Syllabus

Lecture MWF 11 to 12:15 in Kendade 305. Please come prepared to the lecture and laboratory, and be punctual; we will start on time. You are responsible for any lecture material and handouts given in class. If you are absent, you must talk to a classmate or stop by my office to pick up these materials and turn in your homework.

Laboratory MTWTh afternoon 1:15 to 4:05 PM. Unauthorized failure to pass the laboratory portion of the course will result in an overall final grade of F. YOU MUST ATTEND AND COMPLETE EVERY LAB. Pre-laboratory write-ups must be done before the beginning of each laboratory. Laboratory reports are due at the beginning of the next laboratory period or as directed by the instructor. Late laboratory reports will receive a much lower grade. No laboratory make-ups will be available in following weeks.

Course Information You are responsible for checking this website for assignments and announcements.

Office & Hours Carr G02-D, phone ext. 2449 email “menunez” Hours: M 10-11; Th 11-12; Th after lab (4:15-5:15), or by appointment.

Materials Text: Bruice “Organic Chemistry” 5th edition, Prentice Hall. It is available at the Odyssey Bookshop across the street.
Laboratory: Carbon-copy laboratory notebooks and safety goggles can be purchased in the Campus Bookstore in Blanchard.

Grading

Three Midterm Exams 360 points (120 points each)
Final Examination 240 points
Laboratory 200 points
Quizzes 100 points
Homework 100 points
TOTAL 1000 points

There will be no magical grade restitution in this class. All exam grades will count.

Exams There will be three examinations, each worth 120 points that will be given at the scheduled class time. The comprehensive final examination is worth 240 points. All examinations will be based on reading assignments, class lectures, laboratory experiments, and recommended problems.

Quizzes There will be a quiz every Monday except when an examination is scheduled. There will be no make-up quizzes.

Homework A short homework will be assigned at the end of each class and collected at the start of the next.

Extra Credit Points can be earned on your quiz grade for attending chemistry department seminars and writing a 1-paragraph summary. Points can also be earned on the final exam for perfect attendance at PLUMS.

Make-Ups and Extensions I believe that a major part of college life is learning to manage your time and obligations, so I do not give extensions. I do not give make-up examinations either. If you miss an examination due to a verifiable excuse authorized by the Dean of Students or the Health Center, that examination score will be replaced by the percentage score received on your final examination.

How to do well in this class
1. Come to lecture every day well-prepared, having done the reading and the homework.
2. Carefully study the book and lecture notes, working through problems on a separate sheet of paper as you go along. Write down carefully thought-out ideas before checking the answer book.
3. Ask questions on any material that you do not understand. Asking questions in class doesn’t show that you’re stupid; it shows that you are thinking about the material.
4. Study the material regularly (i.e every day, or at least every other day), and don’t try to cram it in just before the exam.
5. Form a study group.
6. Join PLUMS.
7. Come to my office hours. It’s lonely to sit there all by myself.

Remember, good grades don’t fall off of the pumpkin truck—they are the result of hard work!