CH 334 is the first term of a year-long sequence (CH 334, 335, 336) intended to provide an in-depth overview of the properties, reactivity and transformations of carbon compounds.  The focus of CH 334 in to provide an understanding of bonding and structure in organic molecules, illustrate concepts surrounding the electronegativity and its impact on structure, and to introduce nucleophilic and electrophilic reaction mechanisms as applied to nucleophilic substitution and electrophilic addition reactions.

Required resources:
Text:  Vollhardt and Schore, "Organic Chemistry: Structure and Function," 8th Edition. ISBN 978-1-319-07954-1.   The Solutions Manual and Study Guide (ISBN 978-1-319-19574-8) is recommended.
A molecular model kit is required.
We have asked OSU Bookstores to stock a package which includes the text, solutions manual, a model kit and E-text access for 12 months. You are also welcome to purchase any of these separately.
Web access is needed for remote access to Canvas and homework. Referral to Web pages used in course lectures is recommended but not required.
You will need to purchase access to the SaplingPlus Learning site to access online graded homework. Note that some options include the E-text!

Prerequisites:CH 123 or (CH 233 and CH 263) and one year general chemistry or instructor approval. CH 130 does not meet the prerequisites for this course.

Course content: see link.

Measurable Learning Outcomes: See chapter-by-chapter learning goals articulated in pages linked via the course schedule.

News Items: See Canvas Announcements.

How to succeed in Organic Chemistry

Course Schedule andlinks to learning goals

Course Grading Policy and Evaluation of Student Performance:
There are two contributors to the final letter grade:
  1. Weekly online homework. Generally 10 points per week (two are worth 15 and one worth 20); 100 points total. Extra credit for one introductory tutorial exercise is available. This service is administered by a third party, Sapling Learning, and will cost $95 for the term (or $110 for the year). Access cards are available through the OSU Beaver Store, or access can be purchased directly from Sapling. This will be administered through the OSU Canvas site.
  2. Quizzes in Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 and Finals Week (5; 75 points each; 375 points total) will cover material discussed in class and the chapters supporting that in the text.  You should expect problems to take a similar format to assigned problems from the text.  Questions will assess your mastery of the Learning Goals listed for each chapter.
  3. Quiz details are on the Quiz link
Your letter grade will be based on the total number of points earned.  The grading scale will be curved; the average score will represent the B/B- cutoff.
Extra credit will be offered for several activities to assure you have mastered technical skills needed for completing quizzes and homework.
Makeup and emergency absence policy:  No makeup exercises will be administered.  If you are unable to complete a quiz due to a health or other emergency, you are expected to contact Dr. Gable as soon as reasonably possible.  If your reason for missing the exercise is judged legitimate (at my sole discretion) I may excuse you from the exercise.  In that case, your total score will be prorated according to the percentage out of the points possible (475 less the excused exam).
Extensions on Sapling homework can be provided on request if you have a legitimate emergency; extensions are granted at my sole discretion.

Regrades:  You should always ask me to clarify how quizzes were graded and make a careful comparison between posted answer keys and your answers.  You may request quizzes be regraded at any point prior to the end of Dead Week, but at that point all grades except the quiz administered during Finals Week become permanent. 


Academic honesty.  Students are expected to follow OSU regulations concerning academic honesty.  Violations (including but not limited to: collaboration on a graded exercise, use of unauthorized material during quizzes, or submission of altered exams for regrade) will be handled according to procedures laid out in the Academic Regulations and may include penalties including failure in the course as determined by the Office of Student Conduct.

Students with special needs:  Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at https://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.

Reach Out for Success: University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter difficulties and need assistance, it's important to reach out. Consider discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in immediate crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)