Basic Information for General Chemistry

First-Year Chemistry at the University of Chicago

Successful completion of Chemistry 111-112-113 (Sections A or B) or Chemistry 121-122 prepares you for a variety of future options: a concentration in chemistry or another field of the physical sciences, a concentration in the biological sciences, or a premedical program. As a component of the Common Core, it also serves as a coherent introduction to the Physical Sciences for prepared non-science students. In selecting which of these courses to take, you should thus be aware that any of them keeps open all options.

If you have a weak high school background in math and science, we recommend Nat. Sci. 151-152-153 in the first year, followed by Chemistry 111-112-113 in the second. Sections A and B of Chemistry 111-112-113 cover the same topics in chemistry at about the same level, but in slightly different orders and with different organizing principles.

Grading policy: The course grades will be determined by the following weightings:

Tests 30%

Laboratory 35%

Final Exam 30%

Homework 5%

Satisfactory performance in both lecture and lab is required to pass the course. The median grades in Chemistry 121-122 are generally higher than in Chemistry 111-112-113. You will not typically improve your grade by dropping down, unless you are unprepared for the faster pace of Chemistry 121.

Laboratory: Laboratory reports are due one week after the lab is performed; late penalties will be applied after that and no labs will be accepted after a date that will be announced near the end of the quarter. All the labs must be completed and will contribute to the grade.

Tests: Three in-class tests will be given in each quarter on dates announced by the course instructor; the lowest one will be dropped in setting the final grade. No re-tests will be given; if you miss a test for any reason, you will need to count the other two. Thus, it is important to take every test seriously, in case something comes up later in the quarter that is beyond your control.

Final Exam: The final exam this quarter is at 8:00 a.m. on ###, June ###.

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No special or make-up exams will be given. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

Homework: Homework is due in class on the date set by the lecture instructor. No late homeworks will be accepted. The lowest homework score will be dropped in setting the final grade. Although the homework is only 5% of the grade, it is far more important than that in preparing you to take the tests.

Academic Honesty: You are encouraged to discuss homework and lab reports with other students, but to prepare your own work yourself. See the Laboratory Manual for a more thorough discussion of the distinction between collaborative learning and cheating on homework, lab reports, and tests.

Withdrawal from Course: Courses may be dropped (through your College adviser) until the end of fifth week. After that point, you may request and receive a grade of W at any point up to the beginning of the final exam. Such requests must be made in writing to the course instructor or the laboratory manager. Grades of Incomplete (I) are limited to students with written medical excuses.

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