Course Title :
Contemporary Chemistry (STAR Number: 18359) Section: 001
Course Description :
A course intended to inform the student of the role of science in modern society.
Lectures teach the fundamentals of chemical composition; the impact of industrial products on the environment, energy, and drugs; and the importance of consumer information.
Credit Hours :
4 s.h. (3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab per week)
Lecture Hours and Location :
M, W, F 10:00 am
– 10:50 am (Currens 206)
Lab Location and Hours :
Section 021 - Tuesday, 10 am
– 11:50 am (Currens 108)
Pre-Requisite : None
Instructor :
Shuhui (Kay) Tsai, Office: Currens 128
Phone: 298-1578 EMAIL: S-Tsai@wiu.edu
Office hours :
Tue. & Wed. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Additional office hours are available by appointment only.
Chemistry Resource Center (Currens 107):
Free tutoring is provided by the Chemistry Department. Hours: Monday –Friday
8:00am-1:00pm
Textbook :
th
Lab Text :
**For laboratory policy, please read the Laboratory Syllabus for more detail.
Also Required :
A simple scientific calculator (not a graphing calculator) is required for the course.

**Students enrolled in this course are levied a non-refundable laboratory usage fee of
$35 to cover the cost of consumable supplies utilized during the semester.
***Tentative schedule***
Chapter 1. Chemistry
Chapter 2. Atoms
Chapter 3. Atomic Structure
Chapter 4. Chemical Bonds
Exam #1 (Tentative date: Monday, Feb. 15, 2016)
Chapter 5. Chemical Accounting
Chapter 6. Gases, Liquids, Solids...and Intermolecular Forces
Chapter 8. Oxidation and Reduction
Chapter 9. Organic Chemistry
Exam #2 (Tentative date: Wednesday, Mar. 9, 2016)
Chapter 12. Chemistry of Earth
Chapter 13. Air
Chapter 14. Water
Exam #3 (Tentative date: Monday, Apr. 11, 2016)
Chapter 17. Food
Chapter 19. Fitness and Health
Chapter 20. Chemistry Down on the Farm…and In the Garden and on the Lawn
Exam #4 (Tentative date: Monday, May 2, 2016)
Chapter 21. Household Chemicals
Note: The course syllabus/outline is tentative and subject to change without advance notice to students.
Make-Up Exam: Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 6:00pm in Currens206
Grading Policy :
The Plus/Minus grading system for undergraduate coursework began with the
Fall 2010 semester. Details can be found at www.wiu.edu/Registra/plusminus.php
Methods of Assessment of Performance :

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Exams (100 points each) = 400 pts
Best 6 Quiz Grades (15 points each) = 90 pts
1 Comprehensive Final Exam
Labs
= 150 pts
= 210 pts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total = 850 pts
Grading Scale :
Grade Total Points Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
748-850
714-747
680-713
646-679
612-645
578-611
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
Total Points
544-577
510-543
484-509
459-483
425-458
0-424
Attendance Policy :
Regular and punctual class attendance is vitally important to a student’s academic achievement. Students are expected to attend every class possible.
Attendance will be taken each class period. Students need to sign in on the lecture signup sheet during the lecture. Any student who misses more than 10 minutes of class by either arriving late or leaving early, then the student will be counted as absent. If students have more than three absences without documentation, 10 points will be deducted from the final total points for each additional absence . If a student misses 9 lectures, the student will automatically get an F grade in this class . Students are prohibited to sign in for other students. If a student forgets to sign in, it will automatically count as an absence for that day. Students are responsible for all information and materials given in class whether you are present or not.
Excused Absences :
All the excuses must be supported with documentation and it’s your responsibility to obtain this documentation to me . Excused absences include documented illnesses, documented family medical emergencies, military commitments, WIU required athletic trips, and other absences excused by the course instructor.
Homework :
The homework for each chapter and answer keys will be posted on
WesternOnline. It is the student’s (your) responsibility to work on it during their free time. Regular practice the homework is encouraged and will help your quizzes and overall exam scores.
Quizzes :

