Instructor:
Professor Gregory R. Cook
Office:
Dunbar Hall 360A
Telephone:
231-7413
Email:
grcook@plains.nodak.edu
World
Wide Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/grcook/chem341/
Office
Hours: Monday and
Wednesday, 9:00 am - 10:00 am, or by
appointment
Required
Text: "Organic
Chemistry" Fith Edition, J. McMurry bundled with
"Study Guide and Solutions Manual for McMurry's
Organic Chemistry" Fifth Edition, S.
McMurry.
Optional:
Darling Molecular Models
available in the Varsity Mart
INTRODUCTION:
This course is designed
to introduce you to the fascinating field of organic
chemistry. In its simplest definition, organic
chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds. We
will discover what makes carbon compounds unique from
other branches of chemistry. We will begin by
discussing the concepts of structure and bonding in
organic molecules. We will explore the preparation and
reactions of various types of organic molecules,
including alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl
halides. Modern chemists use a variety of techniques
to probe the structure of molecules. Organic chemists
utilize Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy as a
structural tool. We will introduce you to this
powerful technique.
GRADING:
Grading will be based on a 500 point scale (3 - 100
point exams or 2 - 100 point exams and 5 - 20
point quizzes, and a 200 point comprehensive final
exam). Letter grades will be assigned according to the
following percentiles (subject to change):
A 85 - 100
B 75 - 84
C 60 - 74
D 45 - 59
HOMEWORK:
Homework is not required for
this course. However, suggested problems will be
announced for each chapter. You are strongly
urged to work through the suggested problems
as many times as it takes to become proficient with
the material. This will take a lot of work on your
part, but it will be key to your success in this
class.
EXAMS:
Three hourly exams (100
points) and a comprehensive final exam (200 points)
will be given on the dates specified in the attached
schedule. There will be no make-up exams without prior
approval of the instructor. If you must miss an exam
due to a scheduled university function (athletic
event, etc.), the instructor must be notified at least
two weeks before the exam date. An alternative exam
will only be given prior to the scheduled exam
date. Absolutely no make up exams will be given
after a scheduled exam date. Extraordinary
circumstances (death, hospitalization, etc.) will be
evaluated on a case by case basis.
QUIZZES:
Six short quizzes (20 points) will be given throughout
the semester. These quizzes will be unannounced and
can occur at any time. They are not directly added to
your grade total for this course, however, they can be
beneficial. Quizzes can only help your grade, not hurt
it. The best 5 quizzes out of the 6 will be totaled.
This total will replace your lowest hourly exam score
if it is higher. Under no circumstances will there
be any makeup quizzes. Quiz answers will be posted
on the class web page.
LEARNING
TIPS: Organic chemistry
is not hard, but it does take a lot of work. The most
important thing you can do to be successful in this
class is to stay current and keep up. It just isn't
possible to cram for organic chemistry on the night
before an exam. Believe me when I tell you that
studying an hour or two everyday will be much better
than studying for 12 hours on a weekend. It is not
easy to absorb all the material in one sitting, and a
daily dose will make comprehension much
easier.
Learning organic chemistry is
very much like learning a foreign language. You need
to learn the vocabulary in terms of names, structures,
and types of functional groups. You also need to learn
the rules of grammar. For example, how an alcohol will
react with a halide, etc. Once you learn certain
rules, they can be applied to many different
reactions. Thus you can construct chemical sentences.
There will be a certain amount of memorization
required, however, because of the vastness of the
subject, learning general trends and rules will be
most helpful.
Here are some
suggestions:
Read the chapter ahead
before coming to class.
Ask questions.
Rewrite your notes after every class.
Ask questions.
Do the suggested problems as many times as it
takes to understand the material, then try the
other problems in your text.
Ask questions.
Use the Study Guide and Solutions Manual - but
try to understand the problems without looking
at the answers first.
Ask questions.
Use flash cards to help learn structures, names,
and reactions.
Ask questions.
Find a friend or group of students to study
with.
Ask questions.
Buy a set of molecular models.
Ask questions.
Utilize instructor and TA office hours.
Ask questions.
Special
Needs:
All students have the right to an environment
that is conducive for learning. Any students who need
special accommodations for learning or who have
special needs are invited to share these concerns or
requests with the instructor as soon as
possible.
Academic
Responsibility: It
is assumed that students at NDSU have the integrity to
complete examinations on their own. Any student who is
found to have acted dishonestly on an exam will
receive an F for that exam. A second infraction will
result in an F for the course. The policy applied is
that of the Code of Academic Responsibility and
Conduct as outlined on pp. 29-30 of "A Code of Student
Conduct" (Office of the Vice President for Student
Affairs, July, 1993).
