UTRGV CHEM 1311.04 SYLLABUS SPRING 2017 Instructor: Dr. Tina P. Thomas, Office: SCIE: 3.116; Phone: 665-3744; Email: tina.thomas@utrgv.edu Course: CHEM 1311.04(MW: 10:50-12:05 PM) Room: EEDUC 1.102 Office hours: MW: 12:15-2:15PM; TR: 3:00-4:00PM; Other times by appointments REQUIRED MATERIALS: a) Text Book: Chemistry, 4th edition, by Julia Burdge AND/OR 3 rd edition b) Sapling online Homework c) Scientific calculator (required) d) Scantron 882-ES forms for test COURSE DESCRIPTION: General Chemistry I, CHEM 1311 Fundamentals of atomic structure, electronic structure and periodic table, nomenclature, the stoichiometry of reactions, gas laws, thermochemistry, chemical bonding, and structure and geometry of molecules. Credit: Lecture credit: 3 hours. (Laboratory is a separate one hour course, 1111 series). Learning Outcomes for CHEM 1311 The overall goal in terms of learning outcomes is to help you to have meaningful learning of the topics we will cover in this course. This meaningful learning involves two main types of learning: a) learning to use formulas, equations, and procedures to carry out calculations and similar types of operations, and b) learning ideas and concepts in order to be able to explain and apply them in possibly new and different situations. The end of each chapter in the text has a section with a review checklist, in which important terms, key equations, a summary of facts and concepts, and operational skills are outlined. The key equations and operational skills are important for the type of learning outlined in part a) above, while the important terms and summary of facts and concepts are important for the type of learning in part b) above. Use these resources! Learning Objectives for Core Curriculum Requirements In addition to these general chemistry content learning outcomes above, there are several specific learning objectives for this course. These are to develop critical thinking skills, empirical, quantitative and team work skills. Things to do to get an A in this course: Things you can do to help you in learning the course contents and in doing well on the course examinations include the following. 1. Attend lectures: Lecture attendance is expected. Attending lectures, paying attention, and participating will aid your success in general chemistry. The more active your role is in your learning, the greater your chances for your success. In addition, minimizing distractions during lecture (such as cell phones ringing, pagers beeping, etc.) encourages a more productive learning environment. 2. Review your notes after lecture: Go over your notes after each lecture, and pay special attention to ideas or concepts which may not have been clear to you during the lecture. 3. Get an overview of the lecture material before coming to lecture: Once you attend the lectures, and you review your notes after each lecture, you will have a good idea of the lecture material which will come in the following lectures. Take a look at the lecture material to get an overview of the concepts and ideas which will be coming. 4. Acquire a good set and a complete set of class notes. (Missing classes in this course can really hurt your chances of success.) 5. Completion of homework sets. Encouragement is extended for you to work in small groups, if possible, on the homework assignments. 6. Adequate preparation for the exams. This includes reading the chapters to be covered, reviewing 1
notes on the materials covered in class, working problems from previous exams, and completing the homework assignments. Free tutorial help for this course is available on campus, and one-on-one instruction is offered during posted Office Hours or by appointment. 7. Keep up with the course material: It is very difficult to catch up with the material in chemistry once you get behind, so try your best to keep up! 8. Ask questions: Don t be afraid to ask questions about concepts or ideas that you might have difficulty with. You can ask in class, because there is always a good chance that someone else has the same question, or you get help with your questions out of class. 9. Form study groups: Forming study groups is a great way to learn the material and to help one another learn the material. Need help with the course? 1. Professor: I have office hours where you can come in and ask me any questions or email me anytime. 2. Study sessions: Leader from your study sessions would be able to help you with all your doubts and questions. 3. The UTPA learning Assistance Center: advertises free tutoring services. 4. Friends: Talk to and help out each other. Helping, supporting and teaching each other is a great way to learn. 