Chemistry 5250
Fall 2013
General Topics in Contemporary Chemistry
Paul Hazendonk
Office 852
Phone 329 2657
Email: paul.hazendonk@uleth.ca
Office hours: Open Door Policy
Website: http://classes.uleth.ca/201303/chem5250a/
Text Book
No text is required. Any learning materials will be made available as class hand-outs or
posted on the website.
Overview
The objective of this course is to develop the student's research, writing and presentation
skills, so that they can participate in regular scientific discourse. Regular seminars will
be given by the visiting speakers and students in the course on a vast array of topics in
chemistry to introduce the student to current research active subjects. Students are
expected to regularly present critical analysis on articles relevant to their research
interests. They will also be expected to prepare a review, and research proposal on their
area of research.
Assessment
Class Participation
Critical Analysis Presentation
Seminar
Review
Proposal Presentation
Proposal


20%
10%
20%
20%
15%
15%
Attendance is mandatory. One excused absence (in case a illness a doctor’s note will
be required) will be permitted. Any absences beyond that forfeits the entire class
participation marks.
Class participation is essential in seminar based course, so you will be assessed on
your participation in class discussions following seminars and presentations. Your
mark will be based in degree of participation, quality of discussion, and level of



preparation, in each class on a per class basis. Also, adherence to deadlines will be a
considered.
Each student will chose a paper from an assigned course theme topic, relating it to the
literature of their field, prepare a critical analysis. The in class discussion will be led
by the student following the criteria of the critical analysis guidelines provided. The
student will use the outcomes of this discussion to prepare a subsequent 30 minute
presentation. This exercise follows several seminars led by myself on the critical
analyses of some preselected papers posted on the class website.
Each student is expected to prepare full 45 minute research seminar related to their
field of research to be presented to the department. A literature review on the seminar
topic will submitted within 2 weeks after the seminar. Detailed instruction will be
provided on the course website.
Each student is expected to prepare a proposal on their research area, in a format
stipulated on the course website. A 30 minute presentation promoting the research
program will be given and defended in advance of proposal submission. The student
is expected to present the proposal in subsequent class discussion.
Seminar Schedule and Presentation Schedule
See the course website at http://classes.uleth.ca/201303/chem5250a/ for updated
information/
Cheating:
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT CHEATING YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED A GRADE OF F
INSTANTLY AND A LETTER DESCRIBING YOUR OFFENSE WILL BE PLACED
IN YOUR STUDENT FILE. TWO SUCH LETTERS IS GROUNDS FOR EXPULSION
FROM THE UNIVERSITY. STUDENTS WHO CHEAT, CHEAT THEIR FELLOW
STUDENTS.
It is important that you understand what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as
the taking of someone else’s thoughts, writings or inventions and using them as one’s
own. When you are writing a paper on some topic, you must read up on the topic, get the
necessary information and then present it IN YOUR OWNWORDS. If you use a
sequence of text verbatim (i.e. exactly) from someone else’s work, THAT IS A QUOTE
and must be cited (to give proper credit to the author) in a particular way. If you use an
idea or data from someone else’s work, then that work must be cited specifically as a
reference, and/or in your paper’s bibliography. Beware of information that is found on
the web -- it is rarely primary source information. IF, IN THE COURSE OF WRITING
A PAPER, YOU EXECUTE A CUT AND PASTE FROM A
WEBSITE OR OTHER SOURCE without any citation, YOU HAVE COMMITTED
PLAGIARISM.
There is a difference between working together with a friend and plagiarism. If, after
conferring with others, what you write down is based on your understanding of the
topic and is in your own words, then that is acceptable. If, however, you look at a friends
answer to a question, and then simply write (essentially) the same thing on your
assignment, then you have committed plagiarism. PLAGIARISM IS CHEATING and is
subject to discipline as described in the university calendar. If you are unclear about this
issue, then speak to your instructor.
Reusing materials submitted for grades in a previous class constitutes a form of
plagiarism and will the treated accordingly. This will be monitored!!