CHM251-01, 02                Organic Chemistry I                Fall 2006

Instructor:  Dr. Catherine Neto

Office: II-301A (in back of Research Lab 301)                         

Office hours:  M 11-1, W 10-11, F 11-12

Phone: x 6928,  off campus, dial:  910-6928     or by appointment

Email : cneto@umassd.edu

Classes meet: MWF @ 9:00 - 9:50 AM  &  Mon @ 1:00 or 2:00 PM

Textbook: Required:  McMurry, Organic Chemistry, 6th edition, Brooks/Cole bundled with Organic OWL homework program

Also required: A set of organic chemistry molecular models (share with a friend!)

About this course…

Welcome to ORGANIC CHEMISTRY !!!  This is the chemistry of LIFE!  This year, you will begin to learn about the structure and chemical reactivity of the substances that make up you and the natural world around you (to be continued next year in Biochemistry).  You'll also learn about what makes up some of the synthetic materials that we in the modern-day world just can't do without (pharmaceuticals, plastics, petroleum products, etc.) and hopefully gain an appreciation for the amazingly diverse world of carbon-based molecules.  We will focus heavily on molecular structure and how structure influences bonding, physical properties and chemical reactivity of organic substances.  We will learn the principles behind modern instrumental techniques used by scientists to deduce the structure of complex molecules.  You will also be participating in a hands-on exploration of organic substances and their behavior in CHM265 or 263 lab; this course will give you the foundation for understanding what you see in the laboratory and vice versa.

You may have heard rumors that Organic is a "difficult" course.  That's putting it mildly!  There will be loads of information to manage, concepts to learn and problem-solving to tackle. It’s hard work.

However, "difficult" is not the same thing as "impossible".  Knowing that there is much to be learned, you should approach the course with as much energy as possible at the outset, a positive attitude that you WILL master the material, and ready to take advantage of all the tools at your disposal.  One of the tools that I strongly advocate is student-active group-learning.  We will spend much of our fourth class hour on Monday afternoons in group problem-solving activities and when possible devote some of our morning class time to group work as well.  The nature of the learning process in chemistry requires a good deal of additional time spent outside of class on your own (a good estimate is 3 hours per hour of lecture). You may also find it helpful to study together in groups.  The large amount of new subject matter that we are expected to cover means that the course will be faster-paced than freshman chemistry and therefore it is REALLY critical that you do not fall behind in reading and problem-solving.  In fact, wherever possible, you should read ahead (seriously!) to better prepare yourself for the time spent in class. We will be using the OWL on-line homework program (see separate handout).

Regular class attendance is expected and attendance at the afternoon session with full participation is absolutely mandatory.  From time to time, I may spring an unannounced in-class activity worth a few bonus points toward your cumulative grade--stay tuned!  I expect from my students a mature attitude and a commitment to doing your best in the course…and in return I will do my best to make the subject matter as clear as possible to facilitate your learning process.  Questions in class are welcome; no question is "too dumb" to be asked.  You are encouraged to speak with me after class, email me or visit me during office hours if you have questions or difficulty understanding certain concepts.  Don't fall victim to "fear" of organic chemistry -- instead, take a proactive role in your own success by taking advantage of such options as tutoring (Science Center, II-217, provides free tutoring sessions). Anyone with C grades in CHM151/152 may have difficulty grasping chemical concepts and should sign up for tutoring asap.  Most importantly, if you look for examples of where Organic Chemistry applies to the natural world, to your field of study and other courses you are taking, the subject matter will become much more interesting and relevant to you.  Motivation can be one of your most powerful allies!

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Course Grading and Exam Info:

Contributions to your course grade will be allocated as follows:

     Maximum value:

3 best grades out of 4 "hour" exams (worth 100 points each): 300 points

5 best quiz grades (worth 20 points each): 100  points

Completion of OWL HW program/class participation: 100 points

1 cumulative final exam: 150 points

Total possible: 650 points

"Hour" exams:

There will be four exams given over the semester during class time; tentative exam times are given on the following page but subject to change. It is your responsibility to know when exams are going to take place. If you take all four exams, the lowest exam grade will be dropped and your three best grades will be added together for your exam total.  If you miss an exam for an acceptable reason and provide me with an acceptable explanation within 24 hours, that exam may be counted as your dropped grade, at my discretion. Hour exams are generally closed-book and you will be tested on an individual basis. Exams will focus mainly on the new material covered since the previous exam, but you will be expected to use concepts learned in previous chapters.  If time becomes a major issue, please speak with me about an alternative arrangement.  Students who experience severe test anxiety or have disabilities that may require different exam accommodations should notify Disabled Student Services so that alternative exam-taking arrangements can be made.

Final:

A cumulative, in-class final exam will be given. The final may include any topics we covered in class and will be similar in format to the hour exams. Everyone must take the final, no exceptions.

