CHEM 2124 – General Chemistry II
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 – 9:50 (PHS 101)
SPRING 2014
Tuesday 9:30 – 12:20 (PHS 316)
Instructor:
Wayne Bensley, Office – PHS 306, benslewd@alfredstate.edu, 587-4558
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11:00-Noon, Thursday 9:30 – 11:00 or by Appointment
(Note that I have an Open Door Policy for meeting with students)
Course Website:
http://web.alfredstate.edu/benslewd/Homepage.htm
Required Texts:
General Chemistry II Textbook – Consists of Chapters 9-16 and 18-21 from General, Organic,
and Biochemistry, 2nd Edition by Janice Smith (Available ONLY in the Alfred State
Bookstore)
General Chemistry II Lab Manual (Available ONLY in the Alfred State Bookstore)
Class Info and:
Annoucements:
Announcements regarding schedule changes or other developments will be made in class at the earliest
possible time. Announcements or reminders will also be posted on the course website. You are
responsible for any announcements posted to the web site so make sure you check it often.
Course Description: This course is a continuation of General Chemistry I and is intended for science majors. It completes
the presentation of topics started in General Chemistry I by surveying the topics of: Acids & Bases,
Electrochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry. After these foundations are laid, the course will then explore
two broad chemical themes: 1) Organic Chemistry, where the language and chemistry of selected
functional groups (alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, amines, and carboxylic
acids), along with an exploration of chirality will be covered and 2) Biochemistry, where the chemistry
and structure of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins will be surveyed.
Course Objectives:
At the end of the course the student will be able to do the following:
1) Predict outcomes of acid/base reactions, identify reaction components based on both Arrhenius
and Bronsted-Lowry acid/base models and perform simple pH calculations.
2) Describe the processes of oxidation and reduction, predict outcomes of oxidation/reduction
reactions, diagram and qualitatively and quantitatively describe and construct voltaic cells and
understand the various electrochemical cell applications used in the health sciences.
3) Write balanced chemical equations for common nuclear processes and quantitatively predict
outcomes of half-life experimentation.
4) Name simple organic compounds using both common and IUPAC nomenclature rules.
5) Explain the distinct chemical reactivity patterns associated with various classes of organic
compounds.
6) Describe stereochemically significant conditions (cis/trans isomers, diastereomers, enantiomers).
7) Draw the associated molecular structures of organic compounds using various approaches
including condensed formula, bond-line and 3D projection methods.
8) Describe the main functions and chemistry associated with carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
9) Solve fundamental chemical operations and interpret simple qualitative organic analysis in order
to identify and characterize various organic compounds.
Course Structure:
The course will comprise both lecture and laboratory components, with the laboratory experiences
specifically chosen to enhance and extend your understanding of lecture material. Class will meet for
six hours weekly (three lecture and three laboratory), for a total of four credit hours. Note that since
this is a single course, you cannot drop lecture and remain enrolled in lab or vice versa. You will
receive a single letter grade for the entire course, worth four credit hours.
Laboratory:
You are required to purchase and bring the following to laboratory sessions: the laboratory textbook, a
pair of safety glasses, a calculator, and a permanent ink pen. Laboratory assignments will consist of a
combination of major and minor laboratory reports with major reports requiring the completion of a
typed formal theory section. Laboratory exercises will include a pre-laboratory assignment which
MUST be completed prior to your participation in the laboratory exercise for that week. If you fail to
complete the pre-lab assignment prior to the lab session, you will not be allowed to participate in
the laboratory exercise that week and you will receive a grade of zero (0) for that laboratory
exercise. It is also assumed that you will have read the introductory material and procedure for the
assigned laboratory exercise. If you earn less than 150 points (out of 250 possible) for the
laboratory portion of this course, you will receive a grade of “F” for the entire course. Clean
your work spaces before you leave the laboratory. Any workspace that is deemed unkempt by
the instructor after you leave the lab will lead to the loss of 20% of your lab grade for that week.
