College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
General Chemistry I Syllabus - Spring 2017
CHEM:1070 Section A — General Chemistry I (Spring 2017)
Course Objectives
CHEM:1070 provides students with an introduction to chemistry and is appropriate for students who have not had an advanced chemistry course in high school. Students will consider how scientific knowledge is acquired, applied, and communicated, as they explore many of the key concepts central to the science of chemistry. By working through example cases and practice problems, students will further develop their chemical content knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and problem solving skills. By the end of the course, successful students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the structure and properties of chemical systems using the tools of the discipline including: models, data analysis, and the use of symbolic representations. Through participation in course activities students will gain experience in the practices of scientific investigators including: observation, logic, analysis, objectivity, precision, and clear communication. This course is part of the General Education Program (GEP) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and can be used to fulfill part of the requirement in the Natural Sciences category.
Course Content and Prerequisites
- Topics: measurement and units, matter and energy, stoichiometry and chemical equations, thermochemistry, electronic structure of atoms, periodic trends, molecular bonding and structure, gases, intermolecular forces, solution chemistry, equilibrium, oxidation-reduction reactions, and nuclear chemistry.
- Approved General Education Program (GEP): natural sciences.
- Prerequisites: proficiency with elementary algebra.
Course Structure and Instructors
CHEM:1070 consists of three components (lecture, discussion, & exams). Attendance is expected at all components of the course. Students should also expect to devote at least six hours per week to out-of-class homework and studying for this course (3 credits x 2 hours out-of-class time per credit).
- Lectures – Dr. Natalia Alexeeva (TThu 8:00 – 9:15 AM in W290 CB Course lectures may be video captured and posted to ICON.
- Discussion Section – A graduate teaching assistant (TA), see MyUI schedule
- Exams - Dr. Alexeeva
|
Professor: Dr. Natalia Alexeeva Office: E309 CB Phone: 335-4865 Email: natalia-alexeeva@uiowa.edu |
Professor's Office hours
Dr. Alexeeva has scheduled walk-in no-appointment office hours in 309 CB:
- T 9:30-10:20A
- W 4:30-5:20P
- Th 11:30-12:20A
- F 12:30-1:20P.
Additional meeting times can be scheduled by emailing Prof. Alexeeva (natalia-alexeeva@uiowa.edu).
TA Office Hours in Chemistry Resource Center
Discussion teaching assistants (TAs) have scheduled office hours in the Chemistry Resource Center, E208 CB. In addition, TAs for other chemistry courses also use this room and may be able to offer assistance for general chemistry related questions. This room is normally open Monday-Thursday at 8:30A – 6:30P and Friday at 9:30A – 3:30P and offers help on a walk-in basis. A full schedule of office hours will be posted on ICON by the second week of class.
Course Materials
Electronic access is automatically provided as part of this class to:
Introductory Chemistry Essentials, 5th ed., by Tro, with MasteringChemistry
Optional paper versions of the textbook and solution manual are available in the local bookstores:
- UI Bookstore (http://www.book.uiowa.edu/)
- Iowa Book and Supply (http://www.iowabook.com/textbooks.html), or
- Beat the Bookstore (http://iowabtb.secureweblogin.com/ )
Course Administration
Go to the Chemistry Center, Room E225 CB, for drop/add/section change signatures, make-up exam scheduling, and chemistry lost-and-found. Hours are M–Th, 8AM–12PM & 1–5PM and F 8AM–12PM & 12:30–4:30PM. The Chemistry Center Coordinator is Ellie Keuter, 335-1341 or chemistry-center@uiowa.edu.
Course Website
CHEM:1070 - Iowa Courses Online (ICON) website URL = icon.uiowa.edu. Use your Hawk ID and Hawk ID password to login to ICON. This website includes links to the MasteringChemistry (homework) website. Lecture notes, practice exams, course announcements, exam room assignments, and other information will be posted on ICON. You should check ICON frequently during the semester.
Discussion Section
Discussion sections are limited to 28 students and complement the lectures. Discussion sections meet in E240 CB or W258 CB with times throughout the week as given on MyUI, and are lead by graduate teaching assistants (TAs). In Discussion, students ask questions and work problems to gain problem-solving experience. Discussion sections will meet the first week of classes (Jan. 17–20). Up to three points are awarded for participation in discussion activities, with a maximum of 30 points during the semester.
Grading
Semester grades will be based on three 1½ -hour unit exams, a 2-hour final exam, homework, and discussion section participation; plus and minus grades will be awarded.
| 3 Unit Exams = | 420 pts. (49%) |
| Final Exam = | 185 pts. (21 %) |
| MasteringChemistry homework = | 175 pts. (20%) |
| Quizzes = | 52 pts. (6%) |
| Discussion/Activity points = | 30 pts. ( 4%) |
| Total = | 862 pts. (100%) |
A curve will be used to assign final grades based on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommended distribution of grades as summarized in the table and graph below. However, if you obtain greater than 495 pts you will obtain a C- or better and if you obtain greater than 550 points you will obtain a C or better. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has asked that A+ grades be used only for extraordinary course performance. This level will be approximately the 99th-percentile and above in this course.
Recommended Grade Distribution of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for Elementary Courses
Average GPA = 2.5 out 4.0, Plus & minus grades will be awarded. |
Examinations
There are three 1½ -hour unit exams and a 2-hour cumulative final exam. Exams are multiple choice. Students should bring a #2 pencil, their University ID, and a basic scientific calculator, such as a TI30X or TI30Xa, to each exam. Graphing calculators, programmable calculators, or data transmitting devices (e.g., PDA, laptop, cell phone, smart watches/activity trackers) will NOT be allowed at the exams. Exam rooms will be announced in class and posted on the ICON website the week prior to each exam. Review sessions are typically presented Sunday night prior to each exam (1-3) and will be announced on ICON.
- Exam #1: Wednesday, February 15, 6:30-8:00 PM Chapters 1-5
- Exam #2: Wednesday, March 22, 6:30-8:00 PM Chapters 6-9
- Exam #3: Wednesday, April 19, 6:30-8:00 PM Chapters 10-14
- Final Exam (Chapters 1-17): Date/time be announced
The final examination date and time will be announced by the Registrar generally by the fifth week of classes. Once the final exam schedule has been finalized by the Registrar, the final examination date and time for this course will be posted on the course ICON site. Do not plan your end of the semester travel plans until the final exam schedule is made public. It is your responsibility to know the date, time, and place of the final exam.
http://registrar.uiowa.edu/exam-information
Make-Up Examinations
To qualify for a make-up examination, the exam absence must be due to illness, religious obligations, recognized University activities, unavoidable circumstances or have prior instructor permission. Excused absence forms are required and are available on the ICON website via the online make-up request form. Proper written documentation must be submitted to the Chemistry Center before 5 PM of the day prior to the make-up exam. Spring break travel or other vacation/travel plans are NOT recognized as a valid excuse for the purpose of taking a make-up exam. Penalties to be assigned by the instructor, up to and including a zero score on the exam, will apply for absences not meeting these requirements. Makeup exams booklets will not be returned to the students but are available for review by contacting the course instructor. The make-up exams will be held in any changes will be posted on the ICON website.
- Make-up Exam #1: Friday, February 24, 6:30–8:00 PM in W290 CB Chapters 1-5
- Make-up Exam #2: Monday, March 31, 6:30–8:00 PM room TBD Chapters 6-9
- Make-up Exam #3: Friday, April 28, 6:30–8:00 PM in W290 CB Chapters 10-14
Final Exam Conflicts
A student with two final examinations scheduled for the same period or more than two examinations scheduled for the same day will be notified by the Registrar that they are eligible for scheduling a makeup final exam. However, students are required to contact the instructors of the courses involved to register their intent to take advantage of this opportunity and must do so within two weeks (14 days) of being notified by the Office of the Registrar of their final examination week schedule. During spring semesters, courses having higher subject alpha characters will take precedence in deciding on the course to be rescheduled.
