CHEMISTRY 211 GENERAL CHEMISTRY Lecture Syllabus Fall 2011 Section 002 Tu/Th 3:00 – 4:15
Innovation Hall 103 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MWF
(410 Occoquan, PW1), or by appointment
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Thanksgiving Recess Nov 23-26
Text:
Chemistry, The Molecular
Nature of Matter and Change
by M. S. Silberberg 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill (2011)
Instructor:
Dr. Keith M. Davies Office: 410 Occoquan, PW1 / ST1
331
Email:
kdavies@gmu.edu Tel:
703-993-1075
Office Hours:
Tu/Th
10:30-11:30,1:30-2:30 (ST1 331)
Chapter in
Text
30, 1
1
Matter and
Measurement
Sept
6,
8
2
The Components of
Matter
13, 15
3
Stoichiometry
Quiz 1. Sept 15
(Ch. 1,2)
20, 22
3,
4
Classes of Chemical
Reactions
27,
29
4
Exam I - Sept 29 (Ch.
1-3)
Oct
4 , 6
5
Gases
Columbus Day Recess (No CHEM
211 class
on Oct 11th)
13
6
Thermochemistry
Quiz 2. Oct 13
(Ch. 4,5)
18, 20
6,
7
Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure
25,
27
7
Exam II - Oct 27 (Ch.
4-7)
Nov
1 , 3
8
Electronic Configuration
and Periodicity
8, 10
9
Chemical Bonding
Quiz 3. Nov 10 (Ch. 8-9)
15,
17
10
Shapes of
Molecules
22
Exam
III - Nov 22
(Ch. 8-10)
29,
1
11
Covalent Bonding
Theories
Quiz 4. Dec 1 (Ch. 11)
Dec
6, 8
12
Solids, Liquids and Intermolecular
Forces
15
Final Exam (cumulative)
1:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Grading
Mid-Term Exams
30%
Final Exam
20%
Quizzes
10%
Homework (Connect)
15%
Lab
25%
Course Content and Policies.
CHEM 211 is the first semester of a two semester General Chemistry sequence for students majoring in science and mathematics, or preparing for entry into health professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary science. CHEM 211 will provide a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, properties of gases, liquids and solids, reaction stoichiometry of chemical change and thermochemistry. Emphasis will be placed on quantitative aspects, particularly when discussing gas laws and chemical change. The importance of developing critical thinking and problem solving skills will be stressed throughout the course.
Student Preparation. Success in General Chemistry is determined largely by the amount of time that a student puts into the course outside of the classroom. A number of learning aids are available (lecture notes, textbook, study guide, homework and a textbook web site learning center Connect Chemistry). Different approaches to learning will work for different students. Some will learn mostly from the textbook, while others will be stimulated by an animated/interactive web site. The most important thing is to spend a minimum of several hours a week working on the course material using the learning method or methods that work best for you. Since numerical chemical calculations constitute a large part of many chapters (and of scheduled tests and quizzes), practicing numerical problems should constitute a large part of your preparation.
Make Up Exam Policy. An absence from an exam will be excused ONLY if adequate documentation is provided. (e.g. an official note from a physician, preferably ahead of the exam date). For an excused absence, the mid-term exam% for the course will be determined from the mean of the other two mid-terms (i.e. the point values of the other two exams will be increased proportionately to cover the missed exam). Only one missed mid-term exam will be permitted (a second missed exam will result in a zero score for the exam). All students must take the Final Exam to pass the course.
Grading Policies. Grades will not be based on a 100% scale ( A equates to 90+%, B to 80+%, etc) but relative to the rest of the class. The class average will be equated to a high C, and the rest of the grades will be determined relative to this norm.
Power Point Materials. The outline of each lecture presented in class using MS Power Point slides is posted on Blackboard. The material is discussed and explained in more detail in the textbook, which should be read separately. The recommended end-of-chapter problems should also be attempted. Practicing numerical problems is the best way to digest the material covered in class and to prepare for examinations and quizzes.
BLACKBOARD Course materials and announcements will be posted on BLACKBOARD, which can be accessed through the following links: GMU / MY MASON / Login / COURSES / 9.1 Course List / CHEM 211-002 (Fall 2011) / Syllabus - Course Content.
Laboratory Course. To complete the CHEM 211 course, each student must also enroll and obtain a passing grade in a CHEM 211 lab class. If a student is repeating the course and has previously obtained a passing grade in the lab (at GMU or elsewhere) he/she can be exempt from the lab. To achieve this, the student must provide evidence of their prior lab grade and fill out a Lab waiver form in the chemistry office (ST 343). They must also notify the lecture instructor of their lab exempt status.
Homework, Quizzes and End-of-Chapter Practice Problems. The recommended homework and problem sets are designed to help students digest and comprehend the course material, by working on it regularly prior to the mid-term examinations. To be successful in CHEM 211, it is essential that you attempt many of the Practice Problems, which are listed at the end of each chapter. This will help you to maximize your understanding of the course material, and sharpen your problem-solving skills in preparation for the examinations.
Office of Disability Services. If you are a student with a disability and need academic accommodations, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS. Refer to http://ods.gmu.edu
GMU Email Accounts. Students enrolled in CHEM 211 must activate their GMU email accounts to receive messages related to this class. Contact with students in the class will only be made through GMU email. It is important that your account is not full (OVER QUOTA) or important messages will not get to you.
GMU Honor Code. GMU is an Honor Code university and the principle of academic integrity is taken very seriously. A detailed description of the code and the honor committee process is shown in the University Catalog. Violations of the honor code will be treated gravely. .
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Important Fall 2011 Dates |
|
Last day to add | Tues Sept 6 |
Last day to drop |
Fri Sept 30 |
Mid-term progress reports |
Sept 26 – Oct 21
|
Selective withdrawal |
Oct 3 – Oct 28 |
Thanksgiving recess |
Nov 23 - 26 |
Last meeting of CHEM 211 class |
Thurs Dec 8 |
Final Exam | Thurs Dec 15 (1:30-4:15) |
________________________________________________________________
Important GMU Web Sites
Patriot Web https://patriotweb.gmu.edu
Academic Advising Center http://www2.gmu.edu/depts/advising/
Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs http://chssundergrad.gmu.edu/
GMU Catalog http://catalog.gmu.edu/
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department http://chemistry.gmu.edu/
________________________________________________________________________________