Introduction to Chemistry I, Chem 103

FALL 2009

Dr. Suzanne Theresa Mabrouk

General Information

  • Class Schedule: M, W, F 8:00-8:50 am in Byrd Hall room 108
  • Office Number: Byrd Hall room 401
  • Office Hours: If you have difficulty with the course concepts or have questions, please feel free to drop by for help. If the office hours do not coincide with your free time, then schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that regular help will assist you in mastering the material. If you find that I am already helping other students during office hours, ask if you may join. I usually help more than one student at a time, with each student having the opportunity to interject questions.
    • M 10-11 am
    • W 1-2 pm
    • R 9-10 am
    • F 9-10 am
    • open door policy
    • appointments
  • Phone Number: 953-7788
  • Email Address: mabrouks@citadel.edu
    If you need help at night, the only way to reach me is via email.

General Course Information

  • Required Text: Chemistry in Focus: A Molecular View of Our World by Tro, 4th ed.
  • Blackboard Materials (Bb): Lecture Notes.
  • Required Equipment: Students must bring a calculator to each laboratory meeting, since calculations must be performed on the spot.
  • Co-requisite: Chem 113
  • Course Content: This course will introduce the student to the basic concepts of chemistry so that the student can make informed decisions throughout life.
  • Course Objective: By the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:
    • write decimal numbers in scientific notation and vice versa
    • identify how many significant figures a number has
    • convert units from one system of measurement to another
    • write electronic configurations
    • draw reasonable Lewis dot structures
    • name inorganic compounds and write chemical formulae
    • write balanced nuclear equations
    • balance chemical equations
    • calculate the number of moles or grams given either and a chemical equation
    • recognize acidic and basic compounds and be able to determine pH and
    • recognize redox reactions.
  • Lectures
    • Course notes can be found in Bb. Notes can be accessed using the student's six-digit CIT number without the letters CIT or any dashes as the username. Initially the password is set to the last four digits of a student's social security number; the password can be re-set at any time by the student.
    • Students should print the student version notes (from Learning Modules or Course Content) and bring them to lecture each day so that the notes can be annotated during the lecture. Students should read the notes ahead of time and solve any problems contained therein, since the professor will only be highlighting information. Much class time will be spent solving representative problems.

Date
Topic or Test

Suggested Homework Problems

August 26-28

Chapter 1
#22, 4-7, 12-17, 21-36, and 46.

August 31 and September 4-7

Chapter 2

#2-28, 31-42, 50, and 51.

September 2

Appendix 1
#1-6

September 9-21

Chapter 3
#2-8, 12-24, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35-46, and 82.
electron configurations for #25, 26, 29, 30, 33, and 34.

Friday, September 11

Test #1: Chs. 1-2 and Appendix 1
September 23-25 Chapter 7
#1-17, 19-21, 23-26, 29-42, 45-47, 51, and 55.

September 28-October 9

Chapter 4
#1-49, 56, and 57.

Wednesday, September 30

Test#2: Chs. 3 and 7

October 12-23

Chapter 5
#1-5, and 7-37.

Wednesday, October 14

Test#3: Ch. 4

October 26-November 6

Chapter 12
#1-13, 15-50, 55, and 56.

November 9-16

Chapter 13
#1-46, 51, and 53.

Wednesday, November 11

Test#4: Chs. 5 and 12

November 18-December 4

Chapter 14
#1-23, 25-38, and 48.

Monday, December 7

Test #5: 13 and 14
  • Course Notebook: Students should keep their lecture notes, solved homework problems, and tests in a three-ring notebook. Homework problems and tests should either be kept in separate sections of the notebook or at the end of a chapter or tested material. By keeping all material pertaining to a class in the same place, students can easily find information whenever necessary. Students can also keep track of their own performance in class and calculate their grade to date.
  • Suggested Homework Problems: Listed in the third column in the table above are suggested homework problems from the textbook. Although these problems will not be graded, they will provide the student invaluable experience for the in-class tests. The problems can be found at the end of the chapter. Solutions to half of the assigned questions/problems can be found at the back of the book in Appendix 2.
  • Test Bank: Old tests are available in Bb. These tests should be used as a pre-test to check your familiarity with the material. Allow yourself one full hour to work the test. Afterwards consult your notes for any questions you did not know. The old tests will provide you experience for the in class test.
  • Electronic devices: PDAs and laptop computers are allowed in the classroom for note taking only. Cell phones must be set on vibrate or silent. Students must bring a calculator to each class meeting for working problems. The calculator may not be pre-programmed with formulas and no conversion keys on the calculator may be used. Only calculators may be on the desk during a test or the final exam. Only calculators may be used on tests or the final exam (no PDAs, cell phones, and other alterantive electronic devices, which can contain additional aids. Calculators may not be shared. The instructor will not lend calculators to students.

