CEM 383

FALL SEMESTER 2012

Michigan State University

Lecturer: Denis A. Proshlyakov

Lectures tale place in Rm 138, Chemistry Bldg.

Office: 22 Chemistry Bldg.

Phone: 517-355-9715, ext. 260

e-mail: dapro@chemistry.msu.edu

office hours: Monday, Wednesday 11:20am-noon or by appointment.

Introductory Physical Chemistry I – Macroscopic Physical Chemistry

Chemistry 383 is the first course in a two-course sequence in physical chemistry. Physical chemistry involves the application of quantitative methods to chemical systems for the purpose of gaining a detailed understanding of their behavior. Ultimately, this understanding allows chemists to explain and predict chemical events. The workhorse for describing the behavior of macroscopic systems, for example a beaker of water or a tank of nitrogen at different temperatures and pressures, is chemical thermodynamics. We will explore the thermodynamics for simple systems and use it to understand chemical equilibrium and electrochemistry. Although thermodynamics allows us to predict aspects of chemical reactions that involve energy, it says nothing about the practical issue of reaction time. Therefore, we will complete our treatment of macroscopic physical chemistry with a treatment of chemical kinetics. [SYLLABUS]

Textbook

: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences, 2nd. Ed. by P. Atkins and J. de Paula, W.H. Freeman.

I will follow the overall flow of this text in my lectures with emphasis on practical, quantitative approaches. Most of the homework assignments will come from the text.

Examinations/Quizzes

Event	Date	Time
Exam 1	9/21/2012	10:20 AM
Exam 2	10/10/2012	10:20 AM
Exam 3	10/29/2012	10:20 AM
Exam 4	11/16/2012	10:20 AM
Final Exam	12/10/2012	12:45 PM

Exams will be in room 138 Chemistry during class.

Attendance policy

Attendance is not required unless you intend to complete the course with a good grade. In the latter case it is recommended to attend all scheduled lectures. Majority of quizzes and exams will be based on lectures, information related to lectures, homework, and practice during recitations.

Missed due dates

Students taking make-up quizzes and exams will be asked to show verifiable documentation of the excuse (doctor's note, interview schedule, police report etc.). With the exception of unpredictable circumstances, students should obtain a permission prior to the event. Make-up exams without prior excuse (if permitted) will be credited at 80% of earned grade. If a student is granted an excuse based on a good reason, the make-up procedure depends on the type of work:

Homework - has to be turned in before solutions are posted or shown. If in doubt, turn in your work to your TA early.
Quizzes - based on the gravity of the excuse, an individual or a group make-up quiz can be considered by the arrangement with TA. Problems on the make-up quizzes will be different from the rest of the class and may be perceived as being more difficult.
Exams - in exceptional cases make-up may be considered; a separate set of problems will be administered, which may be perceived as being more difficult than those on the general exam.
Final exam - sorry, no make-up.

Problem Sets

Several practice problem sets will be assigned during the semester. Some of the problems will be taken from the text. It is up to you to make sure that you understand the assigned problems. You are welcome to work on these problems in a small group of students, but you must turn in your own solutions. These exercises are important to learning the course material and those who master them will do well on the exams! Problem sets will normally be due at the start of class one week after they are handed out. Late problem sets will not be accepted because solutions will also be made available the day that they are turned in.

Only 1 problem from each problem set will be graded on content, and TAs will assign a grade to the remainder of the problems based on completeness. Graded problem will be selected after assignments are turned in. If solutions are posted before the due date (such as before exams) then problem sets will be graded only on completeness. It is important to show your work and to use units in your homework, as it is on the exams. So, if you develop good habits while doing your homework, it will pay off on the exams. In either case even a correct numerical answer without shown work will earn zero credit.

Lecture materials

N.B. Course materials will be posted on on www.angel.msu.edu under FS12-CEM-383. You can access the course by following this link after you log into Angel.

Copies of lecture notes can be found under Lessons / Lectures. Drafts of lectures notes will be posted ahead of lecture time permitting. Please check before class.

Assigned problem sets and solutions will be posted under Lessons / Problems & Quizzes.

Exams and answer keys will be posted under FS12-CEM-383 Lessons / Exams.

Grading

The final course grade will be based on your performance on problem sets, quizzes, hour exams and the final exam as follows:

Problem Sets and Quizzes 10%
Hour Exams (4 at 20% ea; best 3 out of 4 will count) 60%
Final Exam 30%

Honors Option

It is possible to earn Honors credit for CEM 383. Several options are available, such as laboratory or literature research on subjects relevant to physical chemistry. A minimal final grade of 3.0 is required for Honors credit.

Notify me by Friday, Sep 28th if you will be pursuing it.

Recitations and Help Sessions

There are three teaching assistants assigned to this course:

Sasha Brookhouse [brooks@chemistry.msu.edu]
Yo Yuan Cheng [acircle@chemistry.msu.edu]

These TAs will lead at least three of the scheduled recitation sections given during the week. Recitation periods provide an excellent opportunity to clear up difficulties that you are having with the course material and problem sets. Come to class prepared to ask questions!

You may occasionally attend any recitation section, HOWEVER:

check with your TA before switching sections on a regular basis,
hand your homework only to the section you are officially signed up for so that it is graded.

Schedule of Recitations beginning Tuesday, September 6:

Section	TA	Day	Time	Room
001	Sasha	Monday	3:00 pm - 3:50 pm	110
002	Sasha	Tuesday	11:30 am - 12:20 pm	085
003	Yo-Yo	Tuesday	3:00 pm - 3:50 pm	110
004	Sasha	Thursday	10:20 am -11:10 am	085
005	Yo-Yo	Thursday	3:00 pm - 3:50 pm	183
006	To-Yo	Wednesday	5:30 pm - 6:20 pm	287