Course Syllabus

CHEM 51A (Organic Chemistry) Syllabus

Fall Quarter 2021

Instructor

Professor Seunghyun (Seu) Sim

Live Class Meeting

Mon/Wed/Fri 12:00–12:50 PST

TAs

Marc Kawada (mkawada@uci.edu)

Esteban Bautista Garcia (estebajb@uci.edu)

LAs

Henry Lin (Henrl13@uci.edu)

Jessica Chung (chungjs4@uci.edu)

Diana Janinejad (DJANINEJ@UCI.EDU)

Miranda Xiao (mirandx@uci.edu)

Jon Ingal (ingalj@uci.edu)

Ivan Del Campo (ivanm4@uci.edu)

Peer Tutor

Assa Magassa (amagassa@uci.edu)

Peter Hu (zphu@uci.edu)

LARC Tutor

Malik Mahmoud Makhlouf (makhloum@uci.edu)

Tutoring sessions: M/W 13:00–13:50 (ALP 3750), T/T 10:00–10:50 & 11:00–11:50 (NS1 1206)

Instructor office hour (Zoom)

Fri 17:00–18:00

TA office hours (Zoom)

Marc Kawada: Thu 17:00–18:00

Esteban Bautista Garcia: Thu 9:00–10:00

LA office hours (Zoom)

Jessica Chung: Wed 17:00–19:00

Miranda Xiao: Tue 17:00–18:00, Fri 14:00–15:00

Peer tutor office hours (Zoom)

Assa Magassa: Mon 11:00–12:00, Fri 11:00–12:00

Peter Hu: Mon 17:00–18:00, Wed 17:00–18:00

Introduction

Welcome to Organic Chemistry! This course is a comprehensive introduction to the chemistry of carbon, and you will learn principal concepts of structure, bonding, and interactions of organic molecules. Professor Sim and the TAs will strive to maintain a fun, collaborative, and supportive learning environment. The primary goals of this class are for you to:

    1. practice critical thinking and problem solving useful to your future careers, and
    2. build a strong foundation in organic chemistry that will prepare you for chem51B and beyond.

Structure of This Online Course

Structure of This Course

  1. Class (in-person, recorded)There will be class lectures delivered by Professor Sim on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon. It is recommended that you read the corresponding content of the textbook before coming to class. The recording of each class will be made available on Canvas. 
  2. Discussion sections (in-person, not recorded)During the discussion sections, you will have an opportunity to work on problems that are very similar to homework and exams. Your participation and attendance are encouraged: Students who attend discussions and actively participate generally earn better grades than those who don’t. To encourage students' participation, discussion sections will not be recorded. The TAs will lead the discussion section according to the schedule below. 
    • Mon: 15:00 – 15:50 (C1), RH 108, Lead TA: Esteban
    • Tue: 15:00 – 15:50 (C3), HICF 100N, Lead TA: Marc
    • Tue: 11:00 – 11:50 (C4), MSTB 124, Lead TA: Esteban
    • Wed: 10:00 – 10:50 (C5), RH 108, Lead TA: Esteban
    • Wed: 14:00 – 14:50 (C7), RH 188, Lead TA: Marc
    • Fri: 13:00 – 13:50 (C10), RH 108, Lead TA: Marc
  3. HomeworkAfter each chapter, there will be a set of homework posted on Canvas. You will scan and submit your homework on Gradescope. Each homework is generally due a day before the lecture of the next chapter, and the exact date is listed below.  
    • Chapter 1 homework due: Oct 7 (Thu) 11:59 PM
    • Chapter 2 homework due: Oct 14 (Thu) 11:59 PM
    • Chapter 3 homework due: Oct 19 (Tue) 11:59 PM
    • Chapter 4 homework due: Nov 2 (Tue) 11:59 PM
    • Chapter 5 homework due: Nov 11 (Thu) 11:59 PM
    • Chapter 6 homework due: Nov 16 (Tue) 11:59 PM
    • IR homework due: Nov 23 (Tue) 11:59 PM
    • NMR homework due: Dec 5 (Sun) 11:59 PM
  4. Class message board: We will use Ed Discussion for a class message board where you can post questions and help answer other students’ questions. Instruction will be provided on Canvas. You can post questions anonymously, and the instruction team will frequently monitor the board and answer your questions. You are also encouraged to answer a question from your peers.

