Chem 336 - Spring 1999 - Organic Chemistry III
Portland State University - Dr. Carl C. Wamser
Class Syllabus and Schedule
| Course Ref. No. 60374 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/C336S99/ . 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@lists.pdx.edu), which you are encouraged to use for questions or any other general communications. You should send messages here from your regular e-mail account, so it will recognize you as a class member.
Class Schedule: We will cover Chapters 20 - 28 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 9 pre-quizzes and the 9 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 620, based on the sum of exams (500) plus quizzes (120), 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 and the "Chem 334-Day One" lecture 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.
| Date | Classwork | Pre-Quiz due | In-class Quiz |
| Mon, 3/29 | Intro, Chap 20 overview | ||
| Wed, 3/31 | Chap 20 practice | Chap 20 | |
| Fri, 4/2 | Chap 20 practice, start Chap 21 | Chap 21 | |
| Mon, 4/5 | Chap 21 overview | Chap 20 | |
| Wed, 4/7 | Chap 21 practice | ||
| Fri, 4/9 | Chap 21 practice, start Chap 22 | Chap 22 | |
| Mon, 4/12 | Chap 22 overview | Chap 21 | |
| Wed, 4/14 | Chap 22 practice | ||
| Fri, 4/16 | Chap 23 overview | Chap 23 | Chap 22 |
| Mon, 4/19 | Exam 1, Chapters 20 - 22 | ||
| Wed, 4/21 | Chap 23 practice | ||
| Fri, 4/23 | Chap 23 practice, start Chap 24 | Chap 24 | |
| Mon, 4/26 | Chap 24 overview | Chap 23 | |
| Wed, 4/28 | Chap 24 practice | ||
| Fri, 4/30 | Chap 24 practice, start Chap 25 | Chap 25 | |
| Mon, 5/3 | Chap 25 overview | Chap 24 | |
| Wed, 5/5 | Chap 25 practice | ||
| Fri, 5/7 | Chap 26 overview | Chap 26 | Chap 25 |
| Mon, 5/10 | Exam 2, Chapters 23 - 25 | ||
| Wed, 5/12 | Chap 26 practice | ||
| Fri, 5/14 | Chap 26 practice, start Chap 27 | Chap 27 | |
| Mon, 5/17 | Chap 27 overview | Chap 26 | |
| Wed, 5/19 | Chap 27 practice | ||
| Fri, 5/21 | Chap 27 practice, start Chap 28 | Chap 28 | |
| Mon, 5/24 | Chap 28 overview | Chap 27 | |
| Wed, 5/26 | Chap 28 practice | ||
| Fri, 5/28 | Chap 28 practice | Chap 28 | |
| Mon, 5/31 | Holiday | ||
| Wed, 6/2 | Exam 3, Chapters 26 - 28 | ||
| Fri, 6/4 | Review |
FINAL EXAM: Comprehensive standardized final exam
Monday, June 7, 8:00 - 9:50 am