Quizzes:

Quizzes will be given during the Monday afternoon session.  There will be at least seven quizzes; your top five grades will count toward your quiz total.  Missed quizzes cannot be made up.  Quiz formats may include open-book and group quizzes. You will be notified ahead of time during class what to expect on the quiz.  They can take the whole hour; more if you are not prepared ahead.  You’ve been warned.

Online HW Problems:

There is NO WAY you can pass Organic Chemistry without working lots of problems. We will be using the OWL online HW program (see handout) in addition to quizzes and in class problem solving.  Exam questions tend to be fairly similar to the assigned problems; usually it's a matter of applying the concepts you learned to different molecules.  To supplement the online homework program we will work through some problems during class time and questions on OWL problems may be raised during afternoon sessions or office hours. You alone are responsible for keeping up with these assignments and knowing the due dates. Make a list of those problems you did not understand for review. 

Attendance and Class participation:

You are expected to attend morning lectures regularly and arrive on time. Attendance at afternoon recitation and participation in quizzes or problem sessions is mandatory. Regular attendance and overall contribution to class discussions/other in-class activities will be considered in the homework/participation section of your final grade.

Class notes:

You will be given printed copies of overheads used in class and will be expected to supplement this information by taking notes during class. Keep them in a notebook, together with your homework problems and any handouts I provide. Come to each class on time and be prepared to participate in discussion and problem-solve.  It may be helpful also to write down notes as you read through the textbook.  You may be allowed to use your notes during quizzes so it’s to your advantage to take good notes. Vegging out during class is a waste of time, so come prepared to pay attention, write things down, ask questions.  If you must miss class, get the notes from a classmate; I will not hunt you down.

Academic Dishonesty:

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Anyone suspected by me of cheating will receive no credit for that assignment.  For more information on what constitutes academic dishonesty, consult the general catalogue, p. 52 under “Academic Ethical Standards". Hour exams in this class are to be entirely individual effort, no collaboration, no unauthorized notes or supplementary materials allowed. Collaboration and use of notes will be allowed on quizzes as instructed by me.

Grade requirements, withdrawals and incompletes:

To be enrolled in this course, you must have passed CHM151 and 152 (or their equivalent at another school) with a grade of C- or better. Likewise, a grade of C- or better is required to enroll in CHM252. The last day to withdraw from this class and receive a grade of “W" is Monday, November 13th, so be sure to check your average with me prior to then. Only students who are passing the course at the time of the final exam will be considered for an incomplete (I). An incomplete will only be given under exceptional circumstances and if requested within 48 hours after the final exam. Failing the final will not be considered an acceptable reason to request an incomplete.

And one final note…courtesy: 

Turn off your cell phone ringer during class time. Cell phones should be off during exams. Talking on the phone is not allowed in class. If you must make/answer a call or visit the rest room, leave the room quietly. If you bring food/drink to class, please take your trash with you when you leave.  Idle chit-chat detracts from others’ learning and is discouraged. Anyone who disrupts class or exhibits discourteous behavior may be asked to leave. Please do the mature thing and consider how your actions affect those around you.

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Tentative Schedule

Note that exam dates are subject to change! 

Topics for each exam will be announced in class.

Projected coverage of topics is based on estimated class progress!

Week Of	Topics	McMurry, 6th edition
Sept. 6th – 11th	Intro/review:  Structure, bonding, orbitals,polarity, acids & bases	Chapters 1 & 2
Sept. 13th – 20th	Alkanes and cycloalkanes: structure, physical properties and nomenclature	Chapter 3
Sept. 22nd	Exam #1	Chapters 1 – 3
Sept. 25th – 27th	Overview of organic reactions, energy & introduction to organic mechanisms	Chapter 5
Sept. 29th - - Oct. 11th	Alkenes: structure, isomerism & reactivity Reactions involving alkenes (Note: Tues. Oct 10th follows Monday schedule)	Chapters 6 & 7
October 13th	Exam #2	Chapters 5 – 7
Oct. 16th – 20th	Alkynes & dienes	Chapter 8, 14
Oct. 23rd – 27th	Cyclic compounds, conformations & energy	Chapter 4
Oct. 30th – Nov. 3rd	Chiral carbons and Stereochemistry	Chapter 9
Nov. 6th – 8th	Alkyl halides; free radical reactions	Chapter 10
Nov. 10th  (Fri)	Exam #3	Chapters 4, 8, 9 & 14
Nov. 13th – 27th	Substitution and Elimination reactions	Chapter 11
Nov. 29th - Dec. 1st	Infrared spectroscopy	Chapter 12 (half)
Dec. 8th	Exam #4	Chapters 10, 11 & 12
Dec. 4th  – 13th	Chemistry of benzene and aromatic compounds	Chapters 15 – 16
Dec.  20th	Final Exam  (8-11 AM)	Everything

 Last Updated On: 3/26/07