in order to obtain points for the "REEF" portion of your grade. We will not be using the iclicker remote which is a separate, more expensive product - only the app will be used. The app is free on the App Store and is named "iClicker Reef". Download it and follow the appropriate directions to sign up and register for this class. There is even a help page on this right here: Sign Up for iClicker REEF. Please read through this whole page before you sign up and purchase your subscription.
Scientific Calculator: We will only allow simple scientific calculators for our exams. No programmable or graphing calculators will be accepted. The TI-30Xa is the best calculator for this job and is only about $10 dollars. Plan on using it for homework as well as your exams.
We will use the average out of FOUR assignment categories plus your final exam score to calculate your overall score in the course. The averages or categories that we use are: exams, homework, learning exercises, and REEF. Your overall score will be calculated using the percentages shown below for each category.
| Scores | percentage |
|---|---|
| Exam average (quest) | 60 % |
| Final Exam (quest) | 25 % |
| Learning Exercises (canvas) | 5 % |
| Homework (canvas) | 5 % |
| REEF | 5 % |
| total | 100 % |
Course grades will be determined according to the following scale or cut-offs:
| A | ≥ | 93.00 |
| A- | ≥ | 90.00 |
| B+ | ≥ | 87.00 |
| B | ≥ | 83.00 |
| B- | ≥ | 80.00 |
| C+ | ≥ | 77.00 |
| C | ≥ | 73.00 |
| C- | ≥ | 70.00 |
| D+ | ≥ | 67.00 |
| D | ≥ | 63.00 |
| D- | ≥ | 60.00 |
| F | < | 60.00 |
Your score is calculated to the nearest 1/100th - that's 2 places PAST the decimal. So the only digit that is rounded "up" is the 1/1000th's digit.
The four regular semester class exams will be held on the following Monday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. The final exam is as scheduled on the University's Registrar's website.
Check for yourself on the Official Registrar's Site - Final Exams - Fall 2018
Look up your actual Final Exam time and room: Final Exam Look UP
If you have a documented, UT-related conflict with the exam time for all or specific exam(s), it is possible that we can offer you an alternate time on the same evening. To request an alternate exam time, please visit Chemistry Department Testing Services website and follow the given instructions. Check ALL the exam dates now and fill this out SOON for all exam conflicts you have during the semester!
University related conflicts include:
In general, only UT-related conflicts are accepted reasons to reschedule an exam for another day. An exception is if the exam is in conflict with a religious holiday. If your exam is in conflict with a religious holiday you must provide notice of the conflict at least 14 days in advance.
Please reschedule ALL exams that you will have a time conflict with for the entire semester.
If you are a student registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities and receive special accommodations for your exams, the Chemistry Student Services Office (BIO 404) is equipped with a limited number of seats in a reduced distraction environment for the administration of exams. Please submit your SSD letter to them.
Please go to this online sign-up page and reserve your time for accommodated exams for this course. You may contact Chemistry Student Services (512-471-1567) with any questions related to setting up SSD accommodations for a chemistry class. If you want to handle this in person, go to BIO 404 and the folks there will get you set up. If you have questions and prefer email, send your questions to undergraduates@cm.utexas.edu with any questions, and someone will answer them as soon as possible.
Reschedule ALL exams that will require accommodations.
Four examinations will be given during the semester. Each of the exams will be about 20-25 questions that are all multiple-choice questions. The number of choices of choices will vary anywhere from 2 up to 10 choices. Each student will turn in their exam copy, scratch paper, and a bubblesheet (an answer sheet that will be scanned and graded). Exam scores will be available on Quest. Quest is only used for exams and the grading of exams - there is no cost associated with Quest for this course. Students will login to Quest (your uteid login and password) to check their exam scores and see which questions they missed and got right.
The final exam WILL be comprehensive and mandatory. This means that all the material covered during the course will be on the exam. It is typically 50 multiple choice questions. The final exam will be counted as 25% of your overall grade. The final exam schedule is set by the registrar's office and cannot be changed. ALL students will take the final exam - there are no exemptions, regardless of grade status.
You should stay fully engaged in class. Opportunities to test your prior knowledge, your progress on the learning curve, and your mastery of chemical principles will be given in class using an in-class polling system. It is very important that you remember to bring your "device" so that you can answer questions and get credit this way. We use technology (your cell phone, laptop, or other wifi-enabled device) to facilitate this in-class polling, but be sure not to let your device get in the way of your engagement in the class! Practice the skill of being fully involved in the present - keep your device closed or face-down on your desk when not using it to enter your answer to the polling questions. The score from the polling questions will be 5% of your overall score.
Work outside the class includes reading and learning via the Learning Exercises (LE) and Homework (HW) in Canvas. The LEs are designed to introduce the new material, whereas the HWs are designed to help you test your knowledge of various concepts for the course. Both quantitative (calculations) and qualitative (conceptual) questions will be on the LEs and HWs. These assignments are a great way to test yourself as we move through the material. Some questions are easy while others will be much harder and push you to develop more sophisticated problem-solving skills. Each type of assignment has been designed for a particular purpose to help you master the learning outcomes for this course. To this end, each assignment should be completed in the order in which it was assigned.
