GENERAL CHEMISTRY C1403x
FALL TERM 2005
Professors Fine, Friesner, and Turro

Chemistry C1403x presumes high school chemistry, physics, and biology, and mathematics to calculus. Topics include a brief review of the basic language and concepts of chemistry; atomic structure and chemical bonding; and a selection of topics from chapters on descriptive inorganic and organic chemistry, transition metal and solid state chemistry, and materials science.

I. Class sections and recitation sections
Section 1: M/W 10:35-11:50 (Prof. Friesner)
C1405 recitation sections 001- 006
Ms. Elvekrog (Preceptor) and Mr. Yurkerwich
Section 2: T/Th 10:35-11:50 (Prof. Fine)
C1405 recitation sections 007- 012
Ms. Kristian (Preceptor) and Mr. Mackowiak
Section 3: T/Th 1:10-2:25 (Prof. Fine)
C1405 recitation sections 013- 018
Ms. Catalano (Preceptor) and Mr. Vadola
Section 4: M/W 1:10-2:25 (Prof. Turro)
C1405 recitation sections 019- 024
Mr. Johnson (Preceptor) and Ms. Solomon

II. REGISTRATION FOR LECTURE AND RECITATION
   A. LECTURE: YOU MUST BE REGISTERED for one of the four lecture sections and regularly attend the one selected. They are not interchangeable!
   B. RECITATION: YOU MUST BE REGISTERED for one of the six recitation sections for the lecture section you selected (above). They are not interchangeable either. Recitation sections begin the week September 12-16. NOTE: Failure to register for recitation sections is a presumption of withdrawal from the course.

III. IMPORTANT: DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION. Administered during the first recitation, completing this standardized national examination is a requirement for registration in the course. NOTE: Failing to take this examination means you have failed to complete your registration and cannot be given a term grade for the course.

IV. REQUIRED TEXTS: Oxtoby, Freeman and Block, CHEMISTRY: Science of Change, Fourth Edition, Brooks-Cole Publishers, Belmont, California (2003). The accompanying Student Solutions Manual contains detailed answers to odd-numbered problems assigned as homework. Answers to the even-numbered problems can be found in the Instructor’s Manual on reserve in the Chemistry and Engineering Libraries. All three sections will cover Chapters 1-4 and 16-18. Depending on the Instructor, material from other chapters in the text indicated below will be covered.

TEXTBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS ­ Fall Term
REVIEW MATERIAL
1. The Atomic Nature of Matter
2. Stoichiometry
3. Chemical Periodicity and the Formation of Simple Compounds
STRUCTURE AND BONDING; SPECTROSCOPY
16. Quantum Mechanics and the Hydrogen Atom.
17. Many-electron Atoms and Chemical Bonding.
18. Molecular Orbitals, Spectroscopy, and Atmospheric Chemistry.
TRANSITION METALS, NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY, SOLID STATE, MATERIALS SCIENCE, AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
15. Nuclear Chemistry.
19. Coordination Complexes
20. Structure and Bonding in Solids.
21. Silicon and Solid-State Materials.
22. Chemical processes
23. Chemistry of the Halogens
24. From Petroleum to Pharmaceuticals.
25. Synthetic and Biological Polymers.


V. COURSEWORKS is the standard method for distribution of assignments, grades and general information. It is your responsibility to check the COURSEWORKS site for your section on a regular basis. If you have difficulty accessing COURSEWORKS, there is a HELP DESK in Room 102 Philosophy Hall: 212-854-1919 REMEMBER! Ignorance of Courseworks is no excuse. A. Hit on: http://courseworks.columbia.edu B. Class Emails from COURSEWORKS will contain vital information. C. Exam grades and the official answer key for all exams are only available on COURSEWORKS (generally) in about 4-7 days.

