COURSE OUTLINE

CHM 251 Fall Semester 2009

Instructor: Dr. Sivappa Rasapalli

email: srasapalli@umassd.edu (The best way to contact)

Phone: 508-999-8276 (Office); 9209 (Lab)

                 Tentative schedule of the CHM251 2009

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CHM 251 GENERAL INFORMATION

Text:  Organic Chemistry, Sixth or Seventh Edition, John McMurry

Recommended Models:  Prentice Hall Molecular Model Kit (ISBN 0205081363)

''OWL'' Online homework program & e-book

All students taking CHM251 are required to have access to the McMurry textbook and to enroll in the OWL program. If you buy your McMurry textbook new from the campus store, your OWL code should be bundled with the book and directions for online enrollment should be included.

If you prefer an e-book over a hard copy, it can be purchased with the OWL online. You won't be required to bring a hardcopy of the book to class with you. However, be advised that OWL online access can be unreliable at times and this may limit your access to the textbook if you only have e-book.

Other options: If you purchase or borrow the textbook elsewhere, new or used, you'll need to purchase the OWL program separately. There are several purchase options:

1 semester OWL ($33.49) – if you are a MLS major, not pre-med and do not plan to take CHM252, this is the cheapest option.

4 semesters OWL ($46.95) – for those who plan on taking CHM252 as well. This gives you an extra year in case you need to retake. There is no 2-semester option.

If you want OWL with e-book access you can buy 1 semester ($59.49) or 4-semester ($98.49).

You’ll need OWL by week two of class, so visit the BrooksCole/Cengage website asap:

http://owl.cengage.com/partners/brookscole/epin.html?category=Organic

be sure to select ''Organic Chemistry, 7th edition, McMurry''

Enrolling in OWL:  Follow the instructions included with your access code and navigate to the UMass Dartmouth registration/login page. Under ''courses'', select ''CHM251-02 Rasapalli Fall 2009''

All recitations will enroll under a single OWL section (separate from Dr. Neto's) All students must be enrolled in OWL and complete the ''Introduction to OWL'' tutorials by Wed. Sept. 9th.

OWL Homework Due Dates: All OWL assignments will have due dates posted on the website. Students will be responsible for knowing all due dates and completing assignments on time.

OWL homework scoring: There are three basic types of assignments: tutor/exercise, homework and end-of-chapter questions. Tutor/exercises may be required for learning but don’t count for regular credit (occasional extra credit). “Homework” sets and end-of-chapter questions do count for credit.

OWL HW % will be computed as a percentage of the total possible OWL points you could earn. There may be some extra-credit opportunities.

Homework sets: With these, you keep trying problems on a specific topic until you get them right. For each set, you need to complete a certain number of problems to ''master'' the set and earn credit for it, but you can have as many ''do-overs'' as you need. In computing OWL points, the sum of the homework sets in a chapter will weigh about equally with the end-of-chapter questions.

End-of-chapter questions:  There are up to 20 multiple-choice questions at the end of each chapter. These should be attempted only after you've done the other homeworks (and ideally after we’ve gone over as much of the material as possible.) You only get two chances to get each question correct.

Technical difficulties:

Any problems accessing OWL, crashes, loss of data, glitches in program etc. should be reported to the OWL tech support which can be accessed through the menu on the left hand side of the page. If you believe any OWL answers given by the program are incorrect, print a page and report it to one of the tutors or to your instructor.

Preparation and Eligibility Organic Chemistry is traditionally not an easy course.  A solid freshman chemistry background is required.  In addition, ability to think analytically and to handle new and sometimes complex concepts is essential.  In order to meet the requirements for this course students must have passed CHM 152 or equivalent with at least a C- grade.  Student records will be checked.  If there is no UMD record of satisfactory completion of this course or if students have taken the course at another college or university, they will be required to provide an official transcript showing this course grade.

Unfortunately despite of successful completion of two semesters of general chemistry, this level of achievement, however, may still not be adequate to guarantee success in this course.  To assess your readiness to undertake Organic Chemistry 1, a Diagnostic Exam of general chemistry preparation will be given during the recitation period on Monday, September 8, 2008.  Studying for this exam is recommended.  If you FAIL this exam, your preparation for organic chemistry is INADEQUATE and you will be ADVISED TO RETAKE CHM 152.  IF YOU RECEIVED A C- GRADE IN CHM 152 AND ALSO FAIL THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM, YOU MAY BE DROPPED FROM THIS COURSE.

