Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Organic Chemistry II (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 2320-02

Course: CHEM 2320-02
Credits: 4
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCI
CRN: 12234

Course Description

A continuation of CHEM 2310, Organic Chemistry I. Four hours of lecture per week. 4 Credits. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of 'C' (2.0 or above) in CHEM 2310 and CHEM 2315. Co-requisite: CHEM 2325.

Required Texts

  • Organic Chemistry 4th Edition (Klein) ISBN: 978-1-119-65959-4 or rental 978-1-119-74510-5
  • Other: Highly suggested resource-Study Guide/Solutions Manual 4th Edition (Klein) ISBN: 978-1-119-65958-7

Learning Outcomes

To fulfill its mission, SUU will:

Southern Utah University is a dynamic teaching and learning community that engages students in experiential education leading to personal growth, civic responsibility, and professional excellence.

Critical Thinking: Learn to ask and answer how and why the topic at hand influences, impacts, pertains or involves you. Dont accept what the book or I tell you; both may be wrong. Always strive to find better, not just sufficient ways of completing assignments or answering questions.

Effective Communication: Learn to formulate and ask clear questions, and present information clearly and concisely.

Lifelong Intellectual Curiosity: Learn to enjoy learning. It is our lifes pursuit to learn, and we need to find enjoyment in it. Find a reason to apply every subject to your lifes goals, interests, hobbies, job, or personal development.

Global Awareness: Chemistry impacts every facet of life, touching every corner of the world, and affecting humanity in both a positive and negative manner. A better understanding of chemistry will provide a better understanding of the world we live in.

Personal Responsibility: Not everybody is cut from the same mold, has the same aptitudes, or is equally talented; nevertheless, hard work is an amazing equalizer. Where you lack talent, hard work can often bridge the gap. Learn to accept personal talents and limitations. Convert your deficiencies into strengths through hard work!

Integrity: I will be honest with you and expect likewise. We are adults. Expect to be treated as such.

Specific to the Course

SUU and GE Essential Learning Outcomes and Definitions can be found at: and

There is no way to escape chemistry. One might be able to feign ignorance, but you will never be in a position to claim that chemistry has no value to your life; chemistry is vital for your daily existence. You may never study chemistry again, and if so, ideally, the lessons that will remain with you from this course will be those that helped you achieve the mission of SUU. Specifically, this course will introduce you to the basic principles of chemistry, including these particular objectives:

  • Develop and apply critical thinking skills in solving problems related to organic chemistry.
    (SUU ELOs: Inquiry, Critical Thinking, Quantitative Literacy, Problem Solving)
  • Understand the fundamental principles and theories behind the field of organic chemistry.
    (SUU ELOs: Critical Thinking, Quantitative Literacy)
  • Think critically and analyze physical phenomena using fundamental chemical principles.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking)
  • Appreciate chemistrys benefit to humanity through medicine, materials, and quality of life.
    (SUU ELOs: Lifelong Learning, Information Literacy)
  • Understand and use chemical vocabulary in the correct context.
    (SUU ELOs: Communication, Quantitative Literacy)
  • Understand and describe atoms in detail, including structure, properties, and reactivity.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Communication, Quantitative Literacy)
  • Understand the electronic properties and reactivity of organic functional groups.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
  • Understand the implication of a molecules structure on its reactivity.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
  • Understand and describe in detail molecules and their chemical properties.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Communication, Quantitative Literacy)
  • Use chemical principles in predicting chemical reactivity and products of chemical reactions.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
  • Use the general synthetic methodology in outlining methods for the construction of organic molecules.
    (SUU ELOs: Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

Course Requirements

Assessment Policy
Distribution of Course Points

Points may be earned through

Intrasemester exams5 @ 100% pts500% pts
Comprehensive final exam200% pts
Application problems (Multiple)100% pts
Individual project100% pts
Total points900% pts

To determine % points for an assignment: (Achieved points) / (Points possible) 100 = % pts

The instructors goal is to complete the grading of assignments and exams within 1-week from when they were turned in. Scores are posted using Canvas (). Ensure the recorded assignment/assessment score is the one earned. Please inform me of any discrepancies.

