UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT
CHEMISTRY 103
Lecture Section 1
MWF 11:00 A.M. — Room 1351 Chemistry
World Wide Web: http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/

General Chemistry: 4 credit hours

Lecturer: Professor Bassam Z. Shakhashiri

Office: 9303 Chemistry

Telephone: 262-0538

E-Mail: bassam@chem.wisc.edu (please include your lab section number and your TA's name in your messages to me)

Office Hours: Mondays 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Also, by appointment. Students are encouraged to see me immediately after class near the lecture table.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Chemistry 103 is the first semester course in a two semester General Chemistry sequence. The second semester course is Chemistry 104. Chemistry 103 and 104 are a unit, and students who take Chemistry 103 should plan to take Chemistry 104 also. Chemistry 103 and 104 provide a general background concerning the principles and factual basis of chemistry. The 103-104 sequence serves as a prerequisite for advanced courses such as Organic Chemistry (341 or 343) and Analytical Chemistry (221 or 223).

The prerequisites for this course are Math 101 or placement at or above Math 112; concurrent registration in Math 112 or above and one year of high school chemistry are recommended. Students who have not taken a high school chemistry course should expect to commit some extra time to this course, particularly in the early weeks of the session. If you have not had chemistry before, you should seek advice from your instructor immediately.

These General Chemistry courses explore chemical phenomena and principles with emphasis on developing an understanding of chemistry and an appreciation of what chemists do. You must commit yourself to learning the basic vocabulary of chemistry. You will acquire skills in dealing with chemical phenomena and principles and in manipulating mathematical expressions that describe chemical behavior.

I am especially interested in having you develop an informed and sensible attitude toward chemistry in particular and science in general. In addition, I would like you to develop good study habits and skills so that you can fulfill your intellectual and emotional capabilities. Your T.A. and I need to be informed about what is good, bad, and indifferent about what we do.

CONNECTIONS

In this chemistry course we will encounter and use a robust vocabulary. Several of the words begin with the letter "C" and one of the most significant is: CONNECTIONS. It is important that you strive to make connections among all aspects of the course material: facts, principles, theories, explanations, etc. in order to increase your knowledge and to deepen your understanding of the simple and complex relationships that make chemistry the central science.

Often the connections are easy to make, especially, if you seek to make them and if you seek help in making them. Mental connections are not always obvious and making them is greatly enhanced by one's eagerness, patience, determination, perseverance, and general emotional readiness to learn. The great joy of making discoveries comes from being focused and from being willing to learn from mistakes without succumbing to frustration.

It is important that you try to make connections, as appropriate, with other course material that you may have had or with what you are learning this semester in your other courses.

In addition, it is very important that you make connections with people and places. Personal connections with fellow students, teachers, experts, advisors, and others in our community will greatly enhance your academic progress and personal maturity. Furthermore, your emotional growth and development will greatly benefit from pursuing the rich offeringsavailable in our community. Money magazine has rated Madison the Number 1 City in the country for 1996--enjoy the benefits of this rating and help to maintain it!

TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIAL (Required)

1. The Chemical World, Concepts and Applications, John C. Kotz, Melvin D. Joesten, James L. Woods, and John W. Moore, Saunders College Publishing (1994).
2. Laboratory Experiments for Chemistry 103, Fall 1996, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
3. Workbook for General Chemistry , Bassam Z. Shakhashiri and Rodney Schreiner, STIPES Publishing Company (1996).
4. Ryden Laboratory Research Notebook, product number Lab 100, 100-page carbonless notebook. Available from Alpha Chi Sigma, the chemistry professional co-ed fraternity (255-1102) or from the University Book Store.
5. Safety glasses/goggles. Industrial quality eye protection is required in all chemistry laboratories. Safety goggles that fit over regular glasses can be purchased from local bookstores and drugstores.
6. An inexpensive calculator is required. It should have capabilities for square roots, logarithms and inverse logarithms, and exponential (scientific) notation operations. The calculator will be used on exams, quizzes, homework assignments and in the laboratory.

