Things you may want to know |
Students Often Wonder About |
A Few Matters of Policy | |
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Course Description: The starting point for this course will be structure, bonding and periodic trends. The section on basic principles of atomic structure and periodic properties will be an expansion of concepts learned in General Chemistry (C0111, C0112). We will develop the principles of molecular symmetry as a tool to discuss molecular structure. Molecular structure implies bonding which we will discuss in terms of three theories: Lewis, VSEPR, and Molecular Orbital theory. We will use the concepts of symmetry and molecular orbital theory to explore properties of large complex molecules. You will (hopefully) find that each theory contributes to the total understanding of the physical structure and chemical properties of molecules (organic as well as inorganic).
Most chemical reactions involve Donor-Acceptor Interactions: Proton transfer and electron transfer to name two. Acid-Base reactions, as you will remember, involve more than simple proton transfer. Acid-Base theory is a powerful tool for predicting reaction products. Several models will be developed because it is advantageous to use one model to predict reactions of a particular type and other models to predict other types of reactions. Brønsted-Lowry theory considers proton transfer. G.N. Lewis theory considers electron pair transfer. Hard-Soft Acid-Base theory, developed by Ralph Pearson, provides a tool for predicting reactivity. You may find yourself revisiting concepts from organic chemistry – now with new insight!
We will conclude the semester with a look at the coordination chemistry of d-metal elements (an example of Lewis acid-base adducts). This will include bonding (in terms of MO and ligand-field theory), structure and isomerism, and electronic spectra.
The use of spectroscopy (IR, NMR, mass spec) as a tool for structure elucidation of inorganic compounds will be emphasized. In addition, there will be some discussion of pertinent references in the current inorganic literature (articles from Inorganic Chemistry, Inorganica Chimica Acta and the Journal of the American Chemical Society). A tentative order of topics to be covered (with reference to chapters in the text) is available. There is some flexibility built into this schedule to allow for particular class interest and time limitations.
Many of the concepts covered this semester involve molecular visualization. “Tinker toy” models help visualize the shape of molecules as does computational software. The field of computational Chemistry has made significant contributions to our understanding of the structure and reactivity of inorganic complexes. We will use the Scigress computational software package, extensively this semester. For more information see: http://chemed.chem.pitt.edu/cacc/CACheTutorial/.
Supplementary Texts: In addition to the text book, other references from the scientific literature for specific topics will be provided throughout the semester. Some of the reference material will be placed on reserve in the Owen Library others will be added to the BlackBoard site; additional references will be provided. Other inorganic textbooks are listed among the reserve material. Often a new idea makes more sense when presented from several different perspectives. You are encouraged to consult these materials for your reading and homework assignments. The ACS Style Guide will be used as a style sheet for the research assignment; a copy is available in the reference section of the library. The ACS Style Guide will be used as a style sheet for the research assignment; a copy is available in the reference section of the library. We will use the book A Short Guide to Writing about Chemistry as a resource for planning, organizing and writing the research paper (vida infra). There will be reading assignments throughout the semester.
EMail the WWW and On-Line database
searching :The resources of the Internet are powerful teaching/studying
tools! I use Email extensively to distribute assignments and as a
supplement to my office hours.
Much of the course
material will be available exclusively through BlackBoard, a web-based container for
course material. You will find an expanded course outline and course documents
(lecture notes, problem sets, etc.). You will need your Pitt user id and
password; however, you can get there from any computer, connected to any
Internet provider!
Some assignments will require you to
access information from the web. Start with the Chem 1131 Web site.
Some class time has been set aside for discussion of the scientific literature and training in electronic data-base searching. The training will be vital to completing the research paper.
Expectations and Outcomes:There are five major units: Atomic structure and simple bonding theory, Symmetry and group theory, Molecular orbital theory, Acid-base theory and Coordination chemistry. The attached schedule lists topics and corresponding sections of the text with related problems. If you work the problems as you read you can find out how well you understand the material. I will distribute a set of Guided Readings and Problems for each unit. It is an outline of sorts: I summarize the main ideas and identify the relevant sections of the text, recommend problems for you to work on your own and assign problems to turn in. I also identify problems and target dates for class discussion. We will spend time learning how to read the literature of inorganic chemistry.
You will find that I like to draw on what you already know (from general chem, organic, analytical, instrumental, spectral, P-Chem … and biochem). I am not interested in whether you remember the details. I want you to learn to apply those skills and principles to improve your understanding of the concepts we'll cover in this class. I want you to see that everything you learn builds on prior knowledge. Using prior knowledge and previously learned skills to analyze new information and synthesize everything into a bigger whole helps you develop higher order thinking skills (and learn yet more chemistry also). I try to draw on your many varied learning styles (Bruner) and foster the development of multiple intelligences (Gardner).
