Spring 2012

Administrative Information

Class (Honors section) meets: MWF 9:05-10:00am 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 1-2pm, Thu 1:30-3pm, Fri 10:30-11:30am
Class web site:  http://home.sandiego.edu/~jkua/chem152spr12/

Course goals: To continue learning the fundamentals of chemistry. The course will cover gases, intermolecular forces, phases of matter, thermodynamics, kinetics, chemical equilibria, ionic equilibria, and redox chemistry. (If we have time we'll do some special topics.) To see the learning outcomes, click here.

Course requirements:
1a. There will be three in-class hour long exams (all of them count) and one comprehensive two hour Final Exam.
1b. There will be twelve to sixteen 5-minute quizzes that will take place right at the beginning of class. These will take place randomly over the course of the semester. Only the top ten will count.
1c. Homework will come in two forms. 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 9am two class days later although you really should have it done before by the next class day.) The due date for homework handed out in class will be announced in class.

2a. Collaboration is allowed on homework problems. If you do collaborate, make sure you write up and your own work and you understand what you're turning in.
2b. There will be NO collaboration on exams and quizzes.

3a. Grade breakdown is as follows:
                10 Quizzes at 0.5% each            5%
                Homework                               10%
                3 Exams at 17% each               51%
                Final Exam                               34%
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. There are no make-up quizzes.

5. Students are most welcome to come in during office hours. Outside of my office hours, generally if I'm in my office (and not swamped with work), I will be happy to answer questions and discuss coursework. Most of the time, if I'm in my office and the door is open, you're welcome to stop by. I check my e-mail reasonably often during working hours so you can contact me that way too. (Don't expect quick replies on weekends and evenings.)

6. 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.