cmthomp@selway.umt.edu
Fall 1998 Information/Ground Rules 
LINKS WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT
Materials
Class
Format
Exams/Grading
Policy
Homework
(discussion of importance)
Attendance
Academic
Dishonesty
Office
Hours/Availability
Benefits
Expected
ASSIGNED
HOMEWORK (problem list for entire semester)
SYLLABUS/EXAM
SCHEDULE
Required Texts: "Organic Chemistry, 3rd Edition," Francis A. Carey, McGraw Hill, 1996. "Study Guide and Solutions Manual to Accompany Organic Chemistry," F. A. Carey and R. C. Atkins, McGraw Hill, 1996.
Highly Suggested: Molecular model kit - an assembly of plastic sticks (bonds) and precision drilled connectors (atoms) that allow the construction of organic molecules. The model kit is almost essential for understanding conformational analysis (bond rotation) and stereochemistry (three-dimensional visualization).
II. Class format: Three lectures per week that meet MWF 3:10 with an additional period scheduled for Friday 4:10 - 5:00. The Friday sessions will be used for discussion, problem solving and exams (split locations may be used for exams - be on the alert for room assignments). A teaching assistant/discussion leader will be assigned to the course to run discussion sections. S/he will schedule all discussion periods and office hours - time and place TBA. The TA and I can meet the demands of about 50-75 students in office hours over the course of the entire semester. Discussions sections, which are intended to review major concepts, is your most reliable resource for general information and problem-solving.
III. Exams/Grading Policy: Course grade will be based upon your performance on four, 40-minute mini- exams and one cumulative 2-hour final exam in the following distribution. All mini-exams are Friday at 4:10 pm.
IV. Homework (see attached):
To have adequate exam preparation you should attempt and complete all the
assigned homework ina timely fashion. Homework will not be collected/graded
but how well you work and understand the problems is directly proportional
to your exam success. It is suggested that you read the entire chapter
and attempt all the problems if you desire better than average grades.
A list of homework problems representing the minimum suggested assignments
to "get you through" the class with a passing grade ("C") is appended.
A few words about homework problems. A study guide
and solutions manual has been made available to you so that you can progress
through the material at your own pace. There is, however, a serious drawback
to solution manuals - the tendency to not really attempt to answer the
problems before looking up the answer. This strategy can lead to the mistaken
sense that you "know" the material well. Please take the time to work the
problems, discuss them with a classmate (for their input) and then consult
the solutions guide. In many instances, the solution guide will give an
answer that is not consistent with your own - some problems in organic
chemistry have more than one approach! This is particularly true of synthesis.
Although it is important to do as many problems as time permits, I suggest
that you concentrate on those problems that have a direct application to
the lecture material I cover in class. This strategy will help you reinforce
concepts that I think are important. You can take this logic further by
attempting all the "in chapter" problems that have significant overlap
with the lecture material. Attend discussion sections and utilize
this resources for homework problem approaches and analyses. Organic chemistry
is very labor intensive and even the best students have attempted to "wing
it" on my first few quizzes using only a [night before the exam] memorization
strategy. You will be greatly disappointed with this approach. You may
get by with a good grade when the material is relatively easy (Chapters
1, 2 and 3) but cutting corners will catch up with you. Work the
problems! Surveys of my past organic chemistry classes (13 years) indicate
a commitment of about 6-8 hours per week of homework preparation to pass
organic chemistry. This time estimate includes reading the chapter(s),
conducting problems, and rewriting notes. Remember, this effort represents
the minimum passing level - expect to work problems about 8-11 hrs/week
for a "B" or 10-14 hrs/week for an "A". Study groups tend to reduce this
weekly commitment.
V. Attendance: Lecture attendance is not mandatory but chronic absence is a sure route to a poor grade. Regular attendance at discussion sections is also helpful.
VI. Academic Dishonesty: Cheating
and/or attempting to cheat in either lecture or the laboratory will not
be tolerated. The
academic penalty for cheating is a failing grade, and the academic
procedures related to handling students that are caught
cheating follow "the student conduct code."
