Quick Site Guide
Course Expectations
Chemistry is not a spectator sport, but rather requires active participation to achieve success. One can no sooner expect to understand chemistry by simply reading a textbook or attending lectures than one can expect to become a good tennis player by reading books or watching the Pro's on television. Success in this course depends on the development of skills in problem solving. These skills are developed by attempting to work out real problems in chemistry. OWL quizzes help to hone these skills, but students who expect to do well will supplement assigned problems by seeking out problems at the ends of the chapters in the text, and if necessary, by seeking out problems in other General Chemistry textbooks (the library has many). As a football coach might tell you, "just keep running that play until you get it right."
Similarly, one would not expect to succeed in hockey by waiting until the week before the big game to begin intensive practice. Success in this course will require the working of problems throughout the term. Attend lecture, work some problems, and then return to lecture, looking for more insight into the problems you have worked.
It is expected that all students in this course will behave in a professional manner.
This expectation includes:
- Appropriate conduct during lectures. Personal conversations should be reserved for outside of the classroom.
- Prompt arrival at lectures. The disruption caused by late arrivals is inconsiderate to your colleagues.
- Professional behavior on exams. Those found cheating on exams will be prosecuted to the full extent of University regulations. As a faculty member, I consider it my responsibility to the vast majority of conscientious students, to prosecute fully those who do not take this seriously. Students who cannot conduct themselves in a professional manner do not belong at the University of Massachusetts.
Tips for success!!
- Faithfully attend all lectures.
- Read the text before the material is covered in lecture.
- Spend 15 minutes reviewing your lecture notes as soon as possible after class.
- Get help as soon as needed, and keep up with the work so that you know when you need help. Do not wait until just before the exam. TA's are available throughout the day in the CRC. Use them wisely. Remember that immediately before an exam, the TA's will be swamped and will not be able to provide you with as much assistance.
- Do ALL assigned problems in a timely fashion, and then do more if you need to. Keep up with the OWL quizzes. Chemistry is not a spectator sport!
- DO NOT wait until just before an exam to study the material.
- Form or join a study group. Grading is not done on a curve. You have everything to gain from helping your colleagues.
FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions
| How do I get help?
| TA's and faculty are available in the CRC. Come aimed with specific questions, after you have tried to work through a problem. Form study groups with friends.
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| I'd like to use a copy of the text from a friend who took it last Fall, but they wrote on/tore out the lab pages.
| You can print clean versions of the lab "Data sheets" from the Chem 111 lab web site. Click here.
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| Help! I need to DROP the course!
| See Ms. Warren immediately.
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| I took the course before and failed the lecture, but passed the lab. What do I do?
| As of Fall '97, the labs have been redesigned to fit more tightly with the course. As a result, failing the lab is like failing a part of the lecture. If you fail one exam, but pass another, when you retake the course, you have to re-pass your previously passed exam. The same now applies to the lab.
Students who took the course last Spring (or earlier) are being grandfathered in under the old rules. See Linda Warren.
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| I'm having trouble with OWL
| Ask for help in the CRC. If you still have troubles, go to the OWL error reporting page (remember to provide a detailed report, including your last name and ID number).
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| I'm having trouble with the lab
| Contact your laboratory supervisor.
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| I may have to work on a day for an in-class exam.
| If you're work precludes your attending class, drop the course now.
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TextChemistry and Chemical Reactivity, 3rd Edition
University of Massachusetts Edition
Kotz & Treichel
Harcourt Brace
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Course Grading
| In-class Exam 1
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| Friday, February 20
| Chapters 1-4
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| In-class Exam 2
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| Friday, March 27
| Chapters 5-7
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| In-class Exam 3
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| Wednesday, April 22
| Chapters 8-9
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| 42%
| Make ups will not be given for the in-class exams
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| Final Exam
| 30%
| Friday, May 22, 10:30am, BART 65
| Cumulative - all chapters covered.
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| OWL Electronic Homework
| 8%
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| Lab
| 20%
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| Total
| 100%
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Exam policies
- No make-up exams will be given - plan your work schedules, etc. now.
- The final exam will not be given early, so plan your summer work/travel plans accordingly.
- You must take the final exam to pass the course.
- Grading is not on a curve. Everyone can get an A; everyone can fail. There is no penalty for helping your neighbor (in fact, you can learn alot by helping others!)
Lab policies:
- You must complete all of the laboratory experiments to pass the course.
- Lab conflicts or problems should be taken to your TA or lab supervisor.
Exam Info:
- Exam 1
- Covers all of chapters 1,2, 3, and 4 of the text.
- Feedback summarized.
- Exam 2
- Covers all of chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the text.
- Comments and Feedback summarized.
- Exam 3
- Covers all of chapters 8 and 9 of the text.