There are 8 quizzes that will be given during the semester. Your best 6 quiz scores shall count toward your grade. No make-up quizzes will be given. If you miss a quiz, your score will be zero.
Exam Policy :
There will be 4 exams given during the semester. You will only need a pencil and a scientific calculator for your exam. Electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, iPads, Laptops, smart watches, and all other electronic devices, are not allowed during the exam. Do not wear hats, caps and/or hoods during exams. The instructor reserves the right to assign seating for the students during exams and/ or any other time deemed necessary.
Exam grades are based on the total number of correct answers, and all grades are final. NO curve will be applied to exam grades. No “extra point” assignment will be made or applied to grades. Students can view their individual quiz and exam scores on
WesternOnline.
Make-up Exam :
The Make-Up Exam will be comprehensive over all materials covered in
Chem150. Only one Make-up Exam will be given if the absence is due to an official university trip with advance notice, an important personal event, or a personal/ family emergency with documentation. All the excuses must be supported with documentation and it’s your responsibility to obtain this documentation to me early. The comprehensive Make-up Exam date: May 5, 2016 at 6pm in Currens 206.
Incomplete :
An incomplete grade will not be given to a student with a failing grade. No incomplete will be given to a student without documented evidence of an emergency that requires the student be away from the university or miss the final exam. The student shall notify the instructor as soon as possible and prior to the exam.
Classroom Policies :
Please turn your cell phone to silent and put away while in class. Use of iPod, iPad, MP3, headphones, earphones, etc. is not allowed in the classroom or during a quiz/exam. Any interruptions caused by an electronic device could result in the
REMOVAL from the lecture or lab.
Students are expected to come to class on time. A minimum of two to three hours of study time outside of class is generally required for each one hour of class time. Students are expected to read ahead and prepare for the class. Reading the designated chapters, go over in class materials and do the homework in a timely manner are essential to succeed in this course.
Academic Integrity Policy :
Any student convicted of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade and may be subjected to further academic penalty, including expulsion. See the WIU
Academic Integrity Policy ( http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php
). Cheating will
NOT be tolerated.

Students with Disabilities :
In accordance with University Values and disability law, students with disabilities may request academic accommodations where there are aspects of a course that result in barriers to inclusion or accurate assessment of achievement. To file an official request for disability-related accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource
Center at 309-298-2512, disability@wiu.edu
or in 143 Memorial Hall. Please notify the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that this course is accessible to you in a timely manner.
Emergency Preparedness :
The WIU Office of Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness provides resources on how to respond to emergency situations. Please view the video resources at www.wiu.edu/rmep/
(Click “resources” on the right side of the page). If the fire alarms sound and/or students are asked to evacuate the building, all students should proceed immediately to the nearest exit and gather at the southwest corner of the Higgins parking lot (near the fence) until the “all clear” is given.
Student Conduct Code :
Disorderly conduct is defined as any behavior which disrupts the regular or normal functions of the University community, including behavior which breaches the peace or violates the rights of others. Please review the student conduct code at http://www.wiu.edu/CodeOfConduct/index.asp
violation of the student conduct code can result in a failing grade and may be subject to further academic penalties.
Student Rights and Responsibilities :
Student ’s rights and responsibilities are listed on the WIU website
( http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students/ ).
Additional information for syllabi to comply with the accreditation requirements.
Below the logo is a statement that needs to go on each syllabus to remind those in the teacher certification program that they are expected to get a grade of “C” or better in each content course they take. Since we have students in Physics and Chemistry who take Biology 100 and
Biology 101, those courses are also included as needing this set of information. In addition, a statement is included that tells students where to find how each course is aligned with the State and National Science Teaching Standards.
Information to be added is below:

STATE ACCREDITATION POLICY INFORMATION:
“In accordance with Illinois State Board of Education certification rules, all candidates seeking teacher certification are required by Western Illinois University to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all directed general education course, all core courses, and all courses in the option. Note: A
“C- ” is below a “C”.” Please note: any secondary science teacher certification student wanting to see how this course is aligned with the State and National Standards should see their advisor and/or examine the Secondary Science Teacher Certification WesternOnline Advising site.
Important date :
January 19, Tues.
– No lab
January 25, Mon.
– Last day to add course during open registration
February 1, Mon. – Last day to add by permission or delete courses
February 12, Fri. -- Lincoln's Birthday -- No Classes/University Closed
March 14-18, Mon.-Fri. -- Spring Break -- No Classes
April 3, Sun. – Last day to drop course with “W” grade
May 9-13, Mon. –Fri. – Final Exam week
***THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE UPON NOTIFICATION BY
INSTRUCTOR***