I still lecture -- sometimes -- if I want to convey lots of information quickly and concisely. More often, I like to present the general theme and open the floor for discussion. To have a productive discussion, everyone must contribute and everyone (including the prof) must "do their homework". I realize that this can be intimidating and time consuming; that's where collaborative learning becomes a valuable tool. Remember in Gen Chem you were supposed to spend a minimum of two hours studing for every hour spent in class? It still holds for t his class! Sometimes, "doing the homework" is a matter of reading the text; other times it involves working problems, reading an article from the literature, using some software, etc. I think that the "Guided Readings" will be helpful. You have to be willing to ask questions and help out your class mates if they feel in a bind. Two important things to remember:
In this class there is no sage on the stage only the guide on the side. As chemists (and chemistry students) we are descendants of the ancient Alchemists. Alchemy was considered sorcery, but not all sorcery is bad. Another analogy could be that of the Sorceress and the Apprentices (about to be journeymen). We are all part of the same team! We will all learn from one another! Cooperation is vital to learning effectively in a group environment.
Symposium for the Promotion of Scholarly and Creative Enquiry This annual event takes place Wednesday, April 10, 2012 and will encompass presentations/posters from students across the UPJ campus who have participated in research and other creative endeavors. Perhaps you have already given a presentation in this forum; or you may remember going when you took General Chemistry. Presentations from upper level courses will also be included in the program. This will be the forum in which you will present the poster you prepared for your research project for this class. Mark this date!! You can find the abstracts from last year's meeting at the Symposium Web Site.
Academic Integrity: Honesty and integrity are qualities we respect in ourselves and others. Therefore, you are expected to be fully aware of your responsibility to maintain a high quality of integrity in all of your work. Furthermore, you are expected to have read and understood the University Guidelines for Academic Integrity.
The following should help to define the term cheating. 1) Sharing information on a problem set such that two or more answers are identical; 2) using unauthorized materials during a test or exam; 3) Passing off as your own the ideas, words or products from another source (better known as plagiarism). Cheating of any form will not be tolerated!
If you are suspected of cheating, you will be allowed due process as established by the Academic Integrity Guidelines. If the accusation is found to be true, a first offense will result in a grade of zero on that assignment (Homework, Quiz, Exam, etc.). Verification of a second offense, will result in a failing grade for the entire course. In either case, the Assistant V.P. for Academic Affairs, your advisor and the Disciplinary Board will be notified in writing.
Resources -- the Academic Success Center (ASC): Located in G-16 Owen Library, the ASC provides a variety of services including peer tutoring, supplemental instruction drop-in math assistance, drop-in writing consultations, academic advising for undeclared students, and accommodations for students with disabilities. The ASC also provides resources and instruction on a variety of academic success issues and study strategies such as time management, reading textbooks, and test-taking. In addition , the ASC has a small computer lab open to students. Services are available to current Pitt-Johnstown students are free of charge.
Special Accommodations: If you have a disability for which you may be requesting academic accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Health & Wellness (OHW), G-10 Student Union Building, (814) 269-7119 as early as possible in the term. OHW will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Withdrawing from Class: There are several dates to keep in mind regarding dropping a class from your schedule. The first is September 9, 2011, the end of the Add/Drop period. The next important date is October 28, 2011; that is the last date when you can withdraw from an individual class with a grade of W on your transcript. If you are not performing as well as you would like, you may consider dropping the class no later than this date. After that date, you must obtain a “Late Withdrawal” form from the Office of Academic Affairs to receive permission. Permission for “Late Withdrawal” is allowed only under extreme circumstances outside of a student’s control.
Attendance: When you registered for this class you made a commitment to attempt all of the work that may be assigned. Attendance is not mandatory. However you will find that punctual and regular attendance is vital to carrying out this commitment. Moreover, cutting class -- for whatever reason -- shows a lack of respect for your fellow students and the professor. You are expected to attend and participate in the lecture and discussion period, read all of the assigned material, complete all of the problem sets and group exercises and, of course, pass the final exam. You are responsible for all work assigned in this course. Furthermore it is your responsibility to obtain materials or instructions given in a lecture that you missed. If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, we will not make up the time unless the class agrees on a mutually convenient time.|
100 to 90 |
A |
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89 to 80 |
B |
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79 to 70 |
C |
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69 to 60 |
D |
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below 60 is failing |
F |
Thank you for visiting this web page.
| Elisabeth T. Bell-Loncella | ||
| 112B Engineering & Science Bldg | Department of Chemistry | |
| Voice: 814.269.2904 | University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown | |
| FAX: 814.269.7261 | Johnstown, PA 15904 |
| Last Updated: 01/9/13 |