Instructor: Dr. Jason Overby
Office: SCIC 331
Office Hours: MWF 10-11, M 1-2, W 1-2; others by appointment
Homepage: http://www.cofc.edu/~overbyj
Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117684654773
Phone: 953-8098
Description of Course
An introductory course in chemistry emphasizing theoretical aspects and designed primarily for students who intend to take one or more additional courses in chemistry.
Co-requisites and prerequisites
Unless students exempt Math 111 or have completed this course as a prerequisite, they are required to take Math 111 as a co-requisite. If you need assistance in math, contact the Math Lab, Center for Student Learning.
Text (required)
Principles of General Chemistry, 2nd edition, Silberberg (ISBN-13 9780077274320)
The electronic version of the text can be purchased from http://www.vitalsource.com.
Online Homework
We will be using a program called ALEKS. More information about this will be given in class.
Class Policies
Attendance at all class meetings is recommended; however, attendance will not be recorded. You are expected to budget your time wisely and meet your obligations for this class. Experience has demonstrated that there is a very strong correlation between your grade for the course and your attendance. You are responsible for any material when you miss class. My time in office hours is not for catching up on material you missed.
Please bring a calculator to all lectures and exams as this course requires its use. I cannot provide one if you forget your calculator. It is your responsibility to know how to use your calculator properly. All calculators at a minimum should be able to do logarithmic and exponential functions.
Homework problems for each chapter will be suggested but not collected or graded. These are for your benefit and are intended as a guide for material that may appear on exams or quizzes. Time will be allocated in lecture as necessary to cover any issues concerning the homework.
Grading Scale
A 92-100 A– 90-91 B+ 88-89 B 82-87 B– 80-81 C+ 78-79 C 72-77 C– 70-71 D+ 68-69 D 62-67 D– 60-61 F below 60
Grading Scheme
Examinations 50% ALEKS 10% Laboratory 25% Final Exam 15%
Grading Policy
While no exam scores will be dropped, the lowest of your four exam scores will count 5% instead of 15%. Thus, the three highest exam scores will comprise 45% of the 50% of your final grade and the remaining 5% will result from the lowest exam score. Unless you have a valid, verified reason for missing an exam, a score of zero will be awarded for a missed exam. If you know you will be missing an exam, appropriate accommodations can be made in most cases.
The Honor system is in effect for all your efforts in this course. Cheating simply will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating, a grade of "F" will be automatically given and you will be brought before the Honor Board. Please refer to the Chemistry Department's Policy on Scientific Integrity for more information. By enrolling in this course, you are agreeing to abide by this policy.
You are not competing against everyone else in the class nor are there set numbers of grades that will be given. It should be your objective to do the best you can on all your work. I firmly believe that teachers do not give grades, students earn them.
Final Exam
The final exam is a standardized test containing 70 multiple choice questions and is prepared by the American Chemical Society. This is a timed exam (110 minutes).
Important Dates
October 6 - Last day to withdraw from classes with a grade of "W"
October 12-13 - Fall Break
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 7 - Last day of classes
December 16 - Final exam, 4-7 pm