General Remarks:

• During the COVID-19 Safe Return to Campus phase, this course will be offered online.  By doing so, we minimize chance interactions of coming into contact with others that might cause greater health concerns to our safety and well-being. The course will meet at the stated time, Eastern Standard Time zone, so those in other time zones need to make sure that you are present when the class is in session. 
• A Zoom Meeting link will be provided on Blackboard, which allows you access to enter the online class meetings each Tuesday and Thursday morning. 
• Lectures will be delivered using Explain Everything via my iPad Pro, which allows real time writing on a whiteboard, as well as previously captured figures and slides.    You do not have to download th  app in order to follow along.
• Familiarize yourself with Zoom, especially the Screen Share tool.      

• Trends in the periodic table will be discussed and the student should "FAMILIARIZE" himself/herself with the names, symbols and locations of the elements on the periodic table as soon as possible since periodic tables will not be allowed during examinations or quizzes.
• ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS COURSE ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF GMU's HONOR CODE POLICY. STUDENTS THAT COMMIT HONOR CODE VIOLATIONS AND/OR HAVE KNOWLEDGE, YET FAIL TO REPORT THE OFFENSE, WILL BE REPORTED TO THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

 

Blackboard Login Instructions:

• Access to MyMason and GMU email are required to participate successfully in this course.  Please make sure to update your computer and prepare yourself to begin using the online format BEFORE the first day of class.  Check the IT Support Centerwebsite.  Navigate to  the Student Support pageforo help and information about Blackboard.  In the menu bar to the left you will find all the tools you need to become familiar with this course.  Take time to learn each.  Make sure you run a system check a few days before class.   Become familiar with the attributes of Blackboard and online learning.

Technology Requirements:

• Hardware:  You will need access to a Windows or Macintosh computer with at least 2GB of RAM and access to a fast and reliable broadband internet connection (e.g., cable, DSL).  A larger screen is recommended for better visibility of course material.  You will need speakers or headphones to hear recorded content and a headset with a microphone is recommended for the best experience.  For the amount of Hard Disk Space required, when taking a distance educationcourse, condsider and allow for:
  1. the storage amount needed to install any additional software and
  2. space to store work that you will do for the course.

If you consider the purchase of a new computer, please go to Patriot Tech to see recommendations.

• Software:  Many courses use Blackboard as the learning management system (LMS).  You will need a browser and operating system that are listed compatible or certified with the Blackboard version available on the myMason Portal .  See supported browsers and operating systems.   Login to   myMason  to access your registered coursese.   Some courses may use other learning management systems.   Check the syllabus or contact the instruct for details.  Online courses typically use Acrobat Reader, Flash, Java, and  Windows Media Player, QuickTime and/or Real Media Player.   Your computer should be capable of running current versions of those applications.  Also, make sure your computer is protected from viruses by downloading the latest version of Symantec Endpoint/Anti-Virus software for free here. .
• Students owning Macs or Linux should be aware that some courses may use software that only runs on Windows.  You can set up a mac computer with Boot Camp or virtualization software so Windows will also run on it.  Watch this video about using Windows on a Mac.  Computeres running Linux can also be configured with virtualization software or configured to dual boot with Windows.

Note: If you are using an employer-provided computer or corporate office for class attendance, please verify with your systems administrators that you will be able to install the necessary applications and that system or corporate firewalls do not block access to any sites or media types.

 

Course-specific Hardware/Software

Check the syllabus for your course or contact the instructor prior to the start of the course to find out about specific technical requirements for your class. Hardware or software required for your course or program may be available for purchase at Patriot Computers (the University’s computer store that offers educational discounts and special deals).

