Chem 1770 – Course Policies and Intro Concepts

Instructor: Christina Bonacourci (Chem 1770)
Sections 1 (01:10 PM) and 2 (11:00 AM) are interchangeable; same instructor, same Canvas & gradebook
Head TA: Thomas Simer Kotzini; may substitute; you may receive emails from him
Office hours: before class (in between sections), or by appointment
Contact: email for course inquiries; use subject line including Chem 1770 and (if possible) section
- Office emails: coordinated between instructor and TA; typical response window ~24 hours
Help resources in Canvas: Help Forum for general questions (no personal data) and other links for support

Lectures: main course content; recorded for later viewing
Recitations (discussions): Thursdays; run by a TA
- Purpose: Q&A, problem solving; graded worksheet/quizzes
- Enrollment: separate from lectures; may be with a different TA
Lab: co-requisite with the course; separate Canvas, instructor, and TA
- If not enrolled or lacking credit, risk of failing the course
Third section (optional): Tue/Thu with longer periods; requires official changes via Workday

If you need to add/drop sections within the first week (Fri cutoff): you can self-service in Workday, but it can show seats as available even if full
For section changes, email chemistry support: for add/drop assistance (contact: Adam Wade)
Lecture/recitation changes: you do not need to officially change your lecture if you switch recitation; to change lecture+recitation officially, use Workday
Always inform the instructor if you have questions about changes

Exam times: all evening exams
- Time: $08:15\text{ PM} - 09:15\text{ PM}$
Exam dates: $ext{Sept } 17, ext{ Oct } 15, ext{ Nov } 19$
Format: multiple choice on a bubble sheet
Coverage: ~3–4 chapters per exam
Final exam: scheduled by the registrar; could be any time between $ext{Dec } 15$ and $ext{Dec } 18$ ; plan to stay available until campus closes
If you have conflicts (other classes, labs): inform the instructor in advance to arrange a solution

Canvas is the central hub for announcements, syllabus, modules, and resources
Textbook and Mastering Chemistry (immediate access) are bundled; opt-out loses access to homework
Immediate Access: register in Canvas module (do not buy codes)
Pearson help center available on campus (Gilman Hall) and online for registration issues
Scientific calculator: any basic scientific or programmable calculator is acceptable; do not store data during exams
Top Hat: must register (Top Hat is free for ISU students); used for in-class engagement (not graded attendance)
- In-class format includes “turn to your partner” discussions and live questions

Modules: first chapter labeled as “Chapter e” (then Chapter 1, etc.); start with Chapter e
Learning objectives: shown at module start; PowerPoint previews available ahead of class
In-class resources: a post-class document with complete content uploaded after several lectures
Study guide and homework: a related study guide is provided; use it to prepare for exams

SI Leader: Waibavi (SI sessions available three times per week; free review sessions)
SI purpose: facilitate learning, not a lecture; includes worksheets and exam reviews
Scheduling survey: helps determine optimal SI times; attending at least one session recommended
Other support: chemistry help center, office hours, TA recitations, and campus support resources (Dean of Students, health centers, etc.)

Absences: allowed for valid reasons (illness, personal emergency, athletics, military, etc.); lectures are recorded
Attendance impact: no strict attendance policy, but being present aids learning; responsibility to catch up if absent
Recitations: 15 worksheets; top 10 scores counted; lowest 5 dropped (including zeros)
Exams: missing an exam is serious; if you must miss, inform in advance to arrange an alternative; two missed exams likely leads to failure or course drop

Chemistry diagnostic (ungraded): assesses baseline skills in logic, algebra, chemistry
Due date: $11:59\text{ PM}$ on the first Sunday after launch
Scoring note: Canvas may show an “F” due to 0% value, but this does not reflect final grade
Incentive: serious attempt converts to a 10-point addition in worksheets; effectively drops six after accounting for the extra 10 points
Purpose: aid personal and class-wide reflection and growth

Scientific method: observation → hypothesis → experiments → theory → law
Example: gas behavior leading to Charles’ law: $P = kT$ (P = pressure, T = temperature, k = constant)
Common chemistry terms encountered: NH₃ (ammonia) and its uses; nitrogen from the atmosphere; hydrogen from water via hydrolysis
Balloons demo concepts: hydrogen can react with oxygen to form water and release energy; caution with demonstrations