Welcome to CHEM 210 - General Chemistry I

Please use the links below, or the navigation menu to the left to reach the website of your section or the lab.

Section 1 - Dr. Diamond, MWTF 7:50 - 8:50 am, Graf Hall 205

Section 2 - Dr. Wilson, MWTF 9:05 - 9:55 am, Graf Hall 109

Section 3 - Dr. Reinert, MTWF 10:05 - 10:55 am, Graf Hall 109

Lab - A. Wolcott, various times, Murdock Hall 106

Course Materials

Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics (4th Ed.),  J.N. Spencer, G.M. Bodner, L.H. Rickard (ISBN: 978-0-470-12928-9)

Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry (4th Ed.), R.S. Moog, J.J. Farrell  (ISBN: 978-0-470-12926-5)

(Note: prepackaged set  -- ISBN: 978-0-470-40226-9)

Useful Documents

Ions - a list of common ions, symbols and names

Nomenclature tree - systematic nomenclature for common inorganic binary compounds

Periodic Table

Useful Websites

Textbook (Supplementary Materials)

Tutors

The following students will be available in the Fishbowl (Murdock 113) for tutoring.   All times are 7:00 to 9:00 pm:

Sunday: Andrew P.

Monday: Dylan S.

Tuesday: Eric G.

Wednesday: John F.

Thursday: Andrew C.

The Fishbowl also has a library of general chemistry textbooks that you will find useful in studying.

Study Tips

• 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.
• In class
  • BE PREPARED - READ AHEAD. Summaries are useful. Look for key words - “buzzwords” -definitions you should know.
  • 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
  • Correct your own quizzes and home-work problems.
  • Outline your notes after every class. Relate the chapter summaries and keywords to class problems 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.
  • 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.
• To prepare for an exam
  • Review outlined notes, computer problems & book problems, and look at your lab questions.
  • Practice by taking last year’s test - time yourself , and try to pace yourself so you finish it. It is OK to read through the exam with your notes and book, but you should plan on taking last year’s exam as a TIMED, CLOSED BOOK EXAM. Take the practice exam in the place where the exam will be given (Melrose auditorium) to get used to the surroundings. Time yourself so you learn how to pace yourself on an exam. 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. 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.