CHEM 232, Spring 2012: Course Info, Syllabus and To-Do List

Welcome to CHEM 232 
As we approach the start of the Spring 2012 semester, I want to welcome you to the course and also to give you a list of tasks that should be completed before the first lecture so that you are adequately prepared and do not fall behind.  Two of the most important skills required for success in a large university lecture course are your ability to seek out and follow directions carefully and to keep up with the workload.  I encourage you to read all of the resources on the course website as well as on Blackboard that are discussed in the to-do list below.  If you have any questions, my door--and e-mail inbox--are already open and waiting to assist you.  I look forward to sharing my passion for the exciting world of organic chemistry with you.  This semester I aim not only to teach you the chemistry content that you require for your academic endeavors, but also to train you in the type of analytical thinking that is required for solving scientific problems in the professional field to which you aspire.  While you may not want to be an organic chemist, the learning process in this course involves many general skills that  you will undoubtedly employ in your future careers.
Cheers,
Dr. Chad Landrie

To Do List
1.  Become acquainted with the resources available on Blackboard and on the course website ( www.chadlandrie.com).

2.  Carefully read the document, Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 232): Syllabus and Course Information, which can be downloaded from the course website's File Sharing page(gettingstarted_232Sp12.pdf).  This document will not be distributed during the lecture or your discussion section.

3.  Purchase the required texts and materials for the course including the textbook, i>clicker and register a Sapling Learning online homework account.  The textbook and i>clicker are available at the UIC bookstore.  The Sapling account must be registered and payed for online.


4. After voting at least once during lecture, register your iclickeronline according to the instructions in the getting started guideor on the course website's iclicker page.

5.  Read Chapter One in the Carey textbook.  All of the material in this chapter should be a review from your general chemistry courses.  We will cover this chapter very quickly during the first two lectures.  If you're a bit rusty on some topics and need a more thorough review than is presented in Chapter One of our text, you may want to view some of my past general chemsitry lectures.

7.  Attend your first discussion section.  There will be a quiz during the first discussion.  The quiz will cover the material in chapter one.

8.  Begin working on your first Sapling assignment.  The first assignment is due on Sunday, January 15 at 11:59 PM.