Chemistry 121 - Fall 2003 General Chemistry

Welcome to Chemistry 121! This course provides an introduction to the exciting world of chemistry for students seeking to discover what science understands about nature and life.  While taking this class and laboratory course, students will:

• Discover the prominent role chemistry plays in life and daily living;
• Learn and appropriately use the language and symbolism of chemistry;
• Learn and practice how scientists, specifically chemists, ask questions, pursue answers and communicate results;
• Develop the skills necessary to safely explore the properties and behaviors of matter;
• Qualitatively and quantitatively express an understanding of chemical systems; 
• Build a foundation for future courses in chemistry and biology and demonstrate informed citizenship. 

Required Materials

• Moore, Stanitski, Jurs. Chemistry: The Molecular Science, 1st Ed.(ISBN: 0-534-14787-9)
• packaged with Student Solutions Manual and Study Guide
  
• Chemistry 121 Laboratory Manual, Fall 2003
• Safety Goggles
• Student Lab Notebook with spiral binding (ISBN: 1-930882-74-2)
• Equation Solving Calculator, TI-89 preferred, but others can be used.
• I will teach based on the TI-89. If you do not have one and don't plan on continuing in math or chemistry, you could try to borrow one. This type of calculator will be important when we cover equilibrium chemistry and gas laws.

Quizzes and Exams
As the class calendar shows, just about every week or two there will be some type of exam in Chemistry 121. The quizzes will be 25 minutes in length and count 30 points. The three mid-term exams will be 55 minutes in length and count 100 points. If for any reason (illness or family emergency) you are unable to take an exam at the scheduled time, I must know prior to class. I have voice messaging in my office (SC 320, x3404), or you can call the chemistry department office (Karen Renneke, x3104), or you can e-mail me at jackson.

Note that the final exam will be administered as follows:
121A (10:45-11:40) on Tuesday, December 16, 2003, from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

CAUTION!  There are very few reasons that exist so that you cannot take your final exam at the scheduled time. All airline flights and most other forms of transportation can be rescheduled for minimal charges. If this is a concern of yours, tell your parents about your exam schedule NOW, so that this problem does not arise.

Homework
The assignment calendar shows that homework will be usually due at least twice a week, although there are a few exceptions. Homework should be done on loose leaf paper and be stapled together. If using spiral bound paper, the edges should be cut off prior to handing it in for grading. Homework will be graded on the following ten-point scale:

Complete means that all problems were attempted; mastered means your approach to the problems was both effective and clear to the grader. Most of the problems assigned will be from the textbook (and some answers are in the back of the book); occasionally there will be others handed out or distributed via the web. You will not receive any credit unless you show your work. This includes carefully laying out all steps for any problems that require calculations, showing ALL units, and giving a rationale for any problems that do not involve calculations. Homework assignments will be due at the beginning of class on the date listed in the calendar. During the term you will be allowed ONE late homework. I encourage you to work together on the assignments, and I will accept homework with up to 4 names on it.  At the end of the term, the points you earned from homework assignments will be scaled to account for 20% of your grade.

Laboratory
Purchase the lab manual, laboratory notebook, and safety goggles from the St. Olaf Chemistry Society SOON. Students will be selling these items outside SC 376; look for signs indicating sale times. The schedule of experiments are given in the manual and we start lab the first full week of class. Each of the experiments, including the firstinvolves a one- or two-page "experimental plan" due at the beginning of your designated laboratory period. All lab sessions will occur in SC 371. The first ten labs will be worth 20-30 points each; the eleventh lab, an investigative experiment lasting three weeks, will be worth 60 points. The laboratory is an integral component of any chemistry course and should not be deemed "separate". Consequently, questions concerning the laboratory will appear on exams. All lab reports will be due at the end of the laboratory period. Your total score will be scaled to the 150 point level as part of your final grade.

Grading
The grading scale is based on adjustable percentages; I don't believe a curve is appropriate. By the term adjustable I mean that I may lower the A-B and B-C cutoffs a few points in order to give more A's and B's, but I will not raise cutoffs as might happen if grades are curved. Compete with yourself, not others in the class. It has been my experience that studying together, in groups, will help you earn the grade you want. Points and grades in the course will be distributed as outlined below:

• Failure to attend class (as evidenced by repeated absences on days that attendance is documented) can result in a lower grade.
• There are two minimum requirements the must be met in order to obtain a passing grade:
• turn in at least 75% of homework assignments on time
• earn at least 70% of laboratory points

E-mail, Web Sites and Tutors
Our e-mail alias is chem-121a. Use it respectfully. Periodically you will receive e-mail from me, tutors, lab assistants, or others in the class. Note: if you reply "to all recipients" then your message will be sent to everyone in your section. For general course information, always check out http://www.stolaf.edu/people/jackson/08-121/ You will find information regarding the syllabus, schedules, homework assignments, and other information. I will try to keep the site updated and expanded as we go.

Our class has two course tutors: Tim Dauwalter and Jamie Rowoldt. A schedule for open door tutor sessions for help with homework assignments, studying, and course related topics will be announced in-class.

Any student with a documented disability, needing academic adjustments or accommodations, is requested to speak with me during the first two weeks of class.  All discussions will remain confidential.  Such students also need to contact Student Disability Services in the Academic Support Center in Room 1 of the Old Main Annex.

The information listed on the course web site, in the syllabus, and in associated documents is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

Page last modified on 27 August 2003 by Paul T. Jackson

Disclaimer