Courses Chem 4442

Literature of Chemistry and Physics

CHEM 4442, Spring 2003

Grading and Attendance Policy 

Attendance is mandatory. If circumstances require your absence, a total of 3 hours may be missed without penalty and without excuse. Any other absences must be school related or a certified family emergency and approved by Dr. Snider. Otherwise your Pass/Fail factor will be diminished by the course hours missed. Any absence counts as 2 hours. Tardiness in excess of 15 minutes counts as at least one hour. There are 30 course hours of which 3 may be missed so the pass/fail factor of one is 27/27ths. Grading scale :(As a percentage of the points possible times pass/fail factor) 90-100 % = A ; 80-89.9 % = B ; 70-79.9 % = C ; 60-69.9 % = D ; <60 % = F 

Tests and assignments

11 Library Assignments     25 pts @ = 275 pts

1 Oral presentations      50 pts  =  50 pts

5 subject matter tests (everyone takes GenChem, Chem majors take rest of Chem tests, Physics majors take Physics tests)    25 pts@ = 125 pts

1 midterm exam      50 pts  =  50 pts

1 Library problem test      100 pts = 100 pts

Total Points= 500 pts 

1 MFAT exam Final determines the pass/fail factor  PF  = (1 or 0) X {(Hours attended)/27} 

The course will consist of the above stated problems, tests, and presentations. Additional seminars by visiting speakers may also be scheduled. Attendance at these and student talks will influence the pass/fail factor. The student presentation is to be a talk (20 minutes) organized around the experimental parameters , techniques , and results of a single article in and from the list of primary research journal articles made available.. The Physical Science Faculty have picked several articles @ that they believe you can do and that they are interested in. They are available as resource personnel to help you prepare your presentation. A good source for understanding the significance of many of these articles is to find a review or a news blurb about it . Good sources are Chem. and Eng. News, Nature, and Science as these magazines often summarize and place new discoveries in perspective and will often cite the original reference in their report. These sources will also give you a good feel for the relevant history and significance of the study. The papers you may choose from are available for perusal in the departmental office. There is only one copy of each so nobody can duplicate. When you have chosen, remove your choice, write down your name and the bibliographic information of your choice and leave it with Barbara. You are not to take these home, but must make your choice here. If you wish to change, you may turn in your choice and choose from the remainder. Your presentation must be a PowerPoint (or other vendor type) presentation using slides that you have constructed. On Thursdays one week (8 days ) before your presentation you must schedule a time with me or any other faculty member with whom you feel comfortable, to give your presentation in a practice/advice mode. Failure to do this will cause a 10 point reduction of your grade on your talk. This will allow instruction on customs, protocols, find unreadable slides, and allow you time for corrections. The presentation is not intended to be stressful, but when postponed to the last minute often becomes more stressful than desired.  

The final for the course is a standardized exam in the major subject of the students enrollment. (Chemistry or Physics. Natural Science majors will take the test of their emphasis, Chemistry, Physics, or Biology) The final is not included in the total points. A positive one is achieved by taking the final at the assigned time, giving your best effort and attending the seminars. A zero is achieved by not taking the final or "blowing it off" by not giving your best effort. Any chemistry of physics student not within 9 months of graduation will not take the final and will receive an incomplete. Incompletes are removed when the student takes the final at a later date. The final cannot be failed. It is the assessment instrument for chemistry, physics, and natural science majors is required by the State Regents to assess the respective programs. Grade = (Pass/Fail factor) x Percentage of Total Points Earned