CH 104
COURSE SYLLABUS

On-Line Section Only
Fall 2009

Lab Instructors:  Tom Barrett, Kerry Cotter, Sue Eggling, Eden Francis and Nick Hamel.

Prerequisites:    Pass MTH-065

In the event of school closure, try to make up any lost lab time during the same week. Use Friday lab time for review and do not be dependent on it for finishing the lab work for the lesson. The lab tends to be crowded on Friday afternoon, and it is difficult to get help and work completed.

In the event of extended closure, we will make schedule adjustments. Similar cautions and adjustments may be needed for server down-time.

Course Description:

Traditional 5-credit chemistry courses generally include 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of seminar or recitation, and 3 hours of lab each week. This hybrid section of CH 104 will cover the same content in a different format. Lab work will be done on campus in the Introductory Chemistry Lab (P-165) during the hours listed above. Allow about 4-5 hours per week for lab work. The actual amount of time needed will vary depending on the nature of the lab work and the extent of your preparation for it. During that time you will also take a written quiz over the previous week’s lesson. The presentation of content other than lab work will be on-line here at http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch104-00.  On-line students do lessons in the same weeks as the day students; lab experiments will be taken down at the end of each week due to the number of classes using the lab.  Do not fall behind in your work!  It becomes increasingly difficult to catch up as the term progresses!

Most lessons have a lab report and a problem set to be turned in. These should be turned in when you come to lab to take the quiz the next week.  Lab reports and/or problem sets can also be e-mailed to your instructor to meet deadlines.  You must send a follow-up email to your instructor to make certain that your lab/homework was received and was in a readable and printable form.  Late work will not be accepted.  (For example, the problem set and lab report for lesson 1 must be turned in during the 2nd week and no later than 3 p.m., Oct. 9th; the problem set and lab report for lesson 2 must by turned in by 3 p.m., Oct. 16th; and etc.) Work not turned in on time will receive a zero.   Under special circumstances, arrangements may be made with your instructor for late work.  All problem sets and labs will count toward your final grade.  Eight out of nine quizzes will count, therefore your one lowest quiz score will be dropped.

Also, there will be a final exam. The final exam will be comprehensive (lessons 1-10). The dates when the exam is scheduled are listed above.

One of the most significant problems with on-line instruction is the potential for isolation. You are required to E-mail your instructor at least once per week, to maintain contact.  (This is part of your grade, and is not optional.)  Please start the subject line with "Chem 104 Online"  These can be short messages saying everything is alright or longer messages detailing questions and problems with course content. An E-mail link and the instructor's E-mail address are given at the bottom of almost every page in this web site.  Each week you should email your instructor at least once; email contact is worth 2 points each week, for a total of 20 points over the term.  This is an easy way to earn 20 points!  Be certain to email your instructor during the first week to let her know what your email address is, and if you have any concerns about taking on-line chemistry. 

Students should check the "Instructor's Notes" frequently to look for general announcements.  Announcements may also be emailed to the class as a whole (you will be "blind carbon copied" to keep your email addresses private).

I am on campus M-Th.  I check email every day, even Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Course Materials:

Workbook (required): "Workbook for CH 104" will be given out in the lab. When you go to lab the first time, sign for a Workbook and give your email address.  You will also receive a packet with all of the problem sets for this term.

The on-line material (required) for the course is extensive and covers all of the objectives for the course. Instructions for the lab work are found in the Workbook for the course (along with many of the examples that are presented on-line).  http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch104-00/.  The combination of the Workbook and the Course website serves as your textbook for this course.

Authorware material (required):  This is available on a CD in the lab for $5.  Alternatively, you may download it onto a "jump-drive" from the instructor computer in P165 (with permission).  You may also download the material off the internet (these files are large) or you may download the free plug-in.  Check the Orientation page for instructions on using Authorware.  Finally, you may do all the Authorware work on the P165 lab computers.

A calculator is needed on many of the lessons.  You do not have to use any particular model, but be aware that you may not use graphing calculators for quizzes or the final exam.  You need a basic scientific calculator that is able to perform logarithms, exponents, and all the necessary functions for this class but are without all the "bells and whistles" the more expensive graphing calculators have.  This type of calculator can be purchased at any office supply store, Fred Meyer, etc., generally for under $15.  It does not need to be a model specifically for "chemistry".

Tapes and CDs (optional):  VHS tapes and CDs are available for all of the lessons.  They are from the 1990's and cover materials slightly different from the online material.  They are in lecture format and are not high budget productions.  However, they do provide you with an alternative lecture format.  You may sign out ONE tape or CD at a time from the P165 lab for ONE night (or until the next open lab period).  Please rewind the tapes and return them promptly.  Unreturned tapes or CDs may cause your grade to be held until they are returned. 

Text (optional): A textbook from a previous chemistry course is acceptable.  If one is not available you may use "Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry," by Hein, Best, Pattison, and Arena, Seventh or Eighth Edition, Brooks/Cole (or an earlier edition).   Any textbook is used as a secondary resource and is not necessary to complete any assignments. 

Note:  The materials on the Authorware modules and on the CCC on-line materials are extensive and sufficient time is required to read and study these materials.

Grading:

Your grade will be determined primarily by your quiz and exam scores. Other factors are also important and are listed below.

*Instructor discretion may be used to determine the final grade when the total score is within 1.0% of the grade cutoff.

Students may exercise the right to drop this class until the end of the 6th week of the term without being held responsible for a grade.  If a student stops attending class prior to the sixth week, they will be given a Withdraw for the course unless they communicate to the instructor in writing that they wish for a letter grade.  After the 6th week, if a student stops attending class and does not officially withdraw through the Registrar, they will be given a letter grade unless they ask (in writing) for a Withdraw.  Students may ask for a Withdraw from the course (in writing) until the end of the 9th week.  If a student has not asked for a Withdraw by the end of the 9th week, they will receive a letter grade for the course. 

 An incomplete will only be issued when all but one key component of the course has been completed satisfactorily (C average or better).  To receive an incomplete you MUST speak with the instructor and submit your request in writing. 

 If you have chosen a pass/no pass grading option for this course, you must receive a C or better to receive the passing grade. 

 An Audit means that a student takes the class for no credit.  A student who audits the course must attend class, although he/she does not have to take quizzes or exams; if a student chooses an Audit but ceases to attend class they will be assigned a Withdraw.  As this is difficult to judge for an on-line class, auditing students will be required to hand in lab reports and problem sets to demonstrate "attendance".

 The instructor reserves the right to make exceptions to the terms above on a case by case basis.

Some important guidelines for the laboratory:

·   No food or drink allowed in the “experiment area” (the tiled area) of the lab.  Drinks with lids are allowed in the carpeted areas of lab.

·   Keep your cell phone on silent or vibrate mode.  Step outside of the lab if you need to have a phone conversation.  Remember that other students are trying to work and be conscientious about maintaining an atmosphere conducive for learning.  You must put away your cell phone during quizzes and tests.

·  When working in the experiment area of lab, wear eye protection and closed-toe shoes.  Long hair should be tied back and long pants/skirts are recommended.  You may borrow a lab coat or apron from the coat rack in the lab if you wish.

·  Computers are for chemistry work only.

·  Only students enrolled in a chemistry course are permitted in the lab.  Please do not bring your children with you to lab.

EF: 9/17/09

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