GECH119 Chemistry and Society Introduction

1. GECH119Chemistry and SocietyIntroduction Dr. Ralph C. Gatrone Virginia State University Department of Chemistry and Physics

2. Course Description • General Education Chemistry introduces • chemical principles and applies them to issues and problems facing society, • the fundamental language and symbols of inorganic, organic, and biochemistry, • energy, nuclear chemistry, air quality and water quality

3. Textbooks • Investigating Chemistry: A Forensic Science Perspective, 2nd Edition, Matthew E. Johll, W.H. Freeman and Company

4. Evaluation • 5 Quizzes – lowest grade gets dropped • 3 Examinations • 4 of 5 Quizzes: 200 points • 3 of 3 Tests: 300 points • Final Exam: 200 points • Total: 700 points

5. Evaluation • 630 – 700 (90%) A J • 560 - 629 (80%) B J • 455 - 559 (65%) C J • 350 – 454 (50%) D L • 0 – 349 (<50%) F L

6. Special Consideration • Grades are earned • Grades cannot be negotiated • Grades are not influenced by whether • I like you, • I feel sorry for you, • you will lose a scholarship, • you will forfeit a tuition reimbursement, • your excellent GPA is ruined, • you will be sent back to a repressive country, • you will not graduate this year

7. Extra Credit • No extra credit was listed. • No extra credit will be considered. • Do not request extra credit.

8. Attendance • Assumption: you are adult students • Attendance in lecture is expected • The job of understanding the material is YOURS! • Attendance at tests and the quizzes is mandatory • Makeup quizzes will NOT be given • A missed quiz will receive a grade of zero after the first one is dropped. • A missed test will receive a grade of zero • No excuse is acceptable. • Do not create excuses.

9. Possible Excuses(None are acceptable) • Do not bring me an excuse for missing a test or quiz from: • Your doctor • Your nurse • Your analyst • Your mother • Your funeral director • Your Residence Advisor • No excuse will be accepted.

10. A Note on Exams • Quiz Format: 25 multiple choice questions • Exam Format: 50 multiple choice questions. • Final Exam Format: 200 multiple choice questions.

11. A Word on the Final Exam • The final exam is scheduled for 12/1 at 5:00PM. • This is Reading Day - • and has scheduled by the university to minimize conflicts between rooms and courses. • If this is an inconvenient time for you, please withdraw from the course today. • There is no excuse that I will accept that would permit you take the exam early. • Do not bring me an excuse from your doctor, nurse, hospital, analyst, mother, or funeral director – none will be accepted. • Travel arrangements should be made after the final examination.

12. Homework • Problems will be assigned from the text as we begin a section. • You are expected to do them. • They will not be collected, graded nor discussed in class. • Quiz and exam questions frequently come from these problems. • The job of understanding the material is yours!

13. Cell Phones • Turn all cell phones off. • If a cell phone rings or you are observed texting the possibility exists that class will be ended immediately. You will be responsible for material not covered in lecture. • Turn your desire to communicate with anyone except me off.

14. Expectations • A professional student is expected to • attend classes • purchase course materials • study • be prepared • do well • The job of understanding the material is yours!

15. Expectations • Faculty members are expected to • attend class • prepare lecture materials • present lecture material • prepare and grade tests and quizzes • be available for outside consultation • keep accurate records

16. Additional Notes and Comments • Make-up quizzes and tests • not among expectations • will not occur • no excuse is acceptable • Extra credit • not among expectations • unnecessary if expectations are met • will not occur • do not ask

17. The Teacher versus the Professor • A teacher conveys information to provide a student with certain skills and a knowledge base. • A professor professes the truth about their area of expertise while providing the student with the skills to accept or refute that truth. • Ideally the professor imparts a sense of wonder such that the student will push the limits of our understanding. • The student’s job is to develop the necessary skills and knowledge base to succeed. • To understand the material.

18. An Important Goal of this Course • Transition from student to scholar • It requires • Mastery of content • Application of theoretical constructs • The development of the following skills • critique, analyze, research, discuss, write, and present

19. What is the minimum I need to do to get out of here? • Depends, what grade do you want? • W, F, or D • Attend class irregularly • Study just before each test • Rely upon your memory • C, B, or A • Attend class • Read the chapter before and after class • Review lecture notes daily • Study 1.5 – 2 hours per day, 6 days per week • Do all homework problems • See instructor for assistance

20. Comment • I have never met a student who could not learn chemistry. • Some of them may have had to take the course 3 or more times. • The number of attempts necessary is dependent upon you.

21. Why don’t some students learn? • Fear • Wrong attributes • Lack of confidence • Too much confidence • Failure to follow through • Paralysis due to personal/family problems • Failure to imitate best practices • Lack of balance of social and academic life • Failure to appreciate delayed gratification.

22. How Do I Earn that Elusive A? • Read the chapter before lecture • Attend lecture • Re-read the chapter after lecture • Review lecture notes daily • Rewriting is strongly suggested • Do homework problems. • Seek assistance when necessary. • I am available during my office hours or any other time my door is open. • Do not study just before each quiz or test. • Studying must be done every day.

23. How do I contact Dr. Gatrone? • Office location: HM239N • Office phone: 524-5762 • Email: rgatrone@vsu.edu • I respond to email messages within 24 hr. • I do not respond to an email address that ends with anything other than @vsu.edu

24. Is this the only course I am taking? • I am afraid my answer is YES! • Time invested = Desired grade • Average professional works 60 hours/week • Professional student • 18 hours/week in class • 60 – 18 = 42 • 42hours/6 days = 7 hours per day • Or approximately 2 hours/class/day • Time invested = Desired grade

25. Why? • The job of understanding the material is yours. • If you choose to study chemistry like other courses you have taken you might do well, but the odds are against this possibility.

26. Why am I taking this class? • Required for my major • I will never need it • Elective • I will certainly never need • Required for my major • I might need it someday • Only class available at this forsaken time • Best course on campus • Best instructor on campus • I need to lower my GPA • What is chemistry? • What is the minimum I need to do to get out of here?

27. Important Questions • Is drop/add over? • Are there any other instructors available? • Is GEPH101 easier? • When is the last day to withdraw? • What is the minimum I need to pass? • What is chemistry?