Course Policies:

Cell Phones: All cell phones are to be turned off at all times during the lecture period. Students whose cell phones ring during a lecture will be asked to leave. Please be considerate of both your fellow students and your instructor.  

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, the student will be able to …
(1) Differentiate between accuracy and precision in measurements.
(2) Report measurements and calculations to the proper number of significant figures.
(3) Solve problems using the Unit-Label/Dimensional Analysis method.
(4) Discuss the structure of the atom and organization of the periodic table.
(5) Name and write formulas for ionic and molecular compounds.
(6) Solve problems using mole relationships.
(7) Balance chemical equations and predict products of chemical reactions.
(8) Use balanced chemical equations to solve stoichiometry problems.
(9) Write net ionic equations for double replacement reactions.
(10) Identify and balance redox reactions using the half - reaction method.
(11) Solve problems using solution concentration (molarity).
(12) Solve problems using the gas laws.
(13) Solve problems using the First Law of Thermodynamics.
(14) Relate the spectrum of an element to the structure of the atom.
(15) Write the electron configuration for and element and relate to the structure of the atom.
(16) Name and identify the four quantum numbers for an element.
(17) Predict properties of elements based on the trends of the periodic table.
(18) Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonding.
(19) Draw Lewis structures and predict molecular geometry of a molecule.
(20) Predict and explain the polarity of a molecule.
(21) Explain the geometry of a molecule using one of the bonding theories.
For matters not covered in this syllabus, please consult the professor, or the college catalog/student handbook. This syllabus is not intended to be all inclusive of classroom and college policies and procedures.

Homework:

Homework assignments will be given on a day-to-day basis. These assignments are online through Mastering Chemistry . You should have received an access code with your purchase of the course textbook. If you did not purchase a textbook or purchased a used book without an access code, you can purchase one online. You must have an access code to complete the homework. Homework will comprise ~15% of your overall grade. Due dates will be available online and also in the course schedule. No late homework problems will be accepted.

Grading:

Grading Scale:
Final grades in the course will be assigned based on the percentage of total possible points in the course, according to the following percentile scale:

90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
Below 70% D/F

The above scale represents the minimum grade for that percentile range, and the instructor may modify the grade cut-off percentiles downward if necessary to compensate for problematic exams or other factors. The instructor may also wish to provide modified grading scales for individual exams that deviate from the above scale in order to help students track their performance in the course; however, any adjustments to the final grading scale will be based on point totals at the end of the course.

Academic Honor Policy:

The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University’s expectations for the integrity of students’ academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to “. . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University.”
See Academic Honor Policy  for more details.

Missed Quiz or Exam Policy:

If you are aware that you must miss an exam or quiz prior to the day of the exam or quiz, contact the instructor or your recitation TA to see if arrangements to take the exam/quiz may be made in advance. If you miss an exam or quiz due to unforeseen circumstances, this missed exam or quiz will count as one of your dropped grades.

If you miss more than one exam or an excessive number of quizzes, the missed exam or quiz may be prorated if you have a documentable and reasonable excuse. The decision as to whether or not to prorate the missing grade is at the discretion of the instructor. Notification of the missed exam or quiz should be made as soon as humanly possible. No make-up exams will be given after the date and time of the regular exam.

Examples of Reasonable Excuses (Documentation) Include: 

• Illness (Note from Doctor or Thagard)
• Jury Duty or Court Date (Copy of Summons)
• Car Accident or Breakdown (Accident report or bill including time of incident)
• Death in Family (Copy of Obituary or service Document)