Online Homework
MasteringChemistry is an Internet-based homework system that helps students to improve their problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding of chemistry. MasteringChemistry scores represent 20% of the course total. There will be 15 end-of-chapter assignments throughout the semester, approximately one per chapter. The first assignment (MC2) is a “practice assignment” and the score will not be counted. Each of the remaining 14 assignments will be scored (with maximum of 13.5 points each). For each assignment, “extra credit exercises” will also be available within the assignment. Points obtained by working the extra credit exercises will be added to the chapter assignment score, up to a maximum score of 13.5 total points. In effect, the “extra credit points” on the assignment can serve to “make-up” for small point losses elsewhere in the main assignment.
Homework assignments will typically be due the day of the first lecture of the next chapter (see schedule). A point penalty will be applied to homework problems submitted after the due date, and after one week after the due date, no additional credit on an assignment can be earned. Over the entire course a value of 175 points for all assignments will be defined as full credit. This is similar (but more flexible) to dropping the lowest assignment at the end of the course. This policy is in place to accommodate the possibility of under achieving on an assignment due to illness or other circumstance. For this reason, extensions will only be granted for instructor-approved circumstances that preclude completing homework for an extended period of time. In such a case, you should contact your course Prof. Alexeeva.
To access MasteringChemistry, please use the link provided on the CHEM:1070-ICON homepage. You will need to create your MasteringChemistry account using the instructions given on ICON and the access code:
DSCEWQ-SMALL-LOACH-PYRAN-QUASH-RULES
Quiz points
Two quizzes will be associated with each homework assignment: a reading quiz (RQ) and a chapter quiz (CQ). Each quiz will be worth a maximum of 2 points. The reading quiz will be due the day after the first lecture on a chapter, and the chapter quiz will be due at the same time as the homework. For chapter 2, both quizzes are “practice quizzes” and the scores will not be counted. Each of the remaining 28 quizzes will be scored, but over the entire course a value of 52 points for all quizzes will be defined as full credit. Thus, a student can miss up to four points over the semester and still obtain full credit in the quiz category.
Academic Honesty
You are expected to do your own work, as stated in the http://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/academic-fraud-honor-code.
Examinations: The instructors may employ statistical software to examine student answer sheets to identify copying on exams. Cheating will not be tolerated. See also the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences policy and procedures under Academic Honesty (vide infra).
MasteringChemistry homework: You must complete your own e-homework. Study groups can provide an effective means to learn chemistry. However, even if you work with others to develop problem solving strategies for the homework problems, you must do your own work for answers that you submit to be graded. Beyond study groups, additional assistance is available through faculty and TA office hours. (The hours will be posted on ICON).
Resources for Students
- Chemistry Resource Center, E208 CB, open Mon.-Thurs. 8:30AM – 5:30PM and Fri. 9:30AM – 3:30PM. All chemistry TAs hold office hours in this center. These office hours offer walk-in assistance to students seeking help to strengthen their chemistry knowledge and problem solving skills.
- University Housing Tutoring, http://housing.uiowa.edu/tutoring
- Tutor Resources and Supplemental Instruction, http://tutor.uiowa.edu/
Student Classroom Behavior
The ability to learn is lessened when students engage in inappropriate classroom behavior that distracts others; such behaviors are a violation of the Code of Student Life. When disruptive activity occurs, a University instructor has the authority to determine classroom-seating patterns and/or to request that a student exit immediately for the remainder of the period. One-day suspensions are reported to appropriate departmental, collegiate, and student services personnel (Office of the Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students).
Complaints
Students are encouraged to first meet with their professors with their concerns about course aspects, TAs, lectures, or exams. Complaints and appeals regarding the course, instructors, or TAs can be filed with Professor Jim Gloer, Chemistry Department Chair, E331 CB, 319-335-1350 , Chemistry@uiowa.edu.
