University of Maryland, College Park
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
CHEM 135: Chemistry for Engineers FALL 2012
The Highlights
Bonnie Dixon
Charles (Chris) Ferraioli
Office: CHM 2130
email: bdixon1@umd.edu
email: ferraioc@umd.edu
When/Where: Lecture MWF from 12 – 12:50 p.m. in CHM 1407
Discussions are on T/H in CHM 0115 at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Required Material: 1. Custom Text: General Chemistry by Tro
2. Response Card RF Clicker by Responsive Innovations
(optional) Mastering Chemistry access code
Dr. Dixon’s office hours: Wednesdays 9-11 am and Thursdays 12:30-2:30 pm
Coverage and Order of Presentation: We will cover all the material in the custom text, but out
of order. Pay attention to the detailed calendar outlining topical coverage found at the end of the
extended version of the syllabus (found our Blackboard site under Course Documents/syllabus).
Major Assessments: Three exams will be given during class time on 10/5, 11/2 and 12/5. In
addition there will be three homework sets due on 9/28, 10/26 and 11/28. The final exam will be held
on December 18 from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in CHM 1407. As University policy dictates, a course
grade of ‘F’ will be received if the final exam is not taken, no matter how many points have been
accumulated from the mid-term exams.
Missed Exams: YOU MUST CONTACT ME WITHIN 24 HRS OF THE EXAM. If a legitimate,
university-recognized excuse is submitted, you will be allowed to make up the exam at the designated
times; otherwise, a score of zero will be used. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Point breakdown:
3 Mid-term Exams (100 pts each)
Final Exam
Pre-Assessment
Pop Quiz
Homework Sets
Clicker Questions
Total
300 points
200 points
20 points
10 points
90 points
30 points
650 points
Important Dates to remember: The last day for schedule adjustments is September 12th. The
last day to withdraw is November 7th.
University of Maryland, College Park
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
CHEM 135: Chemistry for Engineers FALL 2012
The Nitty Gritty Details
The Play-by-Play
At the Beginning of the course: Get ready for the course by doing the following: (1) Buy your
books, a clicker and a non-programmable, scientific calculator (2) Register your clicker (3) (optional) Register for the
online homework system (4) Get the required material memorized (pop quiz is coming!) (5) Discuss any schedule
conflicts with Dr. Dixon.
Daily: Study each day!
There are many strategies for studying each day that make sure you are staying on top of
the material. Here are some ideas: (1) Read the textbook—you can do this before or after lecture depending on what
works best for you. (2) Recopy your notes—mark your notes in places that you need further clarification so you can
ask Chris during discussion or Dr. Dixon during office hours. (3) Do in-text problems in sections covered in lecture to
check that you can apply the material yourself.
Weekly: Problems should be worked to facilitate your learning in the course.
This is a self-paced
activity, but one that will bring a lot of bang for your buck. Resources include end-of-chapter problems, periodic
chapter problem sets sent out by Dr. Dixon and weekly problem sets on the Mastering Chemistry website (released
periodically throughout the term).
Monthly: Graded homework sets and hourly exams will be given to insure mastery of the material.
All homework sets will be graded by Dr. Dixon; exams are graded by a pool of TAs. All graded material will be
handed back in discussion. Make sure to follow the appropriate re-grading policies when necessary!
At the End of the Course: Tie up all loose ends, including:
(1) making sure all grades are correct on
Blackboard by 5 pm the last day of class (NO GRADE CHANGES AFTER THIS TIME!!!) (2) insuring you know
the date and location of your final exam and final exam viewing (3) completing the course evaluation online.
Grading in the Course
Clickers: There will be 30 clicker questions over the course of the semester that you will be required to answer.
Students will receive 1 point for a correct answer, 1/2 point for an incorrect response and zero points for not
responding. You will be able to keep track of your clicker points on Blackboard. There will be a couple of practice
runs before clickers will count for points.
Graded Homework Sets: All homework sets will be available 48 hours prior to the due date/time on our
Blackboard site (under Course Documents/Graded Problem Sets). Be sure to download the correct homework
assignment and answer key. Homework will not be graded if the honor pledge is missing! There are no extensions
for homework.
Exams: The exams are cumulative, with a heavy emphasis on material reviewed in class. The format will
vary—stay tuned to announcements in class.
§ You are required to keep your University of Maryland photo ID on the desk during the exam.
§ Only non-programmable calculators are allowed!
§ A seating chart for the exams can be found on Blackboard.
§ Information on make-up exams can be found below.
Mid-Semester Grades: Around the middle of the term I will assign grades of ‘S’ or ‘U’. An ‘S’ (for
satisfactory) will be given to students earning a ‘C’ or better at the mid-term of the course. A ‘U’ (for unsatisfactory)
will be given to students earning a ‘D’ or ‘F’ in the course at the mid-term. Please come talk to me if you are
concerned about your progress in the course.