COURSE FORMAT

LECTURES. During lectures we will discuss principles, outline goals, and present illustrations and demonstrations. To prepare for lecture, you should read the suggested readings in the Course Outline. During lecture, take your own thorough notes. Be sure to take effective notes about the demonstrations; the Guidelines for Demonstration Notes should help you do this. (In addition, a set of lecture notes will be available in the General Chemistry Computer Room, Room 1327, where they may be duplicated.) After lecture you should review your notes and study the appropriate readings and work the suggested exercises. (The answers to many of the exercises are provided in the book.) In addition, I will suggest exercises in lecture.

DISCUSSION (QUIZ) SECTION. A group of 22 or fewer students constitutes a discussion and laboratory section supervised by one Teaching Assistant. Discussion sections are for review and problem solving relevant to the recent lecture material. The sessions include short quizzes to help evaluate your progress. You should be prepared when you come to the discussion class. Ask specific questions of your T.A. Make sure you understand the questions and the answers given by your T.A. and fellow students.

LABORATORY. In laboratory you will have the opportunity to experience directly some of the relationships discussed in lectures and in the textbook and to apply experimental techniques to solving chemical problems. Laboratory work is, by nature, slow compared with text reading. You will succeed only with adequatepreparation. You must read the experiment and complete the pre-lab assignment prior to coming to lab. We encourage you to discuss your work with your fellow students and T.A. while doing the experiment.

FRIDAY SESSIONS. Special sessions will be offered on Friday's from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. in Room 1351. The session topics which will be announced ahead of time are for either enrichment or remedial work. Either I or other staff will conduct these sessions. In the past, these sessions have proven to be invaluable in helping improve student learning and achievement. Please leave this time slot open on your schedule.

DISCUSSION AND LABORATORY TIMETABLE.

E-mail addresses for TAs:

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, PROGRESS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT

In this large course, the students have diverse backgrounds and different expectations. My expectations include individual accomplishment on the part of every student, so that all of you not only fulfill your capabilities, but also expand your capacity and enrich your life. Of great importance to me are the knowledge you acquire, the skills you cultivate, and the attitude you develop. I expect that by the end of the semester each of you will have enoughaccomplishment to be at least at the ACCEPTABLE level (see below). Everything the instructional staff does is aimed toward helping you achieve this goal.

To help you gauge your academic performance and progress I am offering you a collection of learning aids. For example, CHEM TIPS will enable you to discover in a timely manner those segments of the course that require more study on your part. Also, information from CHEM TIPS will help me and your Teaching Assistant in planning lecture and discussion sessions. Another learning aid you should take advantage of are the self-paced WORKBOOK FOR GENERAL CHEMISTRY Lessons. The self-paced approach helps you ascertain your own knowledge and level of understanding of chemistry.

Although grades are not the ultimate measure of your knowledge, abilities, or potential, they are useful guides to you and to others. Your level of accomplishment will be recognized at the end of the semester by the letter grade you receive for the course. Individual accomplishment is measured against course standards and not necessarily against the performance of other students. The course standards and levels of accomplishment are:

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND CHEATING. In this course you are encouraged to study and prepare for quizzes and examinations with other students. However, when taking quizzes and examinations, and when writing laboratory reports, you are to work alone. The University regulations are very explicit about academic misconduct and cheating, and these regulations will be fully enforced. During examinations, we will apply a code of honor, under which you are to work alone and neither give nor receive help from any sources. Also, you are expected to help enforce this code.

GRADES. Your grades will be based on a maximum of 1000 points distributed as follows:

Quiz and lab grades will be normalized to a common scale at the end of the semester to minimize differences in grading practices in discussion/lab sections. Cumulative coursegrades will be scaled at the end of the semester, guided by the scale shown above and by class accomplishment.

