SYLLABUS
CHEM 342 - Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry
5:00pm - 6:15pm Monday, Wednesday
Currens Hall 202
Spring, 2016
Course Description: An examination of the chemistry of the geosphere, hydrosphere,
and atmosphere with emphasis on the interactions between them and the impact of
technology upon the natural environment. Prerequisite: CHEM 102 or 202. 3 hrs.
lect.; 3 hrs. lab.
Contact Hours:
Credit hours - 4 per semester
Lecture hours - 3 per week
Lab hours - 3 per week
Instructor: Dr. J. Scott McConnell, Professor of Chemistry.
Office and Office Hours: The instructor’s office is 519A. Office hours are 10:00 12:00 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call the Chemistry Department (309-2981538) or e-mail JS-McConnell@WIU.edu, and make an appointment prior to
meeting.
Laboratory Director: Dr. J. Scott McConnell, Department of Chemistry.
Expense Materials Required: Costs for these materials are the responsibility of the
student.
Textbook. “Environmental Chemistry,@ 9th edition, by Stanley E. Manahan. CRC
Press, publishers.
Laboratory Manual. None required. Laboratory exercises will be handed out.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) information about all chemicals utilized in the
laboratory can be found at the following web site.
http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/. E-copies are free of charge.
Approved eye protection used for the laboratory component of this class.
A scientific calculator.
The Primary Goals of CHEM 342 are:
1. Education of graduate students about the chemistry of natural phenomena.
2. Acquaint graduate students with concepts of how the chemistry of the
environment influences biological dynamics including human culture.
3. Preparation of graduate students for professional positions in chemistry.
1
Prerequisites for CHEM 342: CHEM 342 students must have successfully completed
CHEM 102 or 202.
Tests and Grading: Three examinations that will cover the lecture materials presented
during the regular semester. The exams will be worth approximately 100 points
each. The exams will be 50% of your grade.
There will be short (10 minute) quizzes each Wednesday. Quizzes will be worth 20
points per quiz. Only your eight (8) best quizzes will be used to calculate your quiz
average. The quizzes will be 25% of your grade.
Nine (9) laboratory exercises (including two sampling trips) are planned for this
semester. The labs will be worth 25 points per lab. Your lowest scoring lab (quiz +
report) will be dropped. The labs will be 25% of your grade.
To accommodate all absences (excused and unexcused) a comprehensive make-up
examination will be given on the last day of class. You may use this to make up
one, and only one, missed examination. The make-up exam will be comprehensive
over all materials covered in CHEM 342. Students who miss more than one exam
should seriously consider dropping CHEM 342.
No make-up quizzes, home work, or laboratory exercises will be given. If it is
necessary to be absent during a quiz or laboratory exercise, your score will be zero
and your low grade. Missing more than one exam; having fewer than the required
number of quizzes or lab assignments will ensure a zero will be incorporated into
your final grade. DO NOT MISS MORE THAN THE ALLOWED NUMBER.
Exceptions to the above rules will only be made for University sponsored functions
that require your presence during the class period (i.e. WIU band trips, field trips in
other WIU classes, WIU athletics, etc.), and military commitment. Notification of the
official WIU sponsored function, in the form of a signed memo from the faculty
sponsor or coach, must be submitted to the instructor one week prior to the
expected absence. Evidence of military commitment should be presented as soon
as possible.
Please note: the following grading scale is rigorously followed. No “considerations”,
no “extra points”, no unearned credit of any sort will be given to any student.
Course Grading Scale:
Percentage
92 - 100%
88 - 92%
84 - 88%
80 - 84%
Grade
A
AB+
B
2
76 - 80%
B-
72 - 76%
68 - 72%
64 - 68%
C+
C
C-
60 - 64%
56 - 60%
52 - 56%
D+
D
D-
0 - 52%
F
An Aincomplete@ grade will NOT be given to a student with a failing grade. No
incomplete will given to a student without documented evidence of an emergency
that requires that the student be away from the university or requires that the student
miss the final examination. Students shall notify the instructor of the emergency as
soon as possible and prior to the final examination.
Attendance Policy: You are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. You
are responsible for all information and materials in sessions and classes whether
you are present or not. Any student who receives six or more absences may be
dropped from this course without notice.
