CHM 2210
Organic Chemistry I
Spring 2012
3 Credits

Welcome to Organic Chemistry! Your instructor is enthusiastic about working with you to meet the goals of the course. This syllabus contains important information that will be of use to you throughout the semester. Please bookmark it for future reference and return here often as needed for updates.

Instructor:

Seth Elsheimer, Ph.D.

Office hours and location:

Mon, Wed, Fri: 11:15a - 12:15p
Tue, Thr: 2:45p - 3:15p
CH 332.

Textbooks:

David R. Klein, Organic Chemistry, Wiley (2012)
Hardcover ISBN 978-0-471-75614-9
Binder-ready ISBN 978-0-470-91780-0

and

Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual
Paperback ISBN 978-0-471-75739-9
Binder-ready ISBN 978-0-470-92661-1

UCF has negotiated with the publisher for variety of bundled options for possible savings. The optional WileyPlus online learning system includes an e-book. The least expensive option for purchase of an access code may be online from the publisher: www.wileyplus.com We will cover chapters 1-14 approximately in order.

Course goals:

1. Understand and appreciate how organic chemistry relates to Biology, Medicine, Forensic Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy, etc.

2. Prepare for courses having CHM 2210 as a prerequisite.

3. Gain understanding and problem solving ability in organic chemistry sufficient to pass standardized tests such as the MCAT or an American Chemical Society standardized test normally given at the end of the second semester.

Course requirements:

1. CHM 2046 (General Chemistry II) is a prerequisite. All students must have already earned passing grades in CHM 2045/2046 (or approved equivalent) and have sufficient current mastery of that material to build on it this semester.

2. Take all tests and the final exam at the scheduled times. Exceptions are rare but can sometimes be made in advance if a test is to be taken early (but not late). No "make up" tests are offered.

3. Class attendance is required. Please attend every class on time and be ready to work in-class problems and contribute to discussions.

4. Read each chapter before it is covered lecture. Be ready to ask and/or respond to questions in class.

5. Retrieve and correct each graded test before the next class period after tests are returned. Verify all grading immediately. No changes or revisions can be made later in the semester so please do not ask.

Grading:

500 points = 5 Progress tests (5 x 100)
100 points = Cumulative Final Exam
600 points total

A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = below 60%

Your final exam score can also replace your lowest progress test if the final exam score is higher. A missed progress test, for any reason, will be your lowest (replaced) score. Emergencies are precisely the purpose of the replacement policy. No make-up tests are offered so please do not ask. If you miss a test, it is assumed that you had a good reason. No documentation is wanted or needed so please do not submit any written excuses.

Letter grades for the course may be curved if necessary according to class performance. Earning an A requires you to score among the highest students in the class. To earn a C or better requires scores not far below the middle of the class, etc. Approximate letter grades and ranks will be posted anonymously after each test so you should always know your current progress and approximate course grade.

Plus or minus grades are used rarely and only in borderline cases. In those situations the final exam score, in class quizzes, and class participation may be considered.

A through F are the only grades assignable by the instructor. No other letter grades have been authorized for this course. The NC option applies only to a few pre-approved UCF courses and CHM 2210 is not among them.

No I grades are anticipated. That designation is used only when circumstances beyond a student's control prevent participation and completion of the course. The requirement to attend 4 (or 5) tests and the final exam is reasonable.

Medical withdrawals are handled at the university level. The instructor does not decide those cases so please do not ask.

Withdrawal deadline:

The last opportunity to withdraw from the course without grade penalty is 11:59 pm, Tuesday 3/12/2012. Grades of W are available until that deadline and are given by the Registrar. If you attempt to withdraw after the deadline the instructor is required to report whether you were passing or failing at the time of the request and grades of WP or WF will be assigned by the Registrar accordingly. WP has no effect on the GPA while WF counts the same as F.

Test dates: (Click link to see study checklist)

Tentative. Any changes will be announced in class.

Test I Tue 1/24
Test II Thr 2/9
Test III Thr 3/1
Test IV Thr 3/29
Test V Thr 4/19
Final exam During exam week. Date and time set by UCF.
Thursday 26 April 10:00am (Note early start time. Check schedule to confirm.) See schedule

Textbook assignments:

Please read each chapter before it is covered in class. Assigned textbook problems are listed at the bottom of this page. For maximum benefit, please work through these as early as possible for understanding rather than memorization. These will not be collected or graded but are intended to prepare you for the tests. Test problems are often taken directly from these.

Optional online problems:

Although it is not required or used for grading purposes in this course, the textbook publisher's online system "WileyPlus" will be activated for your optional use if you wish. Access codes can be purchased online from the vendor here and are also available for optional purchase bundled with a textbook. Please feel free to let the instructor know if you are using this software and whether or not you find it helpful. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Lecture notes:

Downloadable PowerPoint files of the lecture notes are available via the links below for a limited time just prior to tests on those chapters. They are also available for longer via Webcourses@UCF under "Course Content." They are intended to free you to focus on learning in class rather than rushing to copy everything down. These notes are not a substitute for reading the textbook or class attendance. They contain blanks in key places to be completed before class. Some lecture figures come directly from the textbook and are therefore not reproduced in the PowerPoint files. Prior textbook reading is still necessary. Downloading these lecture notes is optional. Some students find them helpful to make note taking more efficient.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14

In-class quizzes:

On most class days the first few minutes before lecture will be devoted to a short in-class quiz that will not be collected or graded. These are for your benefit and are intended to help you monitor your mastery of what we have already covered and whether you are staying current. Problems come from recent material and most are assigned textbook problems or items from old tests. Solutions for these problems will not be given in class but the instructor will circulate through the room to offer advice for those students who may need it or to verify correct responses on request.

Test answer keys:

After each test a solution key will be posted outside CH 332 for several days. These will not be available at the end of the semester so please do not ask. Retrieve your graded test as soon as possible and check for grading accuracy. Correct any problem before the next class meeting after the test is returned. No adjustments to scores will be made later so please confirm your responses and attend to this immediately. For any problems marked incorrect be sure you understand what went wrong and then adjust your strategy to insure full credit later in the course.

Supplemental instruction:

There are several separate opportunities for you to attend SI sessions throughout the week. Meeting times, days, and locations wil be announced in class and listed here when known. Any updates should also be listed on the SARC SI website.

Tutoring:

Free tutoring is available at the Student Academic Resource Center (SARC), Phillips Hall, Rm 115. Phone 407-823-5130. No appointment is needed. The schedule will be announced in class and listed below when known. See also the SARC Tutoring website. for updates.

Other miscellaneous information:

Complete academic honesty is expected on all aspects of the course. Any unethical conduct will be reprted to UCF officlas and fully prosecuted according to Florida law and university regulations. Please consult the current Undergraduate Catalog and/or the The Golden Rule for definitions and policies.

In consideration of others, please silence all cell phones in class and refrain from audible conversation.

What can I do to improve my grade in this class?

This is asked so frequently that a written list of suggestions has been compiled. Click here to see the list. Please consult this before seeking additional assistance.

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