| Aug 21, Tue | Last day to drop with full refund |
| Aug 22, Wed | First day of class |
| Aug 28, Tues | Last day to enter class |
| Sep 3, Mon | Labor Day (no class) |
| Sep 12, Wed | Last day to drop with no record |
| Oct 19, Fri | Last day to withdraw |
| Dec 5, Wed | Last regular class day for 450G |
| Dec 7, Fri | Last day of classes |
This is a new edition of the textbook. The second edition is not acceptable as there have been considerable changes to the content.
In addition, a Macintosh program called CrystalDesigner is available in the CHE 450G laboratory. This program will permit you to draw 3D crystal structures and is required for one of your laboratory assignments.
EVERY lab report you turn in MUST include at least one reference to the primary literature (i.e. a journal). Take a look at this reading on inorganic literature as well as the course web links to learn how to find what you need quickly and painlessly.
Big hint for success as a scientist: Develop a habit of reading the scientific literature each week. Some journals that are of particular importance to inorganic chemists are J. Am. Chem. Soc.; Organometallics; J. Organomet. Chem.; Inorg. Chem.; J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.; and Angew. Chemie to name a few. The full text of most ACS journals is now available on-line free of charge from computers on the uky.edu domain; take advantage of this opportunity as well.
Three months in the lab will save you three hours in the library (think about that a little bit).
Finally, please treat the library and its materials with respect. In particular, NEVER bring a library book or journal into the laboratory where it can be damaged by chemicals, fumes or spills. Always check out materials from the library; never remove a book or journal without officially checking it out. Return all library materials promptly (not simply when they are due) and avoid the temptation to check out every available book on a particular subject. Your classmates will need access to those same materials and it isn't fair to monopolize the necessary resources. If we all treat library materials with such consideration, they will always be available when we need them.
You can access the web site from any of the microlabs on campus. The direct URL for CHE 450G is:
http://www.chem.uky.edu/courses/che450g/
You may also access the course web site from some of the research labs in the building or through the campus modem pool at no charge.
An experiment schedule is available. We will perform three two-laboratory period and two three-laboratory periodCore Experiments that will introduce you to a variety of synthetic and characterization techniques. We must perform these in rotation to minimize competition for equipment, therefore no more than two lab teams will be working on the same experiment each week.
The next two experiments are termed "Development" and may be selected from a list of available topics. These experiments last three laboratory periods each and will start you on your way to experimental autonomy.
| Score Component | Total Points | % of Final Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Core Experiments (5) | 500 | 25% |
| Development Experiments (2) | 400 | 20% |
| Problem Sets | 200 | 10% |
| In class exams (2) | 400 | 20% |
| Final Exam (1) | 300 | 15% |
| Overall technique, notebook, participation, etc. | 200 | 10% |
| TOTAL | 2000 | 100% |
Repeated or serious laboratory safety violations will have a negative impact on your grade. Penalties will be commensurate with the degree and nature of the infraction, and may include expulsion from the course and/or laboratory as well as an "E" for the course.
As per University regulations you will receive an estimate of your standing in the course at the middle of the term. You may feel free to ask me for an approximate analysis of your standing in the course at any time during the semester.
Grades will be assigned using the following scale:
100% < A < 90% < B < 80% < C < 70% < D < 60% < E.
The instructor reserves the right to adjust the grade cutoffs downward ("curve") if necessary. Notice that this works only to your benefit and not your detriment! The College of Arts and Sciences no longer supports the +/- grading scheme.
General guidelines and grading criteria for your laboratory reports are available. You will not be given a checklist of items and their point values to include for your reports. Part of being a scientist is knowing what to write in order to effectively interpret and communicate your findings. Remember: you can have the greatest results in the world, but if you can't communicate them effectively then no one will ever know.
As described below, attendance at lecture is mandatory and your final point total will be adjusted downward if you have more than two unexcused lecture absences.