5. Nuke Area: There is an area with chairs on the third floor (near back elevator) of the SCNE building where you will be able to find office hours for TA s in Chemistry building. Tentative Lecture and Exam schedule Week Date Chapters 1 01/18 Chapter 1- Introduction to Chemistry 2 01/23-01/25 Chapter 2- Atoms and molecules 3 01/30-02/01 Chapter 3- Stoichiometry and Exam 1 (Chapter 1, 2) 4 02/06-02/08 Chapter 3- continued 5 02/13-02/15 Chapter 4- Reactions in Aqueous solutions 6 02/20-02/22 Chapter 4 7 02/27-03/01 Chapter 10- Gases and Exam 2 (Chapter 3 and 4) 8 03/06-03/08 Chapter 10 and Chapter 5- Thermochemistry 9 03/13-03/15 SPRING BREAK 10 03/20-03/22 Chapter 6 11 03/27-03/29 Exam 3- (Chapter 10, 5&6) Chapter 7- Electron configuration and PT 12 04/03-04/05 Chapter 7 13 04/10-04/12 Chapter 8 14 04/17-04/19 Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 15 04/24-04/26 Chapter 9 and Exam 4 (Chapter 7,8&9) 16 05/01 Review 17 05/08 FINAL EXAM B 2
Grading Policies: Grades are based on the following scale: The total points will be in 110 points or 110% 99 (90%----A), 88 (80%----B), 77 (70%-----C), 66 (60%------D), > 66 (>60%)----F Sapling homework 10%, Workshop Attendance 10% Lecture Attendance or participation- 10% Exam 1 ---------- 20%, Exam II-----------20%, Exam III----------20%, Exam IV----------20%, Final Exam ------20% The lowest exam grade will be dropped Exams There will be four exams during this semester and final exam. The semester exams will be in our meeting class room at the same time except for final exam. I will be dropping the lowest exam grade. There is no makeup exams. Any unexcused absence from an exam will result in a score of zero for the exam and can be considered as the lowest exam grade. ONLY for official university events such as a member of a band for a concert, an athlete for a contest; or an approved holy day. Otherwise the missed examination will be the score that is dropped. It is your responsibility to drop the course if you miss 2 exams. Documentation is required for missing an exam and is required at least one week prior to the activity. Absence Policy: Miss a major exam - Final Exam grade substituted for missed exam. Miss two major exams - Dropped from course, if before drop deadline and within the student s six-drop limit. Miss final exam - I or F grade must be submitted depending on status in course. I grades must be requested and must be approved by UTRGV administration. Final Exam The final exam will be held on Thursday May 8 th 10:15-12:00PM in the regular meeting place of the course. There will be no make-up final exam. Homework Homework will be assigned and graded through the Sapling Learning homework system. These questions will be assigned to help you think about the concepts and ideas in the course, and to help you practice the types of calculations and problem-solving situations involved in the course. In order to gain access to the Sapling Homework, go to the following website: http://www2.saplinglearning.com/help/higher-education-us/accounts-and-registration Once you are at the website, follow the instructions to create an account, and to register for our course. Study Sessions Study sessions are designed to give you the opportunity to practice questions and problems in a small group environment with a student leader who has done well in the course in the recent past. Attendance at study sessions is mandatory; if you miss five or more study sessions, you will not receive any of the course grade allocated to the study sessions. Important dates to remember The UTRGV academic calendar and final exam schedule can be found at https://my.utrgv.edu/home at the bottom of the screen, prior to login. Some important dates for Spring 2017 include: 3
Jan 16 MLK Holiday and Day of Service Jan17 First day of class for full semester Jan 30 Last day to add a class for spring 2017 semester Mar 13 18 Spring Break, no classes Apr 13 Last day to drop (DR grade) a class or withdraw (grade of W) Apr 14 15 Easter holiday, no classes May 3 Last day of classes for full semester May 4 Study Day, no classes May 5-11 Final Exams (Schedule) UTRGV Policy Statements STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at ability@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005 (Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at ability@utrgv.edu. MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account (https://my.utrgv.edu/home); you will be contacted through email with further instructions. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. Online evaluations will be available: Feb 15 Feb 21 for Module 1 courses Apr 12 Apr 18 for Module 2 courses Apr 12 May 3 for full spring semester courses ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. 4
COURSE DROPS: According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class should be aware of the 3-peat rule and the 6-drop rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time. 5