Chem 105 Frequently Asked Questions
Lecture FAQ
Where can I find the course syllabus?
All course materials are distributed on the course website found at http://eLearning.wsu.edu Approximately one week before the beginning of class you will have access to the course website.
Where is the lecture?
There are two different lectures:
Dr. Kirk Peterson teaches M W F 9:10 – 12:00 in CUE 203
Dr. Jim Brozik teaches Tu Th 7:45 – 9:00 in CUE 203
What if I miss a lecture?
If you intend to do well in this course, you must regularly attend lectures. If you missed a lecture, ask a fellow student for a copy of the notes.
What if I have not met the pre-requisite for this course?
Pre-requisites are strictly enforced in the Department of Chemistry and include:
- Enrollment in, or placement beyond, Math 107. Students in Math 099 or lower do not have the pre-requisite for Chem 105, AND
- One year of High School chemistry, credit for Chem 101, or one quarter of Chemistry from a community college.
Is there a homework component to this course?
We will be using the OWL online homework system for this course. An OWL access code is included with text available at the Bookie. If you have purchased a used text, then you may buy an OWL code directly from the publisher at URL http://owl.thomsonlearning.com . If you are repeating this course, your OWL access code from fall semester can be used again. Detailed instructions for using OWL are posted on the course website.
What textbooks and materials will we be using this semester?
Lecture text: Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Kotz, Treichel and Weaver, Sixth Edition (Required).
Lab text: General Chemistry 105-106 Laboratory Manual, Star Publishing (2007) (New edition, required). A duplicating laboratory notebook with numbered pages is also required. These lab notebooks will be sold by the Chem Club during first lab or they may be purchased at the Bookie.
Do I need a molecular model kit?
You will not be required to purchase a model kit for Chemistry 105.
Where can I get help with labs and homework?
Fulmer 401: Your course TA's will hold office hours in Fulmer 401. Any TA present can help you with questions. Office hours are posted on the course website and outside of Fulmer 319A.
Tutoring: Gannon/Golds Dorm Lobby will have free tutoring in the evenings. The schedule will be posted with the TA office hours.
Instructor Email: Instructors may be contacted by email using chem.105@wsu.edu
TA Email: Lab TAs may be contacted by email using their respective section numbers. The email addresses are Chem.105.##@wsu.edu. Use your section number in place of ## and remember to add a zero in front of single digit section numbers (e.g. to email a TA in lab section 4, you would email Chem.105.04@wsu.edu). Please use this email for specific questions or problems.
Chemistry 105 will also have a Virtual TA for Spring 08.
Virtual TA: Shivnath Mazumder will be available to answer your technical questions over email (chem.105.ta@wsu.edu). He will also be trained to help you with your OWL homework as well as questions pertaining to your assigned worksheets. He will be answering questions on a regular basis with a minimum turnaround of 24 hours. Again this is a valuable resource for you so please use it.
Why Must I Use a WSU email address?
Under university policy, and for secure transfer of information, this is the only address that instructors and staff are allowed to use when contacting students. Policy prevents instructors and staff from using your personal email address.
Here are the instructions:
Go to http://my.wsu.edu
Under “MY TOOLS”
Choose “my profile”
Under “ADDRESS AND EMAIL”
Choose Create my Connect!account
Lab FAQ
Do I need to attend lab the first week of class?
Yes! You must attend the lab so we can have record of your attendance. Our classes are very full and if you do not attend the first lab you will be automatically disenrolled from the course to make room for students on the waiting list.
How will I know what room to go to for my lab?
Your schedule will show a section number indicating the lab in which you are enrolled. There will also be a room assigned to every lab. You can also find this room assignment posted on the course website under the Lab Information Folder and on a bulletin board outside of Fulmer 319A.
All the Chemistry Labs that I want are full. What should I do?
You must attend the lecture and lab section that fits your schedule. The TA will provide a lab section request form where you may indicate the lab section in which you would prefer to be placed. You must return this form to the TA. You should also regularly check my.WSU (http://my.wsu.edu) to determine if your desired lab section has an opening. If you find an open seat - enroll as that will guarantee your seat.
What if I am enrolled in one lab but want to switch to another lab?
Our first priority is to accommodate students who are not yet enrolled in a lab section. If you are already enrolled in a lab section but want to change sections, you must first drop the lab in which you are currently enrolled. You must then complete a lab sections request form provided to you in during the first week’s lab. If there is an opening in the lab section to which you want to move, we will try and accommodate your request. Continue checking your schedule for lab section changes.
I have previously completed the Chem 105 labs and would like to be excused from retaking lab this semester. How may I do that?
You must have earned at least an 80% in the prior Chem 105 lab in order to be excused. See Nikki in Fulmer 319A to find out your prior lab score and get permission. If you are excused from Chem 105 lab you will be reimbursed for current lab fees. WSU Accounts Payable usually takes about 6 weeks to reimburse the fees.
How do I go about making up a lab?
You must make-up the lab within the week that you missed. Example: If you miss Tuesday lab it has to be made up by Thursday of that week. Please remember that there are no Monday or Friday labs. In order to schedule a lab make-up, see Nikki in Fulmer 319A.
What if I am unable to make up the lab within the week I miss?
For a legitimate excuse (example: hospitalization) that is approved by your instructor, that lab may be dropped and the other labs weighted more heavily to make up for the dropped lab. You are only able to do this one time and must get special permission by the instructor.
When do labs begin & where do we meet?
All labs will meet the first week of class. Check your schedule to determine your lab section number and then look on the course website under Lab Information to determine your lab location. Go to your lab directly the first week.
What are the laboratory report requirements?
Beginning the second week of the semester, all labs will start with a brief tutorial. You are required to complete a brief pre-lab report in advance of attending the tutorial. A pre-lab report is required for the first lab. An example pre-lab report is provided on the course website under the Lab Information folder. You should re-write this example pre-lab in your own words. You will also be responsible for a post lab report and an example is also on the course website.
Do I need to purchase a lab manual, safety goggles, and lab coat?
You must purchase a Chemistry 105-106 lab manual, ISBN number 978-0-89863-299-6. You are not required to purchase and use a lab coat. Students and TAs are required to wear splash goggles. No impact glasses or woodworking goggles are allowed by policy. Both goggles and lab coats can be purchased at The Bookie. In addition, the Chem Club sells lab coats and goggles at a reduced price. More information regarding the Chem Club sales will be given at the beginning of the semester.