Instructor: Joe A. Vinson, Ph.D., Office, L-313, 941-7551, vinson@uofs.edu. Available at all times when not in class.

Textbooks: J. C. Kotz and P. Treichel, "Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity," 4^th Edition, Saunders, 1999.

Optional: Study Guide and Student Lecture Outline.

Examinations:

Four one-hour examinations will be given during the semester. The lowest exam score will be dropped. Exams will be graded on a curve. The final examination is cumulative. Hourly examinations are 100 points and the Final Examination is 200 points.

Attendance:

A seating chart will be organized and attendance taken by the Professor. You will be expected to attend all the classes since chemistry is a cumulative subject. Students on the borderline will be given the lower grade if attendance is poor (greater than 4 unexcused absences). Your participation in class is vital to your growth as a scientist and your relation to the rest of the class and the instructor.

Homework:

Homework from each chapter of Kotz and Treichel will be due usually the next class period after completion of the lecture on that chapter. The problems will be taken from the Study Questions at the end of the chapter (even numbered ones). Only the review questions and problems need be answered. Your hand-in should include how the problem was solved as well as the answer.

Doing the problems will benefit you and improve your grade. Any student who does not complete the homework assignments will be graded down if borderline.

Ch. 1 (K&T Handout) Matter and Measurement Statistics

Ch. 2 (K&T Handout) Atoms and Elements

Ch. 3 (K&T Handout) Molecules and Compounds

FIRST EXAMINATION

Ch. 4 (K&T Handout) Chemical Equations and Stoichiometry

Ch. 5 (K&T Handout) Reactions in Aqueous Solution

SECOND EXAMINATION

Ch. 6 (K&T Handout) Principles of Reactivity: Energy and Chemical Reactions

Ch. 7 (K&T Handout) Atomic Structure

THIRD EXAMINATION

Ch. 8 (K&T Handout) Atomic Electron Configurations and Chemical Periodicity

Ch. 9 (K&T Handout) Bonding and Molecular Structure: Fundamental Concept

Ch. 12 (K&T Handout) Gases and Their Properties
 

1. Read about material in your textbook and lecture notes before hearing


it explained in lecture.

2. Make your notes as accurate and complete as possible.
3. Review and expand your notes after class is over.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Improving Problem-Solving Skills:

1. Try to understand the basic concepts before working the problems.
2. Practice identifying the principle that is the basis of the problem.
3. Use a systematic approach to problem identification.
4. Really learning how to use your calculator and take good care of it.

Studying:

1. Emphasize the material you don’t understand.
2. Identify your weaknesses with self-testing.
3. Consider studying with other students. It has been shown to lead to better grades!

1. Be sure to get enough sleep the night before the exam.
2. Work carefully and systematically.
3. Learn from your mistakes.

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