Course Grading Policy

  • Honor in the Class: All students will adhere to the Citadel honor code described in The Guidon, and as such will not cheat on any work submitted to the instructor for a grade. Cheating includes discussion of the difficulty level of the test, the emphasis, and questions from the tests being shared with students who have not already taken the test. Cheating will not be tolerated! Tests and the final exam will be taken indepenedently of any people, written material, lecture notes, or textbooks.
  • Tests: There will be a total of five required one-hour long tests. These tests will address material from the lecture notes and any suggested homework problems. At midterm, all tests count. At the end of the semester, the lowest test grade will be dropped and the remaining four tests averaged for 75% of the final course grade.
  • Make-up Tests: All make-up tests must be taken within two days of the original test date, regardless of circumstances. Failure to do so will result in a 0 on the corresponding test.
  1. Students who know that a test must be missed, must speak with the professor and establish a make-up test date prior to the absence. Only legitimate excuses will be accepted.
  2. Ill students must contact the professor immediately (email only) and take the test within two days of the original test date. An infirmiary slip must be presented at the make-up, otherwise the grade will not be entered into the grade book.

Where special arrangements have been made regarding a make-up, this is a contract between the professor and that specific student. This student is not at liberty to pardon other students from taking the test on time.

  • Final Exam: The final exam, which constitutes 25% of the course grade, is required of all students. The final exam will only be given on Monday, December 14 at 1 pm. According to Citadel policy, Chrsitmas break starts after the completion of the last scheduled exam. Failure to take the final exam results in a final course grade of F.
  • Laboratory: The grade earned in Chem 103 is independent of the grade earned in Chem 113.
  • Midterm Grade: All tests will count towards the midterm grade. Grades will be assigned according to the traditional grading scale, on the zeros.
  • Final Course Grade: Recognizing that people have a bad day periodically, one test will be dropped at the end of the course. Grades will be determined according to the following mathematical equation:
    • Final Course Grade = (Test Avg)(0.75) + (Final Exam)(0.25)
    • Tests (best 4 of 5): 75%
    • Final Exam: 25%
  • Scale for Final Course Grades: Final course grades will be assigned accoring to the scale below.
    • A: 100-87
    • B: 86-77
    • C: 76-67
    • D: 66-57
    • F: 56-0

LD Students

  • It is the responsibility of these students to provide the professor with written documentation from OASIS regarding special needs. According to Citadel policy, all letters addressing special needs must be processed by OASIS. Letters from OASIS must be received by this professor at least two days prior to the test and mutually acceptable arrangements must be made by this same timeframe between the professor and the student. All tests will be administered in the presence of this professor.

Teaching Style

A variety of teaching formats will be employed throughout this course, to more effectively transmit the subject of organic chemistry to the students. All of the following will be employed in addition to others as deemed necessary:

  • interactive lecture style, lecture with questions for discussion
  • individual work
  • group work

Classroom Attendance and Etiquette (http://faculty.citadel.edu/mabrouk/etiquette.htm)

  • Attendance at each class lecture is mandatory, as described in the college catalog p. 25. Tardy students, not more than 10 minutes tardy, should talk with the professor after class regarding the excuse; the professor will decide if the excuse is legitimate.  If a student is more than 10 minites late, the student is not allowed into the classroom and will be marked as absent. Attendance will be submitted daily on-line.
    • Students should arrive on-time if not early.
    • Tardy students should enter class quietly and take their seat. They should not ask the professor to repeat previously stated material.
  • Students are held repsonsible for all material presented in the notes and discussed in class, even when a student is absent.  Absent students should copy the notes of classmates and discuss any difficulties with the professor.
  • Students should not speak while the professor or a classmate is speaking.
  • Students should speak respectfully to the professor and all classmates.
  • When a student has a question, the student should raise the hand and wait to be recognized.
    • Record the question in the margins of your notes along with the professor's response. This information will be invaluable as you study.
  • Sleeping is prohibited in this professor's classroom. The first time a student is caught sleeping the student will be directed to the back of the classroom. The second offense by any student will result in the removal of that student and any future sleeping student from the classroom. Sleeping during class prevents one from learning important concepts.
  • You are responsible for the condition of your desk. Report any writing on the desk before class begins.
  • Food, drink, smoking, and tobacco are prohibited in Byrd Hall.
  • The use of profane language is unacceptable in the presence of this professor.
  • Thanksgiving Break begins following a student's last scheduled class. We will have class on Friday, November 20 from 8-8:50 am.

Student's Attitude

Since you may want a letter of recommendation in the future, conduct yourself in a professional way.  Remember your words, attitude, and work ethic leave a lasting impression in the minds of those around you, including the professor.  Therefore, ...