Workflow Suggestion for each week: (1) Read the text corresponding to each lecture in advance, (2) attend lectures, (3) participate in your discussion section, (4) do homework and solve textbook problems -- learn from your mistakes.

How to Succeed in This Class

  1. Read the assigned reading materials before each class.
  2. Come to lectures and weekly discussion section. During these sessions, you are expected to practice drawing organic structures with the instructor and ask questions. It will correct any misconception on your part and help master your skills.
  3. Spend quality time for homework assignments and learn from your mistakes.
  4. Focus on learning!The success in your first organic chemistry course is going to constitute your strong fundamentals in Chemistry and other adjacent disciplines. Grades matter, but it is way more important that you understand the presented concepts and be able to apply them.
  5. Study regularly, work on a lot of problems, and don’t fall behind.

Add/Drop/Enrollment

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 at https://www.chem.uci.edu/studentaffairs. If you have additional questions, please email chemistry@uci.edu.

Required Materials

  1. Janice Gorzynski Smith’s Organic Chemistry, McGraw Hill: Feel free to use any edition of this book.
  2. Molecular Models: A molecular model set is required for this course. Darling Molecular Vision Model Sets (http://www.darlingmodels.com) are recommended: Kits #1 or #1A (Organic, Organometallic, and Inorganic Model Set) or Kit #3 (Organic Model Set) are appropriate. One such set is available at the bookstore and can also be purchased online. Other model kits on Amazon will also work. If you have any questions, please consult with one of the TAs. These model kits will help you understand structure and stereochemistry. Have your models available during your discussion sections. If you don't have/can't get these model kits, here is a link for a free virtual model kit app. https://www.alchem.ie/modelar/game. Avogadro (https://avogadro.cc) is also an option - videos of rotating molecules you will see in this class are made with this program.

Exams

  1. Midterm-1: October 20 (Wed), 12:00 – 12:50. Chapter 1–3.
  2. Midterm-2: November 17 (Wed), 12:00 – 12:50. Chapter 4–6.
  3. Final exam: December 6 (Mon), 13:30 – 15:30. Comprehensive.

All exams will be in person and closed book.

Grading

  • Homework ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5%
  • Midterm 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25%
  • Midterm 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25%
  • Final Exam ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  45%

Makeup Exams: There are no makeup exams. Similarly, there will be no opportunities to take the exams at any other time than those listed above. Excused absences for reasons of illness or other significant life events will result in the other exams to statistically calculate your grade. All medical emergency requires a signed and dated doctor’s note. If a student is excused from an exam, we will take the student's score on another exam that they were able to take, adjust their score to reflect the mean on the midterm they missed, and use this score as a score for the missing exam. The instructor must be notified in writing for any excused absences due to illness, etc. Unexcused absences will result in a score of zero. Any COVID-related accommodations will be handled by the DSC (see the Reasonable Accommodation section below). 

Regrades: Regrades must be requested within one week of the date that the exam is returned.  Regrades are accepted for errors or questions marked incorrect that should have been marked correct. Regrades are NOT accepted for arguments of more partial credit.

Whom/How to Contact

All grading-related questions should be sent to TAs via email. Other course-related questions can be posted on Ed Discussion. Learning Assistants, Jon and Cindy will answer your question as soon as they can. TAs and I will also frequently monitor the questions and answer them as needed. When sending an email, please use the subject line with the following format. 51A: [First name] [Last Name] – [Subject]. Use proper salutation (To TAs: Dear Mr/Ms. [Last name], To instructor: Dear Professor Sim) to maintain your professionalism. If you need help with a highly personal matter, you may send an email to Professor Sim (s.sim@uci.edu) from your “@uci.edu” account. Your email needs to include a descriptive subject line, an appropriate salutation, your full name, and your student ID number. 

