Welcome to Chem 51A: Organic Chemistry!

Organic chemistry is a challenging subject, and it will be extra challenging to learn in five weeks. We're here to help you learn as much as possible. This will be time consuming and tough at times, but we'll get through it together!

PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF SOME $ AND USE AN OLDER VERSION OF THE TEXTBOOK! PAGE NUMBERS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR 3RD EDITION, 4TH EDITION, & 5TH EDITION.

Class Structure

This class structure is a bit different! We’re all about active learning. You can read in more detail about this over on the syllabus, but here is the short version:

Before Each Class

You will have some reading/video assignments. You can read. You can watch the videos. You can read first and then watch videos. You can watch videos first and then read. You can read some parts and watch videos for others. Do whatever works best for you! The important part is that you take notes while watching and/or reading. Work some of the examples. Note what topics seem to make sense to you, which topics are a little fuzzy, and which topics are not making any sense to you.
There is a very short online homework assignment (labeled "reading questions" in SaplingLearning for each reading/video. Do these.
There are discussion boards for each chapter where you can post questions as you are reading/watching. Use these if you just can't wait until the next class period!

During Each Class

We're going to do lots of problems! We will focus most of our time on the topics that you found confusing from the reading/videos. These activities in class will also include common mistakes and pitfalls that you could encounter during exams. The idea here is that you work on problems with the expert (that's me) available to help you and that you can make some of the common mistakes BEFORE quiz or exam time and learn from them.
We will have discussion sections where you will get even MORE practice.

After Class

We will have online homework in SaplingLearning. There are graded assignments (you have to do these) and ungraded assignments (these are optional for extra practice).
It's also a good idea to work some textbook problems before exams.

Navigating Canvas

Course materials are organized in modules by textbook chapter. Within each chapter you will find lessons. This is where you find your reading/video assignments. Your first lesson is on Lewis structures. Find that in the GChem Review & Bonding module.
How do you know which lessons are assigned for each day? Check the course calendar on the menu to the left side of your screen! Due dates for the SaplingLearning reading questions are also listed with each module.
Handouts for in-class activities and discussion sections will be posted on one page.

Ready to start?

Great! Let's get going.

Go check out the syllabus.
Check the class calendar. Note the quiz and exam days!
Register for SaplingLearning. Need help with signing up? Check out this link.
If you choose to, get the optional app Mechanisms.
Get started on the Lewis Structures lesson.