Chemistry C100     The World of Chemistry
Spring 2005

 

Lecture section 7067 meets 5:45 pm to 7:00 pm Mondays and Wednesdays in LD027.

 

Professor: Gavin Kirton     Office: LD326E          Telephone: 274-0052

E-mail: gkirt@chem.iupui.edu

 

Office hours: I am available Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:00 pm until 5:30 pm for concerns, questions, and clarification of ideas in the lecture. You can also make appointments for other times.

 

Required Textbook: Chemistry: A World of Choices, 2^nd Ed. (2003) by Paul B. Kelter, James D. Carr, and Andrew Scott, McGraw-Hill.  ISBN 0-07-231590-3

 

Supplementary reading:

Supplemental course material may be on reserve in the IUPUI Main Library under Chemistry C100.  In addition, general chemistry textbooks are available in the Chemistry Resource Center (LD201).  Reading a second text can be helpful in understanding a difficult concept.  A second text may also provide worked examples in addition to those given in class and in the required text.

Course Objectives

1. To learn about science and in particular what chemistry is about. To see the connection between chemistry and society.
2. To learn about atoms, the elements, and their assembly into molecules, as well as the chemical composition of variety of substances. To study many of the chemical processes around us and in us, and how they change materials.
3. To learn about protons, neutrons and electrons that make up atoms, and how they assemble to give atoms with specific properties. To understand the importance of nuclear reactions, radioactive materials and the relationship between mass and energy.
4. To appreciate the connections of chemical processes in life, our lifestyles, and the environment. To understand that many processes are cyclical.
5. To develop a chemical perspective on issues such as energy production, mining, manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and the environment. To discuss the related ethical issues.
6. To become more aware of current scientific discoveries and controversies found in media such as the web, magazines and newspapers, and to discuss these with peers. To appreciate the reliability of different media and to differentiate between science and junk science.
7. To become a more informed decision maker with respect to current political issues that are based on science, and to understand cost-benefit analysis.

Class Attendance and Participation

I emphasize that your attendance and participation in class is important. Topics and information supplemental to the textbook will be given in class.  All lecture material may be tested in quizzes and exams.

Each of you is expected to bring a brief chemistry-related news article that you can briefly present if needed. These may be found in the newspaper or various sites on the web. Sometimes the article makes references to sources that help determine the authenticity and relevance of the article. For example, I am currently viewing an article from BBC world news (Science/Nature section) on the continuing discoveries of the Mars rovers.

Study Suggestions

You are expected to read the assigned chapters in the Kelter text before coming to class. Be prepared. Lectures will follow the sequence of chapters in the text, unless noted in the class. In my lectures, I will spend more time on some topics that I consider to be more important than on others, and some topics may be skipped. It is therefore important to attend class and take proper notes in order to properly focus your study. I may also incorporate material from websites, news clippings, other texts, and demonstrations into this course, further emphasizing the need to attend class and take good notes. (A suggestion for your first or second class period is to identify a peer who can supply you with a good set of notes in case you are absent for a period). I will instruct you to read certain pages out of sequence from your text if pertinent to the lecture. Almost all chapters of the text will be covered in this course.

 

Study regularly (and more than once) each week. Make sure that you are able to work through the lecture problems as well as assigned exercises from the class. Do not wait until the weekend before exams to study, as understanding the material is based on layering of knowledge from lecture to lecture. The time spent on topics and examples in class is a very good guide to the topics and depth I consider appropriate for exams.

Grading and Point Distribution

Your grade will be determined by in-class quizzes and examinations, as well as a comprehensive final exam as detailed below and in the assessment calendar on page 3. Four quizzes will be administered (15 minutes each) at the end of the assigned class period. Three in-class exams will also be administered (30 to 40 minutes each) and lecture will follow the exam. The comprehensive final will be for 2 hours. Calculations (basic arithmetic) may be required, so bring a calculator to every assessment. You must take your quizzes and exams on the scheduled days at the scheduled time. There are no make-up quizzes or exams. I will ask you to provide documentation (medical) for absence from quizzes and exams. Lateness will subtract from your available time to complete the assessment. Specific seating arrangements may be assigned. Students cheating or aiding in cheating are in violation of university ethics regulations and are at risk for punitive action.

 

Grades will be curved for each exam and for the final grade from the total points earned. Distributions of numerical scores from exams will be posted with the exam average and approximate cut-off scores for letter grades. Thus you can assess your performance in the class. See the table on page 3 for the point allocation from exams, quizzes, and the final.

 

Assessment	Points
4 Quizzes @ 20 points each	80 points
3 Exams @ 100 points each	300 points
Final Exam	200 points
TOTAL	580 points

 

Important Dates

Refer to the academic calendar for refund and withdraw dates.

Final day to withdraw is Friday March 31 by 5pm.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Ð Monday January 16 Ð no class.

Spring Break Ð Monday March 13 through Friday March 17 Ð no class.

Assessment Calendar

Date	Assessment
Monday January 30	Quiz 1
Wednesday February 8	Exam 1
Wednesday February 22	Quiz 2
Monday March 6	Exam 2
Wednesday March 22	Quiz 3
Monday April 10	Quiz 4
Monday April 24	Exam 3
Wednesday May 03 , at 5:45 PM in room LD 027	Final Exam

 

Updates to Syllabus or Schedule

Please check the on-line service Oncourse for updates to this document and any schedule changes.