CHEM 2500–Sophomore Chemistry Seminar
Course Syllabus –Spring 2018
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the
Disability Services Coordinator, Edgewater Hall 255, 678-466-5445, .
Course Description:
Number and Title
CHEM 2500 (CRN 21295)
Sophomore Chemistry Seminar
Credit Hours:
2.0 semester credit hours
Course Description:
An introduction to the chemical literature and research. Opportunities and procedures (including laboratory safety) for participation in research with Clayton State University faculty will be presented. Resources and methods for searching the chemical literature will be discussed. Written and oral communication and technology enhanced presentation skills will be emphasized.
Course Prerequisite:
CHEM 1212 and CHEM 1212L with a grade of C or better.
Instructor Information:
Instructor:
Dr. Caroline Sheppard
Office phone: (678) 466-4777
Office: Lakeview Discovery and Science Center 235G
Email:
Internet:
Office hours:
Tuesday and Thursday10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesday11:00 am – 1:00 pm
or by appointment
Class Meetings:
Days / Times / RoomF / 2:15–4:05pm / LDSC 255
Textbook Information:
Text:
"Lies, Damned Lies, and Science: How to Sort through the Noise around Global Warming, the Latest Health Claims, and Other Scientific Controversies". Sherry Seethaler,FT Press, 2009
Text Coverage:
Various chapters and sections as relevant to the course.
Computer Requirement:
Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to
Computer Skill Prerequisites:
- Able to use the computer’s operation system
- Able to send and receive e-mail
- Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
- Able to use a Web browser
- Able to download files from a web site to your computer
- Able to use a word processor system
- Able to use Microsoft PowerPoint®
In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:
Student notebook computers will be occasionally used in the classroom in this course. Computers will also be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.
Desire2Learn (Online Classroom):
On-line activity will take place in Desire2Learn, the virtual classroom for the course.Posting of your work in D2L is a course requirement.
You can gain access to Desire2Learn by signing into the SWAN portal and selecting “D2L” on the top right side. If you experience any difficulties in Desire2Learn, please e-mail or call the HUB at r (678)466-HELP. You will need to provide the date and time of your problem, your SWAN username, the name of thecourse that you are attempting to access, and your instructor’s name.
Course Learning Outcomes:
A successful student will be able to:
- find and use scientific information using various library sources
- make ethical judgements of scientific issues
- present scientific data is both written and oral formats
Additional topics at the discretion of the instructor.
Chemistry Learning Outcomes:
CHEM 2500 is a required course in the B.S. degree in chemistry. CHEM 2500 supports outcomes 1, 3, 56 and 8 of the chemistry major.
- Outcome 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of chemistry.
- Outcome 3: Demonstrate knowledge of technology related to chemistry, including laboratory instrumentation
- Outcome 5: Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
- Outcome 6: Collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in chemistry and supporting fields.
- Outcome 8: identify and describe the impact of chemistry on society.
Evaluation:
Your evaluation in CHEM 2500 will be based upon the following components:
component / Percent of gradeAssignments / 50
Attendance and Participation / 20
Poster Presentation / 15
Oral Presentation / 15
Grading:
The grade you receive in Chemistry 2500 will be based upon the following distribution:
letter grade / percentage rangeA / 90% or greater
B / 80% - 89%
C / 70% - 79%
D / 60% - 69%
F / less than 60%
Mid-term Progress Report
The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued on or before February 26, reflects approximately 25% of the entire course grade.Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on March 2, 2018.Instructions for withdrawing are provided at this link.
The last day to withdraw without academic accountability is Friday, March 2, 2018.
Tentative Course Schedule:
The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule as necessary and will communicate any changes clearly to the class.
January 12 / Introduction
Science careers and skills
January 19 / Short presentations
Professionalism
January 26 / Career planning
February 2 / Nature of science / 1, 2, 3
February 9 / Scientific communication
February 16 / Scientific communication
Presentation of data / 4,5,6,7
February 23 / Presentation of data / 4,5,6,7
March 2 / Scientific papers
March 9 / No class – SpringBreak
March 16 / Scientific ethics / 8, 9
March 23 / Laboratory safety
March 30 / Research at Clayton State
April 6 / Oral presentations
April 13 / Oral presentations
April 20 / Poster session
April 27 / Academic Conference
Course Policies:
Assignments:
These assignments will vary in length and format, may be given in-class or as homework, and will be graded. Details for each assignment will be announced in class and/or posted on the course website. Completed assignments will be submitted online (through D2L) or to the instructor, depending on the assignment.
Late Policy:
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period unless otherwise specified. Work turned in after this is considered late. Late assignments are penalized 10% per day. No assignments will be accepted via email unless specified by the instructor.
Center for Academic Success
The Center for Academic Success (CAS) provides personalized one-on-one peer and professional staff tutoring in over 100 core subjects. The Center is located in Edgewater Hall Suite 276. The CAS also offers moderated study groups, informal study sessions, a comfortable study environment, a student study lounge, and it’s all free! Use the CAS if you need help; become a tutor if you don’t. For more information you can e-mail the center at .
University Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Course Attendance Policy:
Class roll will be taken and attendance is required. You will be held responsible for all announcements and material covered in lecture in addition to text, references, hand-outs, study guides and assignments.
Arriving to class on time is your responsibility. Coming in late is disturbing to the entire class and detracts from the learning experience.Tardiness will result in a deduction of points from the attendance grade.
Academic Dishonesty:
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Community Standards. Judicial procedures are described in the section of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook titled, Procedures for Adjudicating Alleged Academic Conduct Infractions.
Disruption of the Learning Environment:
Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.More detailed descriptions of examples of disruptive behavior are provided in the Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures sections of the Clayton State University Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
Weapons on Campus
Clayton State University is committed to providing a safe environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Information on laws and policies regulating weapons on campus are available at
Other Class Policies:
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities. The Student Handbook is part of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
Turn off all noise-making electronic devices during class.
Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.
Last update: January 11, 2017