 

Grading :

• The final grade in this course will be based on a percentage of points earned relative to total possible points. Listed below is the tentative point distribution for examinations, quizzes/homework assignments and the laboratory grade. However, an absolute grading scale cannot be determined until all scores have been compiled and evaluated. In order to optimize your overall performance use the following scale as a rule of thumb: 100-90% (A); 89-80% (B); 79-70% (C); <69% (D or F). DO NOT RELY UPON A "CURVE"; MAXIMIZE YOUR OVERALL PERFORMANCE IRRESPECTIVE OF A "CURVE".

• George Mason University does not dictate a grading scale. Instructors may determine cut off points for A, B, C, etc. The use of plus and minus grades for A, B, C is also at the instructor’s discretion.
• "Grading on a curve" is not mandatory.

• True letter grades cannot be assigned to exams during the course of the semester because students at the bottom tend to drop or withdraw from the class, thereby resulting in a shift of the average for the exam. Students that withdrew from the course, as well as those that stopped attending, will not be considered in the calculation of the overall average for the course at the end of the semester. 

• Extra credit work and/or assignments will not be entertained at the end of the semester because students failed to properly manage their time. 
    

Hourly Exams (3)	45%
In-class	10%
Quizzes, HW	20%
Final Exam (lecture)	25%%
Total	100%

 

• Exam Policy:

• Hourly exams: Three hourly exams will be given during the semester. All exam scores will be used in determining the final grade. Makeup exams will not be given.  Periodic tables will not be allowed during exams and quizzes.
• Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor will both be used during online administration of exams. You will be required to present your GMU Photo ID prior to starting the exam.  Baseball caps, hats and other items that cover the face are not allowed during the exam. The use of a periodic table of elements is also forbidden during hourly exams and quizzes.
• ALL cell phones and communication devices are to be turned off, properly secured and stored away BEFORE the exams begin. If a student is detected using a cell phone or other communication/electronic device during an exam, the student will receive an automatic "F" for the exam, since this is an honor code violation and the matter referred to the Office of Academic Integrity. The recommendation will be for the student to receive a grade of "F" for the entire course.  DURING NORMAL FACE TO FACE OPERATIONS---If another student observes the violation or has knowledge of the offense, yet fails to report it, he/she may also be accused of violating the honor code. Students should not place themselves in a position that appears to support collusion in the honor code violation activity. All parties will be referred to the honor committee with sanctions levied based on the number of offenses and judgements determined by the honor committee. Keep in mind at all times that GMU is an Honor Code university.
• Any form of cheating on the final exam will result in an automatic "F" for the course.
• Programmable calculators and electronic media storage devices are not allowed for exams---NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• • Final exam: The final exam will be cumulative.
  • Quizzes & Homework:   Quizzes and homework will be given during the semester that vary in point value. The objective of the quizzes is to "encourage" regular and timely review of the material being discussed, rather than waiting until the night before the hourly exam and attempting an all-nighter. 
  • REQUIRED HOMEWORK PROBLEM SETS will be graded. Those will be specified on Blackboard using McGraw-Hill's CONNECT program.
  • Students enrolled in this course must activate their GMU email accounts to receive important University information, including messages related to this class. I will only reply to email received from students that use their GMU email accounts.
  • If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see the instructor after contacting the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 703-993-2474.  All arrangements for academic accommodations must be initiated through that office.
  • As a faculty member and designated "Responsible Employee", I am required to report all disclosures of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, and stalking to Mason's Title IX Coordinator per university policy 1412.  If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact the Student Support and Advocacy Center (703-380-1434) or Counseling and Psychological Services (703-993-2380).  You may also seek assistance from Mason's Title IX Coordinator (703-993-8730;  titleix@gmu.edu )."
    

  Departmental seminars for Fall 2020 are held on Friday from 1:00pm-2:15pm.  Attendance is strongly recommended, especially for chemistry majors.  Senior chemistry majors should also consider registering for the undergraduate seminar course CHEM 490 to receive credit. 

   

  Chemistry and biochemistry majors should also consider joining the local student affiliate chapter of the ACS (GMU Chemistry Club) as well as ACS. 

  COS

  Resources

  Chemistry Links

   

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