VI. CLASS EXAMS, RECITATION QUIZZES AND FINAL EXAMINATIONS: Three in-class exams of equal value are given according to the schedule below; the FINAL EXAM is valued at two in-class exams. Collectively, they constitute five in-class exam equivalents. A composite quiz grade constitutes a sixth in-class exam equivalent. The course grade is based on five in-class exam equivalents (five hours of in-class exams and the quiz composite equivalent). The lowest of the six exam equivalents will be dropped in the computation of the final grade. Thus, the maximum point total for the course is 500 points. At the discretion of the instructor, bonus points can be given, up to a maximum of 10 (bonus points), which will be added to the final point total based on 500 maximum points.

A. EXAM SCHEDULE
Exam 1: Tuesday/Wednesday September 27/28
Exam 2: Tuesday/Wednesday November 1/2
Exam 3: Wednesday/Thursday November 30/December 1
Final Exam: TBA
Super important. No kidding! No fooling! NO MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS FOR ANY REASON.
If you miss one exam, choose not to take one exam, or for personal or health reasons cannot take one exam, you have only missed the opportunity to have your lowest grade dropped and no excuse is needed.
If you miss more than one exam, you have a serious problem and will not receive a grade for the course. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN without consulting with your professor as soon as possible.

B. RECITATION SECTIONS, QUIZZES AND HOMEWORK: Again, you must register for one of the six (6) weekly recitation sections coupled to your lecture section. There are 8 quizzes, one each week except exam and holiday weeks; the five best count as your composite quiz grade and will be weighted the same as an hour exam equivalent. Homework is the basis for lecture and recitation discussion and quizzes but not graded.

C. FINAL EXAMINATION: Scheduled during final examination week according to the published university calendar and covering the entire term’s work, it must be taken at the time announced and you should plan accordingly. NOTE: There are no exceptions.

D. GRADE SUMMARY
Hour exams = 3/6
Quiz composite = 1/6
Final exam = 2/6
DROP LOWEST 1/6
Total Points = 500
Bonus = 10 points can be added to the 500 total at the discretion of the instructor.

VII. IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, Sept. 6       Classes begin
Friday, Sept. 16        Last day to add/change courses and sections
Tuesday, Oct. 11      Last day to drop classes
Monday Nov. 7       Academic Holiday
Tuesday, Nov. 8       University Holiday (Election Day)
Thursday, Nov. 24       University Holiday (Thanksgiving Day)
Friday, November 25      University Holiday
Monday, December 12      Last day of classes
VIII. OPEN/OFFICE HOURS
Generally held by Faculty immediately after class when possible, and at other hours as announced or by arrangement:
Professor Fine - Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 ­ 2:00 P.M.
Professor Friesner ­ TBA
Professor Turro ­ Monday and Wednesday 3-5 PM
Teaching Assistants and Instructional Associates: TBA

IX. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
UNDERGRADUATE OFFICE: Room 340 Havemeyer
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) Office: Room 211 Havemeyer
Socky Lugo:Administrative Coordinator sl27@columbia.edu
Daisy Melendez: Undergraduate Secretary dm55@columbia.edu
Michael Clayton: IT Associate mc1392@columbia.edu
Alexa Avila-Bront: Lecture Demonstrator

X. USEFUL INFORMATION
   A. GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY: C1500 is a separate course and can be taken in conjunction with the first term of lecture (C1403), or with the second term of lecture (C1404), or in the second year after completing the two-term lecture sequence.
   B. FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING CLASS SECTIONS, RECITATION SECTIONS, EXAMS, AND TA-RELATED ISSUES, contact the UNDERGRADUATE OFFICE, Room 340 Havemeyer: (212-854-2163); dm55@columbia.edu
   C. FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING COURSE WEB PAGES AND COURSEWORKS-RELATED ISSUES: contact the IT ASSOCIATE, Room 211 Havemeyer: (212-854-8575); mc1392@columbia.edu
   D. The DIAGNOSTIC EXAM is not used in computing the course grade. It is used solely for calibration purposes.