General Organic & Biological Chemistry Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CHEM-1406-001 General Organic & Biological Chemistry

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: MATH 0302-minimum grade of C, Accuplacer score of 63, THEA score of 230 or an equivalent score on a state-approved test; RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

A survey course including topics in measurements, density, solutions, basic organic molecules and functional groups, reactions, carbohydrates and proteins.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

General, Organic and biological chemistry by Frost Deal, Second edition

It is vital that you read the text BEFORE the lecture on that chapter.  This will greatly improve your understanding of the topic and therefore your grade.  As there is a large amount of information to cover, not all of it can be covered in the time allotted for class.  You are responsible for the information presented in the text even if it is not covered in lecture and vice versa.

Supplies

Note book and pen or pencils

Student Performance

The primary objectives of this course are to provide a basic understanding of chemistry as related to the life sciences and allied health areas of study and to help students develop good problem solving skills.

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department.

1.       Use the metric system for measurements and calculations related to chemistry.

2.       Understand density and specific gravity.

3.       Be able to define the different states of matter, their characteristics, and how these states are related to energy.

4.       Understand elementary atomic theory.

5.       Understand the relationship between the Periodic Law and the Periodic table.

6.       Differentiate terms such as atom, molecule, pure substance, compound, element, and mixtures

7.       Learn how electrons are involved in covalent and ionic bonding.

8.       Identify and classify simple reaction types.

9.       Write and balance simple equations.

10.    Know the factors affecting reaction rates.

11.    Understand solutions and their properties, such as solubility, concentrations, conductivity.

12.    Know the difference between osmosis and dialysis.

13.    Recognize an acid or base and know the reaction for neutralization.

14.    Understand the pH scale and how it relates to the strength of acids and bases.

15.    Explain what a buffer is and what effect it has on the human system.

16.    Learn the importance of chemical structures in organic chemistry and the idea of isomers.

17.    Learn the classification of organic compounds by functional group.

18.    Be able to write structural formulas.

19.    Be able to name the first straight chain alkanes and groups through the butyl group.

20.    Be able to recognize alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and arenes.

21.    Know a characteristic reaction of each of the hydrocarbon families.

22.    Be able recognize alcohols, phenols, ethers and amines from a structure or a name.

23.    Be able to classify alcohols and amines and understand basic reactions of these groups.

24.    Know how aldehydes and ketones form acetals and hemiacetals and how this is important in carbohydrates.

25.    Learn what is meant by chirality.

26.    Recognize a reducing and non-reducing sugar.

27.    Recognize glucose in either a Fisher or a Haworth formula.

28.    Know the structure of three disaccharides: sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

29.    Know the difference between cellulose and starch and how this relates to alpha and beta glucopyranose.

30.    Learn how to recognize carboxylic acids and their amide, ester, and salt derivatives.

31.    Relate esters to the structures of glycerides and amides to the structures of proteins.

32.    Know what amino acids are and how they form peptide linkages.

33.    Learn the meaning of the terms primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary as applied to proteins.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Please be respectful of both the instructor and the other students in class.  Turn off cell phones/pagers.  Pay attention in class.  Do not be disruptive.  If you arrive late, do not try to go to your accustomed seat, but quietly take a chair close to the door.  If you are causing a disruption in class, you may be asked to leave. 

If there is any evidence of cheating on any homework, quiz, test, or final, you will receive a zero for that item and cannot make it up or replace it and it cannot be dropped.

Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for further information.Student Rights and Responsibilities

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA/ SCALE:The grade in this class will be determined from a weighted average of the scores on the homework, quizzes, chapter exams and the final exam as follows: 20% homework,  10% quizzes, 50% exams, and 20% final exam. 

Grades are based on 90.00+ = A, 80.00-89.99 = B, 70.00-79.99 = C, 60.00-69.99 = D, and 59.99 and lower = F.

Work must be legible and the final answer must be clearly indicated to receive credit. 

The laboratory portion of the class will have a separate syllabus that is considered part of this syllabus.

EXAMINATIONS: Chapter tests will be given regularly during the semester.  There will generally be three chapters covered on each exam.  Exams will be announced at least a week in advance.  Work must be legible and the final answer must be clearly indicated to receive credit.  There are NO makeup exams.  If special accommodations become necessary, arrangements must be made BEFORE (at least 48 hours) the exam date and you must have WRITTEN permission from the instructor to take an exam at an alternate time.

