C101
Section K147
Fall 2003
Instructor: Dr. Kasem K. Kasem
Office: Room 236B, Science Building
Office Phone: 455-9245 e-mail kkasem@iuk.edu
Text: Steven S. Zumdahl
Introductory Chemistry 5h. Edition. HOUGHTON MIFFLIN Company. 2000.
Any supplements are helpful, but optional
Teaching Philosophy
Chemistry as a basic science, may be one of the most misunderstood subjects, for many of the
student who enrolled for this introductory classes. Teaching basic science for adult in college is
different from that for high school pupil as the instructor at college level is not a book interpreter.
In order to avoid students' frustration or boredom with an introductory textbook, I believe a professor
should edit information narrated in such books by adding to deficiencies in the information given, or
by deleting extensively windy or unnecessary information. I also believe a professor should interpret
textbook information by offering "layman's" explanations so students may better grasp and retain
ideas presented. (This is especially important for introductory or non-major classes.)
When teaching chemistry majors, a professor should, despite the level of the course, review
fundamental basics of chemistry in the introductory lectures of the semester (e.g. review sessions).
He/she should also correlate materials covered in class to complement a coinciding lab to better
reinforce subjects being approached and should provide an intellectual challenge to substantiate
students' talents in modern chemistry. Finally, I believe a thorough professor may assign a chemistry
student a small project which would further that student's understanding and application of chemistry
in his/her chosen field.
General Teaching Approach
Initially, I assess the potential of the student based on his/her prior exposure or non-exposure
to chemistry in general (pre-lab quizzes or first exams usually offer significant information). I then
develop an instructional and testing package which is geared to students' abilities and which fairly
assesses and monitors students' progress throughout the course (measured by following
quizzes/exams). Finally, I encourage students to seek special help which I offer through my office
hours (which are double the time of my lecture hours).
Exam Policies and Grading Procedures
I generally develop concurrent exams which include previous test materials to provide a means by which to assess how much students have retained from information covered in prior classes/exams and to see if students are following and understanding this information. In addition to the review component, I also include optional question sections to better match the variety of students' skills in test-taking. For example, I will offer students a choice of answering 5 out of 6 major question sections (which may be comprised of 20 or so questions each). This allows students the option of answering the type of questions he/she does best with (e.g. true/false, multiple choice, essay, fill-in-the-blank, etc.) although I do try to maintain a fair variety in all question sections. I like to break a 16-week semester up into 3 basic exams to allow a better spread of exam averages.
Further regulations and arrangements will be discussed in the classroom.
The distribution of grades will be within the percentage ranges given below:
A- 88-94 A 95-100 A+ can be given
B- 75-80 B 80-83 B+ 83-87
C- 60-65 C 66-70 C+ 71-74
D 50- 55 D+ 55-59
F below 50
In spite of our efforts to have C101 be a successful experience for every student, I realize that some individuals will choose to drop the course. If you are an IU student, you may drop the course up through October 17, 2003, with a guaranteed grade of W. After that date, but before November 25, 2003, you may drop, but you will receive a grade of W only if you are passing the course at the time that you drop. After November 25, 2003, you may not drop the course. For Purdue students, the last date you can drop and have a guaranteed grade of W is September 23, 2003. After that date, but before October 28, 2003, you will be assigned a grade of W or W/WF depending on your performance to date in the class. It is not possible to drop the class after October 28, 2003.
The lectures and exams will be given according to the schedule on the following page. If you have any conflict with this schedule, contact me before an exam, and an arrangement will be made if possible.
C101 Section K130 Schedule
Week Lecture date Topics to be covered
1 1 8-25 Introduction/ Chapter 1
2 8-27 Chapter 2
2 3 9-1 No Class ( Labor day)
4 9-3 Chapter 3
3 5 9-8 Chapter 4
6 9-10 Chapter 10
4 7 9-15 Chapter 10
8 9-17 Chapter 11
5 9 9-22 Chapter 11
10 9-24 Chapter 5
6 11 9-29 Review
12 10-1 Exam 1 (Chapt. 3,4,5,10, and 11)
7 13 10-6 Chapter 6
14 10-8 Chapter 7
8 15 10-13 Chapter 7/17(1-3)
16 10-15 Chapter 8
9 17 10-20 Chapter 8/9
18 10-22 Chapter 9
10 19 10-27 Review
20 10-29 Exam 2 (..& 6-9)
11 21 11-3 Chapter 12
22 11-5 Chapter 12/13
12 23 11-10 Chapter 13
24 11-12 Chapter 14
13 25 11-17 Chapter 14 /Chapter 16
26 11-19 Chapter 16
14 27 11-24 Chapter 16/ Chapter 15
28 11-26 No Class ( Thanksgiving )
15 29 12-1 Chapter 15
30 12-3 Chapter 15/Chapter 18
16 31 12-8 Chapter 18
32 12-10 General Review
17 12-17 Exam 3 ( ...... & Chapters 12-16)
Good Luck and Merry Christmas