The laboratory work is important to understanding and appreciating chemistry. You must successfully complete the laboratory assignments in order to receive a passing grade in the course. Exams may include questions based on the laboratory material.

Your T.A. will give quizzes approximately weekly in discussion section. These may be announced or unannounced. Your T.A. will provide detailed information about this and the conduct of the discussion/laboratory sessions.

EXAMINATIONS. All examinations will be worth 100 points each. There will be three evening exams of approximately 75 minutes each and a two-hour final examination. Please check the Lecture and Laboratory Schedule for the examination dates and times. The location of each exam will be announced later. Make-up exams will not be given.

An early exam may be given at 4:35 p.m. on the same day for students who have conflicts with the assigned evening exam. Announcements about early exams will be made in lecture.

POST EXAM OPTIONS. My expectation is that every student will perform at a threshold level or higher. The threshold level corresponds to a grade of 75 on an examination. Please note that this is near the middle of the Acceptable level of accomplishment described earlier.

Special Exams. Students who receive a grade below 75 on either Exam I or Exam II have an option of taking another exam on the same material. The special exam will be offered from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. on the Friday following the regular exam and is worth 100 points. You are eligible to take this special exam only if you scored below 75 on the regular exam. (The special exam is not a late exam; you must take the Monday evening exam to be eligible for the special exam.) The official score recorded for the exam will be the higher score of the two up to a maximum of 75.

For example, if your score on regular Exam I is 64, you have the option of taking special Exam I. Should your score be 72 on the special exam, then that will be your official score for Exam I. Should your score be 83 on the special exam, then your official score on Exam I will be entered as 75, the maximum level you can achieve on a special exam. If you score 60 on the special exam, then your official score on Exam I will be recorded as 64.

This option will be available for only the first two of the three scheduled exams. It will not be available for Exam III or for the final exam.

LEARNING AIDS

COOPERATIVE LEARNING GROUPS. Students are asked to form groups of 4-5 students. Groups should sit together in the lecture hall and discussion sessions. Group discussions and assignments may occur during lecture. Each group may find it helpful to study together outside of class. Group membership is to be established and identified by September 13; see your T.A. for details. One of the hallmarks of excellence of UW-Madison is the quality of its students. Share your talents with others and take advantage of the rich talent surrounding you.

LEARNING COMMUNITIES. Many departments on Campus especially in physical sciences areas have begun to collaborate extensively to promote learning across courses. This course is part of a collaborative effort with the Professor Donald Passman's Calculus 221 course. The Learning Community sections are 601, 604, and 610. Another Learning Community is Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), section 612. We are interested in the progress and potential success of such efforts and we welcome your input. Students not involved in such efforts should seek to learn about them and communicate their opinions to Professor Shakhashiri regarding possible expansion in future semesters.

WORKBOOK FOR GENERAL CHEMISTRY. The WORKBOOK Lessons provide a type of self-tutorial for each topic. These lessons provide you with written instructional materials as well as drill exercises. The format allows you to learn at your own pace by following the illustrations and examples in the Workbook.

CHEMICAL OF THE WEEK. To increase your knowledge about chemicals, their properties, production, cost, uses, etc., fact sheets about one or two key chemicals will be distributed on a weekly basis. These handouts will also be available here on the Web. You will be tested on the content of each fact sheet on each hour exam as well as on the final exam.

CHEM TIPS. Chemistry Teaching Information Processing System. The objective of CHEM TIPS is to provide information about course progress to both students and instructors. In CHEM TIPS, you are given weekly surveys composed of a set of multiple choice questions. The surveys deal primarily with the subject matter of the preceding two lectures. Within hours (usually 4) after the survey is completed, an instructional message based on your responses to the survey questions will be available to you and to your T.A. and professor. This message identifies the correct answers to the survey questions, suggests materials for further study of areas in which your answers were incorrect, and provides additional information to help you master the course material. Student reports can be picked up from the CHEM TIPS box near Room 1327. Reports are in slots arranged alphabetically by last name.

