Course Director: RICHARD JACQUES (pronounced as “Jakes”)
Course Instructor: Richard Jacques
Course Instructor’s Contact Information: Email: rjacques@sgu.edu; richestjac@hotmail.com
PHONE/What’s App: 1 (473) 456-8736
Course Management tool: SAKAI: MyCourses
Course Description:
This course is a half-semester exercise to introduce post-baccalaureate students who may have no previous knowledge of Organic Chemistry to the basic foundations of the subject. It introduces students to the basic principles and concepts of Organic Chemistry.
It includes the nomenclature and classification of organic molecules; and the structure and reactivity of the hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes and alkynes), alkyl halides and alcohols; the study of substitution and elimination reaction mechanisms and introductory stereochemistry.
Course Objectives:
The course would give students an understanding of the scope of Organic Chemistry and lay the foundation for future studies in Chemistry, Biology and Biochemistry. It also introduces practical experiences of concepts taught through laboratory sessions
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students would
1. Apply basic knowledge of chemistry towards understanding the fundamental principles of Organic Chemistry
2. Apply knowledge of the functional groups present in organic compounds to understand the chemical reactions that they undergo
3. Demonstrate problem solving and critical skills
Program Outcomes Met By This Course:
On successful completion of this course, students should transition seamlessly into CHEM 220
SAS GRADING SCALE:
Grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 89.5% & above
B+ = 84.5- 89.4%
B = 79.5 – 84.4%
C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%
C = 69.5 - 74.4%
D = 64.5 - 69.4%
F = 1.0 – 64.4
Course Materials:
Text: Organic Chemistry (9th Edition), L.G. Wade, Jr. et al (Pearson).
{The 8th Edition is closely related to the 9th, and can be used}.
Supplementary Reading/ Resources: Organic Chemistry (Sixth Edition), Paula Yurkanis Bruice (Pearson). ISBN 10: 0-321-69768-5; ISBN 13: 978-0-321-69768-4
On-line Organic Chemistry resources available via the Internet – YouTube & other platforms
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Lectures / Videos / Handouts
Each topic is treated as a “module”. There would be Word handouts, sometimes Power points accompanied by at least one worksheet with questions to strengthen students’ understanding of the content taught. Each student is expected to make a genuine attempt at the questions before the answers are discussed in class (during the live sessions). Quiz questions and those for your PSCLE exam would be modelled on the questions in the worksheets. {see details below}
CLASS SCHEDULE & TIMES:
On-campus & day-time online: Daily @ 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Alternative Time students: @ least 2 Zoom sessions per week (days & times TBD via dialogue with students)
Evaluations & Awarding of Grades:
Students would be evaluated by In-Class Assessments and lab report submissions. The assessments would be on SAKAI Tests & Quizzes; we would determine a “quiz day” when we meet. The aim is to have 3 lab sessions, availability of lab time slots & students’ class schedules.
The course grade is determined as follows:
- Class Assessments: 75%
- LABS: 25%
(Online & ‘alternative time’ students would view the Zoom sessions as on-campus students carry out the assigned tests/experiments)
The course is taught in “modular” form. Each “module” has an objective which students can easily attain. The “module” would consist of (i) handout(s) and (ii) at least one worksheet which students should use to understand the concepts of the module.
Module 1: Introduction to Organic Chemistry Concepts
Objectives:
Students would be introduced to information towards the understanding of Organic Chemistry 1 content. Students would cover: molecular geometry, bond dipole moments and molecular dipole moments, formal charge, rules of electron movement
Module 2: Hybridization in carbon compounds
Objectives:
Students would understand the ability of carbon atoms to form different hybrid atomic orbitals
Module 3: Physical and Chemical properties of the Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
Objectives:
Students would be exposed to the structural formulae and conformations of alkanes/cycloalkanes Students would investigate the physical properties and the chemical reactions of alkanes
Module 4: Chemistry of the Alkyl Halides & Alcohols
Objectives:
Students would be cognisant of the physical properties of alkyl halides
Students would be introduced to the substitution and elimination reactions of the alkyl halides
Students would be introduced to the physical properties and chemical reactions of the alcohols Students would investigate the use of organometallic compounds in alcohol synthesis
Module 5: Alkene Chemistry
Objectives:
Study would investigate the physical properties, nomenclature and geometric isomerism of the alkenes Students would understand the reactivity of the double bond functional group Students would investigate the reactions of alkenes, including syntheses
Module 6: Alkyne Chemistry
Objectives:
Students would understand the reactivity of the triple-bond functional group Students would investigate the reactions of alkynes, including syntheses
Module 7: Conformers & Stereochemistry of organic compounds
Objectives:
Students would be aware of the spatial relationships (conformations) of alkanes, cycloalkanes & their derivatives
Students would be able to identify orientation of organic molecules (stereochemistry)
Richard Jacques – General Concepts in Organic Chemistry 1 (CHEM 219)
March 2022
School of Arts and Sciences Master Syllabi — Info for All Sections
Academic Integrity
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“Plagiarism is regarded as a cardinal offense in academia because it constitutes theft of the work of someone else, which is then purported as the original work of the plagiarist. Plagiarism draws into disrepute the credibility of the Institution, its faculty, and students; therefore, it is not tolerated” (p. 48).
Plagiarism also includes the unintentional copying or false accreditation of work, so double check your assignments BEFORE you hand them in.
Be sure to do good, honest work, credit your sources and reference accordingly and adhere to the University’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with very seriously following the university’s policies on Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Manual.
Your work may be subject to submission to plagiarism detection software, submission to this system means that your work automatically becomes part of that database and can be compared with the work of your classmates.
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“Students are expected to attend all classes and or clinical rotations for which they have registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance may be taken randomly. Students’ absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy. If absence from individual classes, examinations, and activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed. A particular course may define additional policies regarding specific attendance or participation” (p. 9).
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“All matriculated students are expected to attend all assigned academic activities for each course currently registered. Medical excuses will be based on self-reporting by students. Students who feel they are too sick to take an examination or other required activity on a specific day must submit the online SAS medical excuse, which is available on Carenage. Students are only allowed two such excuses a year. Upon consultation with the Director of University Health Service, the third excuse will result in a mandatory medical leave of absence. The policies regarding make-up examinations are at the option of the Course Director” (p.46).
For additional specific examination policies and procedures, refer to the St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020), pages 31 through 37.
The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:
“A student with a disability or disabling condition that affects one or more major life activities, who would like to request an accommodation, must submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) located in the Dean of Students Office. It is highly recommended that students applying for accommodations do so at least one month before classes begin to allow for a more efficient and timely consideration of the request. If a fully completed application is not submitted in a timely fashion, an eligibility determination may not be made, and accommodations, where applicable, may not be granted prior to the commencement of classes and/or examinations” (p. 8).
It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and procedures that while they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus. These are contained in the St. George’s University Student Manual.