  • be present, both in body and mind (the latter being most important!)
  • be presentable (clean and kempt)
  • have a positive attitude
  • be friendly
  • be outgoing
  • ask genuine questions
  • try to learn the material
  • ask for help early
  • make good and effective use of your time and the time of others
  • have meaningful conversations
  • choose your words carefully and wisely
  • above all else be genuine

How to Study for Chem 103

Chemistry requires regular study.  Students expecting to study one or two nights before a test and do well will find that this technique results in a test score of F.  If you would like to succeed in Chem 103 study regularly by doing the following...

  • attend all classes and if you miss a class copy missed material from responsible and intelligent classmates and discuss any difficulties with the professor
  • read the related chapter in the course textbook, jotting questions into the margins
  • print and read class notes from WebCT before the next class meeting, jotting questions into the margins
  • stop by the professor's office with questions; bring your notes, flashcards, and textbook with you
  • ask questions during class
  • prepare and study flashcards of all terms in the WebCT notes using index cards (place the term on one side and the definition on the reverse side of the card)
  • review all  flashcards to date
  • work all suggested homework problems (do not read the solutions at the back of the textbook, this action does not count!), a few per day
  • re-work all practice problems from the notes by hiding the previous solution and solving the problem fresh
  • study with classmates, taking turns to quiz each other on the terms and concepts
  • prior to the test, print old tests from WebCT and work one test in one hour without notes or the textbook; then review missed concepts from the notes

Test Format

Tests will address material from the lecture notes, textbook, and suggested homework problems. The following types of questions will appear on tests, as appropriate:

  • multiple choice questions on course concepts and their application, 10-30 questions
  • matching, as appropriate, 10-15 questions
  • fill-in the blank, 4-20 questions
  • problems, 2-5 questions
  • other, 1-6 questions

Tests will be administered, starting at 7:55 am and ending at 8:55 am. This timeframe will provide students one full hour to complete the tests. No additional time will be given, except to LD students with written documentation (see appropriate section below).

Test/Final Exam Attendance and Etiquette

  • Arrive early, since tests will start promptly at 7:55 am.
  • Do not ask the professor last minute questions before the test, since the professor will be trying to prepare test materials and to start the test on time.
  • Regardless of any excuse, late students will only be allowed to work on the test until 8:55 am when time will be called.
  • Tests will end promptly at 8:55 am, so any student remaining until this time should submit the test when the professor calls time.  No extra time will be given except to LD students as described above.
  • The final exam will only be adminstered on Monday, December 14 at 1 pm.  The exam will end promptly at 4 pm, when time will be called.
  • Tests and the final exam are closed book.
  • Tests and the final exam will not be scaled, regardless of class performance.
  • Bring a number 2 pencil to each test and the final exam for use on scantron sheets.
  • Do not use red pen to write your test, since the professor will be using red ink to grade the test/final exam. Pencil is best, since you can erase mistakes.
  • Students may only use scrap paper provided by the professor.  All used scrap paper must be submitted to the professor at the end of the test.
  • Be quiet during a test or the final exam.
  • If you have a question during the test, leave your seat, bring your test, and whisper your question to the professor. The only legitimate questions are those for which the student is seeking clarification of a test question.
  • Print and sign your complete name on the tests, final exam, and scantron sheets, so that a grade can be awarded.
  • After you have submitted your test, do not ask the professor to assess the quality of your test answers. Such discussions are distracting to classmates still writing the test. When time is called the professor will be trying to vacate the room and prepare for other activities.
  • When time is called, submit all test materials to the professor and leave the room. Do not ask for nor demand additional time.
  • Students are prohibited from discussing the test/final exam with any Chem 103 student who has not already take the test/final exam.  Discussions include any information pertaining to a test that a student would not have before taking it.  These discussions include the difficulty level as well as the content.
  • Test scores will only be made available at the next class meeting and not before.  Tests will not be given to classmates in compliance with FERPA.

Test Taking Strategies

  • Prior to starting the test, obtain scrap paper from the professor and jot down any charts or helpful information that may become mangled in your mind later.  Then you can consult this information while writing the test.
  • Solve all questions that you know immediately, skipping all others at the present time.  Place a star beside any questions that you are skipping temporarily.
  • After solving the easy questions, solve those with a star beside them.
  • While answering multiple choice questions, place the answers directly onto the scantron sheet.  No extra time will be granted at the end for the transfer of multiple choice selections.
  • Solve mathematical problems multiple times, by covering up your original solution and solving the problem fresh. Enter the data into the calculator multiple times as well. Compare set-ups and final answers, selcting the most appropriate one if there is a difference. Also estimate the calculation, comparing the estimated value to the clauculated value, if they differ, re-check both. Both answers should be in agreement, outside of exactness and significant figures/units.
  • Throughout the testing period look at the clock so that you work with regard to the availability of time.  Do not expect nor demand extra time from the professor to complete your test.  No extra time will be granted.

This page was created by Dr. Suzanne T. Mabrouk (mabrouks@citadel.edu) on 8/98 (modified: 8/21/09).