The surveys will be given during the last 10 minutes of Monday lectures. The responses to CHEM TIPS surveys will be scanned optically and processed by computer. Therefore, please bring a #2 pencil with you on Mondays to mark the optical scanner sheet.

Participation in the CHEM TIPS program is optional. The results are not used in preparing course grades. In the past, nearly all students participated in CHEM TIPS, and student reactions and evaluations were highly favorable. It is very important for you to stay up-to-date in your studies, and CHEM TIPS will help you do this in Chemistry 103.

TIPS was developed by Professor Allen C. Kelley, Department of Economics, Duke University. CHEM TIPS was adapted and implemented beginning in 1973 by Professor Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

EXAM STUDY QUESTIONS. About one week prior to each evening examination, a list of questions taken from old exams will be distributed. You should answer the questions as part of your review and study for the exam. Compare your solutions and answers with those offellow students. If your solutions do not agree with those of others, then you should tackle the questions together. (Most, if not all, of the answers will be provided with the questions.)

HOMEWORK EXERCISES. Homework assignments are given in the Course Outline. You are not required to turn in the assignment; consequently homework problems are not graded. You should work out the assigned problems because they are typical of the kinds of problems you are expected to master and handle with ease. If you have questions about the homework assignment, you should seek help from your T.A. in quiz section or from the T.A. in the General Chemistry Computer Room.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

BULL SESSIONS. These informal sessions are held 1-3 times during the semester. Their aim is to enable the professor to meet students in small groups. The sessions are held in the evening and are open to all those registered in this lecture section and their friends. Topics of discussion are not necessarily related to course materials. Refreshments will be served. The date of each session will be announced one week in advance.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INSTRUCTORS. You should take full advantage of the availability of your lecture professor and your T.A. outside the classroom for face-to-face meetings and e-mail contact. My e-mail address is at the top of this syllabus. I usually check my e-mail box once a day and attempt to answer my mail promptly. The TA e-mail addresses are also listed in this syllabus. .

HELPFUL STUDY HINTS

Read the assignment prior to lecture. Take good notes during the lecture. Reread and study the appropriate pages in the textbook. Do the sample exercises in the book. Try the suggested exercises in the book. Also learn the key words and concepts listed on the left-hand side of this syllabus under each unit number. Use the Workbook which accompanies them.

Come to the discussion section prepared. Ask specific questions of your T.A. Make sure you understand the questions of your fellow students and the answers which your T.A. and others give.

Read the experiment. Complete the pre-lab assignment. While in lab, discuss your work with your fellow students and T.A. and complete the laboratory report before leaving unless instructed otherwise by your T.A.

I strongly encourage you to study on a weekly basis with others in your Cooperative Learning Group. One of the hallmarks of excellence of UW-Madison is the quality of its students. Share your talents with others and take advantage of the rich talent surrounding you. Make good connections!

UNIVERSITY COUNSELING SERVICE

Please take advantage of these services as soon as the need arises. Come and see me as soon as possible regarding the type of help suitable for your needs.

STUDY SKILLS. Study skills groups include discussions corresponding to the expressed needs and desires in a particular group. Possible topics include: problem solving, self-assessment, time-scheduling, note taking, exam preparation/taking, reading efficiency, memory, concentration, and avoiding procrastination. Students wishing to improve their performance on academic tasks are encouraged to participate in a group. Study skills groups usually meet for four 90-minute sessions. There is a small fee materials. PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

TEST ANXIETY. The purpose of a Test Anxiety Group is to help students reduce anxious responses to test-taking situations and to acquire more relaxed attitudes. Procedures encompass exercises to promote relaxation and coping strategies for exam-taking panic. Students who believe their study skills and habits are adequate but who are not performing well on tests because of anxiety are encouraged to participate in a group. The groups usually meet for four 90-minute session. There is a small fee for materials. PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

For dates, times, and more information about University Counseling Service, call 262-1744 or go to 905 University Avenue, Room 401, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. More information is available on the Web at www.uhs.wisc.edu/html/ccs.html.

