CHEM-120-Syllabus Outline

Instructor Introduction and Background

• Instructor has been at Southern for seven years; previously earned a biochemistry degree at Southern and focused on organic chemistry at Syracuse University.
• Taught this class every year/semester; highly comfortable and enjoys teaching; aims for student engagement.
• Personal reflection: shares a Bible verse (Proverbs 19.1 as stated in the lecture; interpreted here as a reminder that plans exist but Lord's purpose prevails) to frame the start of a new school year and the planning mindset.
• Emphasizes that many students come with short-term plans (e.g., excel in this class this semester) and long-term plans (e.g., nursing, dental programs); encourages alignment of current study with broader goals.
• Mentions not checking the ECLAS page yet and that it will show what the course looks like.
• Overall tone: approachable, committed, and aligned with helping students succeed.

Course Materials and Syllabus

• Course materials are accessible via the course portal; the syllabus is one of the most important documents.
• Syllabus location: inside the course folder on the left side (salmon-colored folder).
• Plan for the session: syllabus overview with emphasis on the most important topics rather than every detail.

Class Structure, Schedule, and Sections

• Class meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; standard start time discussed as 09:00 in the morning for the main session.
• Two sections offered: 08:00 and 09:00; students are instructed to stay in their respective section (08:00 or 09:00) unless explicitly advised otherwise; the instructor notes it’s usually not a problem if there’s a need to adjust.
• Office hours are in the Chemistry Department, Room 3303 B:
  • Monday: 12:00–15:00
  • Wednesday: 15:00–16:00
  • Thursday: 08:00–11:00
• After class, students are encouraged to tour the Chemistry Department area for location familiarization.

Textbook and Required Materials

• Primary textbook: General Organic and Biological Chemistry (details not fully specified in transcript).
• Devices policy during class: no computer, phone, or tablet needed; the lecture notes are sufficient; not using devices is preferred to minimize distractions.
• There is a designated time and place for using devices when appropriate (e.g., after class, in tutoring sessions).

Professional Conduct and Attendance

• The instructor asks for questions about professional conduct and academic integrity, as well as attendance expectations.
• Emphasis on maintaining academic integrity and consistent attendance as part of the course framework.

Grading Scheme and Grade Range (Overview)

• The class uses a five-category grading scheme with color-coded components in the syllabus:
  • Regular exams: $50\%$
  • Lecture quizzes: $5\%$
  • Mastery (Mastering Chemistry) homework: $15\%$
  • POP activities: $10\%$
  • In-class quizzes: $20\%$
• Grade scale (as stated in the syllabus):
  • A: $93\% - 100\%$
  • A-: $90\% - 92\%$
  • (Other grade boundaries are not fully specified in the transcript but are noted to follow the standard five-category structure.)
• The grading weights are color-coded for clarity in the syllabus.

Examinations

• There are five regular exams during the semester.
• Exams are closed notes and closed book; no use of cell phones during exams.
• Exams must be taken at their scheduled times; there is a fixed schedule at the end of the syllabus.
• Accommodation for emergencies or illness is acknowledged; details are expected to be in the syllabus or via instructor communication.

Lecture Quizzes and Flipped Classroom Format

• The course uses a flipped classroom model:
  • Students watch lecture videos before coming to class.
  • In-class time is used to apply concepts to problems similar to quiz and exam questions.
• Rationale: this approach has been associated with higher understanding and better performance; the instructor notes a semester where nobody failed the course after implementing the flip.
• Lecture quizzes (worth $5\%$) are based on the material covered in the pre-class video. Completion and accuracy of quiz questions are required by the start of the class period for that section (e.g., for the 09:00 section, complete before 09:00).
• If a student forgets to watch the lecture, there is some flexibility, but timely completion is encouraged.

Mastering Chemistry Homework (Online Homework)

• After each lecture, one online homework set opens (e.g., today at 10:00).
• Homework is due by the next class period (Wednesday) at midnight.
• Rationale for due timing:
  • Allows students to attempt questions in-class or with a tutor if needed.
• Homework attempts and penalties:
  • Each incorrect attempt on non-multiple-choice questions incurs a deduction of $5\%$ on that question.
  • There is a 10\% late penalty for each late day; penalties apply to the questions not completed on time.
• On-time completion maximizes possible points; late work can still earn credit albeit reduced.
• There is a provision for make-up opportunities and extra credit later in the semester to compensate for missed points.
• Login and access: instructor clarifies there is no login code required; students should be able to access Mastering Chemistry directly after account setup.

POP Activities (In-Class Pop Quizzes/Activities)

• POP activities account for $10\%$ of the grade.
• These are in-class activities that are graded and count toward the final grade.
• Not every class has a POP activity; some weeks have none, some have one, and some have two.
• Policy on missing POP activities: a zero is given for the day, with a total of up to three “drops” allowed over the semester to account for absences or missed activities.

In-Class Quizzes

• In-class quizzes account for $20\%$ of the grade.
• Quizzes occur at the end of each chapter; typically a 30-minute in-class quiz.
• Structure:
  • Problems are based on the previous lecture.
  • A practice in-class quiz is provided beforehand so students know what to expect.
  • A handout with problems is provided for each class, and the instructor works through most problems with students; remaining problems can be tackled after class or with a tutor.

