General
Chemistry I
Sections
1, 2, & 3
Fall
2006
Instructors:
Dr.
Office: Room 211,
Chemistry Biology Building (CBB)
Phone: 496-4194
Office hours: TBA
E-mail: dhobbs@mtech.edu
Dr.
Steve Parker Section
2 (MWF
Office: Room 223,
NOTE: Office change for Dr. Parker to CBB 217
(effective Aug. 24)
Phone: 496-4185
Office hours: M,
W, F:
E-mail: sparker@mtech.edu
Dr. Steve Parker Section
3 (Tu-Th 8:00-9:15 AM)
Office: Room 223,
NOTE: Office
change for Dr. Parker to CBB 217 (effective Aug. 24)
Phone: 496-4185
Office
hours: M, W, F:
E-mail: sparker@mtech.edu
Welcome
to first semester General Chemistry (Chem 1056) at
Montana Tech. This course is designed to
introduce you to some of the fundamental principles of chemistry such as
stoichiometry, simple chemical reaction types, atomic properties, molecular
structure and chemical bonding. The
conceptual and problem solving skills you learn in this course are similar to
the ones you will need in many other science and engineering areas. Perhaps the words, “fundamental principles of
chemistry” are new to you and may cause you to question whether you belong in
this class. However, remember that any
science seeks to explain the world in as simple terms and concepts as
possible. So when we say “fundamental
principles of chemistry”, we mean the simplest model (or picture) that explains
all data we observe. To these simple
models we do other stuff like add mathematics or additional details that allow
us to use the model quantitatively; that is we can then make measurements based
upon predictions that come out of our “model”.
So one of the most important skills you can develop for studying science
or engineering is to be able to develop a simple picture of the phenomenon you
wish to understand. To this end, the
instructors and text authors have provided a number of ways to develop
problem-solving skills for this course.
The oldest and most important learning tool is class attendance, which
is MANDATORY. The newest skills involve
hypertext and on-line learning using your computer and/or a computer on
campus. For instance, for each of the
chapters we cover in class, there will be an On-Line quiz required using the
WebAssign system. All of the multimedia
material associated with this class can be accessed through the WebAssign
website.
Good
luck gaining a better understanding of basic chemistry. Remember if you get stuck trying to solve a
problem, or understand a “fundamental principle”, find help immediately either
from your instructor, the campus
Since
algebra is required in many chemical calculations, MATH 1056, College Algebra
(or high school equivalent), is an absolute co-requisite for this course. Two
years of algebra is a high school graduation requirement in the State of
Chemistry:
The Science in Context;
Gilbert, Kirss and Davies, Norton Publishers,
2004. NOTE: It is mandatory that you also
purchase the material to register for the
WebAssign quizzing system (ask at the Tech bookstore).
You need to purchase the material to register with WebAssign. The necessary material is available at the Montana Tech Book Store. WebAssign will be used to post course related materials and messages and will also be used for all the chapter homework throughout the semester. You will need to register with this website to be able to complete the required course assignments.
Select MYMTECH and this will take you to the Blackboard login page.
You can also go to the Chemsitry and Geochemistry Department website:
Select courses and then Chem 1056.
There will be no formal homework assignments to be turned in as “hard copy”and graded. However, learning chemistry is all about learning to solve chemical problems, so in this syllabus, and often in class, we will assign problems of a type that you are certain to encounter on an up-coming exam. Therefore, the best way to study and prepare for an exam is by learning to solve these types of problem.
Also, as part of preparing for your exam and for a part of your grade you will be asked to complete on-line homework using the WebAssign system. Specifics of online quizzing will be covered in class. Each quiz will have approximately 10 questions, and be worth a total of 10 points per quiz. Ten quizzes will thus count the same as one exam. Access to online homework will be allowed for a fixed amount of time, however you will usually have multiple attempts to answer each question.
Unannounced quizzes will be given periodically in class. The points earned from these quizzes will be included as a part of your regular total points. There will be no makeup assignments for these quizzes (remember that class attendance is mandatory). We will drop one quiz at the end of the semester.
There are four
regular exams worth 100-points each.
Your final grade will be based on your regular exams (4), your homework,
your quizzes, and the final exam.
All regular exams
are currently scheduled outside of regular class meeting times. Generally, the exam will be offered at two
different times during the day and evening (
Proposed Exam
Dates are:
Exam I Chs. 1 & 2 Tuesday, September 12th
Exam II Chs. 3 & 4 Tuesday, October 3th
Exam IV Chs. 8 & 9 Tuesday, December 5th
If you are aware of any potential
conflicts with these exam times, you must notify the instructor in writing
within the week prior to the exam. Make-up exam times can then be arranged
ONLY with prior approval of the instructor.
Each of the four
regular exams will consist of a mix of short answer and problem type
questions. Some of the exam questions
will be taken from the end of chapter problems for those chapters covered by
the exam. In some cases the numbers, the
types of substances, and/or the phrasing in the question may be changed
slightly from the way the question appeared in your text. In many cases there will be no changes. This should encourage you to work the end-of
the chapter problems and hence learn the material.
Since
most real world problems will require
you to apply your knowledge in unfamiliar settings, we also believe that it is
important that you learn how to approach and solve these types of
problems. As part of our strategy for
accomplishing this, one or more questions on each exam will be designed to test
your creative problem solving ability.
“Graphing” calculators
capable of storing and displaying text and formulas will not be allowed during
the exams. You should acquire a calculator with the
functions 1/x, 10x, ex, ln (x), log (x) for use during the exams. Appropriate calculators available in the Tech
Bookstore or even Wal-Mart, and generally cost less than $15-20. Some examples of acceptable calculators are: Sharp
EL-509G and EL-506G, Texas Instruments TI-30X, and the CASIO fx-55.
Because
it is impossible for us to get to know all of the ~250 students in this course, we will check validated
NOTE: This information is not in your syllabus!!
The final exam is worth
100 points and will be comprehensive, covering the entire course (Chaps.
1-9). The exam will consist mostly of
short answer or multiple-choice questions.
This exam will be held in the regular lecture hall on:
Sec. 1: Tue., Dec. 12th, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Sec. 2: Thur., Dec. 7th,
3 – 5 PM
Sec. 3: Tue., Dec. 12th, 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Ten (10) WebAssign Chapter quizzes 100
points
Four 100-point regular exams 400
points
Final Exam. 100
points
Total
points 600
points
NOTE: We will not “drop” a grade for the lowest score of
the 4 regular exams. The final exam at the end of the first semester
is mandatory. It will be the American
Chemical Society (ACS) first semester standardized exam.
We do not assign letter grades to individual
quizzes or exams, but rather we keep track of the percentage of the total
available points that you have earned.
The total points may vary slightly from 600, but the following
percentages will guarantee the letter grades shown:
90% to 100% A
80%
to 89% B
69%
to 79% C
60%
to 69% D
Depending upon the test averages these
percentages may be lowered. However, to
pass this class you must demonstrate proficiency in a majority of the material.