Attendance:
As with the real-life example of holding a job, you are expected to attend each class (MTWF) and
arrive on-time. Late arrivals are disruptive to the class and will not be tolerated. Only absences of the
type described in Academic Regulations 503 of the Student Handbook will be accepted. No make-up
laboratory sessions, assignments, or tests will be offered and any student missing a test or
laboratory session automatically receives a grade of zero (0) on the material from that day without
prior authorization from the instructor. You must contact the instructor ahead of time if you will
miss a scheduled exam or laboratory session to arrange to take the exam ahead of time or to
arrange an alternate laboratory assignment. However, if you miss two or more laboratory
sessions, for ANY reason, you fail the course.
Class Format:
In the scheduled class sessions, the majority of the time will be spent going over sample problems from
the textbook. Therefore, it is expected that you will bring the textbook with you to each class session.
As the majority of class time will be spent covering and discussing sample problems, it is also
expected that you will come to each class session prepared and ready to actively participate – that is
you have studied your notes and have attempted any assigned take-home problems from the previous
class meeting and you have completed the reading assigned for that class meeting.
Quizzes:
Each class meeting (unless otherwise announced) will begin with a short quiz covering material and/or
problems discussed during the previous class meeting. Each quiz will begin promptly at 9:00AM and
will take no more than 5 minutes. No make-up quizzes will be offered. Your final quiz grade will be
determined by simply dividing the number of quiz questions correctly answered by the total number of
quiz questions asked during the entire semester and multiplying by 100. So if you correctly answer 60
out of 80 total quiz questions, you earn 75 out of 100 possible quiz points.
Exams:
There will be four hourly exams given during the course of the semester. The date(s) and material
covered on these exams will be announced approximately one week prior to the exam date. The
topics that will be found on each exam are listed in the tentative schedule found below.
Written Assignment: There will be one written assignment (4-6 page typed paper) during the semester that is to be
completed independently by each student. Your paper will be graded on effort and thoroughness as
well as correct grammar and spelling. Copying or simply lifting documents from web sites and
texts is unacceptable and will result in a grade of zero on that assignment without appeal.
Final Exams:
Grading:
There will be a cumulative final exam for this course to be held during the week of May 12-16. The
exact date and time of this exam will be scheduled as per the campus-wide Final Exam matrix
schedule. There will also be an independent laboratory practical final examination held during the
final laboratory session.
The grade for this course will be determined as follows:
Pts. Each Total Pts.
Tests (4)
100
400
Final letter grades will be assigned as follows (total
Quizzes
TBA
100
points earned):
Written Assignment
125
125
A: 900-1000
B+: 870-899
Written Final Exam
125
125
B: 800-869
C+: 770-799
Minor Laboratory Reports (9)
10
90
C: 700-769
D+: 670-699
Major Laboratory Reports (2)
55
110
D: 600-669
F: 0-599
Laboratory Final Exam
50
50
1000
Class Expectations / Hints for Success
What you can expect from me:
 I will treat you with civility and respect in accordance with the Alfred State Principles of Community.
http://www.alfredstate.edu/principles-of-community/principles-of-community
 If you have a documented learning disability, I will make appropriate accommodations for you if you contact me
and the Student Learning Center at the beginning of the semester.
 I am a resource for you and I will assist you in meeting the objectives of this course in all possible reasonable
means.
 Should you have a concern with a fellow student, with me, or with anything else pertinent to the class and/or course,
I will listen to your concern and will address your concern to the best of my ability without fear of reprisal.
 I will treat students in a fair but firm manner. I have high (but reasonable) expectations of the students in my
classes.
 I will respond to all forms of communication in a timely manner. Please note that I do not check e-mails at 2AM
and thus you should not expect an immediate response at all times of the day.
What I expect from you:
 You will treat your classmates and me with civility and respect in accordance with the Alfred State Principles of
Community.
http://www.alfredstate.edu/principles-of-community/principles-of-community
This includes
refraining from the use of obscene, harassing, and/or intimidating language. Please demonstrate respect for yourself,
your classmates, the facilities and equipment of this college, all college staff members, and your professors by
speaking and behaving as befits adults in an academic environment. If you exhibit repeated immature or
disrespectful behavior, I reserve the right to eject you from class permanently.
 You will refrain from the use of cell phones and other unapproved electronic devices during class. Any electronic
device (other than a calculator) seen on or within the reach of a student during a quiz or examination will lead to an
automatic grade of zero on that quiz or examination.