Grades and eClass (Student Portal)

• Grades are posted periodically on eClass under the Grades area.
• Students can check quiz scores, exam results, and other category grades there.
• The course is described as challenging due to the fast pace and heavy content; however, it is considered doable with consistent effort and questions when needed.
• If students need help beyond the instructor, designated tutors are available:
  • James Ahn
  • Noah Saison
  • Hubert Aurels
  • Marietta Nagy
• Tutors are available most days of the week; the only days not covered by tutors are Saturday and Friday (per the transcript; clarification from instructor may be needed if this is inconsistent).
• Library tutors are available, but they do not have access to all course materials or to the instructor directly.
• Tutors have access to Mastering Chemistry and to the instructor’s contact information for direct coordination.
• If tutors cannot answer questions, students can contact the instructor directly for assistance.

Lecture Notes, Panopto, and Appointment Scheduling

• End-of-chapter lecture notes are posted as a PDF; students are asked to make an appointment before meeting with the instructor (e.g., to meet on Monday at 01:00).
• Panopto contains the recorded lectures and mini-quizzes; videos are organized by topic/section and labeled accordingly (e.g., two 20-minute lectures on a given Wednesday topic).
• Panopto resources:
  • Recorded lectures aligned with course sections/chapters
  • Mini quizzes embedded with the videos
• The calendar on eClass is used to help first-time students manage deadlines:
  • A calendar view shows major due dates and video links for the upcoming week.
  • The calendar can sync with a student’s personal calendar via the eClass dashboard.
  • Example: for next Monday, there are two videos to watch with links accessible from the calendar.

Calendar, Deadlines, and Calendar Integration

• The instructor created a calendar to help new students manage their first week’s workload and deadlines.
• The calendar links to Panopto videos and to the weekly due dates; clicking a date leads to the corresponding video or task.
• The calendar is integrated with the eClass dashboard so that a student’s class schedule and deadlines for multiple courses are visible in one place.
• Practical use: by following the calendar, students know what to watch and what to prepare for each class session.

Practical Implications, Supports, and Real-World Relevance

• The flipped classroom emphasizes active problem-solving during class, aligning with real-world problem-solving in STEM fields where collaboration and guided practice enhance mastery.
• The structure supports strategic planning: students plan around deadlines, daily quizzes, and exam dates, which mirrors professional environments where timelines and deliverables drive success.
• The availability of tutors and digital resources (Mastering Chemistry, Panopto, lecture notes) creates multiple pathways to mastery, addressing diverse learning styles and schedules.
• The policy of late penalties and the possibility of extra credit reflects common academic practices that encourage timely work while providing opportunities for recovery.
• The integration of a calendar with personal calendars demonstrates the importance of time management and organizational skills in academic and professional settings.

Summary of Key Policies and Implications

• Flip the classroom for improved engagement and outcomes; complete pre-class videos and quizzes before the corresponding class period.
• Exams: five regular exams; closed notes; strict timing; schedule published in syllabus.
• Homework: Mastering Chemistry; post-lecture sets; due by midnight on the next class day; multiple attempts with penalties for non-multiple-choice questions; 10\% daily late penalty; potential for late-term extra credit.
• POP activities: 10\% of grade; variable frequency; up to three drops allowed; no makeup for missed POP activities.
• In-class quizzes: 20\% of grade; end-of-chapter quizzes; 30 minutes; structure and practice materials provided to reduce surprises.
• Tutoring and support: four dedicated tutors with direct access to the instructor; library tutors available but less integrated; emphasis on seeking help when needed.
• Resources: lecture notes (PDF), Panopto videos, and an orchestration calendar to streamline watching assignments and deadlines.
• Communication and transparency: clear channels for questions about conduct, integrity, attendance, and scheduling; encourages proactive engagement and seeking help.

Quick Reference (Key Numbers and Terms)

• Class meetings: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; main section at 09:00; alternative 08:00 section.
• Office hours: Mon 12:00–15:00; Wed 15:00–16:00; Thu 08:00–11:00; Room 3303 B, Chemistry Department.
• Grading weights:
  • Regular exams: $50\%$
  • Lecture quizzes: $5\%$
  • Mastering Chemistry: $15\%$
  • POP activities: $10\%$
  • In-class quizzes: $20\%$
• Grade scale (as stated): A: $93\% - 100\%$, A-: $90\% - 92\%$, with other categories following standard grading practice.
• Homework penalties: $5\%$ deduction per incorrect non-multiple-choice attempt; $10\%$ late penalty per late day.
• POP drops: up to three drops allowed over the semester.
• In-class quizzes duration: 30 minutes; end-of-chapter focused.
• Panopto: Recorded lectures with embedded mini-quizzes; videos named by section/topic.
• Calendar: Integrated with eClass dashboard; links to videos and due dates; helps plan weekly workload.

If you’d like, I can tailor these notes further (e.g., expand any section, add more examples, or convert specific policy details into study prompts for exam prep.