Syllabus for CHEM 301: Physical Chemistry I

Syllabus for CHEM 5200
Physical Chemistry
Fall 2007

Instructor: Dr. Angela Wilson

Office: Chemistry Building, Room 264

Office Phone: (940) 565-4296

Class times: Mondays, 6:00-8:50 p.m.

Location: Chemistry Building, Room 253

Office Hours: Mondays - 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m., or by prior arrangement

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

COURSE CONTENT

This is a survey course of physical chemistry. Topics that will be addressed include thermodynamics, kinetic theory, solution and phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, photochemistry, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics.

COURSE GRADING

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

TOTAL	500 points

Final course grades will be based on the above:

90% and above = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
Below 60% = F

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

EXAMS:

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.

There will be NO make-up exams.

* Your lowest test score (one exam or half of the final exam) will be dropped, provided you have taken all exams.

TENTATIVE EXAM SCHEDULE:

EXAM 1: Monday, September 24
EXAM 2: Monday, October 15
EXAM 3: Monday, November 5

EXAM 4: Monday, November 26

FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 10, 6:00-8:50 p.m.
(The final exam will be comprehensive. Early finals are NOT allowed, nor are make-up exams. Therefore, plan accordingly.)

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.

HOMEWORK:

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.

MATERIAL TO BE COVERED:

Tentatively, Chapters 1-9; 11,12; 19,20; 24-27 (Note: Not all chapters will be covered in their entirety.)

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

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 score of 0% for that exam and NO exam score will be dropped in this case! Note the exam schedule is TENTATIVE.

If you miss class without notifying the instructor in advance, you are responsible for finding the materials (i.e., class notes) from sources other than the instructor. Additionally, questions on the missed material will not be addressed by the instructor during class, office hours, or during recitation.

CALCULATORS:

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.

COURSE WEB PAGE:

Supplemental course information may be found at:
http://www.chem.unt.edu/~akwilson/chem5200/chem5200/htm

Holidays:

Monday, September 3 (Labor Day)

Drop deadline:

Tuesday, October 30

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).