Course Syllabus

Credits: 4 semester hours. Prerequisites: Chemistry 212 and 213.

Instructor: Tom Nalli (Pasteur 350, 457-2476, tnalli@winona.edu)
Office Hours: See full schedule at http://course1.winona.edu/tnalli/s23/sche.htm
Zoom Room: https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/4371038731

Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:00-12:50 AM.
Location: Pasteur 329

Labs:

• Section 01 - Thursday 2:00-4:50, SLC 382, Lab Assistant - Sophia Fries
• Section 02 - Wednesday 2:00-4:50, SLC 382, Lab Assistant - Elijah Kellner
• Section 03 - Monday 2:00-4:50, SLC 382, Lab Assistant - Maddie Degenhardt

Tutor Linked to Course: Elijah Kellner

Required Materials:

• Organic Chemistry - A Short Course by Hart, Hadad, Craine, and Hart; Cengage, Boston, MA. 2012. ISBN: 0-357-67089-2
• Aktiv Learning account (for on-line learning and homework.)
• Techniques in Organic Chemistry, 4th ed. by Mohrig, Alberg, Hofmeister, Hammond, and Schatz. Freeman, New York, 2014. ISBN: 1-4641-3422-7
• Molecular Model Kit: Models help with the visualization of the three-dimensional nature of organic molecules, an essential part of this course. Thus, access to a molecular model kit is required for all students in the course. Please purchase or borrow a used kit from a previous student in this course or buy an inexpensive kit off of Amazon such as this one. 
• Mobile Internet Access: It is expected that students will monitor their WSU email as well as the course D2L page for important announcements. It is also expected that students will be able to access all on-line course content even when not on campus.
• Laboratory notebook: A bound composition notebook purchased from the bookstore will suffice. If you have a laboratory notebook from a previous chemistry course with pages left in it you may also use that.

Homework and Quizzes:

Organic chemistry is a very difficult subject for most people. You will need to work hard in order to get an acceptable grade in the course. It is essential that you diligently and independently practice the application of concepts. One important way to accomplish this is by working the chapter-end questions in the textbook. Your work on these book assignments will not be used for determining your grade in the course.

In addition, the on-line homework system, Aktiv Learning, provides numerous opportunities for study and practice. The instructor will create an Aktiv assignment after each lecture and you will receive modest grade credit (5%) for completing these assignments in advance of designated due dates.

More practice will be afforded to you by quizzes, which will be given at the start of each lecture.These quizzes count somewhat (10%) toward your grade in the course, but their main purpose is to give you practice on the most recent material and to provide take-off points for the day's lecture.

The main goal of all the homework and quizzes is to allow you to do well on the exams that will form the main basis for your grade in the course. 

Learning Outcomes:

A student successfully completing Chem 340 will:

• Understand organic nomenclature as evidenced by the ability to name a given structure according to IUPAC rules and the ability to draw the structure of a compound given its name.
• Understand how structure influences physical properties as evidenced by the ability to predict trends in the physical properties, including boiling point, melting point, and water solubility, of a set of compounds.
• Understand in how structure influences reactivity and reaction mechanism as evidenced by the ability to predict the main product (and its stereochemistry) of a given chemical reaction.
• Be able to deduce the structure and purity of an organic compound based on its NMR and mass spectra.
• Be able to carry out standard organic laboratory procedures including reflux, chromatography, extraction, recrystallization, distillation, and spectroscopy as needed to prepare and purify a compound.

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence:

• WSU recognizes that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us.
• In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders and gender identities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences.
• If you feel your differences may in some way isolate you from WSU’s community or if you have a need for any specific accommodations, please speak with the instructor early in the semester about your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an active and engaged member of our class and community.
• If you or a friend has been a victim of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, you can talk to a trained, confidential advocate by calling 507.457.5610.
• Reach out to the OASIS Advocacy Center for more information about your rights and resources.

Grading:

Your average on the quizzes counts 10% toward your final total grade for the course. The lowest three quiz grades will be dropped. (Note - quizzes are graded on a scale of 50% to 100%. You receive a minimum score of 50 if you are in attendance. Non-attendance on a quiz day is the only way to receive a 0.)

The Aktiv Chemistry assignments count 5% toward your grade.

Your score in the laboratory counts 25%.

Four midterm exams (Exams 1-4) will be given as well as a comprehensive standardized final exam. The exams account for 60% of the course grade according to one of two possible scenarios:

Quiz Make-Up Policy:

If you notify me in advance that you must miss a quiz for a compelling personal or academic reason, then you will be allowed to make it up at a mutually agreed upon time.

Regarding missed quizzes due to oversleeping or other poor excuses: I will allow one make up of such a quiz and it must be done on the same day the quiz was given. Additional absences will mean a score of zero. The lowest three quiz grades are dropped.

Minimum Scores:
to pass course (D) - 50% | for a C grade - 60% | for a B grade - 75% | for an A grade - 87.5%

Tentative Exam Dates and Coverage: