CHE 450 G  
stripe decor

 
 
REPORTS

     

Introduction

CHE450G is a four-credit-hour course and as such will require significant time to (1) learn basics of Inorganic Chemistry theory, (2) perform laboratory experiments, and (3) write and complete formal J. Am. Chem. Soc.-style reports (in manuscript format). As a general rule, at least 6 hours per week should be devoted to studying concepts introduced in class and the textbook; homework problem sets are considered in addition to this suggestion and will generally take 2-4 hours if these concepts are understood. Working in groups and scheduling office hours may also aid students in these efforts. Report writing times will depend on the individual but expect to take at least 5-6 hours for the construction of each report. If work, other courses, and/or other responsibilities will not allow for these time investments, please see the instructor as soon as possibleto discuss possible options.

See the schedule for more details on report due dates.
 

Laboratory Report Construction

All laboratory reports will adhere to the Journal of the American Chemical Society format for Full Manuscripts. You will submit reports on Experiments 1-5 for credit. This is a different format than what you may have utilized in previous Chemistry or Science laboratory classes. For help, consult your Instructor or one of the following websites:

University Policy Statement: Grading Writing Skills: “Helping promote scholarship is more than simply teaching the subject matter -- all students need to improve and refine their skills in verbal and written expression. Regardless of discipline, instructors have the right -and the obligation- to expect that students use English properly in all aspects of the course [S.R. 5.2.4.3]. Instructors can ask students to rewrite papers, make writing style one of the grading criteria, and report a seriously deficient student to his/her college for remedial work.”

Your laboratory reports (5 total) will consist of at least 10 basic sections:

Title, Authors, and Affiliation. Describes report contents succinctly, who did the work (you), and where work performed (Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky).

Abstract. Briefly describes what experiment you did and briefly summarizes data and conclusions. A well-written abstract summarizes your report in a ~ 5-20 statements.

Introduction [2 paragraphs]. This is not a summary of the laboratory manual introduction. Literature citations (NOT WEBSITES) in proper format should also be present.

Motivation. This is again not a summary of the laboratory manual introduction (~ 2-5 paragraphs). Include as a portion of the Introduction section. Literature citations (NOT WEBSITES) in proper format should also be present.

Experimental Method. This describes what purification techniques for reagents, sources, prior literature synthetic details, and instrumentation (model number and any modifications) was used to prepare/characterize your reaction products. (~ 1-3 paragraphs, abstract style). Literature citations (NOT WEBSITES) in proper format should also be present.

Results and Discussion. Compares your research findings to the primary research literature (i.e. not a Website or lab manual). You should describe what was done, interpret and report your data, and compare your data/conclusions to the primary literature (e.g. published manuscript). Primary literature citations (NOT WEBSITES) in proper format should also support your claims. (~ 2-20 pages judgment call, depending on the experimental data and complexity of experiment).

Figures and Schemes. These should include experimental data plots or clearly indicate non-trivial chemical transformations in a graphical format. Acid-base neutralization, salt elimination, distillation apparatus, Schlenk line design, for example are not useful. For examples consult several manuscripts that appear in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Conclusions. You should briefly describe why you performed the experiment, what conclusions were drawn, how they agree with or differ from literature reports, and propose future directions of study. This section will be ~ 1-2 paragraphs in length and is not the same as an abstract.

Acknowledgments. You should thank staff, faculty, and students who assisted with data collection, analysis, or experimental issues. Access to facilities outside CP-301 & 302 and their funding sources should also be mentioned.

Supporting Information. Includes trivial calculations, figures, and any data that does not appear in the manuscript text.

 

Report Submission

All students are required to submit their reports (5 total) in MS Word (last name_report number.doc) and PDF (last name_report number.pdf) format in a single E-mail to bramwell@uky.edu. Reports that are deemed too large by E-mail servers (e.g. Hotmail) will require reduction of figures and/or schemes data size; submissions via UK E-mail servers should not experience this problem. A complete and legible printed paper copy is to be submitted prior to or on the report due date (in class, 12 PM). If you do not own a copy of Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat, this work can be performed on Chemistry/Physics Computer Lab computers (CP-148B).

Reports submitted after class are considered as “late” and are subject to a 10% penalty immediately. Each subsequent day (starting at 12 PM each day) is assessed an additional 15% penalty. Late reports submitted after two or more days ( greater than 48 hours) will not be graded and a grade of “0, zero” will be assigned.

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

(1) First Offense. The minimum penalty for a first offense is no credit (a “zero” grade) on the assignment. Additional penalties such as extra academic work, reduction of the student letter grade, or assignment of an “E” for the course may be imposed at the discretion of the instructor. An additional “XE” grade penalty (shown permanently on the transcript), suspension, etc. may also be imposed.

(2) Subsequent Offenses. The minimum penalty for a second offense is an “E” grade for the course. A third offense automatically warrants suspension from the university. Further information concerning what constitutes academic integrity, dishonesty, penalties, and the University of Kentucky rationale for this policy may be found at http://www.uky.edu/Ombud.

For additional information consult:

http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_understand_plagiarism_1/0,6622,427064-,00.html