Syllabus CHEMISTRY 2840 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II Fall 2005 - 10:00-10:50am - MWF - PS2080

Texts:
1. John McMurry, Organic Chemistry, Sixth Edition, Brooks/Cole, 2004.
2. Susan McMurry, "Solutions Manual and Study Guide" (for above).

    The goal of this course is to continue our study of functional groups begun in Chemistry 2440.  Since Chemistry 2440 is a prerequisite, including having earned at least a "C",  I'll assume a working knowledge of the first thirteen chapters of the text.  Hopefully, your experience during the first semester has taught you much about how to study a discipline like organic chemistry, where each new area builds upon your prior knowledge, so that just because you've completed a quiz or exam on a topic does not mean you won't see it again.

    Much of the class will be devoted to organic synthesis - the science (and art) of preparing complex molecules from simple starting materials. This fascinating topic provides probably the best arena for applying and thus integrating your knowledge of organic chemistry. However, synthesis is extremely difficult, if not totally impossible, without a firm grasp of organic chemical principles, especially reactions.

    Although homework problems will be assigned, they will neither be collected nor graded. Their purpose is to provide you with drill material for applying the new concepts you are learning.

    I DO NOT take attendance.  However, my 20 years' experience teaching organic chemistry has proven a simple fact: students who come to class do well , while those who don't fail . Also, since quizzes/exams always cover only material that has been covered in class, it's a very good idea to attend every class. Finally, if your attendance is sporadic, I'll notice it, and you'd better hope you're not on a borderline at grade time.  Also, I consider being late for class or talking during class to be unacceptably rude, and also a distraction to the majority of students, who are in class to learn.  After a few warnings about either, you'll be asked to leave.

    The final examination (200 points) will be comprehensive, covering all topics discussed during the term. Thus, the total points available for the course equal 600.

    Grades will be assigned based on a curve related to class performance; thus, individual quizzes and exams will not receive a letter grade.  The curve will be updated after every hour exam, and presented to the class when the graded exam is returned (and also reported on the Curve/Grade Information web page); but, you are encouraged to stop in my office at any time to see where you stand. After the last hour exam, the curve for the semester will be unequivocally set (i.e., will not be changed as a result of class performance on the final). That way, you will know, several weeks in advance, the exact score you will need on the final exam to earn a given letter grade for the semester.

• the grade on the final relative to both your three exam grades and to the scores of those around you in the curve;
• participation in class on a day-to-day basis (and not being late or talking in class, being attentive, etc.);
• your having sought me out periodically throughout the semester for help with concepts that were proving difficult for you - this is particularly important for those who are not doing too well in the class).

Suggested Problems*