Any student arriving more than ten minutes late for any exam, laboratory exercise, or
the final examination may not be allowed to take or complete the assigned work at
the instructor’s discretion. Any student attempting to turn in a home work
assignment more than ten minutes late may not be allowed to turn in the assigned
work at the instructor’s discretion. Leaving the classroom prior to completion of a
quiz or an exam is prohibited. When a student leaves the classroom, the exam or
quiz is complete. If the student leaves the classroom with an exam or quiz without
submitting the exam or quiz for grading, the value of the exam or quiz is zero.
Additionally, the student may be prosecuted for academic dishonesty.
Classroom and Course Policies: 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 dishonesty policy
(http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.shtml). CHEATING WILL NOT BE
TOLERATED.
Data storage or data transfer devices (including but not limited to: notes, cell
phones, iPods, and similar devices) are NOT to be used in CHEM 342. Cell phones
should be turned off and put away during all class meetings. The use of any data
storage or data transfer devices during any quiz, laboratory exercise, test or the final
examination shall constitute CHEATING.
3
Scientific calculators may be used, but must be cleared by the instructor prior to
exams or quizzes.
No head covering of any sort (including but not limited to: hats, caps, hoods, and
scarves) may be used during the taking of a quiz, exam, or the final examination
without specific permission of the instructor.
Assigned seating, rearrangement of seats, and closing of selected seats and areas
of the classroom are the option of the instructor.
Outside Work Requirements for CHEM 342: Students are expected to read, review,
study and learn all material discussed in class and lab; read assigned chapters in
the textbook; work all home work assignments; and work the questions and
problems at the end of each chapter of the text book. Two short distant sampling
trips will comprise two of the laboratory exercises. A minimum of two to three hours
of study time outside of class is generally required for each one hour of class time in
CHEM 342.
Emergency Preparedness: 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).
Students with Disabilities: In accordance with University policy and the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student
who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor to
provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of need for an
accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the
instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the
instructor’s attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such
particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in
emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor
as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency.
Contact Disability Resource Center (DRC) at (309) 298-2512 for additional
services.
Any student requiring accommodations should contact Disability Resource Center
(DRC) at Memorial Hall 143. Telephone (309) 298-2512.
The Following Action is Prohibited under the Student Conduct Code: Disorderly
Conduct. 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.
(http://sjp.wiu.edu/CodeOfConduct/index.asp)
4
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student rights and responsibilities are listed on
the WIU website (http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students/).
Tentative Course Content, Chapter Assignments, and Projected Exams (Subject
to Change)
Chapter
Assignment
Lecture Topic
Introduction to CHEM 342
Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry
9
Chemistry of the Evolution of the Atmosphere
9
Current Atmosphere Composition
9
Energy Relationships in the Atmosphere
9
Chemistry and Physics of Weather
9
Chemical and Photochemical Reactions
13
Chemistry of Atmospheric Pollutants
10-13
Global Warming
14
Examination 1
Introduction to the Hydrosphere
3
Aquatic Chemistry
3
Water and life Processes
6
Inorganic Contaminant Chemistry
7
Organic Contaminant Chemistry
7
Water Treatment Chemistry to Produce Potable Water
8
Examination 2
Introduction to the Lithosphere and Soil Minerals
15
Charge Properties of Minerals
16
Soil Organic Matter
16
CEC and PBS
None
5
Soil Acidity
None
Pollution Considerations and Soil Chemistry
COMPREHENSIVE MAKE-UP EXAMINATION FOR
CHEM 342
EXAMINATION 3 will be the FINAL EXAMINATION
Final Exam Schedule may be found at
http://www.wiu.edu/registrar/exams.php
16
Early May
Mid-May
Important Dates:
Date (Spring, 2016)
January 18, Mon.
January 19, Tues.
February 12, Fri.
March 14-18, Mon.-Fri.
May 9-13, Mon.-Fri.
Event
Dr. Martin Luther King Day - No Classes
Classes Begin
Lincoln's Birthday - No Classes
Spring Break - No Classes
Final Exam Week
Any situation, condition, or circumstance not
covered in the syllabus is subject to the
decisions of the instructor, only.
6