Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The University of Delaware

Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 443

Course Policies

·  Text 

·  Mathcad Usage

·  Exams, Quizzes 

·  Appeals on grading

·  Homework 

·  Policy on Handbooks and other material allowed for exams and quizzes. 

·  Absences 

·  Grading 

·  How to pass Physical Chemistry

Texts

Required

  • T. Engel and P. Reid, Physical Chemistry, Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, 2006.
  • C. Dybowski and A. Teplyakov, Essential Data and Equations for a Course in Physical Chemistry, to be handed out in class.

Mathcad Usage

This course makes use of Mathcad (Mathsoft).  This program can make numerical calculations easier if you use it wisely.  You may purchase your own copy (It is available in PC and MAC versions.) through the bookstore or directly from Mathsoft. It is NOT necessary to use this program to succeed in this course.  It is another tool that may help you solve problems. Note that we allow the student to answer questions on the exams by providing a complete, total, correct Mathcad program, with an explanation of the steps.  See the policy on exams and quizzes.

Quizzes and Exams

Quizzes are given weekly, as indicated on the schedule.

Two midterm exams are given during the semester. Each exam's coverage will be announced in class during the week preceding the exam.  These are given on Saturday mornings (listed in the Assignment page) so that students have more than sufficient time to finish these exams.

The final examination will be a three-hour comprehensive exam.

For numerical calculations, full credit is given for a complete set-up of a problem. A complete set-up gives the final formula used (with an indication of how it is derived from equations in the Handbook).  All numbers must be properly plugged in with correct units.  This is the criterion for a full, complete set-up: the grader need only perform a simple calculation with a calculator based on your bottom-line equation to obtain the correct numerical answer.  Since many equations are given in the Handbook, NO credit is given for just writing down an equation.  You must also give the correct, REASONABLE units of the parameter being calculated. [For example, ergs/cm3 is not an appropriate reasonable unit of pressure.]

A complete, viable MathCad program, together with an explanation of everything indicated, will receive full credit for any problem. The criterion is this: if the grader were to type, in the order you write it, all the Mathcad steps on your paper and then hit "carriage return", the correct answer must appear.  This means you must remember to include ALL steps, just as you would in the set-up above, except in appropriate Mathcad syntax.  Writing a proper Mathcad program is no shorter than actually setting up a problem the usual way, however there is the advantage of learning how to program properly.

Of course, we emphasize that a correct answer is welcome. Obtaining the final numerical answer has advantages; it will help you eliminate various errors originating from unit conversions, mix up of formulas, and mistakes of logic.  It is a good practice (and you get lots of partial credit) to derive formulas using symbols for all quantities. Solve for your unknown and below this solved equation write the same equation with numbers and their units for all the symbols.

Answers without units are wrong. In an exam or a quiz, pause at the point of choosing a formula to review your choice. This is the crucial part of problem solving.

All answers must be fully justified by the work shown on the exam. Merely writing down the answer, whether from memory, intuition, or "peeking" will not cut it. No matter how much a student may state it (and truly believe it), knowing something in one's head or heart does not count; only what is on the paper counts.

Material for quizzes and examinations:

  • Exams and quizzes are closed book.
  • You may use your copy of Essential Data and Equations for a Course in Physical Chemistry for exams and quizzes.
  • Do not write anything (notes, formulas, problem solutions, or the like) in this book unless you are told to do so by the instructor; it is not a crib sheet. Books may be examined during, before or after exams. Using a book containing any unauthorized material is cheating.
  • Bring a calculator and straight edge to exams and quizzes.
  • Programmable calculators are permitted, but, since you must show ALL WORK on the paper, they save little time. Answers without supporting work are worth nothing!  You may not store answers or formulas on constants in the calculator before and exam or quiz.  Doing so is considered cheating.

Appeals on Grading

If you feel your exam or quiz was not graded correctly, bring this to the attention of the grader no later than 7 days after it is returned to you. The longer you wait, the less likely we will make a change in the grade. No change in grading will be made if the exam contains erasures or has in any way been altered since its return.

Homework

Homework problems are suggested in the assignment sheet.  Homework is not graded and does not have to be turned in. However, you are strongly advised to work all problems and keep current in the course.  Do homework problems at exam speed with the Handbook. You should expect to put at least nine hours per week outside of class in this course on homework. You are encouraged to work and discuss problems together, but remember that your only help on the exams or quizzes is your own knowledge. Make sure you understand every step and can solve similar (not analogous) problems; do not just follow along as someone else solves a problem.

