Chem 253 – Introduction to Quantitative Analysis Syllabus – Fall Semester 2017
Professor: Dr. Peter Allen; pballen@uidaho.edu; (208) 885-5807, Web Site, Chem 254 Web Site
TAs: TBD
Office: Renfrew Hall 001, Office Hours: M & W 2:30-4:30 or by appointment, you are welcome to stop by any time, I may be available.
Textbook: Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 7th Edition, by Daniel C. Harris, Two copies of the text will be on reserve at the library. Chem 254 Lab Experiments will be distributed by email through your TA. Also see UC Davis ChemWiki for additional reading material.
Electronic Device Policy: We will be using electronic devices for Q/A in class. However, please keep all electronic devices silent. TEXT ENTRY CALCULATORS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED FOR USE ON EXAMS.
Introduction: This course serves these primary purposes.
1. To expand your knowledge of aqueous equilibria and to apply it to the determination of analytes in several types of samples. The concepts of chemical equilibria are important to the biological, geological, and environmental sciences and chemical engineering. In some cases examples will be presented that discuss these applications.
2. To introduce you to methods and techniques of obtaining very accurate determinations of materials by three different approaches: volumetric, gravimetric and spectrophotometric analyses. Learning to work quantitatively is a necessary skill for all scientists.
3. To help you develop as an independent learner and thinker. As you leave the university, your progress as a professional will depend on your ability to keep up with advancements in your field. You will keep learning even after you graduate. A university education should not be a narrow vocational track, but an experience that teaches you how to appreciate and acquire new knowledge, ideas, and concepts on your own:
It is strongly suggested that you work on homework problems on a daily basis. This is important since the questions asked of you on the exams will not only test recall of knowledge but your reasoning abilities. Those abilities can only be developed by you with the homework problems.
Listening to lectures alone will NOT develop problem solving/reasoning abilities. Working at a steady pace is important since the material takes time to assimilate. Attendance of lecture is required.
Attempting to “cram” Chem 253 material a few days before the exam will lead to disaster.
Read your textbook on a regular basis. Also, if you have missed, are deficient, and/or forgotten material from Chem 111/112 in many cases you will be expected to learn this material on your own. Also you may see me or the TA’s for help.
Spend 1-3 hours of study time per lecture hours. If you are rusty in algebra or have had Chem 112 more than two years ago you may find the need to spend more than three hours per lecture studying for this course.
Ask questions and participate in lecture. Learning is not a passive experience. You must get over the feeling of intimidation when you must ask a question. This is important for your development as a professional. In many cases I will call on you in lecture for your input on topics and to answer questions. Names will be selected at random.
Expect to have work through problems if you seek help. This is to help you develop your reasoning abilities. Passively watching the TAs or myself will not help your problem-solving skills. Also, because of the time constraints, please note that neither the TA’s nor I may be able to troubleshoot the algebraic steps you may have chosen for a particular problem. Alternative and simpler routes may be offered instead.
Exams and Grading Policy There will be three mid-term examinations and a nationally standardized, American Chemical Society (ACS) comprehensive final.
Three 50 minute exams, Exam 1 – September 15th, 2016, Exam 2 – October 13th, Exam 3 – December 1st
All mid-term exams will be given in normal lecture periods. Your final grade will calculated in the following way:
Grading Scheme:
Exams (including final): 80%; Class participation: 10%; Online Homework = 10%
50 min Exam Make-up policy. In the case of an acceptable University of Idaho excused absence*, the weight of the other mid-terms and final exam will increase.
*An excused absence is defined by University of Idaho policy as a) an approved field trip or other official UI activity; b) confinement under doctor's orders; c) call to military duty; or d) leave of absence granted by student's academic dean.
Participation grade: 10% of the final grade will be class participation measured by attendance and responses to in-class questions using socrative.com (available free on the web, android or iOS).
Reasonable Accommodations Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodation(s) needed for the course. Late notification may mean that requested accommodations might not be available. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons Building, Rm. 333.
Calculator An inexpensive calculator is required. You will need the calculator during labs and exams. It should have the capability for logarithms, exponentiation (antilogarithms), yx and scientific notation operations. TEXT ENTRY CALCULATORS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED FOR USE ON EXAMS.
Homework Assignments -- Sapling Online Homework; you will need to purchase access online or through the UI book store or online.
UI - Final Exam Schedule from the Registrar’s office.
Final will be on Friday, December 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Notes regarding the ACS Final. This final counts as 20% of your total grade. The reminder is determined by your hour exams. There is no study guide coming from the ACS on this topic. All test takers – nationwide have the same disadvantage so that’s reflected in the percentile distribution. For review I suggest going over all your old hour exams and homework problems sets and notes. Also your textbook provides exercises at the end of each chapter. These exercises are solved for you starting on page S1. So if you are looking for more material I would suggest the exercises from Chapters 1- 4, 6, 8 (except K), 9, 10, 11, 12A, 12B, 13, 14, 15, 16 (except G), 17, 23A.