 You will not disrupt class and you will respect the speakers. Off-topic chatter with your neighbors is considered
disruptive and rude and will not be tolerated. After an initial warning, all parties will be instructed to leave the
classroom.
 You will abide by the Alfred State academic integrity code. Academic dishonesty in any form will NOT be
tolerated. This includes but is not limited to plagiarism on any material submitted. Should you decide to
cheat or plagiarize, you will receive a grade of zero on that assignment without appeal. Should you choose to
ignore this policy, you will be referred to the Academic Integrity Committee for possible additional sanctions.
https://my.alfredstate.edu/academic-affairs/academic-integrity-code
 You will ask questions and seek out help when you need it. I have an open door policy - if I’m in my office and the
door is open, I am available to meet with students.
 You will communicate openly with me. I am more than willing to work with students who face unforeseen
obstacles during the semester but only if I am aware of the issue ahead of time.
 You will spend approximately 6-8 hours outside of class each week reviewing the material from the previous class,
preparing for the upcoming class, and completing any assignments. If you choose not to devote this amount of time
solely to this class, you will likely not be as successful as those who do.
 You will come to class prepared in advance to actively participate, you will arrive on time, and you will not pack up
your materials until the class is dismissed.
 You will perform to the best of your ability in this class.
 You will have fun and learn something new!
CHEM 2124 – General Chemistry II (Tentative Schedule)
Week #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
SPRING 2014
Dates
1/20-24
1/27-31
2/3-7
2/10-14
2/17-21
2/24-28
3/3-7
3/10-14
3/17-21
3/24-28
3/31-4/4
4/7-11
4/14-18
4/21-25
4/28-5/2
5/5-9
5/12-16
Class Topics
Introduction to Course / Electrochemistry Concepts
Chemical Equilibrium Concepts and Intro to Acid/Base Chemistry
Acid/Base Chemistry
Acid/Base Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry
Introduction to Organic Molecules and Functional Groups
Alkanes
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons and Alcohols
Alcohols and other Oxygenated Compounds
Isomers – Chirality and the Three Dimensional Shape of Molecules
Chirality and the Three Dimensional Shape of Molecules and Carbohydrate Chemistry
Carbohydrate Chemistry
Amines and Lipid Chemistry
Protein Chemistry
Final Examination Week
Date
1/21
1/28
2/4
2/11
2/18
2/25
3/4
3/11
3/18
3/25
4/1
4/8
4/15
4/22
4/29
5/6
Laboratory Topic
Course Pre-Quiz and Electrochemistry Concepts
Acid/Base Chemistry
Lab Exercise 1 – Indicators, pH of Aq. Soln’s + Household Products
Lab Exercise 2 – Titration of Acids and Bases (MAJOR)
Lab Exercise 3 - Measuring the Radioactive Decay of 137Ba
Lab Exercise 4 - The Structure of Hydrocarbons
Lab Exercise 5 - Properties of Hydrocarbons
Lab Exercise 6 - Organic Functional Group Tests
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
Lab Exercise 7A - Synthesis of an Alkene from Alcohol Part I
Lab Exercise 8 – Alcohols
Lab Exercise 7B – Synth. of an Alkene from Alcohol Part II (MAJOR)
Lab Exercise 9 – Chirality: The Handedness of Compounds
Lab Exercise 10 - The Characterization of Carbohydrates
Lab Exercise 11 - The Prop. and Preparation of Esters and Soaps
Final Laboratory Examination
Laboratory Schedule
Week #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Handouts
Handouts
Handouts
Lab Manual – Exp. 16
Lab Manual – Exp. 17
Lab Manual – Exp. 22
Handouts
Lab Manual – Exp. 20
Handouts
Handouts
Lab Manual – Exp. 24
Lab Manual – Exp. 19
None
While every effort is made by the professor/instructor to cover all the material in the syllabus, the order, content and/or
evaluation may change in the event of special circumstances (e.g. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, College
closure, technology/equipment problems or changes, etc.). In any case, students will be given appropriate notification in
writing, with approval from the department chair (or designate).