Exams:  There will be four 1 hour midterm exams (100 pts) and a final exam (150 pts).  The lowest of the four midterm exams will be dropped in computing the final grade, and hence the in-class midterm exams will be counted for 300 pts.  A missed exam will become the dropped exam unless arrangements are made in advance before the exam.  There will be no make-up exams given after the exam.  If you should miss one of the exams for an excusable reason your final grade will be determined by the exams you have taken.  To pass the course, you must have an average grade of 60% on exams after dropping the lowest score.  The final exam will be comprehensive, and compulsory.

[If an exam can not be given during the assigned time due to  unforeseen or unscheduled class cancellations, the exam will be given during the next scheduled class period.]

Quizzes/Exercises: Twenty point quizzes or exercises will be given each week during the recitation period unless there is an announcement to the contrary.     The two lowest quiz or exercise grades will be dropped.  No make-up quizzes will be given.  The quizzes will count for 100 points of the total grade.

Problems Sets:  Selected problems using the OWL will be assigned throughout the semester.  Access codes are available with your textbook.  These problems will be graded and scores will be maintained by  computer.  The OWL problem grades will account for 150 points of your final grade.  Additional problems will also be assigned for practice but will not be graded.  Answers will be distributed about one week later.  Problems similar to those assigned will frequently appear in exams.

Lecture & Recitations:  Lecture sessions are on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays (11AM-12AM).  Recitation is an additional time to work problems, to discuss lecture material and problems, and to ask questions.  Attendance at recitation is mandatory.  Therefore, persons with conflicts should make arrangements at the beginning of the semester so as to accommodate the timings according to your schedules. We have two sections of CHM 251. Participation in recitation will be incorporated into the course grade by way of quizzes, exercises, or group problem solving given during recitation periods.  If you do not attend for any reason, you will receive a zero for that week.  (Two lowest grades will be dropped, however.)

OFFICE HOURS

My office is in Violette-216. By arrangement: anytime (contact me before or after class or by email for an appointment); My fixed office hours for this semester will be from 11:00 – 12:00 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays and Fridays. I will also be frequently available at other times in my lab (Violette 203) and feel free to stop by. Please do not use e‑mail to ask chemistry related questions. These are much better dealt in person either in class or by coming to the office to see me.  Please use  e‑mail for any administrative questions and for making appointments.    

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To learn basic concepts in organic chemistry that explain the properties of organic molecules, how they react and how they are synthesized; To learn about the three-dimensionality of molecules (stereochemistry), and the structure and property relations; To apply these concepts to the chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, and ethers. This course is a prerequisite for all other courses in organic chemistry.

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES

Teaching and learning are inseparable and dynamic activities.  I need your help in order to teach this course successfully, and meet the course objectives. The best help I can ask for is the individual feedback from you telling what’s working and what’s not, and your active participation in the class room discussions. Constructive comments are always welcome and appreciated. This course introduces students to new vocabulary and to concepts that are used throughout organic chemistry. Course activities include lectures, reading assignments, OWL problem sets, quizzes (in recitations), and a final examination. The relevant sections of the textbook are given in the course outline. Students should read the appropriate textbook sections before the material is covered in class. Reading ahead of the class would not only enable you for the lecture, but also for the active participation.  Students who are not regular with studying may have difficulties in following the lectures. Practice is the recipe for doing well.  So do lots of problems from the book and the publisher’s website.  Keep up to date with the lectures.  The quizzes test the material as it comes along, so use them as a way to keep current. See more tips below. Let me also know if you prefer any other activities in the class room instruction; I will try to incorporate them. I expect co-operation from each one to make things as smooth as possible, and the course a success. I am excited about it as it is beginning of my teaching career.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in accord with the UMassD Policy on Academic Integrity. Please check, and confirm to http://www.umassd.edu/studenthandbook/academicregs/ethicalstandards.cfm

LEARNING RESOURCES

Text: Organic Chemistry, Seventh Edition, John McMurry, Thomson - Brooks/Cole

A Study Guide/Solutions Manual is also available.             

Molecular Model Kit:

Learning organic chemistry using a hands-on and problems-oriented approach with molecular models is essential and effective. Visualization of the molecules in space helps greatly in the understanding of organic structure and reactivity.  You will be allowed to use a model set in all quizzes and at the final examination.  You are therefore strongly encouraged to acquire a molecular model set that you are comfortable with.

