Fall 2016

Administrative Information

Class meets: MWF 8:00-8:55am in SCST349A
Class Text: General Chemistry: Atoms First (Custom USD version) with 4-year MasteringChemistry online resource, Pearson Publishing, by John McMurry & Robert Fay

Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Kua
Office: SCST 381
Phone:  (619) 260-7970
E-mail:
Office hours: Mon 1-2pm, Tue 3-4pm, Wed 1-2pm, Thu 11am-noon, Fri 1-2pm

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) Predict the type of reaction and the likely products for various combinations of reactants; and
(5) Connect knowledge of the atomic/molecular level structure of liquids, solids, gases and mixtures to their macroscopic properties.

Course requirements:
1a. There will be four take-home mid-semester exams and one in-class two hour Final Exam.
1b. There will be 20-25 random quizzes that will take place at the beginning of class. I will count the top 16 towards your grade. The quizzes will be short 5-minute questions based on material from the previous class, or from the reading for class that day.
1c. Online homework will be facilitated through Mastering Chemistry.
1d. There will be 5-8 problem sets, only the top five will count towards your grade.

2a. Feel free to ask each other for help with the online homework and problem sets but if you get help from someone else, make sure you understand how to work through the problems on your own before the exam.
2b. There will be NO collaboration on quizzes and exams.

3a. Grade breakdown is as follows:
                16 Quizzes at 0.5% each             8%
                Online Homework                       9%
                5 Problem Sets at 2% each        10%
                4 Exams at 2% each                    8%
                Project Work                             25%
                Final Exam                               35%
                Participation                               5%
3b. Tentative Grading Scale (subject to change by the instructor at any time)
                A     88-100%
                B       75-87%
                C       62-74%
                D       50-61%
                F          0-49%
Appended + and - will approximately constitute 2% 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, we can discuss an alternative.
4b. There are no make-up quizzes since I am only counting the top 16, i.e., 4-9 of your lowest quiz grades will be dropped.
4c. Late online homework will receive a deduction as stated in the Grading Policy on Mastering Chemistry.

5a. The take-home exams will be closed-book and timed. You will receive your exam in an envelope in class on Friday, and you will return it to me on Monday in class. You will receive 2% for attempting the exam regardless of how you performed. The point is for you to use these as preparation for taking the Final Exam so it's very important you take the exam "under exam conditions". Think of it as practicing without the penalty of a grade attached.
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 (MCKUA201609). Using the materials is quite self-explanatory. If you feel you need more practice understanding a concept, try the questions or tutorials assigned as "practice" (they are not for credit). If not, you can go stratight to the questions assigned for "credit". Many of them can also be found in your textbook.
5c. For the Final Project, you will work in groups to imagine/invent a New Element, examine its properties, analyze how it might interact with "ordinary" matter, and justify its usefulness. There will be a written proposal and a poster you will present at the LLC-wide Symposium on Dec 05. We will discuss details of the final project in class (so don't worry about it right this minute). To help you in the process of thinking through this project, there will be smaller individual mini-projects for you to think and reflect on the properties of different elements and their combinations. More information will be given in class.

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, stop by my office so we can chat!

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.

8a. Optional LLC Wide Events:
• Beach Day (Mission Beach), Sun, Sept 10, 11am-2pm, transportation and lunch provided.
• Movie Wednesday Nights (Salomon Hall), Sept 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, starting at 7pm.
• Football Game USD vs Dayton, Sat, Sept 24, 4-7:30pm
• Trip to the Border (Friendship Park), Oct 1, 9:15am-noon (this trip is limited to 40 students).
8b. Mandatory LLC Events:
• Registration Pizza Party (Tue, Nov 8, 7-8pm, Maher 226)
• End-of-Semester Dinner (UC Forum C), Mon, Dec 5, 6-8pm (Symposium is before dinner.)