Final Grades in the Course. Not everyone in the course will earn an A. It is expected that 75% (or more!) of
you will earn a ‘C’ or better. Remember—you earn your grade in the course. Work hard and you will be rewarded
with the grade you deserve.
Borderline Grades: As an inducement to encourage students to work the problem sets, the following mechanism
has been devised to handle borderline grades. There will be ~10 problem sets and ~10 chapter tutorials released over
the course of the term on the Mastering Chemistry website. Students who complete >80% of the problem sets and
tutorials AND are within ten (10) points of a letter grade cutoff following final grade calculation will have their
grade boosted to the next level.
COMMUNICATION
Course Management System: We will be using Blackboard as our course management system this semester.
You can monitor your grades, download administrative documents, and link to the online classroom (this may or may
not be used this term).
Email: I will often email announcements, problem sets, etc to the class. It is important that you get these emails.
The coursemail listserv will be created on the first day of class and a tester message will be sent out. If you don’t
receive this email you need to contact me asap. You don’t want to miss any important announcements.
A note about emailing: I exist on a different schedule than you (shocking!). If you email me at 2 am you won’t hear
back right away. Also, I will reserve the right to not email back if the answer can be found in the syllabus or was
announced in class.
Emailing Etiquette: While the University does not have formal rules and regulations for contacting faculty by
email, I have a few rules of etiquette that students need to follow if they expect to receive a response: (1) there
should be a salutation, e.g., Dear Dr. Dixon: etc. (2) please explain your situation using complete sentences. I do
not text to you, and I expect to not receive "text" messages. (3) please give your full name at the end of the email. I
do not respond to "catlady@umd.edu". A sample acceptable email is shown below:
Dr. Dixon:
I am a student in your Chem 135 class, but my access to Blackboard has been blocked for some reason. Do you
know who I should contact to correct this problem?
Jane Smith
In sticking with etiquette, here is a list of topics that should not be discussed over email:
1. Your grade in the course. If you want to talk to me about your grade you must show up in person to
my office. If you want to talk privately, it is best if you make an appointment ahead of time.
2. Missing grades on Blackboard (including clicker points). This relates to point #1 above.
3. Class policy questions that are addressed in the syllabus. The syllabus for the class is my contract
with you. Check the syllabus before you email me because often you can find the answer in the
syllabus!
4. Letters of recommendation. I am at the point that I have more requests to handle than hours in the
day. Letters will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis. I will need at least 1 month leeway
to complete a recommendation. You must come talk to me about this in person.
POLICIES of NOTE
Academic Integrity: The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized
Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic
integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding
these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication,
facilitation, and plagiarism. For more information on the Code of Academic Integrity, please visit:
http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/iii100a.html
Students are responsible for knowing, understanding and behaving according to the content of the Code. There
will be zero tolerance for any violations.
Honor Pledge: Students will be required to write and sign on the front cover of each exam and homework set the
Honor Pledge:
“I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination”
More information on the Honor Pledge can be found at the Student Honor Council’s website.
Make-Up Exams: Only students who have university-excused absences are allowed
to apply for a make-up exam. Please refer to the student handbook for acceptable university-excused absences.
Proper documentation is expected. You must apply for a make-up exam IN PERSON with Dr. Dixon within
three days of the missed exam; a copy of your documentation must be provided at this time. All make-up exams
th
will be given on December 11 at 3 pm (location TBA).
Students with learning and/or other disabilities: If you have a disability, please make an
appointment with Dr. Dixon to discuss the available accommodations, thus maximizing your learning experience
in this course. Learning disabilities must be documented by Disability Support Services prior to receiving
accommodations.
Exam Re-Grades: You must write in pen if you want the option of a re-grade on a classroom assessment. Regrades are handled by Dr. Dixon. Read the information about re-grades (provided on the front sheet of each exam
and homework answer key this term) carefully before making the decision to have your paper re-graded. Regrades should be turned in during the lecture period after your scheduled discussion section in which exams were
handed back.
Dr. Dixon will send you an email when your re-grade is complete. Note, however, that the entire exam will be regraded and this may result in a lower grade.
Neither Chris nor I will discuss with you whether or not you should submit a re-grade.
How to get the most out of the class
Come to Class! It is in your best interest to obtain lecture notes and supplementary materials for missed classes.
You are responsible for material covered and announcements made in class whether or not you are in attendance.
Keep a Good Notebook! Eliminate all distractions during class by turning your cell phones off, not IMing
during class, and keeping the chatter to a minimum. Take notes, making sure to annotate your notes during class in
places that you need further clarification or you have questions. When you leave lecture get together with a study
group to re-write the notes together. Most importantly – ASK QUESTIONS DURING CLASS!
