While every effort has been made to make sure this electronic syllabus is error-free, it is not official.
The definitive source of course information remains the original (paper) syllabus distributed in class.

Instructor:  Dr. Holly D. Bendorf                           Phone:  x4365, 998-8647
Office:  209 Heim Bldg.                                         e-mail:  bendorf@lycoming.edu

Course Schedule:     Lecture:  MWF  11:30 – 12:20 in Heim G-40
                                  Lab:        T  1:00 - 2:50 or 3:00 - 4:50 in Heim 239

Office Hours:  Monday and Thursday 2:00 – 3:00 and Wednesday 10:15 – 11:15.
Also by appointment and walk-in.

Course Description:  CHEM 150, Chemistry in Context, explores current issues and events that are chemistry-related.  These issues include air and water quality, the ozone layer, global warming, acid rain, polymers, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition.  The chemistry knowledge associated with these issues is built on a need-to-know basis.

Text and Materials:
• "Chemistry in Context" (3rd Edition) by Stanitski, Eubanks, Middlecamp and Stratton.
• "Laboratory Manual for Chemistry in Context" (3rd Edition) by Stratton, Silberman, Stanitski, and Schwartz.
• Safety glasses or goggles.
• Lab breakage deposit of $5, refunded upon check-out.
• Calculator
• Chemistry in Context Web Site:  www.mhhe.com/cic
 

Grading Criteria:	Quizzes	50 points
	Exams (3)	300 points
	Laboratory	60 points
	Homework and other assignments	40 points
	Total	450 points

 
Course grades will be assigned as follows:  90 - 100% A, 80 - 90% B, 70 - 80% C, 60 - 70% D, below 60% F.  These ranges include + and - grades.
 
Exams are scheduled for the following dates:
 
 Exam 1:  Wednesday, October 4 (Chapters 1, 2, and 3)
 Exam 2:  Wednesday, November 8 (Chapters 4, 5, and 6)
 Exam 3:  Will be administered on the day and time assigned by the registrar.
                No exceptions!  (Chapters 9, 10, and 11)

The exams will consist of short answer and essay-type questions.  Some calculation-based problems will be included.

Quizzes (announced) will be given throughout the semester.  They are intended to help you assess your progress and to alert you to any "trouble spots" before you take an exam.

Homework Assignments:  You should attempt the homework after completing the reading assignments and working the Your Turn problems in the text (solutions to the Your Turn problems are given immediately following the problem or in Appendix 4).  Late homework will not be accepted.  Answer keys will be posted outside of the lab after the assignment has been collected.

Homework will be graded as follows:
 v+  All problems are completed, some minor errors may be present.
 v    All problems are attempted, some errors are present.
 v-   Several problems have been skipped, significant errors are present.
0     Many problems skipped, little effort is evident, homework copied from another student (both students receive zeros) or homework not received on time.

Homework is worth a total of 30 points.  Point values for homework will be calculated at the end of the semester.  The examples below are provided to give you an idea of how this is done.
 Earn a v+ on every homework:  30/30 Earn a v on every homework:  25/30
 Earn a v- on every homework:  20/30  Earn a 0 on every homework:  0/30
 
Assignments:   In addition to homework, there will be several in-class exercises, ranging from working basic chemistry problems to discussing current chemistry-related issues (10 points, based on participation).

Laboratory:   Labs are intended to enhance and illustrate the concepts we discuss in class.  Each lab will have a response sheet that you will complete and turn-in before leaving.  Response sheets are graded on a 10-point scale.  The lab total will be scaled to 60 points for calculation of the final grade.

Lab Safety:  Unsafe behavior in the lab will not be tolerated and violations will be penalized.  Repeated violations during a class may result in a zero for that lab.  Keep in mind that lab safety includes laboratory hygiene.  In the event that common areas are left dirty, points may be deducted from the entire section's lab grade.  If you have any questions regarding lab safety, please ask.

Attendance Policy:
 Lecture:  Regular attendance at lecture is expected, and repeated absences will be penalized.
(3 points per absence after third absence)
Quizzes, Exams and Laboratory Meetings:  Attendance is mandatory.  Make-ups are not permitted with a few exceptions--usually a case of medical or family emergency that must be documented (note from doctor, notification from Dean).  Missing an exam or quiz without making arrangements with me prior to the absence will result in a grade of zero for the exam or quiz.   Labs cannot be "made-up".

**Be aware that in accordance with the College's policy on academic honesty, any work you submit must be your own.  Any instances of plagiarism (including copying answers from a classmate) will be penalized severely.

Last updated September 4, 2000.
The URL for this page is http://lyco2.lycoming.edu/dept/chem/fall2000/150syl.htm