Welcome to chemistry 1A . So what’s a nice person like you doing in a course like this? Well, probably you want to be an engineer, or a doctor, or a biologist or some other type of scientist. Maybe you don’t know what you’ll major in, but you liked your previous chemistry course, and decided you’ll try another one. In either case, we will try to teach you as much chemistry as we can this semester. Hopefully, you will enjoy the course and gain a deeper appreciation of the role chemistry plays in our everyday lives. The following material is a very important compilation of the requirements, scheduling, point breakdown, resources, and other useful information. Please read it carefully and keep it in a convenient location for easy reference.

Learning Objectives: Students will have basic chemical understanding of the following upon completion of the course:

• Atomic and molecular structure
• Molecular and chemical nomenclature
• Basic chemical calculations involving quantitative measures
• Basic chemical reactions
• Behavior of gasses, liquids, and solids
• Basic energetic and kinetic properties of chemical systems

Your final grade will be based on the class distribution of the following points. The maximum possible points is 1000 and your grade will depend on your total points in relationship to the class distribution.

Lecture (600 pts)                                       Laboratory (400 pts)

hour exams 3 X 100 pts 300pts                 lab quizzes 9 X 15 pts* 135pts

final exam 200pts                                        lab write-ups                 205pts

homework 70pts                                         lab unknowns                  60pts

proficiency exam** 30pts                                                                 400pts

                               600pts

* The weekly quizzes will be administered in lab and will represent both laboratory and lecture material. We will count your best 9 out of 11 quizzes in determining your final quiz total. See the laboratory section of the syllabus for more information.

** A proficiency exam covering nomenclature and units will be administered in lab during the 3rd week (see lab schedule). We believe that mastery of these topics is essential for successful continuation in the course. As a result, you are required to obtain a 70% or better on the proficiency exam in order to pass Chemistry 1A. You will be allowed to take the exam three times. However, only the score obtained on your first trial will be used in calculation of your final grade. In other words, study and do well the first time! If you do not pass the exam after three attempts, the highest grade you can earn in the class is a D.

Required Text: Chemistry by McMurry Fay.

Optional : Student Solution Manual which includes detailed solutions to the even numbered end of the chapter problems.

Although attendance in lecture is not mandatory, studies have shown that there is a very strong correlation between lecture attendance and good grades. Why is attendance in lecture important? Well, most instructors present and emphasize the material they feel is most important. This gives the students a good indication of what they can expect on quizzes and exams.

Exams: There will be three hour exams given during lecture (see lecture schedule for dates). All the examinations are closed book. However, you can bring a 3 x 5 note card with anything written on it to use during each exam (Note that some instructors may restrict the information used on your note card). You may not use a note card for the weekly quizzes or the proficiency exam. You should also bring a calculator and pencil to each exam. Paper and periodic tables will be provided.

The final exam will be comprehensive. You may also use a 3 x 5 note card for the final exam.

Homework: Homework problems found at the end of the text chapters will be assigned each week. The assigned problems are found in the homework schedule attached. Homework will be collected in lecture on the designated dates. No late homework will be accepted without instructor consent. The homework will be graded and returned in lab. Solutions to the homework will be available at the library after the homework has been turned in. We suggest that you do as many extra problems as possible for your own practice. Problem solving is one of the most effective ways to study this material.

Lecture Etiquette: Failure to show common courtesy with respect to the items below may result in being asked to leave the class for the day or permanently for repeated incidents.

Please turn your cell phones and beepers off during lecture. Cell phone / beeper disruptions are distracting to the class as a whole. You may be asked to leave the class permanently or be referred to the Dean of students if this becomes a problem.

Please be on time to lecture and lab. Tardiness will result in missing important announcements at the beginning of lecture and quizzes during lab.

Please refrain from "chatting" with your neighbors during lecture. Those around you are trying to listen to the lecture.

If you must leave class in the middle of lecture, please inform the instructor before class starts.

Text: The Chemistry 1A Laboratory Manual by Decious and Noble is required.

Safety goggles: Approved safety goggles are required.

Attendance in laboratory is mandatory. You must complete each lab activity and turn-in each laboratory write-up in order to pass the course. Lab absence: If for some reason you miss lab, it must be made up within one week. This can be accomplished by attending a laboratory section other than your own. You must ask the instructor for permission to work in their laboratory section (there must be room for you). The instructor of the laboratory in which you make up your lab must sign your data sheet.

Quizzes: Quizzes over the lecture and laboratory material will be given weekly at the beginning of lab. If you are late to lab and miss the quiz, you may not make it up. If you are absent from lab, you may not make up your quiz in another lab section.

Advanced Study Assignments: All of the experiments have an advanced study assignment that you need to complete before coming to lab to perform the associated experiment. The advanced study assignment is due at the beginning of the lab period. The advanced study assignments serve to show the instructor that you are prepared to perform the experiment. You must complete your advanced study assignment before performing the experiment; however, if it is done late, it will receive zero points.

Laboratory Reports: You must complete and turn in all lab reports to pass the class. Laboratory reports are due at the beginning of the lab following the completion of the experiment. Late lab reports will be assessed a penalty of five points per lab period. After lab reports have been graded and returned, a late report will receive zero points.

Note on writing components: The ability to communicate effectively in writing is as important in chemistry as it is in your non-science classes. We expect that the written portions of your turned in assignments, quizzes, homework, and exam questions will demonstrate college level writing technique and style. Poorly written assignments will be penalized accordingly.

Safety: You will be given a safety presentation during the first week of lab. You will then sign a "contract" promising to abide by the safety rules of the laboratory. Failure to follow the safety rules will not be tolerated.

Laboratory Fees: A university lab fee is required. You will obtain more information about paying this fee at your first lab section meeting.

Resources for Help: Your professor and the lab instructors will hold office hours each week.

Teaching Assistant office hours will be held in the HELP Office Room 502 in Sequoia Hall. The TA office hours will be posted outside the HELP Office. You are welcome to go to ANY of the Chem 1A TA office hours that fit your schedule. Try not to abuse the HELP office or the TA office hours. They are there to help you learn, not to write-up your lab reports or do your homework for you!

• Plan to spend at least 15 hours per week outside of class time studying chemistry. Chemistry is a challenging subject that requires considerable time to master. Develop a study schedule and stick with it.
• Do as many problems as possible. Problem solving is one of the most effective ways to master this material.
• Read the assigned text section the instructor is going to cover each day before going to class. The lectures will be more beneficial if you have done a little preparation.
• Review your lecture notes the evening after each lecture to make sure you understand the material presented.
• Do not wait until the last minute to do your homework or laboratory assignments. If you wait until the last minute, you will not have time to get help.