Syllabus for CHEM 301: Physical Chemistry I

Class times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 - 10:50 a.m.;
Monday - 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. (Recitation is mandatory only on exam dates or as otherwise announced in class.)

Location: Masters Hall, Room 319 (classes); Masters Hall, Room 207 (recitation)

Office Hours: Mondays - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Wednesdays – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., or by prior arrangement

Text(s): Physical Chemistry, 7^th Edition, Peter Atkins, 2002. Accompanying Student's Solution Manual is highly recommended.

An optional manual for mathematics aid for physical chemistry is entitled: Applied Mathematics for Physical Chemistry, 3^rd edition, James R. Barrante, (Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2004). It is available in paperback. There is also a mathematics review section in the back of your text. However, the Barrante book provides a more thorough review.

Topics that will be addressed include thermodynamics, kinetic theory, solution and phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, photochemistry, and chemical kinetics.

4 Exams (100 points each)	400 points
Final Exam	200 points
Lowest score dropped (see conditions below)*	- 100 points*

TOTAL	500 points

PLEASE NOTE: According to University policy, the grade of I (incomplete) cannot be given as a substitute for a failing grade in a course.

The exams primarily will be composed of concepts and problems such as those assigned or discussed in class and those found in each chapter in the text. Early preparation is important! It has been observed that 95% or more of students that wait for the last minute (=2-3 days prior to the exam) to prepare for a physical chemistry exam earn grades of C or lower in the class.

* Your lowest test score (one exam or half of the final exam) will be dropped provided you take ALL four exams and the final exam and receive scores of at least 40% on EVERY exam.

Please note: If the university is CLOSED on a test date due to conditions such as inclement weather, then the test will be moved to the next class date that the university is open. This serves as your notification.

A number of homework problems will be assigned. These problems will not be collected or graded. However, these problems are strongly recommended. As well, it is advised to begin your homework well in advance of the exam dates. Success in physical chemistry is highly dependent upon the application of concepts - the more problems you work through on your own (and well in advance of exam dates), the better you will grasp the subject (and the easier the exams will seem!). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you work through problems in addition to those assigned.

A quote from a student in a previous year’s physical chemistry course: “In every class our instructors tell us how important the homework is to succeed(pass) in the course and that we need to work on the homework in advance. However, we find that we do not have to do this in most of our courses. We did not realize until after the first exam that you really meant it!”

Chapters 1-9; 24-27; (Note: Not all chapters will be covered in their entirety.)

Class attendance is highly recommended. Please note: missing class may (will for 98% of students!) result in poor exam performance. As well, if you miss an exam, you receive a “0” score for that exam and NO exam score will be dropped in this case! Note the exam schedule is TENTATIVE.

Recitation is optional, with the exception of exam dates and any other times announced by the instructor. During the recitation, we will focus upon homework problems, derivations, and student questions, all as needed. As well, recitation sessions will include chapter reviews for the exams.

As problems will often be worked in class, calculators should be brought to class. While any type of calculator is suitable for the lectures, only specific kinds of calculators will be allowed for the exams. For every exam and the final exam, you should bring a non-programmable basic calculator that allows the following functions: sin, cos, tan, add, substract, multiplication, division, exponentials, logarithms. (These types of calculators can often be found for under $5-10). Calculators that do unit conversions, calculus (integrals, derivatives), etc. will not be permitted.

NOTE: This department believes in reasonably accommodating individuals with disabilities and complies with the university policy established under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) to provide for equal access and opportunity. Please communicate with your professor as to your specific needs so appropriate arrangements can be made through the department and/or the Office of Disability Accommodation (Room 318A, University Union, (940) 565-4323).