Syllabus Chem 28A Organic Chemistry. J. Dekker
Reedley College, Fall 2008
Lecture: TTh 11:00am-12:15 in Room SOC 36
Office: RC ADM 9, phone # 559.638.3641 X3353
Office hours: By appointment
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Lecture
The lectures will be presented in SOC 36. We will use some computer programs, but mostly worksheets to practice the material. There will be a link from the Chemistry Department web site supporting you with lecture notes, sample quizzes and sample exams.
Textbooks
1. McMurry, Organic Chemistry: A Biological Approach
2. Traynham, Organic Nomenclature (6th ed.)
Course description and objectives : Chem 28A is an organic chemistry course designed for biology and biological science majors. Chemical engineering, pre-med, pre-dental, pre-vet and pre-pharmacy professional majors will also need and enjoy this course. Students will acquire a solid base to study biochemistry, pharmacology and other biology and chemistry related fields in medical school, pharmacy school, chiropractic school, vet school etc. In this class we learn how to recognize and name the principal functional groups in organic compounds, and we make a thorough study of the reactions of these functional groups with emphasis on theory and mechanism. We will gain an understanding of chirality and its influence on the reactivity of organic compounds in biological systems. In addition, analysis of MS, IR and NMR spectra will be part of this course.
Everything we do in this class is geared to a successful transfer for you to reputed four year institutions such as the UC system, Cal Poly, UOP, and USC. Feel free to refer to Alumni of the organic chemistry program at Reedley College.
Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
A. analyze the structural formula of an organic compound, recognize its functional groups and name it properly.
B. draw a structural formula given the systematical name of an organic compound.
C. recognize chiral compounds and understand their physical properties.
D. complete the reactions of many aliphatic molecules and write the correct reaction mechanism.
E. analyze MS, IR and NMR spectra and determine the structure of an unknown compound.
Quizzes and exams: There will be three quizzes and the average score of these quizzes is worth two exam scores. Including the final there will be a total of three exams, typically covering more material than the quizzes. Each exam including the final will be equally weighted. When a student does not show up for a quiz or exam without prior notice, it is graded with a zero (0) and loss of the incentive described under Grading. This grade (a zero) is also used for fraudulent behavior.
To resume, the percentage that each type of test counts towards your final grade is as follows:
Average of the exams 50.00%
Average of the quizzes 33.33%
Average of the homework and pop quizzes 16.67%
Grading: The average of graded homework and pop quizzes is worth the weight of one exam score. If the student's attendance is 95% and he/she has fulfilled all the assignments properly and submitted on time, the lowest grade of the quizzes will be dropped.
Typical break-off for grading: A > 90%; B 80-89%; C 70-79%; D 60-69%; F < 59%.
Homework: Homework will be assigned often. It is crucial to your success that you do your homework, with the emphasis on problems and readings in McMurry's text. Occasionally homework and worksheets will be collected and selected problems graded.
Drop date: The final date to drop this class is Friday October 17, 2008. After that day a letter grade needs to be assigned and it will appear on your transcripts. You will avoid a "W" when you drop the class before or on Friday September 5, 2008.
Attendance and class rules: In accordance with Community College policy attendance is mandatory. If you miss two weeks or four consecutive lectures without prior notice you will be dropped automatically.