PSC 312 Quantitative Analysisfall 2005

PSC 312 Quantitative AnalysisFall 2005

Parkinson 232

Dr. Dionne Fortenberry

Department of Sciences and Mathematics

Office: Parkinson Hall 106E

Email:

Office phone: 329-7246

Office hours: M 2:00-4:00, T 8:00-10:00, W 2:00-3:00, Th 9:00-11:00, and others by appointment

Text: Quantitative Chemical Analysis, Harris, 6th ed. – (available in the college bookstore). All or parts of chapters 1, 3-4, 6-19 will be discussed.

Lecture: MWF 10:00 am-10:50 PH 232

Lab: T,Th 2:00-5:00 pm PH 137; Begins August 23, 2005

Course Policies:

• Class attendance is expected unless the student experiences a health problem or unless there are extenuating circumstances. Divisional policy states: “A student is required to attend 70% of all class meetings or receive an automatic “F”. This policy is more rigorous than the university’s 50% requirement.

• Please come to class on time. We will begin on time. Tardy arrivals are a sign of disrespect to the professor and the other students.

• Please try to briefly skim through the chapter before the corresponding lectures because I prepare my lectures according to this expectation. You will benefit much more from the lecture having skimmed the chapter ahead of time.

Turn off your cell phones before each class. Put them away and do not take them out during class. If your cell phone rings or vibrates during class, you will have to leave class for the day. If it happens again, you will have to leave class and you must talk to me before you return. These same penalties apply for answering text messages or for using your cell phone as a calculator. Basically, do not take out your cell phone for any reason during class.

Desired Student Goals and Outcomes and Nature of the Course:

Following is a list of topics to be covered during the semester and expected student goals with each topic.

SEQUENCE of TENTATIVE LECTURE TOPICS (subject to change)

Weeks 1-2

Measurements and experimental error-The student will review SI units, concentration terms, stoichiometry, and significant digits.

Weeks 3-4

• Statistics and calibration-The student will learn basic statistics and calibration techniques and their use in the laboratory.

Weeks 5-6

• Chemical equilibrium-The student will review the concept of equilibrium and the equilibrium constant. The student will relate these concepts to precipitation, acids and bases, and complex formation.

Weeks 7-9

• First look at spectrophotometry and applications-The student will review Beer’s Law and its use in chemical analysis of homogeneous systems and mixtures.

Weeks 10-12

• Volumetric analysis and EDTA titrations-The student will learn different methods of titration and their uses, including the EDTA titration.

Weeks 13-15

• Fundamentals of electrochemistry, potentiometry, and redox titrations-The student will review redox reactions and learn of their use in electrochemistry and potentiomentry.

Weeks 16-17

• Monoprotic and polyprotic acid-base equilibria and titrations-The student will review acids and bases. The student will learn several methods of acid-base titration.

Requirements of the Course:

Requirements of the course include homework assignments, quizzes, periodic exams, labs, and a comprehensive final. Descriptions are as follows:

Attendance:

• Class attendance is expected unless the student experiences a health problem or unless there are extenuating circumstances. Divisional policy states: “A student is required to attend 70% of all class meetings or receive an automatic “F”. This policy is more rigorous than the university’s 50% requirement.

Homework:

• To help you in your studies, 5 homework sets (20 points each) will be assigned. The problems assigned will be reflective of material covered in class and will give you a preview of problems on quizzes and exams. The assignments are due by 5:00 on the due date. Answer keys for the problem sets will be available in my office. Feel free to come to my office with whatever questions you have.

Quizzes:

• To encourage you to keep up with the lecture material, twenty-point quizzes will be given every other Friday unless stated otherwise. Your highest five (5) quiz grades will be totaled at the end of the semester. The remaining quizzes will be dropped. Makeup quizzes will not be given.

Exams:

• Along with periodic quizzes, three in-class exams will help you integrate the various topics and prepare for the comprehensive final exam. The expected exam dates are September 19, October 17, and November 21. Makeup exams will only be given due to illness (with a valid doctor’s excuse) or a documented family emergency. In order to be considered, the excuse must be presented to me within three (3) days after the missed exam. The semester will end with a comprehensive final exam (December 6).

Laboratory:

• Laboratory work consists of ten analytical determinations. Precision and accuracy will be used as a criterion for grading with accuracy being the most important. The lab schedule and due dates for the laboratory reports will be given in lab. Lab begins August 23. A short laboratory quiz will be given at the beginning of lab every other Thursday.

Methods of Evaluation:

The student will be evaluated based on his/her performance of the requirements listed above (homework, quizzes, exams, labs, and final). The grading policies are as follows:

Grading:

• A ten (10) point scale will be used to determine the final grade. So, for example, 91% would be an A-, or 75% a C. Adjustments of this scale will occur at my discretion. Any curve I do construct will be based on my discretion.

• Point distribution is as follows:

Lecture Quizzes100 pts

Exam I100 pts

Exam II100 pts

Exam III100 pts

Homework100 pts

Lab reports200 pts

Lab quizzes100 pts

Final Exam150 pts

Total950 pts

• Possibly Important Dates:

August 18Day and evening classes begin

August 20Saturday classes begin

August 26Last day to add and/or register classes

Last day to change from audit to credit

Last day to change from grade to pass-fail

September 5Labor Day Holiday

September 21Last day to drop without receiving a WP or WF

Last day to change from credit to audit

Last day to submit a change of major form for Fall 2005

September 30Last Day to apply for a degree to be awarded December 2005

October 3, 4Fall Break

October 19Mid-term grades due

Last day a course may be dropped

October 24Advising period for Spring 2006 pre-scheduling begins

November 11Last day to withdraw from the university

November 23-25Thanksgiving holidays

November 28Classes resume

December 6Final exam (11:30 am-2:30 pm)

Disabilities Statement:

• It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to notify the instructor with documentation from Academic Support Services, so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.

Academic Dishonesty Statement:

• Your catalog informs you that students at Mississippi University for Women agree to uphold the school’s honor code and refrain from any academically dishonest behavior including cheating, plagiarism, falsifying of data (relevant in laboratory settings), and any other intellectually unethical behavior. It is your responsibility to make yourselves aware of the university’s policies on academic dishonesty as stated in your catalog since those policies are applicable in this class. Your punishment could range from a zero on an assignment to an appearance before the Academic Standards Board. Your university’s accreditation is based, in part, on academic standards of excellence. If you cheat, you will devalue your MUW degree.