Elements of Organic Chemistry I
Course Ref. No. 12498
MWF 12:45 - 1:50 pm
Cramer Hall, Room 53
Professor Carl C. Wamser
Office: Science Bldg 1, Room 327A
Office Hours: MW 2-3, TR 11-12
Textbook (required): Introduction to Organic Chemistry, by William H. Brown, including a Study Guide, available as a package in the PSU Bookstore.
Other Study Aids (recommended): Molecular model kits and some computer programs for organic chemistry are sold in the PSU Bookstore (see the separate handout). 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/CH331F97/ . Internet connections are available from 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. You will be requested to take part in some surveys.
E-Mail: I can be reached by e-mail (WamserC@pdx.edu). We will also have a class discussion list (CH331-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.
Class Schedule: We will cover Chapters 1 - 9 from the text, following the schedule on the back. In-class chapter coverage will begin with a brief quiz to determine what you got out of the reading, then a lecture over the major areas of emphasis that you should study. Each chapter will have a practice day, consisting of problem-solving exercises, done individually and in groups, after which will pull together everything from that chapter in preparation for the chapter quiz.
Quizzes: For each chapter, there will be two quizzes. The first will be a brief 5-minute (5 point) quiz to verify that you have covered the reading assignment. The chapter quiz will be a 10-minute (10 point) quiz . The chapter quizzes will be given at the beginning of the class, but some time will be allowed for going over questions before the quiz. Quiz points are on the same scale as exam points. The lowest score of the nine chapter quizzes will be dropped; similarly, one of the preliminary quiz scores 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, upon request by e-mail, up to ten 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.
Grading: The final course grade will be determined by total points accumulated. The maximum is 640, based on the sum of exams (500) plus quizzes (120) plus extra credit (20), as outlined above. 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. These themes are elaborated in the home pages and the "Day One" lecture.
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, Chem 331, Fall 1997
| Date | Classwork |
| M, 9/29 | Introduction |
| W, 10/1 | Quiz 1*, Ch 1 overview |
| F, 10/3 | Quiz 2*, Ch 1 practice |
| M, 10/6 | Quiz 1, Ch 2 overview |
| W, 10/8 | Ch 2 practice |
| F, 10/410 | Quiz 3*, Ch 2 applications |
| M, 10/13 | Quiz 2, Ch 3 overview |
| W, 10/15 | Ch 3 practice |
| F, 10/17 | Quiz 4*, Ch 3 applications |
| M, 10/20 | Quiz 3, Ch 4 overview |
| W, 10/22 | Exam 1, Chapters 1 - 3 |
| F, 10/24 | Ch 4 practice |
| M, 10/27 | Quiz 5*, Ch 4 applications |
| W, 10/29 | Quiz 4, Ch 5 overview |
| F, 10/31 | Ch 5 practice |
| M, 11/3 | Quiz 6*, Ch 5 applications |
| W, 11/5 | Quiz 5, Ch 6 overview |
| F, 11/7 | Quiz 7*, Ch 6 practice |
| M, 11/10 | Quiz 6, Ch 7 overview |
| W, 11/12 | Exam 2, Chapters 4 - 6 |
| F, 11/14 | Ch 7 practice |
| M, 1117 | Quiz 8*, Ch 7 applications |
| W, 11/19 | Quiz 7, Ch 8 overview |
| F, 11/21 | Quiz 9*, Chapter 8 practice |
| M, 11/24 | Quiz 8, Chapter 9 overview |
| W, 11/26 | Chapter 9 practice |
| F, 11/28 | Holiday |
| M, 12/1 | Quiz 9, Chapters 8&9 applications |
| W, 12/3 | Exam 3, Chapters 7 - 9 |
| F, 12/5 | Review |
* indicates preliminary quiz
FINAL EXAM: Chapters 1 - 9, Thursday, Dec. 11, 10:30 - 12:20 pm