CHM 4220
Organic Chemistry III
3 Credits
Fall 2008

Welcome to Organic Chemistry III. Your instructor is enthusiastic about working with you to meet the course objectives. This syllabus contains information that will be useful to you throughout the semester and is updated regularly. Please bookmark it now and return here as needed.

Instructor:

Seth Elsheimer, Ph.D.

Office Hours and Location:

Mon - Fri, 12:45 - 2:00pm
CH 332

Course Goal:

Go beyond material normally covered in standard two-semester organic chemistry course sequence to include some intermediate and advanced topics related to synthetic and physical organic chemistry.

Textbooks:

No single textbook is required however each student is expected to have access to one of the popular beginning organic textbooks such as those authored by McMurry or Wade. Readings from various sources will be assigned periodically in class. Occasionally materials will be made available online and/or placed on reserve in the library.

Course Requirements:

1. CHM 2211 (Organic Chemistry II) is a prerequisite. Any student in this class must have already earned a passing grade in CHM 2211 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).

3. Attend every class on time.

4. Complete each reading assignment before it is covered lecture. Be ready to respond to questions in class.

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

Grading:

500 points = Progress tests (5 x 100)
100 points = Final Exam
600 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 the final exam score is higher. If you miss a progress test for any reason that will be your replaced score. No make-up tests are offered so please do not request one.

Letter grades for the course may be curved according to class performance as needed. Earning an "A" requires that you score among the top students in the class. Rankings and approximate grades will be posted anonymously outside CH 332 or in our classroom after each test so you will always know your current grade.

Plus and minus grades are used rarely and only in close borderline cases. In those situations attendance and class participation are considered in addition to test scores.

The last opportunity to withdraw without grade penalty is 11:59 pm Friday 17 October 2008.

Tentative Tests and Dates:
(Any change will be announced here and in class.)

Follow links to view detailed lists of things you can expect to see and learning objectives for individual tests. These are updated as needed.
 
Test I, Tue 9/9/08
Test II, Thr 9/25/08
Test III Thr 10/16/08
Test IV, Thr 11/6/08
Test V, Thr 12/4/08
Final exam, Time and day set by UCF according to class meeting time.
Thursday 12/11/08, 1:00-3:50pm See schedule

Test Scores and Answer Keys:

Scores and answer keys will be posted outside CH 332 following each test. You are encouraged to pick up your graded test there before the next class so you can check your class standing and verify that your paper was graded correctly. Answer keys are posted for a limited time and are not available later so please check them as early as possible.

Academic Honesty

Complete academic honesty is expected on all aspects of the course. Any unethical conduct will be 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.

Distractions

Please silence all electronic devices in class and refrain from audible conversations.

Assigned Reading and Problems:

Assignments will not be collected or graded. Students who start these early and work through them for understanding rather than memorization tend to score higher on tests. Similar or identical exercises will appear on tests.

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