General Chemistry at Penn State

CHEM 108

SPRING HOME PAGE

Syllabus

Instructor Info

Lecture Worksheets
 

Syllabus
Spring 2008

INSTRUCTOR IN CHARGE:

Dr. Mary J. Bojan   203 Whitmore Laboratory    865-2895      mjb@chem.psu.edu
Office Hours:  by appt. 203Whitmore

TEACHING ASSISTANTS:

Ryan Pensack              Sections 1, 2, and 3          rdp154@psu.edu
James Bondi                 Section 4 and5                 jfb212@psu.edu

COURSE WEB PAGE:

http://courses.chem.psu.edu/chem108/Spring

OFFICE HOURS:

PURPOSE OF CHEM 108:

To facilitate success in Chem 110 for all students: we want EVERYONE to pass Chem 110. This is done in a number of ways.

• Skill Building: Students are given opportunities to  build and strengthen basic skills and develop problem solving skills needed to be successful in Chem 110.
• Getting Ahead: Many Chem 108 assignments are designed to help students keep up with or even be ahead in their Chem 110 studies rather than always catching up. The assigned Lecture Worksheets  are one  specific way in which this is done.
• Active and Collaborative Learning: Students are encouraged to work together in class to solve problems and to develop problem solving skills.

REQUIRED TEXT: A Required Packet for Chem 108 is available in the bookstore. In addition to the packet you should bring your calculator to each class.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All students registered for CHEM 108 must be taking CHEM 110 concurrently: Assignments in class will be made in conjunction with the CHEM 110 lecture. For example, Lecture Worksheets are directly related to the reading assignment for each CHEM 110 lecture.

GRADING:

Attendance/Participation (3 pts/week)      45 points
    (includes group worksheets)

Lecture Worksheets (30  @ 1 pt each)      30 points

Homework Problems                                25 points

In general, Lecture Worksheets and homework will be graded based on effort rather than results, i.e., if the assignment is done on time and with reasonable care, full credit will be given, even if there are some mistakes in the work.

Letter Grades will be assigned at the end of the semester based roughly on the ten points per letter grade system: (100-90 A; 89-80 B; 79-70 C; 69-60 D; 59-0 F).

Lecture Worksheets:

These are part of the required Chem 108 packet. These are designed to help you prepare for the lectures. An alternate version can be  obtained on the Chem 108 web page (http://courses.chem.psu.edu/chem108/Spring/LectureWS.html). They are separated by lecture and can be printed out as needed in .pdf format. Lecture Worksheets must be turned in (AT CHEM 110 LECTURE) by the date given on the Lecture Worksheet.

CLASS POLICIES:

1. In general, points for all assignments (lecture worksheets, group worksheets, and homework) will be awarded based on effort rather than results, i.e., if the assignment is done on time and with reasonable care, the maximum points will be given, even if there are some mistakes in the work.
2. Homework that is due will be collected at the beginning of class. Any homework handed in after that time will be considered late and will receive little or no credit. ALL assignments can be handed in early.

3. Written excuses are required if you want an absence to be taken into account in grading. Include an explanation for any assignments missed as well.

4. If you miss a class for any reason, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get any assignments that you missed.  Missing a class is not an excuse for late homework. Unless you are sick for an entire week, you will be expected to see your instructor as soon as you are feeling well, obtain assignments, and complete them when they are due. Contact your instructor via e-mail for example, to make arrangements to pick up assignments. Most Homework assignments are posted on the Course web page under Homework.

5. Homework should be turned in early if an absence is anticipated.

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   Questions about this www page? Contact: Mary J. Bojan