SYLLABUS, Chemistry 304, Physical Chemistry II, Spring 2009

Instructor Dr. Glenn V. Lo, Office: Peltier 227A, Phone: 448-4547, 448-4502, Email:

Office Hours: MWF 9:00-9:30 am, 10:45-11:45 am, TTh: 9:00-11:45 am, 1:30-3:45 pm, or by appointment. The instructor is available for online consultations (through Blackboard's virtual classroom), by appointment.

Catalog Description. CHEM 304. Physical Chemistry II. 3-3-0. Continuation of CHEM 303. (Catalog description of CHEM 303: Physical Chemistry I. 3-3-0. Prerequisites: MATH 166, CHEM 222, 226, 300 and 302 and PHYS 102 or 202. The study of three states of matter, elementary thermodynamics, thermochemistry, solutions, homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, reaction kinetics, and atomic and molecular structure. Fa only.)

Prerequisites. MATH 166, CHEM 222, 226, 300 and 302 and PHYS 102 or 202.

Textbook:. Peter Atkins and Julio De Paula, Physical Chemistry, 8ed, W.H. Freeman, New York (2006)

Supplements Handouts, with pertinent references, will be provided by the instructor and are available at the course website at blackboard.nicholls.edu.

Course Goal. To provide a mathematically-rigorous course that results in students acquiring a firm understanding of the principles of thermodynamics as applied to chemical systems.

Student Outcome Objectives. Students will be able to

  • state and discuss the laws of thermodynamics, their phenomenological basis, and their molecular interpretation
  • apply the principles of thermodynamics to problems dealing with equilibrium in physico-chemical systems

Course Content

  • Ch. 1 Properties of gases
  • Ch. 2 The First Law
  • Ch. 3 The Second Law
  • Ch. 4 Physical Transformation of Pure Susbtances
  • Ch. 5 Simple Mixtures
  • Ch. 6 Phase Diagrams
  • Ch. 7 Chemical Equilibrium

Course Requirements: Chapter Tests (7x100 = 700 points) and Final Exam (300 points). The final exam will consist of selected questions from standardized tests on Thermodynamics from the American Chemical Society Examinations Institute.

Methods of Evaluation Course grades will be assigned according to your average grade as follows: A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69%, F: <60%

Make-up Policy Make work will be decided on a case-by-case basis. In general, you must have a valid verifiable excuse to make up missed exams.

Academic Honesty. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. The University’s cheating and plagiarism policy as stated in the Student Code of Conduct will be followed.

Withdrawals. The last day to withdraw form the class with a “W” is April 3, 2008 (Friday).

Academic Grievances. The proper procedure for filing grade appeals or grievances related to academic matters is listed in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct and at the following link:

Continued Learning following an Extreme Emergency. In order to make continued learning possible following an extreme
emergency, students are responsible for:

  • reading regular emergency notifications on the NSU website;
  • knowing how to use and access Blackboard (or university designated electronic delivery system);
  • being familiar with emergency guidelines;
  • evacuating textbooks and other course materials;
  • knowing their Blackboard (or designated system) student login and password;
  • contacting faculty regarding their intentions for completing the course.

Faculty are responsible for:

  • their development in the use of the Blackboard (or designated) software;
  • having a plan for continuing their courses using only Blackboard and email;
  • continuing their course in whatever way suits the completion of the course best, and being creative in the continuation of these courses;
  • making adjustments or compensations to a student’s progress in special programs with labs, clinical sequences or the like only in the immediate semester following the emergency.

Disabilities. If you have a documented disability that requires assistance, you will need to register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The phone number is (985) 448-4430 (TDD 449-7002

DISCLAIMER. This syllabus is not a contract and no part of it should be construed as such. The syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified of these changes in a timely manner.