Assignments
Solutions
Misc. links
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Instructor
Office hours
I prefer to maintain an “open door” policy provided it does
not become a problem. If you are having a hard time reaching
me, you can always make an appointment. Email is an excellent
means to get in touch with me.
Class time and location
Textbook
Physical Chemistry, 5th Edition, Ira N. Levine.
Attendance
Homework
Homework will be assigned, but not collected or graded.
However, do not take the assignments lightly. The only way you
will learn physical chemistry is by working problems. As an
incentive, each exam will include one question from the homework
assignments (wording and/or numbers may be changed slightly
). The homework question that I put on the exam will most
likely be one of the more difficult ones.
Exams
There will be 5 exams (4 midterms and 1 final). All exams
are cumulative. The final exam is worth 200 points and
each midterm exam is worth 100 points.
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Exam I:
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Friday, September 12
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Exam II:
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Friday, October 3
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Exam III:
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Friday, October 24
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Exam IV:
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Friday, November 14
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Final exam:
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Thursday, December 18, 7:30-9:30 am
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Since all exams are cumulative, you can replace you’re lowest
midterm exam score with the percent score from the final exam.
However, the reverse is not true; you cannot replace the final
exam score with one of the midterm scores. Since there are no
makeup exams, this is how a missed exam will be handled.
Exams will not be given to anyone in advance of the scheduled
date and time, regardless of the circumstances. Do not even ask
.
This especially applies to the final exam.
Physical chemistry is not about memorizing a bunch of
formulas. As such, you will be permitted to have one 8.5 x 11
index card with handwritten notes on it (front and back)
during exams. This way, your time and energy can be devoted to
learning what those formulas mean and how to apply them. If you
have a firm grasp of the underlying principles and have access
to reference material, you should be able to solve the
problems.
Exams are not multiple choice. You will be required to work
problems and show all work. This is to your advantage; you can
still receive partial credit even if your final answer is
incorrect. If your work is illegible or unclear in any way, your
score could suffer. Also, do not skip steps. If you do, and your
answer is incorrect, I will have less material to use to
determine where you made an error and the amount of partial
credit you receive could suffer.
Class is over at 9:20. At this time you should hand in your
exam. I will walk out of the room at 9:22—with or without your
exam. If I do not have your exam when I leave, you will receive
a zero for that exam. There are no exceptions.
Quizzes
If the need arises, quizzes will be given. They will be short
(5 – 10 minutes in duration) and the questions will pertain to
“big picture” concepts. You will be allowed to use your book
and/or notes during the quizzes. Like the exams, there are no
make-ups for the quizzes. However, you will be able to drop
your two lowest quiz scores.
Grading
The grading scale is as follows:
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A
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90 - 100%
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B
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77 - 89.9%
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C
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66 - 76.9%
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D
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55 - 65.9%
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F
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0 - 54.9%
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When graded exams or quizzes are returned to you, you have
until the next lecture period to dispute the grade. If you are
not present when the graded material is returned, it is your
responsibility to get and review it before the next lecture
period. There are no exceptions.
Academic honesty
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