Each LE and HW assignment can be repeated up to three times. Your highest score will be counted toward your grade. Do know that there is a penalty of 20% point deduction per day after the due date. The assignments will stay open, but you will not be able to get any more points five days after the due date. The LEs and HWs will be counted toward your overall grade at 5% each. Please note that we leave assignments open for the entire semester so that you can always use them to study - regardless of whether you did them on time or not.
Be sure and bring your approved non-programmable, non-graphing calculator (TI-30Xa) to the exam. We cannot provide calculators. You CANNOT use your cell phone or any other device as your calculator. Each student will receive a unique exam copy with a specific version number on it. There is a different exam version for every student in the class; no two students can have the same version numbers (it is impossible). We will keep ALL exam materials after the exam is over. You MUST turn in your exam, a bubblesheet, and all scratch paper when you complete your exam. Make sure you sign each part of your exam.
You CANNOT make-up a missed exam for ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. If you have a University approved conflict that requires rescheduling an exam, you must notify the instructor within the first 5 class days of the summer course. You get to drop one exam score from your overall average, so for whatever reason you miss, that particular exam score (a zero) will be your dropped exam.
We will not allow you to take the final early, late, or with another section.
A final exam cannot be made-up in any way. Final exam times are scheduled by the registrar's office and cannot be changed for any reason. Show up on your scheduled day and time or get a zero on the exam. The final exam WILL be a comprehensive exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions at 2 points per question. This means that all the material covered during the course will be on the final exam. The final exam will be counted as 25% of your overall grade. If you keep up with the material for the semester, the final will not be any more difficult than any of the four exams. It will be extremely difficult if you try to cram for it one day ahead. Keep up and make the grade.
If you get caught cheating in any way, whatsoever, you will have to discuss the situation with us. We will arrive at a penalty and write up a formal report. The minimum penalty for cheating is receiving a 0 on the assignment on which you cheated. In this class, in addition to all the traditional types of cheating (looking at someone else's answer, utilizing "cheat sheets" of any form or fashion – paper or digitized, getting an advance copy of an exam or quiz), we also consider allowing someone else to enter answers in class with your phone or tablet cheating. For example, if you send your iPhone to class with another class mate or an individual who is not you and you are caught, you and your accomplice will be penalized. If you deny the allegation, we will proceed by filing a formal report to the Judicial Services in the Dean of Students Office as is policy. Judicial Services will decide the final penalty after a hearing on the matter. For more information, read in the General Information Catalog about scholastic dishonesty (i.e. cheating).
The last day to drop the course (or switch to pass/fail) is Thursday, November 1, 2018. This will require you to go to your college and get a drop form. Before the deadline, you can finish the drop procedure by yourself. After the deadline, students must go to the Dean's office, WCH 2.112, to begin the appeal for substantiated non-academic reasons.
Please notify me of any modification/adaptation you may require to accommodate a disability-related need. You will be requested to provide documentation to the Dean of Students' Office, in order that the most appropriate accommodations can be determined. Specialized services are available on campus through Services for Students with Disabilities. The official wording is this: The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY or Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 512-471-6259, http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/
Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules. It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin that the student must notify each instructor at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates he or she will be absent to observe a religious holy day. For religious holidays that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, the notice should be given on the first day of the semester. The student may not be penalized for these excused absences but the instructor may appropriately respond if the student fails to complete satisfactorily the missed assignment or examination within a reasonable time after the excused absence.
Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside. Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building. Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors.
Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office. Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL): 512-232-5050
This course carries the Quantitative Reasoning flag. Quantitative Reasoning courses are designed to equip you with skills that are necessary for understanding the types of quantitative arguments you will regularly encounter in your adult and professional life. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your use of quantitative skills to analyze real-world problems.
This course may be used to fulfill three hours of the natural science and technology (Part I or Part II) component of the university core curriculum and addresses the following four core objectives established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: communication skills, critical thinking skills, teamwork, and empirical and quantitative skills.
Students will work in class, on homework and on exams to apply scientific model to explain empirical data as well as to use models to predict physical and chemical change. Students will be able to connect mathematical formulas and graphical representations to communicate scientific concepts.
Students are presented with many opportunities to use critical thinking skills to solve problems both in class via clicker response system and on graded homework assignments. These skills are assessed on the exams.
Students work in small groups in class on guided group activities designed to help the student come to a deeper understanding of the content and to "discover" chemical principles via the process of inquiry. Outside of class students are encouraged to continue working in groups on better understand homework assignments.
Students are required to calculate answers based on their understanding of scientific laws and derived equations. These methods include skills in manipulating units, understanding and applying the concept of ratios, proportionality, rearranging algebraically to solve for a specified unknown, understanding and applying rates of change, interpreting equations using physical models. These skills are assessed on the exams.