Grading Scheme

Grades are assigned upon the comparison of the percentage of points earned to the total number possible.

Note: If you are not performing at the level you desire, seek help early to maximize performance on assignments. Do Not ask how to get extra points, or for grade bumps, even if you are so close. This is an especially egregious action in the last couple of weeks of a semester. Final grade curving may occur but doing so after a students request raises issues of ethical misconduct. Individuals are not provided opportunities for credit the entire class does not have. These situations lead to loss of employment.

I WILL NOT do that for you! BUT: I will do everything I can, ethically, to assist you in achieving your academic goals.

Exams and Quizzes

Exams consist of multiple-choice and short-answer problems similar to those in the textbook. Exams cover all material discussed to that point, focusing on the information presented since the last exam. The American Chemical Society Organic Chemistry Subject Exam is used as a comprehensive final exam. This is a nationally standardized multiple-choice exam and is an excellent gauge of a students comprehension of organic chemistry. Bring a No. 2 pencil and a 100-question SCANTRON to the Final Exam.

As per department policy, exams will not be returned to students but may be reviewed, in-class, during office hours, and by appointment. Tentative exam dates are identified on the Reading and Exam Schedule.

NOTE: Exams cannot be administered after being given to the class!

In-class (quizzes) or take-home problem sets (homework) are distributed throughout the semester. Prepare for these by reviewing previous lectures and reading for the upcoming lecture. Missed in-class problems cannot be made up/completed under any circumstances. Two of the lowest scores may be dropped to minimize the impact on your grade for these missed learning opportunities. In-class problems may be completed early at the instructors discretion; inquire ahead of any planned absences.

Homework

You are assigned all the problems within the chapter, and at the end of each chapter (especially the Integrated Problems). Homework is the responsibility of the student and will not be collected, but it is key to success in this course. A study guide/solution manual is available to assist. Additional practice problems may be requested.

NOTE: Completing all the book problems is not optional if you desire to pass this course. Issues with underperformance in the course are invariably connected to failure to complete and understand ALL the assigned homework. This is the only magic bullet/guarantee of success in this course, and failure to complete the homework is a key indicator for identifying those who will struggle with the material.

Individual Project

The individual project is an opportunity to incorporate topics discussed in the course into a project that students find personally stimulating. The three key components considered in grading are the demonstration of thought, evidence of creativity, and illustration of effort. The individual project is described in a detailed separate handout.

Laboratory

The laboratory that accompanies this course is required. The laboratory curricula are specifically related to the course lectures and allow students an opportunity to practice what they have learned in an experimental setting.

Grade Scale
A  100  93%B+  89.  87%C+  79.  77%D+  69.  67%
A  92.  90%B  86.  83%C  76.  73%D  66.  63%
B  82.  80%C  72.  70%D  62.  60%
F  <60%

