Chem 335 - Winter 1999 - Organic Chemistry II
Portland State University - Dr. Carl C. Wamser


Class Syllabus and Schedule

  Course Ref. No. 40387
MWF 9:00 - 10:05 am
Hoffmann Hall
  Professor Carl C. Wamser
Office: Science Bldg 1, Room 327A
Office Hours: every day 10:30 - 11:30 am

Textbook (required): Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed., by William H. Brown and Christopher S. Foote, including a Study Guide, available as a package in the PSU Bookstore.

Other Study Aids (recommended): Two types of molecular model kits and some computer programs for organic chemistry are sold in the PSU Bookstore. These will be demonstrated in class so you can decide what to purchase.

Computer Access: Most of the elements of this course will be accessible through the home page at http://chem.pdx.edu/~wamserc/C335W99/ . Internet connections are available from the Chemistry Commons (SB1-221), from numerous PSU computer labs, or from home if you have a computer with a modem. This course is part of a research project to determine the effectiveness of technology in teaching and learning organic chemistry.

E-Mail: I can be reached by e-mail (WamserC@pdx.edu). We will also have a class discussion list (CH334-L@freya.cc.pdx.edu), which you are encouraged to use for questions or any other general communications. I read my e-mail daily and respond promptly. If you don't get a reply within 24 hours, try again because something probably went wrong in the transmission..

Class Schedule: We will cover Chapters 10 - 19 from the text, following the schedule indicated below. Coverage of each chapter will include a pre-quiz (see below), lecture over the major points of the chapter, in-class exercises and practice problems, and a chapter quiz.

Quizzes: For each chapter, there will be two quizzes. The first will be a web-based pre-quiz, worth 5 points each, designed to verify that you have read the chapter and to familiarize you with some of the key issues in that chapter before we cover it in class. Pre-quizzes will be available on the home pages for a limited time only. The end-of-chapter quiz will be a 10-15 minute (10 point) quiz given at the beginning of a class period (with some time allotted for going over questions before the quiz). Quiz points are on the same scale as exam points. The lowest scores of the ten pre-quizzes and the ten quizzes will be dropped. There will be no make-up quizzes.

Exams: There will be three midterm exams, worth 100 points each, and a final exam, worth 200 points, given in class as indicated on the schedule. Missing an exam will require a written medical excuse, in which case an appropriate fraction of the final exam score will replace the missed exam. There will be no make-up exams.

Extra Credit - E-Mail Molecules: Students may be assigned, if you so request by e-mail, up to nine molecules to investigate and return by e-mail (no more than one per week). Each molecule returned correctly will be worth 2 points extra credit, up to 18 points total. Instructions are on the home pages

Grading: The final course grade will be determined by total points accumulated. The maximum is 635, based on the sum of exams (500) plus quizzes (135), as outlined above. Extra credit adds to your total. Over the years, I have found that letter grades nearly always fall into the following distributions: A/B borderline (80%), B/C (65%), C/D (50%), to pass the course (over 40%).

How to Succeed in This Course: 1) Clarify for yourself what you want to get out of this course, 2) Participate actively in all course activities, 3) Practice solving problems and developing appropriate skills, and 4) Use the technology and other learning resources that are made available, including one another for study groups. These themes are elaborated in the home pages, in particular the link on Goals and Expectations.

Miscellaneous: University policy will be strictly followed with respect to course withdrawal, academic honesty, and related subjects. Please ask the instructor or consult the latest PSU Bulletin if you have any questions.


Class Schedule

Date Classwork Pre-Quiz due In-class Quiz
M, 1/4 Intro, Chap 10 overview    
W, 1/6 Chap 10 practice Chap 10  
F, 1/8 Chap 10 practice, start Chap 11 Chap 11  
M, 1/11 Chap 11 overview   Chap 10
W, 1/13 Chap 11 practice, start Chap 12 Chap 12  
F, 1/15 Chap 12 overview and practice   Chap 11
M, 1/18 Holiday    
W, 1/20 Chap 13 overview Chap 13 Chap 12
F, 1/22 Chap 13 practice    
M, 1/25 Chap 13 practice, start Chap 14 Chap 14  
W, 1/27 Chap 14 overview   Chap 13
F, 1/29 Exam 1, Chapters 10 - 13    
M, 2/1 Chap 14 practice, start Chap 15 Chap 15  
W, 2/3 Chap 15 overview   Chap 14
F, 2/5 Chap 15 practice    
M, 2/8 Chap 15 practice    
W, 2/10 Chap 15 practice, start Chap 16 Chap 16  
F, 2/12 Chap 16 overview   Chap 15
M, 2/15 Chap 16 practice, start Chap 17 Chap 17  
W, 2/17 Chap 17 overview   Chap 16
F, 2/19 Exam 2, Chapters 14 - 16    
M, 2/22 Chap 17 practice    
W, 2/24 Chap 17 practice    
F, 2/26 Chap 17 practice, start Chap 18 Chap 18  
M, 3/1 Chap 18 overview   Chap 17
W, 3/3 Chap 18 practice, start Chap 19 Chap 19  
F, 3/5 Chap 19 overview   Chap 18
M, 3/8 Chap 19 practice   Chap 19
W, 3/10 Exam 3, Chapters 17 - 19    
F, 3/12 Review    
FINAL EXAM: Chapters 10 - 19, Tuesday, March 16, 8:30 - 10:20 am