Chemistry 105/399 Intro Notes — Key Points and Tools

Course Access and Contact

• Canvas course link: uk.instructure.com (navigate via Google or Canvas search).
• Left navigation: Home, Piazza, Announcements, Syllabus, Course Details, Modules, Echo360, Lecture Notes (Student Version), YouTube channel, Achieve, Macmillan Learning.
• Piazza: main Q&A platform (anonymous allowed); post questions there for visibility and faster help. Email for personal matters; aim to use Piazza for broad questions.
• Echo360: class recordings posted after the live class; not real-time. Useful to rewatch or catch up.
• YouTube: lectures posted as a chapter-based playlist for review.
• Lecture Notes (Student Version): bound notes with images, spaces to write, and guided questions; designed to accompany video lectures.
• Achieve (Macmillan Learning): online homework integrated in Canvas; 10% of final grade; used to develop understanding, not just to chase points.
• iClicker: in-class participation tool; adds ~5% of the grade; setup in class; supports in-class questions and group activities.
• Recitations: required; smaller group (TA-led) reinforcing lecture content; weekly attendance contributes to grade.
• Exam resources: during exams you are provided with a periodic table and an equation sheet; see Course Details > Exams for specifics.
• Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday after class in the Conference Room (161C); bring your laptop or questions; you don’t need to have a question to come by.
• Instructor background: overview of experience and engagement with students; emphasis on approachability and support.

Learning Approach and Goals

• Learning pyramid concept:
  • Bottom: Remember and Understand – content delivery via video lectures and textbook.
  • Middle: Apply – guided in-class activities that push you to use content to solve problems.
  • Upper: Analyze – practice with data, trends, and thoughtful questioning; not creating new products but developing analytical skills.
• Active engagement is required: learning comes from doing, not passive watching.
• Video lectures are designed to be paused, rewound, and annotated to help you take effective notes.
• In-class time focuses on guided discovery and problem-solving with instructor and peers.

Modules, Assignments, and Schedule

• Canvas Modules: organized by Week (Week 1, Week 2, etc.). Collapse All option available for convenience.
• Follow Week modules for what to do and what will be discussed on specific class days; avoid relying solely on the To-Do list for due dates.
• Achieve assignments:
  • First assignment (orientation to Achieve) due tomorrow.
  • Do not navigate to Achieve.com directly from memory; use the Week 1 module link in Canvas.
  • If you access Achieve via Canvas, no access code is needed; your access is your Canvas login.
  • Achieve submissions are automatic as you work and exit; grades may appear with a delay due to processing.
• Textbook and Achieve integration:
  • Macmillan Learning provides the Achieve homework and an online textbook (ebook) linked to modules.
  • End-of-chapter solutions (odd problems) are available in Modules under Chapter Solutions; attempt problems first, then check solutions.
• Video lectures:
  • Four videos in Week 1; due the day before the next class at 11:59 pm (subject to occasional changes).
  • If using iPad: use the Safari browser to access Canvas and videos (Canvas app may have issues currently).
• Lecture notes and printing:
  • Use the Student Version for integrated figures and prompts; consider cloud backup and optional campus printing if you prefer hard copies.
• Textbook study strategy:
  • Read alongside videos; attempt end-of-chapter problems before checking the solutions.
  • Do not rely solely on Google; practice with problems to build problem-solving skill.
• Equation sheet and periodic table:
  • Provided for exams; locate under Course Details > Exams.
• Important note on timing:
  • Video lectures are due the day before class; in-class activities reinforce learning with practice problems.
  • The first two Achieve assignments are due tomorrow; check the Week 1 module for specifics.

Grading and Assessment Overview

• Achieve homework: 10% of final grade; emphasizes learning, not just scoring.
• Video lectures: 5% of final grade; questions embedded for accuracy; late submissions allowed up to 24 hours with a penalty; after 24 hours, no credit but viewing is still required.
• Class participation: 5% of final grade; includes in-class iClicker questions and group/paper-based activities; iClicker setup begins soon and full counting starts after a probation period.
• Recitations: required; smaller group with a TA; contributes to the overall grade as specified in the syllabus.
• Exams: exam content is guided by Course Details > Exams; you will have a periodic table and an equation sheet; no explanations on the sheet—use to solve problems.
• Makeup policy (excused absences): upload documentation in Course Details; makeup exam offered the following Monday; if still ill, makeup is in the second-to-last week of classes.
• Calculator policy: a physical calculator is required for exams (graphing calculators are not allowed); get comfortable with a scientific calculator (e.g., TI-30).
• Textbook access: no purchase required; materials are included via institutional access (textbook, Achieve, and iClicker).
• Progress and reporting: Achieve and Echo360 grades may take some time to sync with Canvas; expect delays when checking your current grade.

Exam Content and Preparation

• Exam scope: generally aligned with Weeks 1–7; exact chapters/topics announced in the Week 4 module and through instructor guidance.
• Thermochemistry is highlighted as a challenging topic (often a later exam); plan accordingly.
• Preparation approach:
  • Do not rely on just memorization; practice problems and dimensional analysis (problem-solving skills) are essential.
  • Use end-of-chapter problems in the textbook for practice, after trying the assigned Achieve items.
  • Practice solving problems without hints, then check answers to build proficiency.
• Exam resources: you will have access to a periodic table and an equation sheet; no explanatory notes on the sheet.

In-Class and Support Resources

• Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday after class in Conference Room 161C; bring questions or just come to work.
• Peer support: large class size; you can engage with the Week hub and the TA-guided recitations for extra help.
• Communication norms:
  • Use Piazza for questions you think others might have; benefits everyone.
  • Email is for personal or sensitive matters; expect 24-hour response window.
• Technology tips:
  • If using iPad with Canvas app, some video links may not load correctly; use a browser (Safari) for now.
  • Consider cloud-backed note-taking apps for Lecture Notes; back up frequently.

Quick Reference: Key Equations and Terms

• Dilution (example): $m<em>1 V</em>1 = m<em>2 V</em>2$
• Thermochemistry topics to watch for on exams will be emphasized; check Week 4 module for exact coverage.
• Other formulae and constants will be provided as part of the exam packet (equation sheet) and the periodic table.

Practical Study Tips for Last-Minute Review

• Start with Week 1–Week 7 modules to know what’s expected for each class and what problems to practice.
• Watch video lectures, take thorough notes with the Lecture Notes (Student Version), and print or back up your notes.
• Do Achieve problems with the goal of understanding, not just completing them for the grade.
• Practice with textbook problems, especially the end-of-chapter questions; try them first before checking solutions.
• Regularly check Canvas announcements and Piazza for updates; enable notifications to stay informed.
• Join or form a small study group; engage with peers in guided recitations.
• Ensure you have a functioning scientific calculator ready for exams; practice with it before test day.