VII. Office Hours/Availability: I will have office hours MW 9:30-10:30. You are also welcome to submit questions by e-mail at cmthomp@selway.umt.edu. In light of the number of students registered and the fact that my office has space for only one person at a time suggests that e-mail may be a great avenue for a quick answer. Please use your Discussion Leader, lab TA and fellow classmates as resources too.
VIII. "Benefits Expected" or "What
Am I Gonna get from this Stuff?" Why do professional schools
(medical, veterinary, pharmacy, dental, etc.), regard organic chemistry
so highly when reviewing candidates applications? Clearly, it is not just
the material and its relationships to biology - that is underestimating
the professional community. Organic chemistry is a "thinking science,"
that teaches students to evolve intellectually and draw upon and utilize
skills not generally required in other classes. Almost everything is "organic"
and everything of biological origin is organic. You need only consider
the clothes you wear and those "chemicals" you used to get ready this morning
to get a preliminary sense of how even a modest knowledge of organic chemistry
can be helpful. Clothes (whether cotton or polyester or rayon) are organic
molecules called polymers. These materials are then reacted with dyes to
give their characteristic patterns and colors - all fiber dyes are organic.
And what about your first 30 minutes awakening this morning? Perhaps a
shower, wash your hair, cleansing mouthwash, and then couple of Twinkies
and a strong coffee or herbal tea to wash down some anti-hangover medication.
All these materials are organic (except the water and possibly the Twinkies)!
The soap is a detergent made up of a lipid (grease and polar head group).
The shampoo and conditioner are detergents and waxes (yes, you wax your
head), respectively. The mouthwash has lots of ethanol in it (ethyl alcohol;
a very simple organic molecule) and flavors like wintergreen or peppermint
(an organic terpene). Coffee and tea are the ultimate organic extraction
experiments! Using hot water we extract lots of water soluble organic compounds
that we then imbibe including caffeine - a heterocyclic organic molecule
and lots of volatile organic aromatics that give coffee its characteristic
aroma (sulfides). Last, aspirin, Tylenol or Advil are all organic - aromatic
molecules tailored to meet your pain relief needs! Importantly, all these
analgesics are synthetic - that is, made in a laboratory. Ever worry about
chemicals on your food? Try living a day without a single "synthetic organic"
chemical.
Have you picked up a box of cereal lately and read
the ingredients? You have to be an organic chemist just to read it! Whether
you just want to understand the world of chemicals or you need organic
chemistry as a prerequisite to lead into biochemistry, pharmacology or
medicine, or have your own personal reason to be better educated about
certain chemicals (e.g., pesticides, pharmaceuticals), a background in
organic chemistry is essential. This class can be a lot more fun, however,
if you remove the stigma associated with this class and enjoy what is being
taught - the study of a unique language that useshieroglyphics, puzzles,
numbers and trends for communicating concepts.
