Syllabus - Organic Chemistry I (CHM 2440) - Fall 2003 - Dr. Howard Black

Selected problems from the end of each chapter are provided at the end of this document. These exercises, the answers to which are supplied in the Study Guide Problems Book, will be neither collected nor graded. You are strongly encouraged to work through these problems, in addition to those on the handouts which may occasionally be supplied. This is by far the most efficient and time-proven way to learn the concepts so vital to understanding organic chemistry.

There will be 12 or more quizzes (10 points each) throughout the semester; quizzes are always announced at least one class day before they are given. The scores of only the highest ten will be used in the final grade calculation; thus, the quiz total is 100 points.There will be no makeup quizzes for any reason, including illness, team sports, lycanthropy, etc. FYI, the average number of quizzes for this course is 14-17.

Three one-hour exams (100 points each) will be evenly spaced over the term; the dates are given on the schedule. If you are going to miss an hour exam (for an extremely good reason - documented,¹ serious illness or family death), be sure and let me know ahead of time, or, at the very latest, before the end of the day on which the exam was given. There is no provision for making up an exam.

The keys to quizzes and exams will appear on the course's website by the end of the quiz/exam day. Barring some unforeseen complication, the graded quizzes/exams will be returned on the class day following the quiz/exam.

The final examination (200 points) will be comprehensive, covering all topics discussed during the term. Thus, the point total available for the course equals 600. Final exams are not returned, although you are welcome to stop in at any time subsequent to your exam's being graded to look at it and compare it to the key. Final exams are shredded on the day after the last day for grade appeals in the following semester.

Grades will be assigned based on a curve related to class performance as a whole; thus, individual quizzes and exams will not receive letter grades. The curve will be updated throughout the semester after each exam, and will be announced during the class when graded exams are returned, in addition to being posted on the web page. You are encouraged to stop in my office at any time during the semester to see where you stand.

After the third exam, the overall curve for the semester will be finalized. In other words, the curve announced after the third exam will not change for the rest of the course. A great advantage for you is that, going into the final exam, you will know exactly how many points are needed to earn a certain grade. If the class average on the final is unusually low, the curve may be lowered. However, you are promised that, in the event that the class does much better on the final than usual, the curve will not be raised.

For instance, if you calculate that you need 130 points out of 200 (65%) to earn an "A", I guarantee that, if you earn the 130, you'll get the "A". It could be that the class would do poorly on the final and I'd lower the curve, such that you need only 125 points instead of 130 for your "A". But it will not require more than 130 if the class does extremely well on the final - I will not raise the curve.

The homepage for this class is located at the URL given at the start of this syllabus:

The keys to quizzes/exams will be published on the web very quickly after you take them (usually the same day). I also post additional interesting/useful information, including the current class curve (updated after every exam), as the semester progresses.

The keys to all of the quizzes and exams for the semesters I've taught this class are linked to the class homepage. Additionally, the quizzes/exams for the past four semesters of Chemistry 2430 (Survey of Organic Chemistry, which covers all of the 2440/2840 topics in a single semester) are available. Although the pace in CHM 2430 course is faster and the coverage less deep than in this class, the quizzes/exams still provide very useful drill material for you. I suggest that you visit and look around the homepage for this class very early this semester, to become familiar with the resources available there.

If you haven't checked out my "How To Do Really Well.." page, now would be a good time. When you come in for help, it's one of the first things I'll ask about.

It is the rare individual who can master organic chemistry purely by individual effort. You are encouraged to study with others, help each other with problems (after your own efforts have failed), and take advantage of the free tutoring offered by the Chemistry Department. Although my office hours are times when I guarantee to be available, please feel free to stop in at any time for help. You can also send me email or call to set up an appointment.

Organic chemistry requires a different approach to studying than you are probably used to. Each new concept/chapter builds on your previous knowledge, so you can't breathe a sigh of relief after an exam, content inthe knowledge that you won't have to deal with that stuff again. Fortunately, it is basically not difficult material, if you study daily and don't fall behind. Please try the study methods I suggest - just try them for a month. If you don't do better than you thought you could, you'll be the first.

Suggested Problems
Chapter	Problems
1	22, 23, 25, 28, 36, 39, 44, 45
2	26-8, 31, 34, 36, 40, 43, 44, 48
3	34, 38-40, 44, 48
4	32-5, 38, 39, 43, 49, 53
5	19, 22, 23, 25, 28, 37, 38
6	27, 29, 31, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 46, 49
7	23, 25, 26, 29, 32, 35, 41, 42, 48, 53, 54
8	21, 23-6, 26, 32-6, 39
9	35, 41, 44, 45, 48, 49, 53, 54, 66, 76, 77
10	21, 23, 24, 31, 32, 35, 36, 38
11	27, 30, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40, 47, 52, 56, 60, 61, 65
12	17, 20, 23, 28, 33, 36, 39

¹If you are too sick to take one of three important exams, you probably should be seen at the Health Center. If you go, please show me the documentation from this visit when you return to class. If you don't (and I recognize that it's not always necessary), I'll want to know why. The bottom line, of course, is that I have to believe that you're being truthful; if I don't, there is no chance you'll be making up the exam. Btw, after nearly 20 years of this, I'm extremely good at telling when someone's not being truthful. Let's not even have it be an issue.

Dr. T. Howard Black	Office: Physical Science 4440
Telephone: 581-6225	Office Hours: 10AM MWF; 11AM TR
Email:cfthb@eiu.edu	Class Homepage: http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfthb/classes/2440

Week of	Chapter(s)	Topics
8/25	1	Structure and Bonding
9/1	2	Polar Bonds and Their Consequences
9/8	3	Organic Compounds: Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
9/15	12	Structure Determination: Mass Spectrometry and Infrared Spectroscopy
9/13	Exam I - Wednesday, September 17, 2003
9/22	4	Stereochemistry of Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
9/29	5	Overview of Organic Reactions
10/6	6	Alkenes: Structure and Reactivity
10/13	9	Stereochemistry
3/3	Exam II - Monday, October 13, 2003
10/20	13	Structure Determination: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
10/27	7	Alkenes: Reactions and Synthesis
11/3	7	Alkenes: Reactions and Synthesis
11/10	8	Alkynes: An Introduction to Organic Synthesis
11/8	Exam III - Friday, November 14, 2003
11/17	10	Alkyl Halides
11/24	*!!!!*
12/2	11	Reactions of Alkyl Halides: Nucleophilic Substitutions and Eliminations
12/9	11	Reactions of Alkyl Halides: Continued
Final Exam - Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003; 8:00am - 10:00am