Fall 2018

Administrative Information

Class meets: MWF 8:00-8:55am in SCST129
Class Text: Chemistry: An Atom-Focused Approach, 2nd edition (Norton Publishing) with SmartWork5 online homework; by Gilbert, Kirss, Foster, Bretz.
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Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Kua
Office: SCST 381
Phone:  (619) 260-7970
E-mail:
Office hours: Mon 12:45-2pm, Tue 3-4:15pm, Wed 12:45-2pm, Thu 10-11:15am

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;
(5) Connect knowledge of the atomic/molecular level structure of liquids, solids, gases and mixtures to their macroscopic properties; and
(6) Recognize the real-world value of having a foundational knowledge of chemistry.
To see how CHEM151 and CHEM151L connect to USD's Core Learning Outcomes, click here.

Course requirements:
1a. There will be three take-home mid-semester exams and one in-class Final Exam.
1b. There will be 18-25 random quizzes that will take place at the beginning of class. I will count the top 14 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 SmartWork5.
1d. There will be occasional graded problem sets or worksheets that you will submit.

2a. Feel free to ask each other (or me) 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:
                14 Quizzes at 0.5% each             7%
                Homework/Problem Sets          16%
                3 Exams at 7% each                  21%
                Final Exam                                50%
                Participation                                6%
3b. Tentative Grading Scale (subject to change by the instructor at any time)
                A     90-100%
                B       80-89%
                C       70-79%
                D       60-69%
                F          0-59%
Appended + and - will approximately constitute 2% widths at either end of the scale for A-D grades. 

4. Note the Stages of a Take-home Midterm:
  • Study exactly like you would for an in-class exam.
  • When you feel ready, find a quiet place, set a timer for one hour and take the exam under exam-conditions (i.e., no referring to any sources, it's just you and the exam).
  • After the hour is up, you may annotate the exam by improving or correcting any of your answers but you may not erase any original work and you must do this in a different color. This stage of the exam may be done by consulting your notes, the textbook, and your classmates.
  • Exams will typically be given to you on Friday in class (don't look at it until you've studied and you're ready) and you will submit them on Monday in class.
  • As I review your exams, I'm looking for a good faith effort to follow the two-color scheme above and that you are able to spot and correct any errors or make appropriate clarifications. Generally I'm expecting to give you full credit on the exam (all 7%) if you make a good-faith effort to follow the stages.
  • Following these stages will also prepare you appropriately for the Final Exam. If you 'cheat' on the stages, you will give yourself a false sense of how well you know the material, and it will come back and bite you on the Final Exam (where it's just you and the closed-book exam).

5a. Smartwork5 assignments will typically be due at 8am MWF. While you will usually have 2-4 days after we discuss the material in class, try to work on the relevant problems within 24 hours of our covering the material in class. (It's the best way to retain your learning.)
5b. For instructions on how to register and access Smartwork5, see http://wwnorton.knowledgeowl.com/help/smartwork5-students-getting-started. There's also an easy-to-follow video at https://youtu.be/WPXcHtWBcSE.
5c. As you are registering for access, the Student Set ID for our class is 55209.

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. Class Magic Hour Events: (continuously updated)
• Intro to the Compass Program, Fri, Sep 14, 12:20-1:15pm, MRH131.
• Connecting a Liberal Education, Fri, Oct 12, 12:20-1:15pm, MRH131.
• Registration Party, Fri, Nov 9, 12:20-1:15pm, MRH131.
• Chemical Considerations of Magic, Fri, Dec 7, 12:20-1:15pm, MRH131.
8b. LLC-wide Events: (continuously updated)
• Honors Induction Ceremony (and Trivia after), Fri, Sep 21, 4:30pm, MRH Warren Auditorium.
• First-Year Honors Program Advising, Thu, Sep 27, 12:30pm, MRH Warren Auditorium.
• Visit one of the other Open Classrooms between Oct 8 and Nov 1. Your Open Classroom Reflection is due Mon, Nov 5, by 8am although I recommend turning it in shortly after you attend the session.
   Your choices are:
   Option 1: Keeling and Kua, Thu, Oct 11, 1:20-2:20pm, KIPJ-A
   Option 2: Kelly and Mayer, Tue, Oct 23, 12:30-1:30pm, MRH Warren Auditorium
   Option 3: Lord and Prieto, Tue, Oct 30, 12:30-2pm, Loma 1
• Majors, Careers and Unexpected Paths, Tue, Oct 30, 5pm, MRH Warren Auditorium.