ONS 012 – Onward Chemistry Spring 2008

Instructor: Molly MacLean

Office: 110 East Annex

Office Phone: 581-2315

Email: molly.maclean@umit.maine.edu

Office Hours: Mon. 2:30 – 4:00 P.M., Tues 8:30 – 10:00, Wed. 12:30 – 2:30 P.M.

Deering Lab Office Hours: Thurs. 10 – 11:50 A.M., or by appointment.

Class Time: 11:00 – 11:50 A.M. 206 Rogers Hall

Required Texts: Basic Chemistry, Karen C. Timberlake.

Strongly Recommended Text: Study Guide for Basic Chemistry, Karen C. Timberlake.

Scientific Calculator:

Today every serious chemistry/science student uses a calculator to solve problems.

I will expect all students to have a calculator with them at every class. If you do not have a calculator, I strongly suggest that you purchase one now.

A suitable scientific calculator costs about $10 to $15. The calculator must be able to:

1. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide
2. Perform these operations in exponential notation
3. Work with logarithms
4. Raise any base to any power

See me if you have questions about the appropriate type of calculator to purchase.

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to basic chemistry principles. The overall goals are to:

1. Read, write, and talk about chemistry, using a basic chemical vocabulary.
2. Write chemical formulas and write names of chemicals when their formulas are given.
3. Write and balance chemical equations.
4. Develop problem solving skills and apply them successfully.
5. Perform at C level or better in a University chemistry course taken by the fall semester following this course.

The format for the classes will be lecture, discussion and problem solving based on the textbook assignment for that day. For the best understanding of the material please do the assigned readings BEFORE the class meeting time.

There are two common reasons for offering a chemistry course at this level:

• Students who are not ready to take a general chemistry sequence for science majors often need a prep course to bring them up to speed. A prep course provides students with the vocabulary and skills necessary to succeed in a general chemistry course geared toward science majors.
• v Students enrolled in some health care courses (for example, nursing) are often required to take chemistry. These students need an introduction to vocabulary and skills necessary to complete a degree in the health professions.

Description of Evaluation Procedures:

There will be 4 prelims and 1 project during the semester, in addition to class quizzes and homework and class work.

A sample grading scale is shown below:
Four prelims, each worth 50 points	250
Project	30
Quizzes	80
Homework Completion	50
Miscellaneous writings/activities	20
TOTAL	430

Students with 90% of all points will be awarded As; 80% will be Bs; 70% will be Cs; 60% will be Ds; and those with less than 60% of all points will fail the course.

Course Assignments:

I will provide due dates for each assignment. I expect you to respect them. Late assignments will receive a grade of “0” unless discussed in person in advance!! If there is an emergency (for example, an illness you can document), please let me know in advance of the deadline. This applies to University Health Center sick notes as well. I do not accept these as an excuse unless you also meet with me. I will work with you to develop a plan that will accommodate both of our needs to get the missed work made up promptly. If no notice is given before an absence, the absence is unexcused.

Prelims: There will be 4 preliminary exams during the semester and one final exam. If you have an unexcused absence for any of the regular semester prelims you must speak with me before you will be allowed to make this up. Any unexcused absence on a prelim will result in a possible grade no higher than 70% for that prelim. Points will be deducted from 70 for wrong answers. The final exam will not be administered early as per University policy. Do not plan to leave early until the final exam schedule is finalized, usually midway through the semester.

Miscellaneous Assignments:

You will be expected to complete a variety of class work, writing, research, or reading assignments during this course. The topics and type of assignment will vary.

Quizzes:

There will be quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes will be closely based on the homework assignments for these topics. Doing well on quizzes is directly related to keeping up with homework assignments.

Homework:

You are expected not only to attend all lectures and labs but also to complete all homework assignments. This is your education. Please be an active participant.

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is required. If you are not in class, you will get a zero for any graded class work for that day. Students who miss a class are responsible for learning the material covered, any announcements, assignments, notes, etc. Make an agreement with at least two colleagues in class that you will sit near each other. If these colleagues see that you are absent, or better yet, you have called to let them know that you will be absent, they will collect handouts and returned papers for you. You agree that you will do the same for them. These colleagues also may deliver papers and other assignments if you are unable to come to class when an assignment is due. Colleagues are free not to provide this support if you take advantage of it and are absent regularly and without notice. Record the names and phone numbers of the people you’ve identified on your syllabus.