Absences

You are responsible for knowing all material taught in lectures, as well as the assigned readings, including any you miss by an absence from class.  Most students find regular class attendance essential to passing the course.  If you must be absent for a valid reason on the day of a quiz or exam, contact the instructor before the absence occurs if possible, but no later than a week after the quiz or exam, and present your reason for the absence.  If reasonable (See below the limited situations for which you may receive an excused absence from a quiz or exam.), you may be granted an excused absence.  [Only the instructor of your section may give you an excused absence.]  The default is an unexcused absence, for which any work is assigned a grade of zero.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor about absences and to make sure all papers have been properly recorded; if in doubt, talk to the instructor.

There are no make-up exams or quizzes in this course.  Generally quizzes are not given early.  Quizzes and exams missed with an unexcused absence are given a grade of "0".  Quizzes missed because of an excused absence do not count towards the quiz average, but missing a quiz makes each other quiz count a slightly higher percentage of the quiz average.  If you miss one midterm with an excused absence, an equivalent grade is substituted for it based on that part of the final exam covering the same material. You must take at least one midterm exam and the final exam to complete the course.  Do not miss exams and quizzes needlessly; missing them has a significant negative effect on your grade.

The following are examples of valid excuses for absence:  (1) required attendance at a university-sanctioned event (band, sports, etc.), (2) representation of the university at regional, national or international meetings, (3) observance of religious holidays, (4) death in the immediate family; (5) personal illness.  Desire to go home early for the weekend or to leave for a special occasion are, unfortunately, NOT valid excuses for missing a quiz or exam; the university calendar is quite explicit, and you are expected to plan your time to be at the university for all classes.

Grading

Grade Weights:

  • Quiz Average       =  1             (12.5% of final grade)
  • Midterm Exam 1   = 2             (25% of final grade)
  • Midterm Exam 2   = 2             (25% of final grade)
  • Final Exam            = 3             (37.5% of final grade)
  • Total Weight         = 8             (100% of final grade)

Note:  In addition to these materials, the honors section receives a grade based on special projects and class participation, such that the work on quizzes and the special projects and class participation are equal to 12.5% of the final grade.

Grade Cutoffs: (in percentages of total points at end of semester)

  • A greater than 90%
  • B greater than 70%
  • C greater than 55%
  • D greater than 45%
  • F below 45%

Note:  These are the percentages for the lowest grade in the category; these are for the "unsigned" grades.  No "curve" is used in this course, nor is there any predetermined quota for any grade: we shall (happily) give all A's or (unhappily) all F's, if the grades are earned. If we feel that an exam was harder than we anticipated these cutoffs may be lowered slightly.

How to Pass Physical Chemistry

  • This is probably the hardest course you have taken or will ever take, and extensive, consistent work is required to do well in it.  Expect to spend 10 to 20 hours per week outside of class studying.  We rely on Stanley Kubrick, the film director, (as quoted by Matthew Modine in the New York Times) to tell you what must be done to succeed:  "I don't know how to do it. [meaning how to do the job of getting a movie right quickly.]  People don't do their homework."  He then goes on to say he has to waste time because "people are learning what their job is supposed to be" because they haven't done their homework beforehand.  Learning requires practice that can only be done by the student alone, by careful reading, re-reading, and working of homework; it is as true in learning physical chemistry as it is in any pursuit.
  • Read assignments before lecture; reread them afterwards.
  • Attend class regularly; do not fall behind.
  • Do problems! Each assigned problem illustrates an important concept -- careful rereading and study of the text is usually required to work problems. You cannot learn by reading or copying problem solutions any more than you can learn to swim or play the piano by watching someone else. Do all the problems assigned; then work some of your own choosing from the others in the chapter!
  • Timing is important.  Attempt problems immediately after covering the material; if you can't do them, reread the material. If you still can't do a problem, seek help immediately. This is a time-consuming process, but is important for the learning process.  You CANNOT learn physical chemistry the night before an examination.
  • Seek help immediately if you cannot work a problem; the instructors and teaching assistants can help, but only if they are aware of the problem.
  • Study all text examples carefully, filling in the missing steps and checking units at all stages. In some cases it will be helpful to work them out using Mathcad.
  • Consider problems to be diagnostic: if you can't do them, you have missed something important; copying from someone or a book will not help.
  • Students are reminded that, by faculty senate rule, the minimum penalty for cheating is an F for the entire course. Any incident of cheating or suspected cheating will be reported to university authorities for appropriate action.

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Copyright (c) University of Delaware, 1996-2008.
Last Updated: July 24, 2008.

This page maintained by Andrew. V. Teplyakov and Cecil Dybowski.
URL of this document: http://www.udel.edu/pchem/C443/C443pol.htm