Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Organic Chemistry I (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 2310-04

Course: CHEM 2310-04
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCI
CRN: 31785

Course Description

A study of the carbon containing molecules of life through the theories that govern chemical change. Concepts discussed include the principles of structure and chemical reactivity and the physical properties, preparation, naming, and reaction mechanisms of biologically active compounds. Pre-professional requirements (dental, medical, veterinary) for organic chemistry are met in this course. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a physical science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): CHEM 2315 Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1220 and CHEM 1225 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

1.      “Organic Chemistry with Integrated Solutions Manual” 4th Edition (Klein) ISBN: 9781119776741 (Inclusive Access)

Learning Outcomes

Students in this course will study the foundational principles of organic chemistry. The topics covered in this course include: the molecular properties of structure, bonding, and isomerism; the polar covalent chemistry of acids and bases; the structure, reactivity and stereochemistry of alkanes and cycloalkanes; stereoisomerism including enantiomers, diastereomers and meso compounds; the chemical reactivity and two-electron mechanisms of substitution, addition, and elimination reactions; the reactivity of the p-electrons of alkenes and alkynes; the structure and reactivity of alcohols, phenols, ethers, epoxides, thiols, and sulfides; the reactivity of radicals and their single-electron reactions and mechanisms; common organic polymers and the reactions that produce them, and finally, multistep synthesis and the retrosynthetic analysis of complex organic products. 
The learning outcomes expected of the successful students in this course include: thorough inquiry of course materials; thoughtful analysis of data obtained from chemical experiments; skillful use of acquired knowledge to critically think through and creatively solve chemical problems including the application of basic principles to more complicated processes. Successful students are required to communicate their answers correctly and thoroughly to demonstrate quantitative literacy in the chemical sciences. 

Course Requirements

Students will be assessed by examinations, quizzes, and homework as detailed below. These assessment methods will use quantitative point based values to gauge the student’s progress toward the learning outcomes.

Course Outline

| WEEK | DATES | TOPIC
| 1 | 8/27–8/29 | Electrons, Bonds, and Molecular Properties | 
| Holiday | 9/1 | Labor Day
| 2 | 9/2–9/5 | Molecular Representations | 
| 3 | 9/8–9/12 | Acids and Bases  | 
| Exam #1 | Friday 9/12 | Chapters 1, 2 & 3
| Drop Day | Wednesday 9/17 | Last Day to Drop Without a W
| 4 | 9/15–9/19 | Alkanes and Cycloalkanes | 
| 5 | 9/22–9/26 | Stereoisomerism  | 
| Exam #2 | Friday 9/26 | Chapters 4 & 5
| 6 | 9/29–10/3 | Chemical Reactivity and Mechanisms | 
| 7 | 10/6–10/10 | Alkyl Halides | 
| Holiday | 10/13–10/14 | Fall Break
| 8 | 10/15–10/17 | Alkyl Halides | 
| Exam #3 | Wednesday 10/22 | Chapters 6 & 7
| 9 | 10/20–10/24 | Addition Reactions of Alkenes | 
| Drop Day | Wednesday 10/29 | Last Day to Drop With a W
| 10 | 10/27–10/31 | Alkynes | 
| 11 | 11/3–11/7 | Radical Reactions and Polymers | 
| 12 | 11/10–11/14 | Synthesis | 
| Exam #4 | Friday 11/14 | Chapters 8, 9, 10, & 11
| 13 | 11/17–11/21 | Alcohols and Phenols | 
| Holiday | 11/24–11/28 | Thanksgiving Break
| 14 | 12/1–12/5 | Ethers and Epoxides; Thiols and Sulfides | 
| Exam #5 | Friday 12/5 | Chapters 12 & 13
| Final Exam | See SUU Final Exam Schedule (http://suu.edu/academics/finals.html)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Assignments turned in late will suffer a 30% penalty and will only be accepted up to one week after the assigned due date.

Attendance Policy

This is a face-to-face course. Face-to-face attendance is mandatory.

Course Fees

None

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.