Name: ____________________________ phone number: ______________

E-mail: ___________________________________________

Name: ____________________________ phone number: ______________

E-mail: ___________________________________________

Most people find it difficult to make up the work if they miss two or more classes in a row. If you miss three classes during the semester and it appears to impair the quality of your work, I may report this fact to your Dean. If there are special circumstances that affect your attendance, please discuss them with me in my office. If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact Ann Smith, Director of Disability Services, 121 East Annex, 581-2319, as early as possible in the term.

Cell Phone Policy - Class Time Disruptions:

Cell phones must remain off during class time. Ringing phones and people leaving and reentering class to have a conversation create disruptions to the learning environment. I consider this rude behavior. This is the same view I have of chatting during class time. Hold all conversations, direct or by phone or email until after class is over. If this behavior continues to be a problem, disciplinary action will be taken.

If there is an emergency situation please speak with me privately so we can reach an agreement that will not disrupt others.

Policy on Academic Integrity:

You are expected to strictly observe university rules regarding academic honesty. You are encouraged to become familiar with the Student Conduct Code, especially the first 7 violations, which speak to issues of academic misconduct. Each student should reflect a sense of responsibility toward our scholarly community by completing and submitting work that is a product of his or her own effort.

Academic dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism (the submission of another’s work without appropriate attribution), and all forms of misrepresentation in academic work, and is unacceptable at The University of Maine. When writing papers, the crucial thing to remember is that you must give citations for ideas that are not your own, whether or not those ideas have been written down somewhere. During examinations, take the initiative to prevent other students from copying your exam and do not look in the direction of other students’ papers. Discourage dishonesty among other students. An instructor who has probable cause or reason to believe a student has cheated may act upon such evidence, and should report the case to the supervising faculty member or the Department Chair for appropriate action.

Help Outside of Class:

Contacting the Instructor:

If you need help with your work or want to ask questions about assignments, tests, etc., please stop in, call or send an e-mail, so we can schedule a time to meet.

This is your education. Use all available resources to have a successful experience. These resources include:

Chemistry Help Sessions Location(s): ______ Time(s): ______

There will be one or two drop-in hours per week for help on homework outside of class time. Please write the information on your syllabus when times are finalized.

First Class:

I recommend that all students have a first class account and learn how to access this. It is free to students at the University and will make your college life easier. Many instructors will be using first class conferences. The sooner you learn how to use this, the better off you will be.

Chemistry Survival Skills: (from a little booklet by Brault and MacDevitt)

Few students enter beginning chemistry knowing how to learn chemistry. I strongly suggest that you apply these skill-building tips.

1. Time Management tips: Plan at least 3 hours of study time for each hour of lecture time. That means 9 hours/week. Schedule a regular time to study chemistry, with study sessions of at least one hour, during your peak energy times.
2. Improving Your Concentration: Find a study area that is free of distractions. Use your study area for studying only. Your study area should be well lit and comfortable. Get actively involved in studying chemistry by
   1. having a pencil, paper, and calculator nearby to use as you study
   2. outlining your text in a notebook &/or rewriting your class notes
   3. forming a study group with another student or 2 who are serious about chemistry.
3. Listening and Note-Taking: Attend all classes. Read the assigned material and review your notes prior to class. Get to lecture early and sit as close to the front of the room as you can. Have your pencil and paper ready.
4. Reading Your Chemistry Textbook: Skim each chapter before you begin reading it. Pay special attention to words that are underlined or written in boldface or italics. Read the text sentence by sentence. Stop periodically and ask yourself what you have learned thus far. WORK THROUGH THE EXAMPLE PROBLEMS. Use the illustrations in the text. Underline important points. USE YOUR STUDY GUIDE!!! It is required for a reason.
5. Suggested Chemistry Problem Solving Steps:
   1. Determine the problem topic.
   2. Write down all the information given.
   3. Determine for what you are trying to solve.
   4. Plan your method of attack.
   5. Solve the problem in an organized and neat fashion and include all units in your solution.
   6. Check your answer to see if it makes sense.
   7. Watch your significant figures.
   8. Place important formulas and how they are used on your 3 X 5 cards.
6. Taking Chemistry Tests:
   1. Prepare early.
   2. Schedule several study sessions for the exam.
   3. Know the exam details.
   4. Develop summary sheets as preparation for your test.
   5. Work one or two example problems from each topic.
   6. Use index cards to test yourself for review.
   7. Briefly glance over the entire exam before working on it.
   8. Read the directions very carefully.
   9. Write out important facts you have memorized on the test.
   10. Start with the problems that are easiest for you.

 

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