| Chapter Number (Topic) | Reading Assignment (optional reading in parentheses*) | In Chapter Problems
|
End of Chapter Problems |
| 1 (Chemical Bonding) | read all sections | 4, 5, 7, 12, 14 | 25, 32, 33, 34, 38a-f, 39a-f |
| 2 (Alkanes) | (sections 2.15, 2.17, 2.18) | 1-4, 6-10 | 17ab, 18a-f, 19c-g, 21a-c, 23, 25, 26, 28- 32 |
| 3 (Conformation of Alkanes) | read all sections | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 | 15-17, 21, 22, 23, 24a-f, 25, 27, 28a-e |
| 4 (Alcohols/Alkyl Halides) | read all sections | 1-3, 5, 6, 9, 12ab, 13-15, 17-19 | 20, 21, 23, 24, 2627abdf, 28, 30, 31, 32ab, 33, 41, 43, 46 |
| 5 (Alkenes; Structure and Preparation) | read all sections | 1, 2, 3ab, 4, 7-9, 11-14, 16abc, 18, | 20, 21, 22a-e, 23a, 24, 27, 28a-e, 29, 30a-d, 32, 34, 37 |
| 6 (Alkenes; Reactions) | (section 6.21) | 1, 3,5 8, 11-13, 15, 16, 20, 22 | 23-25, 27ab, 28a-e, 30, 31acegi, 34-37, 41, 45 |
| 7 (Stereochemistry; you need a model kit to do these problems!) | (section 7.15) | 1-4, 6-14, 20 | 21-26, 28, 36, 38, 40 |
| 8 (Nucleophilic Substitution) | read all sections | 1-6, 8-10, 12-15 | 17 -20, 22, 23, 26-30, 32, 35, 38 |
| 9 (Alkynes) | read all sections | 1-5, 8-16 | 17, 18a-e, 19abe-h, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 33 |
| 10 (Conjugation) | (section 10.8, 10.14, 10.17) | 1-6, 9-13 | 17, 18a-d, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 33, 34 |
| 11 (Arenes & Aromaticity) | (section 11.19) | 1-7, 12, 15, 17 | 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, 37, 44, 46 |
| 12 (Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution) | read all sections | 2-8, 11-19 | 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34a-d, 35 |
| 13 (Spectroscopy) | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Aug 31 (M) - Course Introduction; Chemical bonding (1)
Sept. 2 (W) - Chemical bonding (1)
Sept 4 (F) - Alkanes (2)
Sept 7 (M) - NO CLASS - LABOR DAY
Sept 9 (W) - Alkanes (2)
Sept 11 (F) - Alkanes (2)
Sept 14 (M) - Conformation of Alkanes (3)
Sept 16 (W) - Conformation of Alkanes (3)
Sept 18 (F) - Conformation of Alkanes (3)
Sept 21 (M) - Alcohols and Alkyl Halides (4)
Sept 23 (W) - Alcohols and Alkyl Halides (4)
Sept 25 (F) - Alcohols and Alkyl Halides (4)
Sept 28 (M) - Alkenes and Elimination Reactions (5)
Sept 30 (W) - Alkenes and Elimination Reactions (5)
Oct 2 (F) - Alkenes and Elimination Reactions (5)
Oct 5 (M) - Alkenes and Elimination Reactions (5)
Oct 7 (W) - Alkenes: Addition Reactions (6)
Oct 9 (F) - Alkenes: Addition Reactions (6)
Oct 12 (M) - Alkenes: Addition Reactions (6) (last day
to elect for WP or WF grade)
Oct 14 (W) - Alkenes: Addition Reactions (6)
Oct 16 (F)- Stereochemistry (7)
Oct 19 (M) - Stereochemistry (7)
Oct 21 (W) - Stereochemistry (7)
Oct 23 (F) - Nucleophilic Substitution (8)
Oct 26 (M) - Nucleophilic Substitution (8)
Oct 28 (W) - Nucleophilic Substitution (8)
Oct 30 (F) - Alkynes (9)
Nov 2 (M) - Alkynes (9)
Nov 4 (W) - Alkynes (9)
Nov 6 (F) - Alkadienes and Conjugation (10)
Nov 9 (M) - Alkadienes and Conjugation (10)
Nov 11 (W) - NO CLASS; VETERANS DAY
Nov 13 (F) - Alkadienes and Conjugation (10)
Nov 16 (M) - Arenes and Aromaticity (11)
Nov 18 (W) - Arenes and Aromaticity (11)
Nov 20 (F) - Arenes and Aromaticity (11)
Nov 23 (M) - Arenes and Aromaticity (11)
Nov 25 (W) - NO CLASS; THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov 27 (F) - NO CLASS; THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov 30 (M) - Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (12)
Dec 2 (W) - Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (12)
Dec 4 (F) - Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (12)
Dec 7 (M) - ESpectroscopy (13)
Dec 9 (W) - Spectroscopy (13)
Dec 11 (F) - Spectroscopy (13)
Dec 15 (T) -
* Subject to change; Average about 25 pages of textbook per lecture.