Course Outline

WEEKDATETOPICCHAP. & SEC.PAGESDUE DATES/NOTES
Jan 7IR Spectroscopy14.314.5641652
Jan 9Signal CharacteristicsIR Spectra14.614.7652658
Jan 12Mass Spectrometry14.814.12658668
Jan 13HR and GC Mass Spectrometry/HDI14.1314.16668674
Jan 14Intro to NMR1515.3684689
Jan 16NMR Spectroscopy15.415.6689705
Jan 19Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday  No Class
Jan 20Chemical Shifts/Integration/Multiplicity15.715.8705715
Jan 21Drawing and Analyzing NMR Spectra & 13C NMR Spectroscopy15.915.13715727
Jan 23Exam 1 (Chapters 14 & 15)
Jan 26Electrophilic Addition1616.4738749
Jan 27Diels-Alder Reactions16.516.8749763
Jan 28Electrocyclic Reactions/UV-Vis Spectroscopy16.916.13763779Last day: Audit, drop w/o W
Jan 30Aromatic Compounds/Nomenclature of Benzene Derivatives1717.3788794
Feb 2Stability of Benzene/Other Aromatic Compounds17.417.5794808
Feb 3Reduction and Spectroscopy of Aromatic Compounds17.617.8808819
Feb 4Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution/Halogenation/Sulfonation1818.3828835
Feb 6Nitration/Friedel-Crafts Alkylation/Acylation18.418.6835842
Feb 9Activating/Deactivating Groups and Directing Effects18.718.10842853
Feb 10Multiple Substituents and Synthesis Strategies18.1118.12853866
Feb 11NAS and Elimination-Addition Reactions18.1318.15866871
Feb 13Exam 2 (Chapters 1618)
Feb 16Presidents' Day Holiday  No Class
Feb 17Aldehydes and Ketones/Nomenclature1919.3884889
Feb 18Nucleophilic Addition Reactions19.419.5889900
Feb 20Mechanism Strategies19.619.8900912
Feb 23Hydrogen and Carbon Nucleophiles19.919.10912921
Feb 24Baeyer-Villiger Oxidation and Synthesis Strategies19.1119.13921927
Feb 25Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives/Nomenclature2020.3938944
Feb 27Preparation and Reactions of Carboxylic Acids20.420.7944957
Mar 2Carboxylic Acid Derivatives and Their Reactivity20.820.10957966
Mar 3Esters and Amides20.1120.12966976
Mar 4Nitriles and Reaction Strategies20.1320.15976984
Mar 6Exam 3 (Chapters 19 & 20)
3/93/14Spring Recess  No ClassMar 11Last drop day with W
Mar 16Alpha Carbon Chemistry: Enols, Enolates, -Halogenation2121.29961009
Mar 17Aldol Reactions21.310091020
Mar 18Claisen Condensations/Alkylation of the Alpha Position21.421.510201031
Mar 20Conjugate Addition Reactions/Synthesis Strategies21.621.710311041
Mar 23Amines: Nomenclature and Properties2222.310541065
Mar 24Preparation and Synthesis Strategies of Amines22.422.710651074
Mar 25Acylation/Hofmann/Nitrous Acid Reactions with Amines22.822.1110741084
Mar 27
Mar 30Organometallic Compounds and Simmons-Smith Carbenoids2323.411001112
Mar 31SUU Festival of Excellence  No Class
Apr 1Stille and Suzuki Couplings23.523.611121139
Apr 3Exam 4 (Chapters 2123)
Apr 6Carbohydrates2424.411531160
Apr 7Cyclic Structures and Reactions of Monosaccharides24.524.611601174
Apr 8Disaccharides/Polysaccharides/Amino Sugars24.724.911741181
Apr 10Nucleosides/Nucleotides/DNASupplement/24.1011811185
Apr 13Structure and Properties of Amino Acids2525.411941213
Apr 14Protein Function25.725.812241229
Apr 15Lipids26.126.612381266
Apr 17Exam 5 (Chapters 2426)
Apr 20Final Exams
Apr 21Final Exams
Apr 22Final Exams
Apr 23ACS Final ExamThursday April 23, 9 amBring a #2 pencil/100-Ans. SCANTRON

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

Late Work

Late work (excluding in-class quizzes and exams) is accepted for up to 3 days after the original due date upon agreement to a 30% deduction. If you dont agree, then please dont ask me to accept your late work. Assignments more than 3 days late will receive a score of zero.

Extra Credit

There isnt any, so dont ask. I understand people learn and express understanding differently. If you are struggling, I may be able to assist and offer valuable advice, but you need to initiate contact and be willing to follow the suggestions. The later help is sought, the less effective it will be.

I do not give individuals opportunities for points that the entire class does not have

Attendance Policy

Attendance

It is highly suggested that students make every effort possible to attend lectures. Consequences of being absent from class may include missing: information presented, application problems/quizzes, alteration of assignment due dates, etc. Inform me ASAP upon missing a class due to unforeseen events.