WRITING LAB

As you work on your lab reports I'd encourage you to take advantage of the instruction offered by the University's Writing Lab. Writing lab instructors can help you make your writing the best that it can be. They'll meet with out individually or with your entire group to discuss drafts of your work. They can help you get started as you're generating and organizing ideas. They can give you a critical reaction to a draft—asking questions where ideas aren't clear, pointing out problems in organization and style, and offering advice for revision.

To schedule an appointment, you need to go to the Writing Lab in 6171 Helen C. White Hall. The hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m., and Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

GREATER UNIVERSITY TUTORING SERVICE (GUTS)

GUTS offers free assistance to all enrolled UW-Madison students through a variety of programs. These include drop-in centers at the Steenbock Library, College Library, and Gordon Commons, study group tutoring, individual tutoring, study skills counseling, and exam files. For more information, visit or call the GUTS Tutoring Office, 303 Union South, 263-5666, Monday through Thursday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. or check the Web at www.stdorg.wisc.edu/guts/guts.htm.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

Serious impediments to learning, personal growth and development, and responsible behavior can be caused by alcohol and substance abuse. The notorious national reputation of this Campus in this regard is shameful. Please follow the guidance provided by the Officeof the Dean of Students and other officials to help achieve a drug-free environment and to exercise responsible and lawful use of alcoholic beverages.

NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK

The first week of November has been proclaimed as national Chemistry Week for 1996. Be on the lookout for a variety of items and activities which will be brought to your attention by me and by your TA. Also, check the University Bookstore calendar for the dates and locations of the SCIENCE IS FUN activity during the academic year.

GUIDELINES FOR DEMONSTRATION NOTES

These Guidelines should help you take effective notes about the demonstrations Professor Shakhashiri presents during lecture. The demonstrations display phenomena and illustrate principles discussed in the lecture. They are intended to enhance your understanding of the lecture material. Therefore, it is essential that you take accurate and complete notes about the demonstrations.

Three steps are involved in taking good notes about the demonstrations.

1. Describe the equipment and materials at the start of the demonstration. Be sure to include any information Professor Shakhashiri may provide about the equipment and materials.
2. Describe what Professor Shakhashiri does with the equipment and materials.
3. Describe what happens as a result of what Professor Shakhashiri does. Describe the changes that occur during the process, as well as the final condition of the materials.

You should also review your notes and rewrite them when necessary to ensure clarity.

As examples, notes for some lecture demonstrations are included below; they show how a student writes out in fuller comprehensible form the abbreviated notes written down during lecture.

COURSE OUTLINE
(Assignment code: CW = Chemical World textbook; WK = Workbook for General Chemistry)
ALERT: Examinations may occur in the middle of a unit!

Chemistry 103 — Lecture Section 1
Lecture and Laboratory Schedule — Fall 1997

DUE To Your TA Friday, September 12

CHEMISTRY

103 Lecture Section 1
Professor Bassam Z. Shakhashiri

INFORMATION SHEET

Please PRINT

Name___________________________,_________________________________

Section__________

TA_______________________

Telephone_________________attach photograph here

e-mail____________________

Classification____________

Major_____________________

I have completed the Math prerequisite for this course: Yes No

If you are currently enrolled in a Math course, indicate its number: _______________

Number of high school chemistry years completed: 0 1 2 3 AP

Indicate year of last high school chemistry course:______________

Name and location of high school_________________________________

Circle number of college chemistry courses taken: 0 1 2 3

Indicate year of last college chemistry course__________________

Indicate grade in last college chemistry course__________________

Give number of hours per week you are working this semester:_______

I plan to take another chemistry course beyond this: [ Yes ] [ No ] [ Don't Know ]

Tell me a couple of interesting things about yourself

THANK YOU!