Tutoring

The Department of Chemistry provides FREE tutoring by a network of organic chemistry tutors, specifically designated to support this course. More information: http://www.chem.uci.edu/undergrad/tutors/

Academic Honesty

All students should maintain the highest standard of academic honesty and are responsible for the honest completion of their work. Examples of academic dishonesty include but not limited to (1) copying answers on an exam, (2) allowing other students to copy your answers on an exam, (3) copying answers from another student’s homework, (4) allowing other students to copy your homework answers, (5) using another student’s online account either to view their answers or to complete problems for them, and (6) post any of the course material elsewhere (e.g., Chegg) without explicit permission from the instructor. Any form of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade and a letter in the student’s permanent academic file. All students are expected to adhere to the UCI Academic Dishonesty Policies. For more information, please visit https://aisc.uci.edu/students/academic-integrity/index.php

Preferred Names & Pronouns:

If you have a preferred name and/or pronouns, we're happy to use them. Just let us know! 

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 Please contact DSC and/or Prof. Sim for any concerns.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation related to the coronavirus or for any other reason to facilitate your participation in this course, please contact the UCI Disability Services Center (DSC).

How to Contact DSC: 949-824-7974 or dsc@uci.edu.

How to Request a Reasonable Accommodation: Students who want to request reasonable accommodations must register with DSC at the DSC Student Registration Page (https://dsc.uci.edu/register/).

Cleaning and Sanitizing of Classrooms and other Learning Spaces

UCI will clean and sanitize classrooms and other learning spaces according to standards established by the campus and articulated under the heading “Classroom Planning” at: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/building-etiquette/index.php. If you find something of concern in this regard, please report it to the instructor and to safety@uci.edu and covid19@uci.edu.

Required Actions for In-Person Participation in Classrooms or Other Learning Spaces(UCI Guideline)

1. Complete the Return to Campus Training (required for all students and employees)

  • All students are required to take the Healthy Practices Training. This is a one-time only requirements.
  • All employees (faculty and staff) are required to complete the “Returning to Campus” training module.
  • Please read the Executive Directive specifying UCI Return to Campus Training requirement for additional details.

2. Completing a Daily Symptom Check (required for all students and employees (faculty and staff) regardless of vaccination status

  • For more information about the daily symptom check requirement, see: https://students.uci.edu/LWinstructions.pdf.
  • Please read the Executive Directive specifying daily symptom check requirements for additional details.
  • If you have symptoms, do not report in-person to your classroom, lab or other learning space and follow the instructions on the app.

3. Follow all Guidelines Posted Inside & Outside of Buildings, Classrooms, Restrooms and Elevators

  • UCI has posted signage inside and outside of buildings, classrooms, restrooms and elevators with instructions for you to follow to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
  • All individuals within these spaces must follow the instructions on the signage.

4. Face Covering Requirements When in a Classroom or Other Learning Space

  • All individuals in any indoor space owned or controlled by UCI are required to comply with UCI’s Executive Directive on face coverings, which requires individuals to wear a face covering when indoors regardless of vaccination status except in certain very limited situations.
  • Face coverings reduce the risk of disease transmission and protect both the person wearing the face covering and other people.
  • For more information, please see Chancellor Gillman’s Executive Directive that specifies UCI face covering requirements.
  • Only people who have received UCI approved prior authorization are exempted from the face covering requirement. In order to request a prior authorization, contact the Disability Services Center (contact information above under “Reasonable Accommodations”).
  • In the event that a student in a classroom or other learning space fails to wear a face covering per campus executive directive or follow other safety protocols without UCI approved authorization, the instructor (faculty or teaching assistant) will ask them to put on a mask. If they do not comply, they will immediately dismiss the student from the classroom or other learning space. The instructor has the responsibility to report anyone who is unauthorized and not following the campus face-covering executive directive to Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct (OAISC). Students do not need to report each other, and if the instructor has not removed a student not wearing a face covering, other students should assume that person has prior authorization.
  • Instructors may not disclose any information about students who have been authorized to, e.g., not wear a face covering in the classroom.

