Course Syllabus
Instructor: David L. Van Vranken
david.vv@uci.edu
Post Final Exam Office Hour: Tue 12-1 pm https://uci.zoom.us/j/9562993735
Post Final Exam Office Hour: Wed 12:30-1:30 pm https://uci.zoom.us/j/9562993735
Jason Combs
jcombs1@uci.edu
Office Hours: Mon 1-2 pm https://uci.zoom.us/j/5780324097
Exam Week Office Hours: Tue 1:00 - 2:00 pm https://uci.zoom.us/j/5780324097
Matthew Duong
mrduong@uci.edu
Office Hours: Tue 9-10 am https://uci.zoom.us/j/93781605761
Exam Week Office Hours:Thu 10-11am https://uci.zoom.us/j/91064271122
Thao Pham, thaopp1@uci.edu
Office Hours: Thu 8-10am https://uci.zoom.us/j/95115736594
Christopher Phan, phanch1@uci.edu
Office Hours:
Mon/Wed 1:00 - 1:50
Mon/Wed 2:00 - 2:50 PM
Tue/Thu 11:00 - 11:50 AM
HOMEWORKS AND EXAMS WILL BE ON SAPLING.
Lectures MWF 12 pm are on Zoom 942 7340 2691
(the embedded link is now corrected)
Videos from Previous Quarters
• Videos of Fall 2020 lectures are available on Van Vranken's YouTube Channel (not Zoom)
• Videos from Spring 2020 are also in the same YouTube channel.
• Older YuJa videos of Fall2019 lectures are accessible HERE .
Videos from Fall2019 and Spring 2020 are for entertainment purposes only. Exams, timing, and sequence of course material don't exactly match Fall2020.
Discussion Sections Start on Mon, Oct 5 using Zoom:
1. Download a copy of the weeky Problem Set from the Files folder in our Canvas web site.
2. At the time scheduled by the registrar access the Zoom number listed for your TA above.
3. Communication is an essential skill in the physical sciences and is an essential component of my course. You are expected to collaborate with your peers and participate using Zoom Annotate. Your video camera should be turned on.
Use Zoom on a device that is large enough to participate by annotation of the screen. Please visit the UCI Learn Anywhere web site for more information about remote learning and Zoom.
Discussion Section, Times, and Zoom Addresses
Mon 9:00-9:50a https://uci.zoom.us/j/5780324097
Mon 10:00- 10:50a https://uci.zoom.us/j/5780324097
Tue 10:00-10:50a https://uci.zoom.us/j/95959328887
Wed 4:00- 4:50p https://uci.zoom.us/j/9562993735
Thu 9:00- 9:50a https://uci.zoom.us/j/93933878959
[NO DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD THU SEP 21]
Textbook: Janice Gorzynski-Smith Organic Chemistry, 5th Ed
Chem 51C coverage: Chapters 18-25
Unless I specifically say otherwise in class, you are responsible for ALL the material in these chapters, even if I don't mention it in class or include it in my course notes.
Lecture Templates:
Fillable lecture templates are available in each module so you can spend less time writing and more time listening.
Weekly Problem Sets/Discussion Section:
Weekly problem sets are posted in two forms in the Files folder: a concise ca. 1-page version and a presentation form with one problem per page for working with your partners Zoom Breakout sessions.
• Work the problems ahead of time so you are prepared to discuss your approach with others. Don't worry about showing up with all the right answers, but show up on time.
• At the beginning of discussion section the TA will break up the discussion section into Zoom Breakout rooms. Have the presentation form of the problem set open on your device when you enter your Zoom Breakout session. One student should display the problem and everyone should be prepared to use Zoom Annotate to draw on the screen. Save your screen when your group comes up with a solution. After about half an hour, each Breakout group will present their solution to the problem. Each person in the class should save an image of each solution. The keys are never posted online.
Grading:
Homework 10%
Exam I 30% - Mon, Oct 19, Ch 18-19 on Sapling
Exam II 30% - Fri, Nov 13, Ch 20-22 on Sapling
Exam III 30% - Fri, Dec 11, Ch 23-25, 18.13 on Sapling
Optional Final Exam 0% if you do not take the final or 30% (automatically replaces lowest midterm grade) - Mon, Dec 14 1:30-3:30 pm Ch 18-25 on Sapling without Respondus.
Course Grades: Course grades will be determined at the end of the course based on the total points earned in the course. Grading may be curved upward but not downward. The distribution of course letter grades will be roughly: 20% A, 30% B, 33% C, 17% D or F, with roughly equal numbers of pluses and minuses. You will automatically receive a grade of A(±) if you make 90.00% of the points or above on the final.
About Exams:
• Exam 1 will be on-line, using Sapling. You may not use the internet, other persons, or any other resources for this exam. You are expected to have to suitable technology and robust internet access for all online exams at UCI.
• Future exams may be administered on Canvas using the Respondus proctoring system. Respondus requires access to Canvas, a webcam and a microphone.
All exams are cumulative, but tend to focus on newer material.
Exams are closed book, but molecular models are allowed.
There will be absolutely NO make-up exams - sorry.
Old exams from 2014, 2015, 2019 are available under Files in the subfolder called "Old Exams". These old exams are offered to give a sense of question format and general exam procedures. They are not intended as a replacement for book or Sapling problems. Note that Chem 51C covered different chapters of the Smith textbook back in 2014 and 2015. Back then we covered different material, (e.g., Ch 28 instead of Ch 18) in Chem 51C.
Homework
• Sapling Homework (10%) - Register for my course on Sapling Learning (TBA) and start working problems. Each assignment consists of 10-40 problems and many include pedagogical guidance and feedback. Sapling suggested that you register through this link: https://sites.google.com/macmillan.com/saplingchecklistdoc1/first-day-of-class-info-for-students/register-via-sapling-learning?authuser=0
How to do well in this course.
1. Attend every lecture and every discussion section
2. Work Problems: The purpose of this class is to teach you to use fundamental principles (e.g., octet rule, electronegativity, resonance, sterics, electrostatics, stereochemistry) to SOLVE PROBLEMS of reactivity and structure. My exams will consist of problems. If you want to do well on my exams then practice solving problems.
a. Work the problems in Sapling.
b. Attend online discussion sections using Zoom and participate in group problem solving.
c. Work problems within each chapter and at the end of each chapter.
Rules:
• Use WebReg to add, drop, or change your grade option for your classes. The deadline to add/drop most classes is Friday of Week 2 by 5:00PM. Laboratory changes may not be made after week 1.
• Chemistry enrollment-related questions are not handled by instructors. For enrollment-related questions, please visit the Chemistry Student Affairs website. If you have additional questions please email chemistry@uci.edu.
• Don't cheat. Submission of answers to a different version of the exam will be taken as evidence of cheating. All submitted work must be your own. If you submit work that is not your own then you are subject to a failing grade in the course.
• Offensive or disruptive content is forbidden in this course and on any associated web site like Zoom, Piazza, etc. If you violate this rule, you are subject to a failing grade.
Feeling Stressed?
Check out these RESOURCES on the School of Physical Sciences web site.
Course Summary:
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