Work Problems! Problems within the chapter should be completed before the next class. Do these problems
using your notes or the text book as resources. If you can’t do the problems with all these resources you should be
concerned -- bring these to discussion or the weekly problem sessions. The biggest no-no is doing the problems with
the answer manual open. You don’t learn by seeing the answer and saying ‘oh, I can do that.’ Prove to yourself that
you can do it by simulating the testing environment as much as possible. The more problems you tackle in this
manner, the better you will do in the course.
Attend Discussion! Attendance will be taken in these smaller classes. There are a few things you can expect to
happen in these sections:
1. Chris is a great resource for clarification of lecture notes, homework problems, etc.
2. Some topics will be covered in MUCH MORE DETAIL by Chris in your discussion section. He will also go
over additional problems. This is a valuable resource as you look to gain these skills yourself.
3. Tests will be handed back to students during their discussion section.
Get Old Exams! Old chemistry exams for any professor are available in Alpha Chi Sigma (CHM 2110A). This
will give you an abundance of problems to work. However, do not just study from the old exams. I write new exams
each term that support the focus of the current class.
Ask for Help! Don’t wait to ask a question! You can ask questions during class, during discussion sections or
during office hours. TAs will hold office hours in Room 1115. Any Chemistry TA will be able to help you, so choose
a time that is convenient for you to come. The TA schedule for office hours will be posted outside of room 1115
during the second week of the term. In addition, there is a list of tutors for hire in the Undergraduate Programs office
(CHM 2102).
Tentative lecture and midterm exam schedule:
Date
8/29
8/31
9/3
9/5
9/7
9/10
9/12
9/14
9/17
9/19
9/21
9/24
9/26
9/28
10/1
10/3
10/5
10/8
10/10
10/12
10/15
10/17
10/19
10/22
10/24
10/26
10/29
10/31
11/2
11/5
11/7
11/9
11/12
11/14
11/16
11/19
11/21
11/21-23
11/26
11/28
11/30
12/3
12/5
12/7
12/10
12/11
12/18
12/19
Lecture Topic
Overview of course; Chapter 1 Overview
Chpt. 2 History of the Atom and Atomic Structure
LABOR DAY
Chpt. 2 Math with Atoms
Chpt. 3 Ionic & Covalent Compounds: Bonding, Formulae and Nomenclature
Chpt. 20 Organic Compounds: Bonding, Formulae and Nomenclature
Chpt. 20 cont. & Chpt. 11 Intermolecular Attractions
Pre-assessment & Chpt. 5 Ideal Gas calculations and real gas concepts
Chpts. 11 Heating/cooling curves
Chpt. 7 Properties of Electromagnetic radiation; Atomic Spectroscopy
Chpt. 7 The Bohr Model: Failure on the Road to Success
Chpt. 7 Quantum Mechanics Model; Quantum Numbers
Chpt. 8 Electron configuration & Periodic Trends
Chpt. 8 Periodic Trends -- Homework One due to Dr. Dixon by Noon!
Chpt. 9 Bonding and Bond Strength
REVIEW for EXAM ONE
EXAM ONE
Chpt. 10 Lewis Dot Structures
Chpt. 10 Resonance
Chpt. 10 VSEPR and Molecular Shapes
Chpt. 10 Hybridization
Chpt. 3 Math with Molecules, Combustion Reactions
Chpt. 4 Reaction Stoichiometry
Chpt. 4 Limiting reactant and percent yield
Chpt. 4 Solution Concentration; limiting reactants
Chpt. 4 Precipitation Reactions -- Homework Two due to Dr. Dixon by Noon!
Chpt. 4 Acid-base reactions
REVIEW for EXAM TWO
EXAM TWO
Chpt. 20 Reactions of Organic Compounds
Chpt. 20 Reactions of Organic Compounds
Chpt. 6 Enthalpic considerations of chemical reactions
Chpt. 6 Enthalpic considerations of chemical reactions
Chpt. 13 Reaction kinetics
Chpt. 13 Reaction kinetics
Chpt. 6, 13 and 20 Introduction to the Reaction Coordinate Diagram
Chpt. 14 Equilibrium Calculations
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Chpt. 14 Le Chatelier’s Principle and Equilibrium calculations
Chpt. 15 Acid-base Chemistry -- Homework Three due to Dr. Dixon by Noon!
Chpt. 15 Acid-base Chemistry
REVIEW for Exam Three
EXAM THREE
Chpt. 18 Electrochemistry
Chpt. 18 & Brief Review of Term/Final Exam
3 pm: Make-up exams will be administered (location TBD)
FINAL EXAM – All Chapters covered – 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Final Exam Viewing – 9:30 am – 10:30 am (location TBD)