Welcome to the CHEM 331 page!

Here is all the information you will need to be ready for organic chemistry in the fall. Once the quarter starts, you will be enrolled in the CHEM 331 Blackboard course so that you can access lecture notes, prelabs, and other materials. Please email me if you need further clarification regarding anything posted here, or if have any questions that you would like to see addressed in the FAQ section.

Syllabus and Course Materials

Here are all of the required/recommended materials for CHEM 331. This and other course information for the fall 2012 quarter is also available on the current draft of the course syllabus. (Please note that changes may occur, so please be sure to obtain an updated copy of the syllabus once the quarter as started.)

1. Organic Chemistry, 8th ed., by John McMurry, Publisher: CENGAGE Learning, 2011, (ISBN-10: 0840054440, ISBN-13: 9780840054449). If you buy the text from the bookstore, it is available in loose leaf form and comes with the ebook (ISBN: 9781285144658). You can also opt for the version of the textbook that comes bundled with the study guide and solutions manual (ISBN: 9781285128900). If you only want the ebook (cheapest option) it is available at: http://www.coursesmart.com/.
   
   
2. A Sapling Learning Account. We will be using Sapling Learning for our homework this quarter Sapling. To get started, go to http://www.saplinglearning.com/. If you already have a Sapling account, login to your account, click "View Available Courses". (If you don’t already have a Sapling account, click "create account" located under the username box instead. Supply the requested information and click "Create my new account". Check your email for a message from Sapling Learning and click on the link provided in that email.) Find your course in the list (CSUB - Chem 331 - Fall12 - SOLANO) and click the link. Select your payment options and follow the remaining instructions.
   
   Once you have registered and enrolled, you can log in at any time to complete or review your homework assignments. If you have any technical problems or grading issues, send an email to support@saplinglearning.com explaining the issue.
   
   
3. i>clicker, by Macmillan (MPS), Publisher: W. H. Freeman, 2006 (ISBN-10: 0716779390, ISBN-13: 978-0716779391). A classroom response system that allows students to instantly provide feedback and answer questions posed in class.
   
   
4. A molecular model kit. While not required, a molecular model kit is helpful for understanding stereochemical implications of reactions. If you don’t have one, you can purchase one from the chemistry club or online (I recommend HGS 1013A “Organic Chemistry Set for Student”).
   
   
5. Student Lab Companion: Laboratory Techniques for Organic Chemistry (2nd Edition), by John Lehman, Publisher: Prentice Hall, 2008 (ISBN-10: 0131593811, ISBN-13: 978-0131593817). While handouts of labs will be provided, this lab companion is recommended to provide you with a detailed description of the laboratory techniques that will be used.


6. A bound laboratory notebook with duplicate pages. I recommend the Organic Chemistry Spiral Bound Notebook from Hayden-McNeil (ISBN: 978-1-930882-46-1), although you are welcome to use any lab notebook of this type.
   

Frequently Asked Questions

On the schedule, it shows that the lecture will also be held on Fridays. Is that correct since mostly professors don't have classes on Fridays?
Yup. We will be having class on Fridays.

The textbook is really expensive! Am I going to have to buy a new one next quarter?
I apologize for the cost of the textbook, but the good news is that you won't have to buy a new one. All of the materials listed for the course (including the textbook) will be used for the entire year. You will not have to purchase anything further after this quarter.

I am repeating the course, and I noticed that the textbook has changed. Will I have to buy the new one?

That is completely up to you. Frankly, any organic chemistry textbook will probably be sufficient if you know how to use an index. The faculty elected to switch textbooks because we think this one has better explanations and is easier to understand. However, if you have an organic chemistry textbook already, or want to buy an older edition to save a little money, it shouldn't be a problem for my class (although another instructor may feel differently). I don't tend to follow the textbook exactly anyway.

Is there a lab manual we will have to purchase?

Nope. We are currently changing our labs, so this year you will be provided with handouts for all of the labs. I will post them on Blackboard before lab so you can print them out and bring them with you.

Are any of the course materials on reserve in the library?
I will make a copy of the text, solutions manual, and Lehman available in the Library.

Will we be using ALEKS in CHEM 331?

No, ALEKS is currently not available for organic chemistry. We will be using Sapling Learning for our homework this quarter. Sapling was used for both sections of CHEM 332 and CHEM 333 last year, and students preferred this homework system to online homework systems we have used in the past.

Are you going to post your lecture notes on Blackboard?
Yes, I will usually post the PowerPoint slides from each lecture on Blackboard before class. (Howeve, I often make last minute changes to the lecture slides, so they may be slightly different from what I present in lecture.) After the lecture has been completed, I will re-post the slides with any changes, answers to clicker questions, etc.

Are the tests/quizzes based off of lectures or the book?

Tests and quizzes are primarily based off of the lecture. I will follow the order of the book when possible, but I often present things in a different order or differently than the textbook does. Also I may leave some things out that I don't think are necessary or important. If I don't talk about it in lecture, I don't think it's important enough to test you on.

I am going to have to miss the first day of lecture. I do not want to be dropped or miss vital information regarding the course. Can I make arrangements with you to get the notes and any information that I will be missing?
If you can't make the first day of lecture that's just fine, and I promise not to drop you. You can access the PowerPoint slides from each lecture on Blackboard. Please come to Tuesday's lab wearing clothes appropriate for lab. If you have to miss the first day of lab, let me know immediately. That's more of a problem!

Are goggles mandatory for the chemistry lab?
Goggles or approved safety glasses will be required at all times when anyone is working with chemicals in the laboratory. You will receive a pair of goggles or safety glasses on the first day of lab (this cost is covered by your lab fees).

I'm pregnant. Can I still take organic chemistry?
Women that are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should contact me as soon as possible so that we can discuss the possible risks involved. We will take every precaution to minimize your exposure to chemicals that may be harmful to your baby, but ultimately this will have to be a decision between you and your doctor.

Are there any discussion sessions or tutoring available for this class?
I will incorporate problem solving and discussion material into lecture. Additionally, I will hold online office hours every Tuesday evening (before quizzes and exams). Also, I usually convert one of my office hours into a more formal question/answer session if enough people are interested. If you would like tutoring, the Science Tutoring Center located in Science I sometimes has tutors for organic chemistry.

I am concerned with the difficulty of the class. What do I need to do to do well in CHEM 331?
Great question! I'll be honest...this is a difficult course. There is a lot of material to cover, and many students find it conceptually difficult as well. However, you can make it through organic chemistry if you work hard and work smart. It is so important to determine how YOU learn organic chemistry best. You can easily spend hours studying for this class and perform poorly on quizzes and exams if you don't use the right techniques. I have a whole section in the syllabus about learning organic chemistry, so please check it out. Also, I included lots of advice from previous students. And if you ever find yourself struggling with the material, come to office hours ASAP so I can help you out.

Is the Student Lab Companion (by Lehman) required or recommended?

I only recommend the lab companion, although some instructors require it. All of the techniques you will be doing will be described in class, if you would like an additional, more detailed, and written description of the techniques, grab the lab companion or a similar book that describes organic chemistry laboratory techniques.