~~Science Testing Center:
Warren Hall 112
When taking the exams you must use the periodic tables supplied. You may bring your own calculator.

 Mandatory Tutoring:
Warren Hall 110
In an effort to increase retention in Chemistry courses, any student who scores below a 70 on any exam (excluding the Final Exam ) must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session with his/her instructor or in the Science Enrichment before taking the next exam.
Appointments for 30 minute tutoring are required and can be scheduled in the Science Enrichment Center or by calling (806)371-5536.
If you score less than a 70 on a test, you MUST make an appointment with your instructor or a tutor in the SEC to go over the material that was missed on your test.  This is REQUIRED.  When done, the tutor will sign your test and you need to show that to your instructor.  If you do not have a signed test, you will not be allowed to take the next test.
 
Free Drop-in:
Peer tutors are available at the Science Enrichment Center
 
Cheating:
Cheating will not be tolerated in any chemistry course at Amarillo College. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones*, copying or leaving the Science Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test."

*Please Note: NO CELL PHONES during the tests. If we see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course.

READING QUIZZES: Six quizzes will be given throughout the semester.  Quizzes cannot be made-up. You may not leave the room during a quiz.  If you are not in the classroom when quizzes are passed out, you cannot take the quiz for that chapter. 

Extra Credit:Rare extra credit assignments might be given in class that will count toward your test grade depending on the assignment.  There is always the option to submit questions for any quiz or test with the correct answers.  Please label papers with the assignment for which you are turning in questions. .

HOMEWORK:  Home work problems will be assigned, that you are supposed to turn in on the next class period. Homework must be neat & legible to be graded.  This is not an exercise in how much you can write on one piece of paper. 

Homework problems are generally from the book, but may have been altered to clarify or simplify the question.  Homework will be due the next class period after we finish a chapter  Key  will be discussed in the class.  Due to time constraints, tests will often be taken before homework can be graded/returned.

FINAL EXAM: The final exam will be given on Thursday,Dec. 11^th  2014, from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Warren 201.  This is going to be comprehensive covering all the chapters.

Grade Disputes:  While I encourage you to come to me with questions about answers on assignments anytime, if you wish to dispute a grade or have a grade changed, you must contact me about it within two weeks of the grade being posted on AC Online or there will be no change to the grade.

Attendance

It is necessary to attend the class to understabd the course material. The last day to drop the class is November 18th, 2014.

Calendar

Additional Information

RESOURCES:  There are many resources available to you including handouts and papers in the library, additional texts and information you may check out from the Science Enrichment Center (SEC).  The SEC is staffed with tutors who can help you with your coursework and studying.  You are encouraged to seek them out.

OTHER INFORMATION:  Class time will be used for discussion, problem solving, worksheets, test preparation and tests.  We will be covering about a chapter a week during this semester so being prepared for class each day is important.  Please read the material before class and work on homework after each class.  This will prepare you for the following class and you will know if you have any questions that need to be answered at the beginning of each class.  At the end of each class period, you may be asked to fill out a short form including any questions you might have about the subject, whether that day’s lecture or a previous topic.  These questionnaires are intended to assist both you and me in addressing problem areas and will NOT affect your grade.

Electronic copies of the lecture slides will be available in the SEC.  These will be added as the semester progresses.

Web Portal:  Every student has an account in AC Connect.  You need to check this daily. Handouts, extra credit assignments, grades, schedules and email contact will all be made or posted on AC Connect.  This is where you should me as your instructor (since it labels the email with the class, it is much easier to keep track of emails that way).

LAB:  The lab attached to this course has a separate syllabus and schedule.  The lab syllabus is an addendum to this syllabus.

INFORMATION SHEET/SIGNATURE:  You must fill out and return the information sheet for this class (handed out).  You must also sign it to signify that you have read and understand the syllabus.  You will receive grades of zero in AC Connect for all assignments and no graded assignments will be returned to you until the signed information sheet is turned in.

***This syllabus is subject to change.  You will be informed of any changes to the syllabus in class, email, and posting in AC Connect.***