Dr. Vaughan's chemistry 1a class

Chemistry 1a is the first semester of college-level general chemistry. Some of the things we should cover in this course include:

• macroscopic tools and principles,
• stoichiometry,
• reaction patterns,
• thermochemistry,
• fundamental atomic structure,
• electronic structure,
• periodic behavior,
• theories of bonding (VSEPR, valence bond, and MO theory),
• molecular structure and macroscopic sequellae seen in the states of matter,
• intermolecular interactions in solutions,
• an introduction to acid/base chemistry,
• and fundamental concepts of equilibria.

Stuff you will need

includes the following:

• Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics, 4th Edition (2008) by Spencer, Bodner, and Rickard
• Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry, 4th Edition (2008) by Moog and Farrell

Additionally, people will be required to set up an ALeKS account (www.aleks.com), and register for this course within their system. The course code for our course is W4FYV-EVKCC. I STRONGLY recommend that you immediately set this up once you are in the class (see below if you are on the waitlist). ALEKS will assess you the first time through to see what level you are at currently, and set up a program individualized for your knowledge level. ALEKS will be very time consuming and intensive for at least the first month. It serves as our primary homework medium. Do not procrastinate.

Last but not least you will need to purchase an iClicker. This is available at the bookstore and online. Having one the first day will help you!!

Are you hoping to get in??

If you are on the waitlist let me explain my policy so you can judge whether you should begin to get books or not.

The first day I will drop any registered student who does not show within about the first 60 minutes of class. People will then roll into those spots (if any). After that, I will add another 3 people, for a total of 27 in the course. I may allow 2 more people to "ride along" for 2-3 weeks in hopes of others dropping out, but these riders have no guarantee that they will get in--they will be asked to leave if nothing opens up within those first few weeks.

For the first 3 people on the waitlist, the above translates to "You ARE in the course." Other people have to wait and see.

Our main page online

Any questions?? Email me! My address is below. See you in class! :)

An important point many people don't realize is the need to reload (or refresh) a web page they constantly visit. Your browser may keep an old ("cached") copy and show that to you instead, when you go back to the site. This can cause problems since you might not see new additions on the web site.

Contacting me...

1. email me,
2. call me at 395-4243,
3. stop by during office hours,
4. or come by during lab periods. See my schedule for these times.

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Last updated 08/17/2010