Fall 2011

Administrative Information

Class meets: MWF 12:20-1:15 pm in ST129
Class Text: Atoms First McMurry & Fay

Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Kua
Office: ST 381
Phone:  (619) 260-7970
E-mail:
Office hours: Tue 2:30-4pm, Wed 1:30-2:30pm, Thu 10-11:30am, Fri 8:30-9:30am
Class web site:  http://home.sandiego.edu/~jkua/chem151fall11/

Course goals: To learn the fundamentals of chemistry from an atomic and molecular perspective. The course covers atomic and electronic structure, chemical bonding, the Periodic Table, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and thermochemistry.

Learning Outcomes for Chem 151: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
(1) demonstrate an understanding of atomic theory and its application to the periodic table;
(2) predict and visualize the structure of atoms, simple molecules, and compounds;
(3) write balanced chemical reactions and use them to quantitatively predict reaction outcomes.
(4) distinguish between various forms of energy and the principles that govern chemical and physical processes

Course requirements:
1a. There will be three in-class hour long exams and one comprehensive two hour Final Exam.
1b. Online homework will be facilitated through Mastering Chemistry. It is highly recommended that you attempt these before the next class period. (They will officially be due a half hour before class starts the following period.)
1c. Problem Sets will periodically be handed out in class and usually due a week or so later. There will be 4-8 Problem Sets over the course of the semester.
1d. The participation grade will be based on class participation and attendance of three (your choice) events, either FRESH@USD or an academically-related seminar. After each event, send me an e-mail with one short paragraph about the event and what you found useful (or not) or interesting about the session.

2a. Collaboration is allowed on problem sets and online homework. If you do collaborate, make sure you can also work through the problems on your own before the exam.
2b. There will be NO collaboration on exams.

3a. Grade breakdown is as follows:
                Problem Sets                               8%
                Online Homework                      8%
                3 Exams at 16% each               48%
                Final Exam                               32%
                Participation                               4%
3b. Tentative Grading Scale (subject to change by the instructor at any time)
                A     85-100%
                B       70-84%
                C       55-69%
                D       40-54%
                F          0-39%
Appended + and - will approximately constitute 3% widths at either end of the scale for A-D grades. 

4a. There are no make-up exams. If you have a very good reason for missing an exam you have to let me know beforehand or as soon as possible. If I judge the reason to be valid and you did let me know beforehand or ASAP, an alternative will be available (probably in the form of an oral exam where I ask you anything I would have expected you to know on the exam).
4b. Late Problem Sets will receive no credit.
4c. Late online homework will receive a deduction as stated in the Grading Policy on Mastering Chemistry.

5a. Username and password to access Problem Sets and Last Year's Exam will be given in class.
5b. Mastering Chemistry offers web-based tutorials and problems. When you register at www.masteringchemistry.com, you will be asked for an access code (which is packaged with your textbook) and a course ID (which I will give you in class). Using the materials is quite self-explanatory.

6a. Students are most welcome to come in during office hours. Generally if my office door is wide open even if not during my office hours, you're more than welcome to stop by. Remember, I'm here to help you master the material. On the rare instances I'm super-busy right when you appear, I'll just ask you to come back a little later. I check my e-mail reasonably often during working hours so you can contact me that way too. (Don't expect replies on weekends and evenings.)
6b. I love talking about chemistry, in particular chemical bonding and the strangeness of the universe we live in. So if you have a wild thought or idea, I'll probably be interested in hearing it while giving you a dose of my wild ideas. Hopefully that will be obvious from class!

7. All students are expected to adhere strictly to the Academic Integrity policy. Violations will be dealt with through the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, in accordance with the University of San Diego policy on academic integrity.