5. COVID-19 Case Identified in Classroom or Other Learning Space

  • If a student or employee (faculty or staff) tests positive for COVID-19, or thinks they may have COVID-19, the case and identified close contacts must cooperate with the Contact Tracing and Vaccine Navigation Services (CTVNS) personnel assigned to conduct the case investigation. Cooperation with CTVNS personnel is required by the Chancellor’s Executive Directive on Contact Tracing.
  • A student who tests positive for COVID-19 must report this diagnosis to the COVID-19 hotline at 949.824.9918 or covid19@uci.edu
  • CTVNS will conduct a case investigation to identify close contacts and determine who needs to quarantine as a result of close contact with a case. In most classroom settings, very few individuals are likely to be identified as close contacts and therefore it is unlikely that an entire class would need to quarantine. Additionally, per current public health orders, close contacts to a COVID-19 case who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic are not required to quarantine.

6. In Case of Worsening COVID-19 Situation

  • UCI leadership is actively monitoring campus and community COVID-19 case rates and is in regular consultation with local public health authorities. Should conditions worsen or if new state or local public health orders are issued, UCI may move courses from in-person or hybrid to fully remote.

7. Failure to Follow Safety Protocols

  • Any student or employee (faculty or staff) who violates these policies may be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct, Academic Personnel, OEOD, or other bodies as appropriate.

Class Schedule

For more information, see main course page in Canvas, wherein lectures and assignments are broken up week by week.

Date Details

Oct 1 (F)

Class Introduction, Lesson 1: Lewis Structure

Oct 4 (M)

Oct 6 (W)

Oct 8 (F)

Lesson 2: Resonance Structure

Lesson 3: Bonding & Geometry, Drawing Organic Structures

Lesson 4: Acid Base (1)

Oct 11 (M)

Oct 13 (W)

Oct 15 (F)

Lesson 5: Acid Base (2)

Lesson 6: Acid Base Practice

Lesson 7: Functional Groups

Oct 18 (M)

Oct 20 (W)

Oct 22 (F)

Lesson 8: Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties

Midterm 1

Lesson 9: Alkanes Introduction

Oct 25 (M)

Oct 27 (W)

Oct 29 (F)

Lesson 10: Alkanes IUPAC Naming

Lesson 11: Acyclic Conformers

Lesson 12: Cyclic Conformers

Nov 1 (M)

Nov 3 (W)

Nov 5 (F)

Lesson 13: Conformers Practice

Lesson 14: Introduction to Stereoisomers and Assigning R/S

Lesson 15: Multiple Stereocenters

Nov 8 (M)

Nov 10 (W)

 Nov 12 (F)

Lesson 16: Stereochemistry Practice

Lesson 17: Properties of Stereoisomers

Lesson 18:  Intro to Organic Reactions and Thermodynamics

Nov 15 (M)

Nov 17 (W)

Nov 19 (F)

Lesson 19: Kinetics & Organic Reactions

Midterm 2

Lesson 20: Introduction to Spectroscopy and IR Spectroscopy

Nov 22 (M)

Nov 24 (W)

Nov 26 (F)

Lesson 21: Interpreting IR Spectra

Lesson 22: NMR Fundamentals, Equivalent Hydrogens, and Signal Integration

Thanksgiving weekend - no class!

Nov 29 (M)

Dec 1 (W)

Dec 3 (F)

Lesson 23: Chemical Shift and Splitting Pattern

Lesson 24: Carbon NMR

Lesson 25: Interpreting NMR Spectra

Dec 6 (M)

Final Exam