Additional Course Information and Policies
Key to Keeping Up with the Workload
Focus on core concepts and actively work to understand the material—ask “why” as you study. Stay on schedule with readings and manage your time effectively. Do not wait until a chapter is complete to begin homework; instead, work on problems as the material is introduced in lecture. Consistent daily study, starting from the first day of class, will significantly improve comprehension and performance on exams. This responsibility ultimately rests with you.
Chemistry tutoring is available: suu.edu/tutoring/
Special SUMMER Session Statement–
In summer, there is approximately twice the amount of information presented each day. This means missing a day or two of class is equivalent to missing half a week to a full week during a regular semester. This is difficult to recover from, especially as the day you return, we will again be covering the same amount of information. However, we do have access to more classroom time in the summer. The lectures will move at a slightly slower pace to assist you in learning the material. However, you need to remain on top of the material.
—— Remember: Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part ——
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 A’s every semester. O–Chem 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.
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.
Class Rules
Experience mandates the following rules to be established.
These rules 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 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. Don’t embarrass me by making me call you out!
Personal matters that may interfere with you completing this course or an assignment are just that, personal. While I’ll 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, or vacation, or are currently experiencing multiple challenges you are encouraged now 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.
8½ 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 don’t 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. Don’t send me an email that you wouldn’t 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 don’t 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.
Class Website
Class material may be accessed through Canvas, located at