PDF of Syllabus
Here is the syllabus if you want to print a copy.
Class
52385 TTh 9:30-11 AM
Principles of Chemistry II
Dr. Vanden Bout
Spring 2009
Office: WEL 3.151
Office Hours: MW 3:30-4:30
vandenbout_class@mail.cm.utexas.edu
Houghton Mifflin (2005), ISBN: 0547005962 WEB PAGE: http://courses.cm.utexas.edu/dvandenbout/ch302 (case sensitive!)
Calculator: You will likely find a calculator usefull for the course. However, we will at times be taking quizzes and/or exam without the use of a calculator at all. As such you should be prepared to deal with simple algebra without leaning on your calculator to solve everything. When we are using a calculator you can use anything that is not a wireless device (cellphone, iTouch, etc...)
iClicker: All students should have an iClicker.
These are available at the University Co-op and have an ISBN number of 0-7167-7939-0.
You can likely buy them elsewhere as well.
These are NOT the eInstruction CPS clickers.
These are long, white, and skinny with only 6 buttons.
We will use them daily in class. You can use ANY iClicker for this class.
So if you already have one don't get another. You will register the iClicker number
via the web and then you are good to go.
TA Office Hours
See the Contacts page
Overall
SCORING for the Course
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GRADING
Course grades will be based on total points:
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EXAM
SCHEDULE
Final Exam : TBA |
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Alternate Grading Schemes
If the traditional grading scheme is not for you, I will offer two alternatives
Option 1
A grading scheme based on the question, "if I ace the cumulative final can I get an
A for the course?" In determining your course grade I will automatically determine whether
your score on the final exam is higher than your cumulative average and if it is, I will
substitute the exam score. If you score 90% or above on the final, you get an A for the
course even if your cumulative course average is below 90%. If you score 80% or above on the
final, you get a B for the course even if your cumulative course average is below 80%, etc.
This is an excellent option for the student who bombs more than one test, or, believes that
he or she has really started to learn the material over the course of the semester but has
scores that make an A unattainable. To be eligible for this option, you have to participate
in the course by taking at least two of the three exams and at least three of the six quizzes.
So don't just wander into the final after a semester in Europe and expect this opportunity.
Option 2
So you ace the tests and quizzes and really wish you could be home a little earlier for
the summer. Is it possible? Yes. Very simply, if you score 90% (630 out of 700 possible
points) on the three exams and four of six quizzes, you will not have to take the final.
Note: this only applies if you have an "A". You cannot simply opt to "take your C" and be
done.
Homework
We will not have formal homework. Practice problems will be available on the webpage.
Quizzes
Quizzes emphasizing problem solving will be given six times during the semester. The
quizzes will occur every two weeks during the last 20 minutes of class. Quizzes will consist
of 8 questions worth five points each. The questions will be drawn from the same data bank
as the exams and will give you a flavor for what the exams will look like. The quizzes will
also offer you the opportunity to keep up with the material so you won't have to cram before
exams or the cumulative final. Only your four best of six quizzes will count.
Quizzes (iClicker)
Quizzes will be given in class via the iClicker. You will be able to replace one of your
in-class quiz scores with your iClicker grade. The iClicker grade will be based upon a
available point total. Typically 100% is given if you have at least 80% of the total points
Points available each day are base primarily on participation not correct answers.
Exams
Three examinations will be given during the semester on CH302 material. These will be given
about once a month in the evenings. Each examination will consist of 30 six-point
multiple choice questions that will be machine graded. These exams will look remarkably like your
quizzes and worksheets in content.
The three exams will be given in the evenings on
the scheduled days in the rooms posted. You must go to the correct room. No exams scores will
be dropped. Be sure and bring your calculator to the exam. I cannot
provide calculators. You CANNOT use a PDA, or cell phone as your calculator
(or any other gadget that is NOT a calculator). An alternate exam time will be available
only if you have a University related conflict (lab class, etc...) The times of the exams
were posted in the course schedule prior to registration.
Each student will receive a unique exam copy with a specific version number
on it. There is a different exam version for every student in the class, no
two students can have the same version numbers. It is therefore very important
that you keep your copy of each of your exams. You need this copy in order for
us to verify you as the owner of that copy and version number. We only do this
verification when we have a case of two or more students with identical version
numbers on their exams. Each student must verify their copy in order to receive
a grade, otherwise their score will be changed to a zero for that exam AND they
will be reported to the dean as suspect of cheating.
Final
A Final exam cannot be made-up in any way. Show up at the right place and the right time
or get a zero on the exam.
The final exam WILL be comprehensive.
This means that all the material covered during the course
will be on the exam. The final exam will be
counted as 30% of your overall grade. If you keep up with the material for the
semester, the final will not be any more difficult than the three exams. It will
be extremely difficult if you try to cram for it one day ahead. Keep up and
make the grade. I will not allow you to take the final early either. The time for the final
is published when the course schedule is made but it is subject to change.
Missed Quiz or Exam
You can make up a missed quiz or exam for one of the following reasons.
1. You are away from UT as part of a University-sponsored activity. For such instantces
you will provide written docudmentation on UT Letterhead expalining the reason for your absence.
2. The exam is in conflict with a religious holiday. For this you will provide written
notice of the conflict at least 14 days in advance.
3. You suffer chornic, documented illness that requires you to
miss multiple quizzes and exam. In this case you should contact me as soon as you are able.
What if I miss one quiz or exam? Not to worry. It will be taken care of. You get to drop
your lowest two quiz scores. If you miss an exam you final will be scaled to 180 points and
substitute for your missed exam. This will be calculated for you. You don't need to do
anything.
Religious Days
Religious holy days sometimes conflict with class and examination schedules.
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Austin that the student must notify each
instructor at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates he or she will be
absent to observe a religious holy day. For religious holidays that fall within the first
two weeks of the semester, the notice should be given on the first day of the semester.
The student may not be penalized for these excused absences but the instructor may appropriately
respond if the student fails to complete satisfactorily the missed assignment or examination
within a reasonable time after the excused absence.
Cheating
If you get caught cheating in any way whatsoever you will have
to discuss the situation with me. I will arive at a pentaly and deem if the problem
warrants a formal report. If you deny the allegation, I will proceed by filing a formal
report to the Judicial Services in the Dean of Students Office as is policy. The final penalty
would be decided by Judicial Services after a hearing on the matter. For more information
read the General Information Catalog about scholastic dishonesty (i.e. cheating).
If found "guilty" the University can go so far as to bar you from enrollment for
life. Take home lesson, don't cheat.