You should obtain a copy of each handout when it is distributed in lecture or from your T.A. Copies of handouts are also available in the General Chemistry Computer Room (1327).

ALWAYS BRING THIS SYLLABUS TO CLASS

CONTENTS

Chemistry 104 is the second course in a two-semester General Chemistry sequence. The first course is Chemistry 103. Chemistry 103 and 104 are a unit, and students who take Chemistry 104 are presumed to have completed Chemistry 103 (or its equivalent).

Chemistry 103 and 104 provide a general background in the factual basis and principles of chemistry. The 103-104 sequence is a prerequisite for advanced courses such as Organic Chemistry (341 or 343) and Analytical Chemistry (221 or 223). 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.

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 offerings available in our community.

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. See the Helpful Study Hints below. (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 adequate preparation. 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.

DISCUSSION AND LABORATORY TIMETABLE.

E-mail addresses for TAs:

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 enough accomplishment 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 course grades 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 50 minutes each and a two-hour final examination. Please check the Lecture and Laboratory Schedule for the examination dates. The location of each exam will be announced later. Make-up exams will not be given.

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 Professor Nagel's Math 222 course and Professor Miller's Math 217 course. The Learning Community sections are 730, 732, and 733. Another Learning Community is Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), section 731; section 734 is the LINKS Engineering section. 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 ONLY 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 will be sent to you through electronic mail. 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. Your T.A. and professor will receive summary reports to let them know how the class is doing and to help them identify topics that may be causing trouble.

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 104.

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 fellow 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.

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.

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.

Individual counseling is available at University Counseling and Consultation Services. For more information call 265-5600 or go to 905 University Avenue, Room 401. The service is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Or visit their Web site.

STUDY SKILLS. Help with self-assessment, test anxiety, problem solving, time scheduling, note taking, exam preparation/taking, reading, efficiency, memory, concentration, and procrastination is available through a one-credit course titled "Education Effectiveness" in the School of Education, Department of Counseling Psychology. Interested students should contact the department at 262-0461 to speak with an instructor.

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.

For more information see their Web page or contact them by E-mail.

GREATER UNIVERSITY TUTORING SERVICE (GUTS)

GUTS offers free assistance to all enrolled UW-Madison students through a variety of programs. These include study group tutoring, individual tutoring, study skills counseling, exam files, and drop-in centers.

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 Office of the Dean of Students and other officials to help achieve a drug-free environment and to exercise responsible and lawful use of alcoholic beverages. For more information about these and other health-related topics, see the Web site www.uhs.wisc.edu.

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WEEK

A week in April has been proclaimed as National Science and Technology Week for 2002. 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.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

All eligible voters should exercise their right to vote in this Fall's elections. The Wisconsin Primary will be held on Tuesday, February 19, and the General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 2. Our democracy can be effective if all citizens participate responsibly.

Registering to vote in Wisconsin can be done before or on an election day. To register ahead of time, residents can fill out a form at their municipal clerk's office, either in the city, village or town hall. The Madison city clerk's office is in Room 103 of the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Boulevard. Madison residents also can complete the form at any fire station or public library.

To register on an election day, residents should bring with them a proof of residence to the polls. It should show the resident's name and address. Acceptable proof includes: a Wisconsin driver's license, a library card, a check cashing card, a real estate tax bill, a lease or an identification card from any educational institution.

To find out where to vote (or register) on an election day, look for official notices and maps in the Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times, or the Campus newspapers, usually one day before the election. In addition, residents can call their municipal clerk for voting information. In Madison, the city clerk's number is 266-4601. Dane County residents outside Madison can call the country clerk's office at 266-4121.

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

Name_____________________________,_________________________

Section__________

TA_______________________

Telephone_________________                                                    attach photograph here 

e-mail____________________

Classification____________

Major_____________________

Circle the last Mathematics course you have completed:

     99 101 112 113 114 211 221 other (specify)_______________

If you are currently enrolled in a Math course, please specify 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___________ Professor's Name: _______________

Indicate grade in last college chemistry course__________________

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

Give number of credit hours you are taking 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!