Course Syllabus
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Chem 51A, Summer Session I 2018
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Instructor: |
Dr. Renée Link |
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Email: |
rlink@uci.edu |
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Office Hours: |
Immediately following class. |
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TA: |
Alex Burtea |
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TA Office Hours: |
TBA |
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Class Meeting Time: |
MWF 9:00-10:50 AM, ROOM TBA |
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Discussions: |
A T, TH 12-12:50, ROOM TBA B W, F 12-12:50, ROOM TBA |
Class Structure:
This class is different! We’re all about active learning. What will we be doing?
1. Video podcast lessons/Reading: There will be short (~20 min max, usually shorter) videos for you to watch before each class period. You should actively watch these, meaning you should be taking notes and writing down any questions you have. You should also read the appropriate sections in the textbook. Whether you read first or watch first is up to you. Choose the order that best fits your learning style.
2. Pre-Class Quizzes: There will be VERY SHORT online quizzes associated with each video. You must complete them before coming to class. They are meant to make sure you have done your watching/reading assignments, so they won’t be difficult. If you have watched/read, you should be able to answer the questions easily.
3. In-Class Activities: When we meet for our “lecture” period, we will be using a variety of active learning techniques in class to further explore the material. We will assume that you have done the assigned reading/watching in advance, so we will jump right in to working on problems and questions that are designed to probe the depth of your understanding and clear up misconceptions.
4. Online Homework: We will use Sapling Learning for online homework. You should do this after our in-class activities although you are welcome to try the problems in advance.
5. Discussion Sections: In discussion you will work on problems similar to homework and potential exam questions. The TA will be there to help you through problems and clear up any remaining misconceptions. Students who attend discussion and actively participate generally earn better grades in the class than those who don’t!
6. Class Message Board (Optional): A class message board will be provided where you can post questions and help answer other students’ questions. Details will be provided on the class website.
Why are we doing this? Many years of education research have shown that students generally learn better when actively engaged during class instead of passively taking notes during lectures. In fact, I've studied this topic myself and found similar results! Additionally, in the years that I have been teaching using this method, many students later reported to me that they felt more confident in their ability to learn on their own in later, more advanced courses. Students have also told me that their study time before exams was more efficient because our class activities helped them see what topics they were weakest in and focus their study time appropriately. This type of class might feel a little uncomfortable at first, but it does get to feel more normal over time. Remember, I am not expecting you to teach yourself or to learn everything by watching videos or reading the textbook. I am expecting you to arrive at class having watched and/or read the material even if you didn't understand all of it. Class time will be for helping you to understand and master the material!
Required Materials:
· Organic Chemistry, Janice Gorzinski Smith, 5th ed, 4th ed or 3rd ed. (We will use Ch 1-7, 13)
· Molecular model kit (Can be used during exams! Trust me, you'll want this.)
· Sapling online homework - See first class module for details.
Optional Materials
· Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual to Accompany Organic Chemistry, Smith, 5th, 4th, or 3rd ed.
· ChemDraw (see details below)
ALL UCI students in Chemistry classes now have FREE access to ChemDraw. This is a drawing program (like ChemDoodle, but better) that you can use to draw molecules, reactions, and mechanisms. Download your copy of ChemDraw here.
Grading:
Online Reading Questions ~5%
Online Homework ~10%
Class Participation ~5%
In-Class Quizzes ~15%
Midterm ~25%
Final Exam ~40%
Extra Credit: A maximum of 2% extra credit can be earned toward your overall class grade through various opportunities offered. Extra credit will be added after grade cutoffs are determined.
Quiz & Exam Info:
In-Class Quizzes: See class calendar for dates (lowest score dropped)
Midterm: Ch 1-4, Monday, July 16, 9:00 AM (one hour exam - we will have class after)
Final Exam: Cumulative, Wednesday, August 1, 9:00 AM
Note: Exams are comprehensive and closed book. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE ALLOWED.
Regrades must be requested within one week of the date that the quiz or exam is returned. Regrades are accepted for addition errors or questions marked incorrect that should have been marked correct. Regrades are NOT accepted for arguments of more partial credit.
Additional Resources:
Tutoring is available through Chemistry Department Peer Tutoring.
http://sites.uci.edu/ochemtutors/
Disability Services:
DSC provides services to students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities. Services include reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and individualized support services based on your disability documentation, functional limitations, and a collaborative assessment of needs. Testing accommodations are one specialized service that the Disability Services Center provides. Please see their website for more information:
http://www.disability.uci.edu/index.html
Preferred Names & Pronouns
If you have a preferred name and/or pronouns, we're happy to use them. Just let us know!
(Note: Dr. Link tends to use the word guys as a plural form of you.)
ADDS/DROPS:
THE INSTRUCTOR DOES NOT SIGN ANY ADD OR DROP CARDS. Enrollment for Summer Session is handled through the Summer Session Office, either in person or via their web site: (http://www.summer.uci.edu) to add, drop, or change your class.
All Chemistry course enrollment questions will be handled at the Chemistry Undergraduate Program Office. Contact them by email: undergrad@chem.ps.uci.edu.
Last day to drop or change grade option without the Chem Undergraduate Office approval is Thursday, July 6. The absolute deadline for any course changes is Friday, July 21. These deadlines will be strictly enforced for all students.
You can find general Chemistry Department enrollment policy information here and answers to frequently asked questions here.
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is strictly enforced on quizzes, exams, and other aspects of this course. Violations of the academic integrity policy will result in a failing grade and a letter in the student’s permanent academic file. For a detailed description of activities that violate the academic integrity policy, please see Academic Integrity Information for Students.
Research Study Information
Our class is participating in an education research study. Please see the attached Study Information Sheet for additional information.
Course Summary:
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