Welcome to CHEM 211 - General Chemistry II

Instructors

Course Materials

Syllabus 

Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics (5th Ed.),  J.N. Spencer, G.M. Bodner, L.H. Rickard (ISBN: 978-0-470-58711-9)

Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry (5th Ed.), R.S. Moog, J.J. Farrell  (ISBN: 978-0-470-64790-5)

A non-programmable scientific calculator (Graphing and programmable calculators will not be allowed during exams)

Laboratory notebook (available at the bookstore, or from the chemistry club) Laboratory goggles (available at the bookstore, or from the chemistry club)

Schedule

Note - This schedule may be revised at any time.  Be sure to check here frequently.  Activities are from Moog & Farrell's book, unless otherwise indicated.  Assigned readings are from Spencer, Bodner & Ricard's text.

Old Exams (2011)

These exams are to be used as study and review aids.  You should NOT expect exactly the same questions to appear on exams this semester, or for the coverage of the exams to match what is on this semester's exams.  The best way to use these is to see if you can sit down and do them in an exam - like environment.  Go somewhere quiet for an hour and see how far you can get.

Exam I

Exam II

Exam III

Exam IV

Exam V

Useful Links

Ions - a list of common ions, symbols and names

Nomenclature tree - systematic nomenclature for common inorganic binary compounds

Khan Academy - a wide variety of online chemistry lectures

Tutors

Group tutoring is available 7:00pm to 9:00 pm Sunday through Thursday nights in the fishbowl (Murdock 113).

Sundays - Eric Lemiuex

Mondays - Piper Jahnke

Tuesdays - Jason Hight

Wednesdays - Jason Hight

Thursdays - Evan Carlson

Study Tips

• Jonathan Gutow's tips:  How to Study for College Science Classes; How to Prepare for Science Tests
• Do lab reports, assigned book problems and computer problems on time!
• In general
  • Make a schedule - 2 hours a day minimum on chemistry homework, every day.
  • Make sure your total hours of work, class, lab, study, practice, clubs, sports, etc. add up to 55 hours or less.  NO MORE!If you’re over-extended, cut back on non-academic commitments.
  • Learn how to use short breaks (10-15 minutes) for effective studying. Read outlines, chapter summaries, pre-labs, worksheets, etc.
  • Keep a journal - record your study times, questions, thoughts, ideas. Read it when your prepare for tests.
  • Note Taking - Tips on how to develop a set of course notes
  • Reading for Understanding - The SQR3 method
• In class
  • Be an active participant in the activities.  
  • Rephrase what your group members say.
  • Make notes to yourself about things that remain unclear (follow up after class).
  • Take notes. Your notes should be meaningful. Always write down when your prof says something is important.
  • Make sure you understand the principles underlying every classroom example.
• Between classes
  • Outline your notes after every class. Relate the chapter summaries and keywords to class activities and discussion.
  • Use the chapter summaries to help you understand old tests and quizzes - what is important, what errors can one make, what chemistry context underlies each problem.
  • Understand all of the assigned book problems and computer problems before each quiz or test.
  • Use a non-programmable (or graphing) calculator so you know how to use it on the exams.
  • GO TO THE FISHBOWL for help from the tutors!
  • Get all lab assignments in on time.
  • When you have specific questions, go to office hours.
  • Vary your study location.  
  • Test your self frequently - close the book, hide examples and see if you can solve problems without having to look back through notes or the texts.
• To prepare for an exam
  • Review outlined notes, activity & book problems, and look at your lab questions.
  • Practice by trying problems you have not done before.  Time yourself , and try to pace yourself so you finish them in 2 - 5 minutes. 
  • Try to avoid looking through your books and notes. IF YOU ARE FIGURING THINGS OUT AS YOU GO, YOU DO NOT YET UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING THAT PROBLEM.
• While taking the exam
  • Bring your calculator (non programmable or graphing) - be sure you know how to use it. Make sure you have pencils, erasers, and your eyeglasses, if needed.
  • Read the entire exam before starting work on a problem. Do the problems you are sure of first.
  • On multiple choice questions, eliminate the answers you know are incorrect.
  • Do not leave problems blank. Write down relevant information, and try to describe how to solve the problem in your own words.
  • Once you have read through the exam, do not spend any time without writing, except for brief moments. You should be working steadily through most of the exam period.
  • Learn to relax. Every ten to fifteen minutes, take a brief moment to unwind, gather your thoughts, and reorient yourself to your task. Then get right back to work.
  • Try to pace yourself so that you have a few minutes at the end of the exam to review your work.