CHEMISTRY 211
GENERAL CHEMISTRY
Fall 2009
Section 002: Tu/Th 3:00 – 4:15 (IN 103)
Text:
Chemistry, The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change
by M. S. Silberberg
5th Edition, McGraw-Hill (2008)
Instructor: Dr. Keith M. Davies
Office: 410 OB-PW1
http://osf1.gmu.edu/~kdavies/
http://osf1.gmu.edu/~kdavies/211SYL-09.html
email: kdavies@gmu.edu
Tel: 703-993-1075
Office Hours: Tu/Th 10:00 -11:00, 1:30-2:00 331 ST1.
MWF 410 OB-PW1 by appointment
Grading
Examinations Mid Term: Sept 29, Oct 29,
Nov 24
Final:
Grading
Dec 15, 1:30-4:15
Mid-Term Exams
30%
Final
20%
Homeworks (GMU)
12%
Homework (ARIS)
13%
Lab
25%
Chapter in Text
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
1, 3
8, 10
15, 17
1
2
3
Matter and Measurement
The Components of Matter
Stoichiometry of Formulas and Equations
22, 24
29, 1
3
4
Classes of Chemical Reactions
Exam I - Sept 29 (Chapters 1-3)
6, 8
15
5
6
20, 22
6, 7
Gases
Thermochemistry
No class on Oct 13th Columbus Day Recess
Quantum Theory and Atomic Structure
27, 29
3, 5
7
8
Exam II - Oct 29 (Chapters 4-7)
Electronic Configuration and Periodicity
10, 12
17, 19
24
9
10
1, 3
11
Models of Chemical Bonding
Shapes of Molecules
Exam III - Nov 24 (Chapters 8 -10)
Thanksgiving Recess: Nov 25-29
Covalent Bonding Theories
8, 10
12
15
Solids, Liquids and Intermolecular Forces
Final Exam (cumulative) 1:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Grading Policies
Grades will not be based on a 100% scale ( A
equates to 90+%, B to 80+%, etc) but
relative to the rest of the class.
The class average will be equated to a
middle-high C, and the rest of the grades will
be determined relative to this norm.
Make Up Exam Policy
 An absence from an exam will be excused ONLY if adequate
documentation is provided. (e.g., note from a physician)
 For an excused absence, the Mid-term Exam% for the course will
be determined from the mean of the other two mid-terms (i.e. the
point values of the other two exams will be increased proportionately
to cover the missed exam).
 Only one missed mid-term exam will be permitted (a second missed
exam will result in a zero score for the exam)
 All students must take a Final Exam. Any change in the time or date
of the final must be authorized by the Dean’s Office and by the
instructor.
Final Exam
• The Final Exam will be the American Chemical Society’s
Examination in General Chemistry.
• Recommended workbook for the ACS exam:
Preparing for your ACS Exam. The official guide.
ISBN 0-9708042-0-2
Laboratory Course
To complete the Chem 211 course, each student must
also enroll and obtain a passing grade in a Chem 211
laboratory class
If a student is repeating the course and has previously
obtained a passing grade in the lab (at GMU or
elsewhere) he/she can be exempt from the lab.
To achieve this, the student must provide evidence of
their prior lab grade and fill out a Lab waiver form in the
Chemistry Office (ST1 343) and notify the lecture
instructor of their lab exempt status.
Homework
 There will be two sets of graded homework assignments.
I. Homework assignments taken through the McGraw-Hill ARIS
online system. Log on at www.mhhe.com/silberberg5
II. Homework assignments taken through the GMU online system.
Log on at https://genchem.gmu.edu/admin.asp
 Assignments must be completed by the assigned deadlines.
 The four ARIS homework deadlines will be the dates corresponding
to the days before the mid-term and final examinations.
 The GMU homework assignments should be attempted when each
chapter is completed in class. Students can try the homework as
many times as they want to improve their scores.
 The deadline for completion of all GMU homeworks will be
December 15th
ARIS Homeworks
GMU Homework
Chapter
Deadline
Chapter
Deadline
1
September 28
1
December 15
2
September 28
2
December 15
3
September 28
3
December 15
4
October 28
4
December 15
5
October 28
5
December 15
6
October 28
6
December 15
7
November 23
7
December 15
8
November 23
8
December 15
9
November 23
9
December 15
10
November 23
10
December 15
11
December 15
11
December 15
12
December 15
12
December 15
Online Resources
McGraw-Hill's ARIS (Assessment, Review, and Instruction System)
(http://www.mharis.com)
Section Enrollment Code: 96C-48-E88
www.mhhe.com/silberberg5
1-800-331-5094
Online Resources is an electronic homework and problem solving
center that enables you to take self-paced tests, with feedback, on
specific material from each chapter.
The problem-solving center also contains a 3-D Visualization Center
where students can work through visualization tutorials (real-time
manipulation of computer generated molecular models as well as
animations).
Student Preparation
Success in General Chemistry is determined largely by the
amount of time that a student puts into the course outside of the
classroom.
A number of learning aids are available (lecture notes, textbook,
study guide, required problems, a media guide and web site
learning center).
Different approaches to learning will work for different students.
Some will learn mostly from the textbook, while others will be
stimulated by an interactive web site.
The most important thing is to spend a minimum of several hours
a week working on the course material using the learning method
or methods that work best for you.
Since numerical chemical calculations constitute a large part of
many chapters (and of scheduled tests and quizzes), practicing
numerical problems should constitute a large part of your
preparation.