Scheduling changes and other modifications to the syllabus
Although the schedule and policies given in this syllabus are expected to accurately outline the course, in the event that modifications are necessary, the modifications will be posted on the ICON course website. Such posting will take precedence.
|
Spring 2017 University Deadlines for CHEM:1070- General Chemistry I |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Begin Date |
01/17/2017 |
|
End Date |
05/05/2017 |
|
Last day for tuition & fee reduction if you drop the course or reduce hours (See Note below) |
01/30/2017 |
|
Last day to add without dean's approval |
01/30/2017 |
|
Last day to drop without a "W" |
01/30/2017 |
|
Last day to drop without dean's approval, undergraduate |
04/03/2017 |
Note: If you terminate enrollment in every course (even if enrolled in only one course), it is considered a withdrawal of your entire registration, and you will be held to a percentage of the tuition and fee assessment for that course or those courses. See Financial Consequences When Student Drops or Withdraws
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Policies and Procedures*
(http://clas.uiowa.edu/faculty/teaching-policies-resources-syllabus-insert)
Administrative Home
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the administrative home of this course and governs matters such as the add/drop deadlines, the second-grade-only option, and other related issues. Different colleges may have different policies. Questions may be addressed to 120 Schaeffer Hall, or see the CLAS Academic Policies Handbook at http://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook.
Electronic Communication
University policy specifies that students are responsible for all official correspondences sent to their University of Iowa e-mail address (@uiowa.edu). Faculty and students should use this account for correspondences (Operations Manual, III.15.2, k.11).
Accommodations for Disabilities
The University of Iowa and the CHEM:1070 instructors are committed to providing an educational experience that is accessible to all students. A student may request academic accommodations for a disability (which includes but is not limited to mental health, attention, learning, vision, and physical or health-related conditions). A student seeking academic accommodations should first register with Student Disability Services (SDS) then go to the chemistry center (E225) to make particular arrangements. In some cases, it may also be useful to meet with a course instructor privately in the instructor's office to make particular arrangements. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process among the student, chemistry center & instructor, and SDS. For more information, see http://sds.studentlife.uiowa.edu."
Academic Honesty
All CLAS students or students taking classes offered by CLAS have, in essence, agreed to the College's Code of Academic Honesty: "I pledge to do my own academic work and to excel to the best of my abilities, upholding the IOWA Challenge. I promise not to lie about my academic work, to cheat, or to steal the words or ideas of others; nor will I help fellow students to violate the Code of Academic Honesty." Any student committing academic misconduct is reported to the College and placed on disciplinary probation or may be suspended or expelled (CLAS Academic Policies Handbook).
CLAS Final Examination Policies
The final examination schedule for each class is announced around the fifth week of the semester by the Registrar. Final exams are offered only during the official final examination period. No exams of any kind are allowed during the last week of classes. All students should plan on being at the UI through the final examination period. Once the Registrar has announced the dates and times of each final exam, the complete schedule will be published on the Registrar's web site.
Making a Suggestion or a Complaint
Students with a suggestion or complaint should first visit with the instructor (and the course supervisor), and then with the departmental DEO. Complaints must be made within six months of the incident (CLAS Academic Policies Handbook).
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment subverts the mission of the University and threatens the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. All members of the UI community have a responsibility to uphold this mission and to contribute to a safe environment that enhances learning. Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported immediately. See the UI Office of the Sexual Misconduct Response Coordinator for assistance, definitions, and the full University policy.
Reacting Safely to Severe Weather
In severe weather, class members should seek appropriate shelter immediately, leaving the classroom if necessary. The class will continue if possible when the event is over. For more information on Hawk Alert and the siren warning system, visit the Department of Public Safety website.
