CHM 2210
Organic Chemistry I
Spring 2009

Welcome to Organic Chemistry! Your instructor is eager to work 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 as needed for updates.

Instructor:

Seth Elsheimer, Ph.D.

Office Hours:

MWF, 10:45am - 12:15pm (before our class)
CH 332.

Textbooks:

John McMurry Organic Chemistry, 7th Ed.
(Brooks/Cole, ISBN 978-0-495-11628-8)

and

accompanying Solutions Manual & Study guide (ISBN 978-0-495-11258-7)

We will cover chapters 1-14 approximately in order.

Course goals:

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

Prepare for courses having CHM 2210 as a prerequisite.

Gain understanding and problem solving ability in organic chemistry sufficient to pass an American Chemical Society standardized test at the end of the second semester.

Requirements

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.

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 will be given.

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

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

Retrieve and correct each graded test before the next class period after tests are returned.

Grading:

600 points = 6 Progress tests (6 x 100)
100 points = Cumulative Final Exam
700 points total

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

Your final exam score can replace your lowest progress test score if your final exam score is higher.
No make-up tests are offered so please do not ask..
If you miss a progress test for any reason that will be your replaced score.

Letter grades for the course may be curved if necessary according to class performnce. 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 course grade.

Plus or minus grades are used rarely and only in borderline cases. In those situations attendance and class participation will be considered in addition to the final exam score.

Withdrawal deadline:

Friday 6 March 2009, 11:59 pm.

Test dates: (click link to see study checklist)

Tentative. Any changes will be announced in class.

Test I Fri 1/23
Test II Mon 2/9
Test III Fri 2/27
Test IV Mon 3/23
Test V Fri 4/10
Test VI Mon 4/27
Final exam During exam week. Date and time set by UCF.
Friday 5/1 10:00am-12:50pm (Check schedule to confirm.) See schedule

Lecture notes:

Downloadable PowerPoint files of the lecture notes are available via the links below. These are optional and 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 class attendance. They contain blanks in key places to be completed before class.

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

Textbook exercises

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.

Supplemental instruction:

There are several separate opportunities for you to attend SI sessions throughout the week. Meeting times, days, and locations are announced in class. 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. As soon as it is known the schedule will be announced in class, listed here, and also on the SARC Tutoring website.

Other miscellaneous information:

Complete academic honesty is expected in all matters. Any act of cheating will be fully prosecuted according to university regulations. Please consult the current Undergraduate Catalog and/or The Golden Rule for definitions and policies.

After each test an answer 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. You are expected to immediately check over your graded test and should correct any problem before the next class meeting.

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.