Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium:CHEM 205-S09-Lecture

Course Instructor:Didem Vardar-Ulu

Time and location: T,W&F 9:50-11:00 AM; SCI-104

Contact Info:SCI-276, x3255 (office), SCI-L301, X3285 (lab),

Office hours: T: 1:30 – 3:00 pm, W: 11:15 am – 12:30 pm (or by appointment)

Text:Chemical Principles, 5th Ed. by Steven S. Zumdahl, Houghton Mifflin (required)

Exploring Chemical Analysis by Daniel C. Harris, 3rd Ed. W. H. Freeman, (strongly recommended and on reserve in Science Library)

Assigned readings are marked as Z (Zumdahl) or H (Harris) on the course schedule. Readings from other relevant sources may be assigned if appropriate during the semester. If you have any other editions of the texts mentioned above, please let me know, I’ll be more than happy to help you locate the relevant information.

Scope of the course and content overview:

This course builds on the principles introduced in Chem 105, (or an equivalent course you took elsewhere) with an emphasis on chemical equilibrium and analysis. We will expand on concepts of atomic and molecular structure by thinking about how molecules come together and interact in gases, liquids, solids and solutions. We will spend several weeks discussing chemical reactions in aqueous solution with particular emphasis on the equilibrium behavior of acids and bases, solubility and complexation. We will also discuss electrochemical reactions that also occur in aqueous solutionsas well as the unique molecular structures that are observed for transition metals. Throughout the semester, we will focus on understanding how these chemical concepts form the basis for chemical analyses that are used in a wide variety of fields, from biology and medicine to studies of the environment and geology. In combination with the laboratory section of this course designed to provide additional experience with instrumental and non-instrumental methods of analysis, sampling, and solution equilibria, we will also emphasize on statistical analysis of data.

Course conferences:

There is a conference for this course (CHEM205-02-S09) which we will use as a platform to exchange information and discuss ideas. You will be able to access all course material (including both assigned/required and optional/supplementary material) through this conference.

Evaluation of work:

  • Biweekly problem sets: (5) 10%

Assigned problem sets will be posted in the folder “Assignments” within the conference and are due by class time on the dates indicated in the syllabus. You can turn-in your answers either electronically to the “Turn-Ins” sub-conferenceor bring a hard copy to the class followed by a confirmation email to the “Turn-Ins” sub-conference. These problems will not be accepted late unless you have a previously arranged excuse for an appropriate situation (e. g. illness or a serious family emergency). You will be required to work in pre-assigned groups to complete these problem sets and will be required to turn-in a single group solution sheet for the assignment.

  • Bi-weekly ConceptChecks (5) 10%

10-15 minute in-class opportunities to demonstrate individual comprehension of the fundamental concepts covered within the previous two weeks of course material.

  • Term Exams (2)30%

There will be two in-class midterm exams given during the semester (see schedule) which will cover only the untested material.

  • Final Exam20%

The final exam will be a comprehensive self-scheduled exam during the finals period.

  • Course engagement 5%

I have incorporated many different forms of course engagement that would give you the opportunity to practice your new appreciation of chemistry and encourage you to try different ways of learning new material. In addition to lectures, we will have weekly intellectual play times (IPTs) which will include opportunities to work in small groups on problems related to the topics covered during lectures. Being actively engaged in these activities is important for learning chemical concepts presented in the course. Your preparedness, presence, and contributions are not only vital for your own learning, but also for your classmates. Therefore, I expect you to attend all classes, be on-time, and come prepared. Since science is collaborative enterprise, I strongly encourage you to work in groups both in and out of class and be fully active and engaged in discussions via the conference platform. Finally, as a part of your class engagement you will be required to submit a weekly e-response (due on Tuesdays before class time) that briefly answers the following two questions to the e-responses folder of the conference.

Question 1: What do you think was the central point of last week’s lectures?

Question 2: What did you find most confusing about those lectures?

  • Laboratory25%

Laboratory is a critical component of the class—thus, a passing grade is required in lab to pass the course. The experiments in lab will give you hands-on experience applying the concepts and analytical methods we will discuss during the classroom portion of this course. More specific information on labs will be provided during your lab meetings.

Grading Scale:

100–90%A/A-

89–80%B+/B/B-

79–70%C+/C/C-

69–60%D

<60%F

The instructor reserves the right to adjust these ranges in favor of all students at the end of the semester based on the overall distribution. The course is NOT graded with a preset distribution of grades. You are all evaluated against an absolute standard of excellence and therefore are NEVER in competition with one another.

Extra Help:

There will be an attached tutor, who will be holding question/answer sessions twice a week for all interested students throughout the semester for this course. Although these sessions are not mandatory, I strongly encourage you to attend and make use of the opportunity to facilitate your studying. You should also make every effort to arrange for regular group study sessions to discuss class and lab material and also feel free to make use of the tutoring services offered through PLTC.

Suggestions:

I highly value and appreciate any suggestion and constructive criticism you might have regarding any aspect of this course and hope that you would feel comfortable enough to voice your opinions. However, if any time during this semester you feel that you would rather send me an anonymous email, please use the following yahoo account I have created specifically for this class.

Login name: chem205wellesley Password: Spring09

Additional information and Policies:

  • No late work will be accepted for grading includingconcept checks, exams, and problem sets
  • Extensions are possible as warranted by appropriate circumstances such as poor health or a death in the family. Extensions must be arranged prior to the due date for the work.
  • If you foresee any conflict of scheduled dates for course work due to any personal or religious reasons, please discuss it immediately with me. I will be happy to consider making any necessary changes or accommodations for requests voiced until February 6th 2009.
  • Scores on assignments/exams are nonnegotiable—unless, of course, I make a math error. I make every effort to be fair and proportionate with scoring. If you feel strongly a reevaluation of the work is warranted, I will gladly re-grade the entire assignment/exam.
  • I will not take questions on any graded material until 24 hours after that material has been returned and you have had an opportunity to go over the solutions/answer key on your own.
  • All course work is covered by the Honor Code.
  • Students with disabilities who are taking this course and who need disability-related accommodations are encouraged to work with Verónica Darer, the Directory of Programs of the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center (for learning or attention disabilities), and Jim Wice, the Director of Disability Services (for physical disabilities) to arrange these accommodations. Their offices are in the Pforzheimer Learning and TeachingCenter in Clapp Library.

CHEM205-S09 Schedule

L# / Date / Topic / Readings / Work Due
Statistics & Gasses
1 / 02/03/09(T) / Introduction/ Statistics / H:3.1-3.4
H:4.1-4.3
2 / 02/04/09(W)
3 / 02/06/09(F) / IPT#1: Statistics / Pset #1
4 / 02/10/09(T) / Gasses / Z:5.1-5.11
5 / 02/11/09(W)
6 / 02/13/09(F) / IPT#2: Atmospheric Chemistry / CC #1
Acids/Bases and Complex Equilibria
7 / 02/17/09(T) / Acid Base Chemistry / Z:7.1-7.11
H:8
8 / 02/18/09(W)
9 / 02/20/09(F) / IPT#3 Basics of Acid/Base Chemistry / PSet #2
10 / 02/24/09(T) / Common Ion Effect/ Buffers / Z:8.1-8.7
H:9-11
11 / 02/25/09(W) / Advanced Topics in Acid/Base Chemistry
12 / 02/27/09(F) / IPT#4 Applications of Acid/Base Chemistry / CC#2
13 / 03/03/09(T) / Ionic Strength and Activity / H:12.1-12.2
14 / 03/04/09(W) / Solubility and Equilibria Analysis / Z:8.8-8.10
15 / 03/06/09(F) / IPT#5 Acid/Base Chemistry Review / Pset#3
16 / 03/10/09(T) / Exam1
Electrochemistry
17 / 03/11/09(W) / Electrochemistry / Z:11.1-11.7
H:14
18 / 03/13/09(F)
19 / 03/17/09(T)
20 / 03/18/09(W) / Electrochemical Measurements / H15.1-15.5
21 / 03/20/09(F) / IPT#6 Applications of Electrochemistry / CC#3
22 / 03/24/09(T) / SPRING VACATION
23 / 03/25/09(W)
24 / 03/27/09(F)
Solids, Liquids, and Solutions
25 / 03/31/09(T) / Liquids and Solids / Z:16.1-16.7
26 / 04/01/09(W)
27 / 04/03/09(F) / IPT#7: Liquids and Solids / PSet#4
28 / 04/07/09(T) / Solutions / Z17.1-17.8
29 / 04/08/09(W)
30 / 04/10/09(F) / IPT#8: Solutions / CC#4
31 / 04/14/09(T) / Vapor Pressure and Changes of State / Z:16.10-16.11
32 / 04/15/09(W) / Solids Liquids and Solutions Review
33 / 04/17/09(F) / Exam 2
34 / 04/21/09(T) / MONDAY SCHEDULE
Transitional Metal Chemistry
35 / 04/22/09(W) / Transitional Metal Chemistry / Z:20.3-20.8
36 / 04/24/09(F)
37 / 04/28/09(T) / IPT#9: Transitional Metals / PSet#5
38 / 04/29/09(W) / RUHLMAN
Selected Applications of Chemistry
39 / 05/01/09(F) / Chromatography / H:21-23
40 / 05/05/09(T)
41 / 05/06/09(W) / Spectroscopy / H:18-19
42 / 05/08/09(F)
43 / 05/12/09(T) / IPT#10: Applications of Chemistry / CC#5
44 / 05/13/08(W) / Wrap-up Review
Self Scheduled Final Exam (Closed book)