No extra credit assignments will be made available. However, those making an extra effort on their experiments may receive a small bonus on that laboratory report, and good effort in the course will be reflected in the Overall technique/notebook/participation component of your grade.
Lecture attendance is mandatory. Students having more than two unexcused lecture absences will have one percentage point deducted from their final grade for each class missed. For example, a student with an 81% final grade (B) who has four unexcused lecture absences will have his or her final grade reduced to 77% (C). If the same student had only two unexcused absences, his grade would remain 81%.
The only excused absences for this course will be those consistent with the official University Absence Policy. Students are entitled to an excused absence for the purpose of observing their major religious holidays; however, the student must notify the instructor in writing prior to the last day for adding a class (August 28th). The University absence policy is available on the course web site for your convenience.
Students will not be given an opportunity to make up laboratory periods missed due to unexcused absences.
I do not give out lecture notes, even for excused absences. If you miss a class, I encourage you to get the notes from two other people, review them and then see me outside of class if you still have questions. In lieu of lecture notes, you will find reading assignments and some rough outlines on the course web site.
Extensions to laboratory reports may be granted at the instructor's (NOT the TA's) discretion. Repeated requests for extensions will be denied, as will requests for reasons such as "I have three exams and two papers due this week." If you want to request an extension for an assignment, you must do so at least two days before the due date, fill out an extension request form, and discuss your situation with the instructor. Simply turning in a form will not get you an extension.
Two things my exams are not: 1) regurgitation of esoteric facts or 2) clones of problems given on the homework sets. CHE 450G exams are designed to challenge you to think (see item 2 under Problem Sets, below).
Do not wait until a few days before the exam to come talk to me. It is best that you clear up any questions as we go along.
What are the purposes of these problem sets? They are specifically designed to elaborate on ideas introduced in class and are therefore a test of your ability to assimilate and apply new concepts (hint: exams and labs work the same way). Likewise, they help me understand which areas are most difficult for the students and help me assess the efficacy of my teaching methods. Problem sets teach the student how to approach and solve problems. If you don't do the problem sets then you won't know where you might be having trouble with particular concepts.
Why doesn't homework count for more of your grade even though it will take a large amount of effort? First, it would be double jeopardy; low problem set scores usually have a very strong correlation to low exam/lab scores. Second, this is already a demanding course and I respect that students have several other classes to deal with. Third, the problem sets are an opportunity for you to explore and challenge yourself, to learn to think in new ways. It is your opportunity to make mistakes and find out why your thoughts might be correct or incorrect. You can not learn without making mistakes.
Question: who is homework for and why?
You may work together on your homework, but copying is forbidden. If you are having difficulties with the material then come see me. After all, you need to know how to work independently on your exams!
The three quickest ways to ensure an E in this course are violating safety rules, cheating and plagiarizing.
Many students are unaware of the full definition of plagiarism. All students in this course are required to read and understand the meaning, examples and consequences of plagiarism and then sign a certification indicating that they understand plagiarism and its consequences.
Students are reminded that I have photocopies as well as electronic copies of laboratory reports from previous years. Students who cheat or plagiarize can be sure that I will pursue the maximum possible penalties in such cases.
Students who repeatedly violate safety rules will be barred from the laboratory and may receive an "E" for the course. Students who engage in unauthorized experiments may also be recommended for expulsion from the University and/or face criminal charges. Minor violations may be punished by having points deducted from the laboratory experiment or the technique part of their overall grade.
Before you can do any laboratory work, you must read, understand, and sign a safety release form, read a variety of safety information on the course web site and pass an on-line quiz. Students must be familiar with this information before commencing experiments.
Reminder: wear your safety glasses at ALL TIMES in the laboratory, even when you're "not doing anything". Example: a former student who learned this good habit in 450G was wearing his safety goggles in another laboratory when someone else's reaction exploded 10 meters away. The flying glass was stopped by his safety goggles, saving the student's eyesight.
By definition, you can not prevent accidents but you can minimize their likelihood. Be smart and use proper precautions at all times.
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