CH 226H - Spring 2010

Staff:    Philip Watson, Gilb 042, 737-6740          mailto:Philip.Watson@oregonstate.edu           

                   Office hours: MWF 11:00 am (other times by appt)   

Margie Haak, Gilb 141, 737-6716      margie.haak@oregonstate.edu

                   Office hours: M 2:30-3:30 pm, R 11 am - noon, (in the Mole Hole) and by appointment (in my office)

 TAs:    Mike Naffziger                    naffzigm@onid.orst.edu

                    Office Hours of TAs: by appointment

CH 224H, 225H, 226H: is a chemistry sequence for students with strong math skills and previous experience with chemistry.  Students must have been accepted into the University Honors College or have special permission from the Honors College to register for this course.

Successful completion of CH 226H partially fulfills OSU's Baccalaureate Core course requirements in the Perspectives category under Physical Science (Lab).

Physical Science Baccalaureate Core Rational:  Science seeks to develop a fundamental description and understanding of the natural world, from elementary particles to the cosmos, including the realm of living systems.  Students should have the opportunity to explore the insights of science, to view science as a human achievement, and to participate in scientific inquiry.  This experience includes the challenge of drawing conclusions based on observation, analysis, and synthesis.

Text: "Chemical Principles", 6^th Ed., S.S. Zumdahl

Lab manual: "CH226H Lab Manual", Haak (This is available from the Issue Room in GbAd 209).

Additional requirement: Permanent type lab notebook with duplicate pages.

 Web: http://www.chemistry.oregonstate.edu/courses/ch224-6/ch226/default09.htm

CHEM 226H TENTATIVE SCHEDULE 2010

CH 224H, 225H, 226H has adopted the "atoms first" approach to teaching general chemistry.  This means that early on we will discuss quantum mechanics and the seminal experiments that have lead to our current conception of atomic structure and function.  One advantage to this approach is that it emphasizes the tentative nature of science.  Science, and by extension chemistry, will be viewed as a process rather than a static set of facts.  The process of 'doing science' will be further explored in the laboratory component of these courses.  Students will perform experiments, collect, analyze, and draw conclusions from the data, and write formal laboratory reports to communicate the results of the experiments.

Student Learning Outcomes:

The successful student will:

1)   Demonstrate the ability to think scientifically and critically as measured by performance on exam questions requiring written explanations and on laboratory reports.

2)   Demonstrate mastery of the chemical concepts and principles covered in this course as measured by performance on exams and laboratory reports.

3)   Demonstrate problem-solving skills applicable to a wide variety of problems drawn from the topics covered in this course, as measured by performance on exams and laboratory reports.

4)   Be able to explain how and why scientific theories have changed over the years, as measured by performance on short answer exam questions.

5)   Be able to successfully perform basic laboratory procedures such as titrations and serial dilutions, as measured by performance in the laboratory and on laboratory reports.

6)  Be able to collect, analyze, and draw defensible conclusions from experimental data, including appropriate estimates of the uncertainty associated with experimentally determined quantities, as measured by performance on laboratory reports.

*Details on course policies

Course Grading: A total score for the term for each student will be computed using:

Exam 1 20%, Exam 2 20%, Final 32%, Lab 22%, Project 6%.

A letter grade will be assigned based on a comparison of the term total score with the instructor's assessment of what constitutes A, A- etc level work. You are encouraged to take part in group discussions and to help each other.  However, all work submitted must be your own.

Lab: Reports are due within one week of scheduled completion of an experiment. Lab is an essential part of this bacc-core course; a passing grade cannot be earned without satisfactory completion of lab experiments and reports.

Students with a disability:

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098.

Expectations for Student Conduct:

Student conduct is governed by the university's policies, as explained in the Office of Student Conduct: Information and Regulations.  In an academic community, students and faculty, and staff each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment, whether online or in the classroom.  Students, faculty, and staff have the responsibility to treat each other with understanding, dignity, and respect.

Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to comply with all regulations pertaining to academic dishonesty, defined as: An intentional act of deception in which the student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work.  For further information, visit Avoiding Academic Dishonest, or contact the office of Student Conduct and Mediation at 541-737-3656