Publisher's Website: The best way to the master the course seems to be the through the web site http://www.brookscole.com/cgi-brookscole/course_products_bc.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=0534389996&discipline_number=12. This site has a variety of features that will be useful to you, including basic drawing software for organic molecules. It is suggested that you practice answering questions and solving problems associated with each of the sections under chapter resources (especially the chapter quiz, organic interactive, and building block questions).  Although, no formal points are awarded for activities in this area, this serves to better prepare you for the class quizzes and the on-line OWL quizzes. The publisher's web site contains molecular model pictures of many molecules from each chapter. To view and manipulate these you may need to download the Chime plug-in following direction on the website.

HELP SESSIONS

I will TRY to schedule a help session or a practice exam some time prior to each exam. These are for your benefit and are optional. It will simply be a time for me to answer any questions that you might have prior to exam; (Normally that is when more doubts arise).

OTHER SUGGESTED TEXT BOOKS

Organic Chemistry by Jonathan Clayden, Nick Greeves, Stuart Warren and Peter Wothers

The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms  by Robert B. Grossman

Other On-Line Resources

There is a bunch of introductory organic chemistry on the web which could be used as ancillary material.  One of the best sites is the Virtual Text, which contains the same information and problem types as in the McMurry text and website.

http://www.cem.msu.edu/~reusch/VirtualText/intro1.htm#contnt

http://www.chemdex.org/

http://www.chem.ucla.edu/chempointers.html

http://www.indiana.edu/~cheminfo/

http://www.organicworldwide.net/

http://www.organic-chemistry.org/Highlights/2005/index.shtm

Free software

http://www.mdli.com/ for ISIS draw,

http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/

PROVEN TIPS TO DO WELL IN THE COURSE

Attend:  A lot of material will be covered in each class. Coming to class keeps you connected to the material being covered and to be covered; the lectures should serve simply as a skeleton, which you must flesh out in your reading and your work on problems. You should plan on significant work outside of class in order to produce an ‘anatomically correct’ body of knowledge from the skeleton provided in class.

Read the book. Lectures will cover some of the material in the book, but not everything you will need to know, and certainly not the page to page of the Text book assigned.

Participate actively in class. Try to participate in the discussions and ask questions of the class during lecture, and help to keep the class lively.

Work problems: Working problems is essential to learning organic chemistry. You should work every problem assigned. Keep up with the assigned homework problems! OWL is one of the places to find the problems. Be an active learner.

Do not get behind: Organic Chemistry is a cumulative subject; what is discussed today will become the basis of material in subsequent lectures thus falling behind due to the assignments and tests of other courses will put you in troubles.

Understand the chemistry: Contrary to the way many students study O-Chem., science is NOT simply an immense array of more or less connected trivial facts. Science is a collection of a few basic concepts that can be used to make predictions. Although there are lots of new terms, conventions and ways of naming organic compounds that you will need to memorize, the students who do best in O-Chem become confident enough to take basic facts and extrapolate them to rationalize and explain new material.

Additional Help: It is difficult to master organic chemistry purely by individual effort. So, you are encouraged to study with others, help each other with problems, after your own efforts have failed, and take advantage of the peers.

Teach a buddy: Studying with the mindset and in anticipation to teach others helps understanding, remembering and learning any subject. Same is true with Organic Chemistry too.

Problem Solving: The importance of this cannot be emphasized enough, reason why it is stressed once again. It is good to work as many problems as you can. For each chapter you should do the OWL problems, and any other assigned problem sets. Problems may be suggested from time to time in lecture and problems will not be graded. You will find that the key to doing well in this course is to do problems..... and then more problems. This would provide the experience and insight you will need to pass the exams. It tests your understanding and ability to apply what you have learned. When you are not able to solve a problem you should seek my help - either soon after the class, during office hours, or by scheduling an appointment. (These tips are courtesy of many people who are thanked personally for putting them together).

Involve in Research: The ultimate way to attain the ability to apply the knowlege that is gained in any course is by involving in the research activities of a research group (Please see lecture of Dr. Carl Wieman, Nobel Laureate, at http://web.mit.edu/provost/macvicar/macvicarday2008.html for effective ways of science education). We have couple of undergraduate research openings and would be happy to accommodate the interested.

GRADING

The course will be graded on the standard expected cutoffs of DEPT. of CHM. and BIOCHM., UMASSD.  

(Note: This page would be constantly updated, and changes will be incorporated. Make sure to check back.)

GOOD LUCK & HAVE A WONDERFUL SEMESTER!