Welcome to CHEM51C! Hi! I’m Stan. I’ll be your instructor for this final stretch of introductory organic chemistry. I have a B.S. in chemistry from Santa Clara University. I was in your shoes not too long ago. I’m a senior graduate student pursuing my PhD in organic chemistry at UC Irvine. I’ve done research in materials and synthetic chemistry. Currently, I’m developing new palladium -catalyzed rxns. I think about organic chemistry everyday (no exaggeration)
I have been a TA many times before, but this is the first time as the primary instructor. …that means you all are my guinea pigs How you can help: Ask questions if you need clarification. Please don’t be shy! Other students may have the same or similar questions. Correct me (nicely) if I make an obvious mistake at the board. Provide constructive feedback at any time. Give me “formal” feedback halfway through the quarter.
This is Alex. He will be your T.A. He is also a senior graduate student, doing research in materials chemistry. Discussion Sections Location Social Sciences Plaza A 100 Tues/Thurs 12-1 PM Times Wed/Fri 11-12 PM For the first week only, we will not have discussion on Tuseday 8/8 and Wednesday 8/9. There will be discussion Thursday 8/10 and Friday 8/11 Discussion every Tues/Thurs and Wed/Fri thereafter. Discussion worksheets on class website. Keys posted at end of the week.
Office hours Location Rowland Hall 517 Monday 3-4 PM (Stan) Times Friday 1-2 PM (Alex) For the first week only, we will not have office hours on Monday 8/7. There will be office hours Friday 8/11 Office hours every Monday and Friday thereafter, except Labor Day (September 4 th , Monday of Week 5)
Class Philosophy Organic chemistry is a vast subject, comprising a huge number of reactions and reagents. Instead of memorization, this class will emphasize understanding organic chemistry through principles of reactivity, using concepts such as: -resonance -acid-base equilibria -reaction coordinate diagrams -frontier molecular orbital theory Instead of: w e’ll focus on:
Class Philosophy Organic chemistry is a vast subject, comprising a huge number of reactions and reagents. Instead of memorization, this class will emphasize understanding organic chemistry through principles of reactivity, using concepts such as: -resonance -acid-base equilibria -reaction coordinate diagrams -frontier molecular orbital theory Lecture will be “old - school”, we will hand -write everything. This class is diverse! Students have different goals (medicine, pharmacy, chemical engineering, research), and I will try to make this class accessible to everyone. I may cover material in slightly more or less depth than you prefer; please humor me. People have different rates or learning. Please do not be shy about asking questions, whether during or outside of lecture.
Some other comments/suggestions The pacing of this class is relentless! We will cram 10 weeks of material into 5 weeks. This class will not be easier or cover less materials because it is a summer class. (Although I will slow down as needed to communicate concepts clearly). Lectures are looooong. Bring whatever you need to stay focused (e.g. snacks, coffee, etc.), just be sure to clean up. We’ll have a ~10 min break between the first and second hour. Be courteous about using your phone. Exams will occur approximately every other week. Midterm 1 and Midterm 2 will take place in the first hour on the days they are scheduled Do NOT email Stan or Alex with chemistry questions, other questions welcome. Working problems is critical to success in organic chemistry! No substitute for drawing structures and mechanisms on paper. Do the Sapling and book problems. Working alone and in groups are both helpful for learning. I highly recommend trying problems by yourself first.
Class Website All important documents, information, notifications will be posted online The url for our class website ( write this down! ): http://sites.uci.edu/summerchem51c/ “Class Schedule” Timing of lecture material may shift slightly if I need to speed up or slow down. Exam dates will not change. “Topics and Assignments” Our master document. This is a detailed list of every topic we will cover in class. I’ll cover topics in what I believe is the most logical order, which is different than your textbook (I’ll point out the chapters along the way). Additionally, lists selected book problems, Sapling assignments. “Discussion worksheets” Discussion worksheets are already posted online, and keys will be posted at the end of each week. Discussion is not mandatory, but highly recommended ; it will apply and reinforce concepts outlined in lecture.
Our Class Schedule Week M W F 1 aromaticity, molecular electrophilic aromatic electrophilic aromatic (8/7-8-11) orbitals subst. subst. aryl diazonium salts interconversion of carboxylic acid 2 nucleophilic aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives, reversible (8/14-8/18) subst. derivatives additions to carbonyls Midterm 1 hydride and 3 reversible additions reversible additions to organometallic Reagents (8/21-8/25) to carbonyls carbonyls hydride and hydride and Midterm 2 4 organometallic organometallic enolate (8/28-9/1) reagents reagents halogenation/alkylation 5 enolate enolate condensations, Labor Day-no class (9/4-9/8) condensations amines 6 Review Final (9/11-9/13) Exams will exclude material from ~1-1.5 days of preceding lecture (to give you a buffer).
Grading Scheme Assignment Weighting Sapling 10% Midterm 1 20% Midterm 2 30% Final 40% Exams are weighted progressively to reflect cumulative nature of the class Midterm 1 < Midterm 2 < Final If you don’t do as well as you hoped on Midterm 1, you’ll have the opportunity to recover. I’ll go over re -grade policy after we take the first midterm. No make-up exams unless due to clearly extenuating circumstances (e.g. family emergency, medical emergency) You may need to provide documentation.
Academic Honesty Your moral integrity is invaluable. Protect it at all costs. If I catch you cheating, you may: - Receive a ‘0’ for the assignment -Fail the class -Face disciplinary action at the departmental or university level -Some combination of the above -All this at my discretion Don’t expect sympathy if I catch you cheating. Don’t be like this guy (seriously).
Class Resources I am just one of many resources available to you. Your resources: -Stan & Alex -your classmates -lecture -office hours (posted on class website) -discussion -textbook, including selected book problems (Smith, 5 th Ed.) -the Ayala science library -the internet http://www.masterorganicchemistry.com Ullman’s encyclopedia Bordwell pKa table It’s my job to provide you the framework for how to think about organic reactivity and problem- solve. It’s your job to put in the effort and seek help when you need it.
My Goals for You Improve your problem-solving ability (approach problems in forwards and backwards direction, seek mechanistic explanation) Prepare for the MCAT, PCAT, LSAT, or chemistry GRE or whatever your future educational are. Provide background that will make you better at your future occupation (dentist, doctor, pharmacist, engineer, chemist, etc.) Leave with an appreciation (love?!) for organic chemistry. If you decide to remain in this course, you agree to this “syllabus”
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