Missing class is a choice that you make. The consequences of this include missing information presented, unannounced quizzes, alterations of due dates for assignments, etc. Accepted excuses for missing class include University excused absences and medical emergencies. I need proof and should be made aware of these in advance or ASAP. Unacceptable excuses include your wedding, being locked out of your house, sleeping in, and any other creative excuse that doesnt fit the above, accepted excuses.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Expectations, Study Guidance, and Additional Information

Key to Keeping Up with the Workload

Focus on the major concepts. Continually ask why and strive to understand. Take time to think about the reading. Learn to schedule your time effectively. Adhere to the reading schedule. DO NOT wait until the chapter/section is complete to start homework; complete problems as you read and in conjunction with the discussion of material in the lecture. If you plan now (meaning day one) to spend time studying each day, the material will be much easier to understand, leading to success on exams and in class. I cant do this for you.

Chemistry tutors are available. For more information, see: /

Remember: Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part

Expectations

Experience mandates the following expectations to be established.

These may be altered or added to at any time with applicable disclosure.

You signed up for this course and, in doing so, agree to the terms found in this syllabus. These include agreeing that it is your responsibility to: attend class; take tests on the assigned day, and turn in assignments when due. You also agree that it is not my responsibility to alter the outlined requirements, expectations, or due dates for this course.

Electronic devices not related to the learning environment are not allowed. Cell phones, smartwatches, etc., are not to be used in class as a calculator. Buy a proper calculator. I am not going to babysit individuals. If you bring a phone out, I will assume you are not being challenged and will provide a quiz to the class to better engage you. Further implications include loss of grade curving and bonus projects, and in extreme cases, loss of the object, grade drop, or dismissal from class.

Disruptive behavior cannot be tolerated, and participants will be asked to leave; this includes but is not limited to: texting, talking, sleeping, studying for other courses, arriving late, ringing phones, playing games, distracting activities on a computer, wearing head/earphones, or picking your nose. Dont embarrass me by making me call you out!

Cheating will not be tolerated. See the academic integrity section.

Personal matters that may interfere with you completing this course or an assignment are just that, personal. While Ill try to be empathetic and understanding you need to understand that everybody has challenges. If you know that challenges will arrive during this course, like a birth, wedding, vacation, or are currently experiencing multiple challenges, you are encouraged not to take this course.

Stapling work is your responsibility; however, I am willing to perform this task for you for 2 points per staple. Also, if you need help organizing the pages of an assignment in the required order, I will do this for 2 points.

89 x 11 paper is the standard in the United States. For the good of the country and your grade, assignments are to be turned in on this paper. It may have lines, but no frayed edges. I am willing to pull off the annoying chads from spiral-bound notebooks for 2 points.

Translation services for those who dont see the need to write clearly or organize their work in such a manner to make it clear what is being done are charged at a rate of up to 20% of the assignment's total value. (10% legibility, 10% organization)

Complete sentences are the only way to answer a question. To encourage complete sentences, a charge of 1 point per infraction will be assessed for lack of a complete sentence or phrase.

Email etiquette, while not a rule, has an academic impact. Failure to use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary reflects poorly on your academic abilities. Dont send me an email that you wouldnt send as part of a professional school application or employment application, SRSLY AFAIK, LOL.

University students are held to a higher standard. The above rules may seem childish or unfair, but as initially stated, experience mandates such measures. Ideally, these rules protect those who are here to get a higher education from those who have yet to realize they are at a university. If you dont agree to abide by these rules, you have a couple of options: take the class from a different instructor, suffer the outlined consequences, call me bad names, give me a bad evaluation, or change majors. If you agree to these rules, I promise a better education and skills that will be invaluable in all aspects of life.

Student Success Rate in Passing Organic Chemistry

Unfounded rumors suggest organic chemistry is the most difficult class at SUU. Organic chemistry is challenging, but students earn As every semester. OChem is what all university classes should be like: challenging, providing an immense supply of new knowledge and skills, and worth the price paid. Students pass, succeed, and even excel in this course every year. The common theme among these students is that they work to understand the material.

Class Website

Class material may be accessed through Canvas, located at

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.