Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University
of Delaware
Physical Chemistry II, CHEM 444
Course Policies
|
· Text · Homework · Policy on Handbooks and other material allowed for exams and quizzes. · Absences · Grading · How to pass Physical Chemistry |
Texts
Required
- Thomas Engel and Philip Reid, Physical Chemistry (2nd Ed.), Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, 2006.
- Thomas Engel and Philip Reid,
Student’s Solutions Manual for
Physical Chemistry, Benjamin Cummings,
- C. Dybowski and A. Teplyakov,Essential
Data and Equations for a Course in Physical Chemistry,
Optional
- J. H. Noggle,
Physical Chemistry Using Mathcad, Pike Creek,
Mathcad
Usage
This course makes use of Mathcad (Mathsoft
). This program can make numerical calculations easier if you use it wisely. You may purchase your own copy (It is available in PC and MAC versions.) through the bookstore or directly from Mathsoft. It is NOT necessary to use this program to succeed in this course. It is another tool that may help you solve problems. Note that we allow the student to answer questions on the exams by providing a complete, total, correct Mathcad program, with an explanation of the steps. See the policy on exams and quizzes.Quizzes and Exams
Quizzes are given weekly, as indicated on the schedule.
The final examination will be a three-hour comprehensive exam.
Material for quizzes and examinations:
- Exams and quizzes are closed book.
- You may use your copy of the Student Handbook of Formulas and Tables for exams and quizzes.
- Do not write anything (notes, formulas, problem solutions, or the like) in your handbook unless you are told to do so by the instructor; it is not a crib sheet. Handbooks may be examined during, before or after exams. Using a handbook containing any unauthorized material is cheating.
- Bring a calculator and straight edge to exams and quizzes.
- Programmable calculators are permitted, but, since you must show ALL WORK on the paper, they save little time. Answers without supporting work are worth nothing! You may not store answers or formulas on constants in the calculator before and exam or quiz. Doing so is considered cheating.
Appeals on Grading
Homework
Absences
Grading
- Quiz Average = 1 (12.5% of final grade)
- Midterm Exam 1 = 2 (25% of final grade)
- Midterm Exam 2 = 2 (25% of final grade)
- Final Exam = 3 (37.5% of final grade)
- Total Weight = 8 (100% of final grade)
Grade Cutoffs: (in percentages of total points at end of semester)
Learning Goals
A student who successfully completes CHEM 444 should be able to do the following:
1. Understand the nature of matter at the atomic and molecular level.
2. Apply theoretical principles and
mathematical analysis to the solution of problems.
3. Be able
to explain clearly reasoning in written examinations.
How to Pass Physical Chemistry
- This is probably the hardest course you have taken or will ever take, and extensive, consistent work is required to do well in it. Expect to spend 10 to 20 hours per week outside of class studying. We rely on Stanley Kubrick, the film director, (as quoted by Matthew Modine in the New York Times) to tell you what must be done to succeed, and how not to: "People don't do their homework." He then goes on to say he has to waste time because "people are not learning what their job is supposed to be" because they haven't done their homework beforehand. Learning requires practice that can only be done by the learner alone, by careful reading, re-reading, and working of homework; it is as true in learning physical chemistry as it is in any pursuit. Instructors and friends can help, but the student must put in the effort to gain the information and make the connections so necessary to being an educated person.
- Read assignments before lecture; reread them afterwards. Reading scientific writing is SLOW; one cannot scan and get the information, as one does in reading a novel. It requires reading a sentence and then thinking about the meaning, then reading further, then going back to make the intellectual connections to what one already knows. It is slow, and sometimes boring; but proper study brings great rewards.
- Attend class regularly; do not fall behind.
- Do problems! Each assigned problem illustrates an important concept -- careful rereading and study of the text is usually required to work problems. You cannot learn by reading or copying problem solutions any more than you can learn to swim or play the piano by watching someone else. Do all the problems assigned; then work some of your own choosing from the others in the chapter!
- Timing is important. Attempt problems immediately after covering the material; if you can't do them, reread the material. If you still can't do a problem, seek help immediately. This is a time-consuming process, but is important for the learning process. You CANNOT learn physical chemistry the night before an examination.
- Seek help immediately if you cannot work a problem; the instructors and teaching assistants can help, but only if they are aware of the problem.
- Study all text examples carefully, filling in the missing steps and checking units at all stages. In some cases it will be helpful to work them out using Mathcad.
- Consider problems to be diagnostic: if you can't do them, you have missed something important; copying from someone or a book will not help.
- Students are reminded that, by faculty senate rule, the minimum penalty for cheating is an F for the entire course. Any incident of cheating or suspected cheating will be reported to university authorities for appropriate action.