- Exam Scores
Course Scheduling Information
Lecture Section Number: 2
Scheduling number: 182887
Meeting time: MWF 1:25pm
Location: Goessmann 64 (Peter's Auditorium)
The Chemistry Resource Center - CRC, Goessmann 152
Staffed by Chemistry faculty, graduate teaching assistants and undergraduate desk assistants. A great place to bring your books and get help with coursework.
This is an invaluable resource for the course. You can get help with problems. Talk with faculty, TA's, and your fellow students. Access to OWL and Chemland can be obtained in the CRC. Use it!
| Hours:
| Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM - Midnight
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| Faculty on staff from Noon-5:00p
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| Friday 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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| No faculty or TA assistance is available from
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| Sunday 5 PM - Midnight.
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| 10 AM - noon, Monday - Friday and Sunday night.
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Faculty Office Hours in the CRC
| Monday
| 1-3
| Reed
| 3-5
| Chandler
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| Tues
| 1-3
| Day
| 3-5
| Botch
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| Weds
| 1-2
| Reed
| 2-4
| Bianconi
| 4-5
| Turner
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| Thurs
| 1-3
| Zajicek
| 3-5
| Metz
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| Fri
| 1-2:30
| Turner
| 2:30-4:30
| Martin
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Module 11 must be passed by May 9
Module 12 must be passed by May 13
Module 13-16 are for extra credit and must be passed by May 15
See calendar for more deadlines.
Note that your OWL menu should like the following:
| Quiz Number |
Quiz Name |
| 14 | Tutor Module - Basic Stoichiometry
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| 15 | Tutor Module - Advanced Stoichiometry
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| 16 | Tutor Module - Conversions
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| 1 | Tutorial
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| 2 | Nomenclature
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| 3 | Significant Figures
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| 4 | Chemical Formulas
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| 5 | Net Ionic Equations
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| 6 | Oxidation-Reduction
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| 7 | Stoichiometry
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| 8 | Thermodynamics I
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| 9 | Atomic Structure I
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| 10 | Atomic Structure II
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| 11 | Molecular Structure
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| 12 | Gases
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| 13 | Nomenclature 2
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If it does NOT, send me EMail or see me after class!
Note that the "Tutor Modules" are optional, for extra credit. Do them any time - they're good practice for the final!
You make take quizzes beyond that date, but are not guaranteed to have them count towards your grade.
OWL is a computer delivered homework/quizzing system covering the topics covered in the course.
Assignments will be given in lecture with due dates specified. Students who have their own computer and internet access, either through direct internet connection or a PPP account at OIT, may access OWL. For those who do not have internet access, the CRC provides this access.
- For access from the CRC, logon procedures are next to each computer.
- For remote access, simply connect to owl.chem.umass.edu with your favorite WEB browser.
- You may take each "quiz" as often as necessary to pass a module. Should get new questions each time. There is no penalty for trying!
- Some modules may be skipped this semester.
- You can re-take modules that you have passed (don't worry not passing later does not remove your previous pass!). This is a good way to study for exams.
Key Features of this Quiz/Homework system:
- You must pass each module to get credit towards your final grade.
- You may take each module as many times as you like.
- OWL quizzes are OPEN BOOK (but exams are not...).
- OWL serves as a valuable practice tool to get ready for exams.
- Once you have passed a module, it is passed permanently.
- There is no penalty for taking modules after you have passed them
Chemland and the Saunders Interactive CD
Chemland is a wonderful piece of software currently under development at UMass. This software is available in the CRC to help with understanding the concepts in chemistry. Similarly, the Saunders Interactive CD is an accompaniment to the text and should have come with the text you purchased.
These tools are great at helping you to understand concepts. Use them extensively, but don't forget that there is still no substitute for working problems. Chemistry is not a spectator sport!
The laboratory is mandatory for this course and represents 20% of the course grade. Click here for more information on the laboratory component of Chem 111.
- In order to be allowed into each lab, you must show up with all pre-lab questions completed.
- All labs must be completed in order to get a course grade.
A lab hand-out with detailed information is available outside of GSMN 56.
Contact Information
The instructor for this lecture section is:
Professor Craig T. Martin
Office Hours (in CRC): Fridays 2:30p - 4:30p
Phone: 545-3299
EMail: CTMartin@chem.umass.edu
For administrative questions (including add/drop and special needs requests), contact:
Ms. Linda Warren
Office: 149 GSMN
Phone: 545-2580
EMail: lwarren@chem.umass.edu
Note that during the first two weeks, adds and drops should be done using the phone registration system.
For questions about the laboratory component of the course:
First:
Contact your laboratory supervisor
Then, contact:
Professor Tom Whelan
Phone: 545-6092
EMail: whelan@chem.umass.edu