Anticipated Schedule for CHEM:1070 (Spring 2017)
| Date | Day | Lecture Content(1/25) | Homework/Quiz Due Dates** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17 | T | Course Intro. / Chap 1 - World of Chemistry / Chap 2 - Measurement and Problem Solving | 1/20 Practice Assignments: Intro to MC and Additional Problems |
| 19 | Th | Chap 2 |
1/20 RQ2 |
| 24 | T | Chap 2 / Chap 3 - Matter and Energy |
1/25 RQ3, MC2, and CQ2 |
| 26 | Th | Chap 3 | |
| 31 | T | Chap 4 – Atoms and Elements | 2/1 RQ4, MC3, and CQ3 |
| Feb 2 | Th | Chap 4 / Chap 5 - Molecules and Compounds | 2/3 RQ5, MC4, and CQ4 |
| 7 | T | Chap 5 | |
| 9 | Th | Chap 5 /Chap 6 - Chemical Composition | 2/10 RQ6, MC5, and CQ5 |
| *14 | T | 8:00A - 50 min Optional Review for Exam 1 / *Ch 6 starting at 8:50A | |
| 14 | T | Review Session for Exam 1 | |
| 15 | W | Exam 1, Ch 1-5 | |
| 16 | Th |
Chap 7 - Chemical Reactions |
2/17 RQ7, MC6, and CQ6 |
| 21 | T | Chap 7 | |
| 23 | Th | Chap 8 - Quantities in Chemical Reactions | 2/24 RQ8, MC7, and CQ7 |
| 24 | F | Make-up Exam 1, Ch 1-5, 6:30P in W290 CB |
Sign-up by 5:00P on 2/23 online: make-up request link. |
| 28 | T | Chap 8 | |
| Mar 2 | Th | Chap 9 - Atoms and the Periodic Table | 3/3 RQ9, MC8, and CQ8 |
| 7 | T | Chap 9 | |
| 9 | Th | Chap 10 - Chemical Bonding | 3/10 RQ10, 3/20 MC9, and CQ9 |
| *21 | T | 8:00A - 50 min Optional Review for Exam 2 / *Chap 10 starting at 8:50A | |
| 21 | T | Review Session for Exam 2 | |
| 22 | W | Exam 2, Ch 6-9 | |
| 23 | Th | Chap 11 - Gases | 3/24 RQ11, MC10, and CQ10 |
| 28 | T | Chap 11 | |
| 30 | Th | Chap 12 - Intermolecular Forces | 3/31 RQ12, MC11, and CQ11 |
| 31 | F |
Make-up Exam 2, Ch 6-9, 6:30P in W290 CB |
Sign-up by 5:00P on 3/30 online: make-up request link. |
|
Apr 4 |
T | Chap 12 /Chap 13 - Solutions | 4/5 RQ13, MC12, and CQ12 |
| 6 | Th | Chap 13 | |
| 11 | T | Chap 14 | 4/12 RQ14, MC13, and MC13 |
| 13 | Th | Chap 14 | |
| *18 | T | 8:00A - 50 min Optional Review for Exam 3 / *Chap 15 starting at 8:50A | 4/19 RQ15, MC14, and MC14 |
| 18 | T | Review Session for Exam 3 | |
| 19 | W | Exam 3, Ch 10 - 14 | |
| 20 | Th | Chap 15 | |
| 25 | T | Chap 16 | 4/26 RQ16, MC15, and MC15 |
| 27 | Th | Chap 16 | |
| 28 | F | Make-up Exam 3, Ch 10-14, 6:30P in W290 CB | Sign-up by 5:00P on 4/27 online: make-up request link. |
| May 2 | T | Chap 17 | 5/3 RQ17, MC16, and CQ16 |
| 4 | Th | Chap 17/Course Review | 5/5 MC17 & CQ17 |
|
No formal review session for the final. Professor Alexeeva may hold additional office hours during the finals week. Discussion TAs will not hold office hours during the finals week. |
|||
| 8-12 | TBA | Final Exam - Ch 1-17 | No homework/quizzes accepted after 5/7/2017 |
| **Homework (MC) and quiz (ReadingQuiz,RQ, and ChapterQuiz,CQ) due dates, including any changes, will be displayed within MasteringChemistry. Assignments are due at 11:59 PM unless otherwise indicated. | |||
Assignments Summary:
| Date | Details |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Jan 20, 2017 |
|
||||||
| Fri Jan 27, 2017 |
|
||||||
| Fri Feb 3, 2017 |
|
||||||
| Fri Feb 10, 2017 |
|
||||||
| Fri Feb 17, 2017 |
|