Introductory Chemistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why should I take your course?
You may have enrolled in this course because it is a requirement for your academic program. I hope that over time you will be convinced that it has great value for you, both because of the relevance it should have to your life, and also because chemistry is just a fascinating subject.
I happen to believe that many people are put off of chemistry because they don't see the relevance of it to their lives. Somehow many of us learn to live in a world full of chemical products (synthetic fabrics, polymers used to make shoes and sports equipment and to package our food, and pharmaceuticals just to name a few) without really knowing much at all about what they are. How can we NOT be curious about this stuff? Perhaps because at some point many of us have internalized the message that understanding these materials is difficult, is not for amateurs, and does not lead to a richer or improved life. But consider this:
Knowing chemistry can help you make smart choices as a consumer. Which is better--paper or plastic bags? cotton or synthetic fabric? an aluminum bike or a steel frame? Batteries or using gasoline to power a car? Ethanol or biodiesel?
Understanding chemistry allows you to link the properties of substances to their makeup. You can learn the structural reasons why oil and water don't mix, or why some substances smell strongly while others do not. It is fun to understand these things and will make you look at the world a little differently!
Biochemistry, a branch of chemistry, is the link between physiology and chemistry. Knowing some biochemistry will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of how our bodies function, how drugs work, why we eat what we do and the etiology of disease. If you are interested in health, your understandings are limited if you never venture into this field.
Some knowledge of chemistry will make you a better citizen. Many political and social issues involve impacts on environmental and biological systems. Many of these issues involve the production of chemicals or their handling and disposal into the environment. Even if you do not study a particular issue during class, having some background in the broader subject will help you know how science informs decision-making. For instance, what substances are sprayed on roads to de-ice them in the winter? Do these substances have potential impacts on the environment? What are the alternatives?
Chemistry can also simply be fun. Really. If you have ever enjoyed anything purely because the puzzle-solving aspects of it appeal to you, then I hope you will also become fond of the subject because it works for you on that level.
Q. What is your teaching style?
I like interaction. I like dialog, I like questions. I also like to explain things, especially if my explanation “turns the lights on” for a student. I do have a set of concepts that I expect we will deal with through the term, but my hope is that we wrestle with the material at a pace and difficulty level that feels challenging but not impossible to you.
If you get to feeling like the course is not going this way, please speak up and I will do what I can to help.
Q. I am trying to get into a really competitive program. How do I earn an “A?”
Of course any student who is strongly motivated to earn a good grade should be diligent about doing their work, reading what is assigned, and working hard to do well on their written work. That much is pretty obvious. I am convinced that my truly exceptional students do some other things, though, too. As a group, they:
interact frequently and meaningfully with their peers about the material, offering help when they can but also asking questions and pursuing a deeper understanding.
make extensive connections between different ideas in the course, so that the material comes together for them as a whole body of knowledge rather than a huge set of separate facts.
seek ways to apply what they know outside the classroom, so that concepts they learn are reinforced by their outside experiences.
maintain a focus on learning the material rather than earning points or impressing anyone (the instructor or their peers) in the class.
If we can build a strong sense of community in the course, where we are all interested in the progress of the entire group, we will on average learn more, suffer less, and have more fun.
Q. What are the best ways to get my questions answered, if I am having trouble or if I just need to tell you something?
In person. This is especially useful if you either have something that is not easily explained or if you have something that is at all sensitive. I may ask you to see me in person if you send me an email that suggests a face-to-face conversation would be the best way to deal with an issue. If I do this you will need to make time to actually come and see me. The down side of face-to-face interaction is that it requires us both to be available at the same time. That means we may need to schedule and appointment, and there may be some delay before we can talk.
Telephone. I may be able to handle your concern immediately if you call. If I can not, we can schedule a telephone appointment which might be convenient and effective for us. Note that if I am engaged in a personal conversation in my office I will not pick up the phone. If you call and I do not answer it may be that I am right here, but unable to respond. In that case please leave a message for me and I will call you back. Campus phones do not have caller ID, so please please please leave a call-back number!
Email. Email is a very easy way to get information passed, but it is not good for detailed exchanges that require lots of description. If you just have something you need to notify me about, this is a great way to contact me. If you want to discuss something it may not be the best option. One good thing about email, though, is that writing out your question or concern forces you to focus and identify the problem. This in itself can be helpful. If you write me email, be prepared for an email response from me. I generally respond to emails within 24 hours and check my email before I leave at the end of the day. I do not respond to emails during my personal time.
Twitter. I am establishing a twitter feed as a notification system for our class. It is not mandatory that you follow it, but it may be helpful. I'm new to this medium so I am happy to get suggestions about how make effective use of it.
Facebook? Nope. If you are a current student I will not accept friend requests from you. My identity on FB is primarily personal, and when I am there I am not an agent of the college. Please respect this boundary.
Q. I'm new to the College and am feeling a little disoriented. Help! I don't even know what to ask.
First, I want you to know that this is a very supportive place, and we are here to help you. Don't hesitate to ask anyone who is working for the college if you need anything. With that said, I do think there are some particularly useful places to go to find information. They are:
the CAP center, which is home to tutoring, career and personal counseling services. Tutors are not just for students who struggle to pass courses. They also help C students get Bs, and B students get As. At COCC this service is free. Similarly, career and personal counselors are not just for people who feel completely on the edge. They can help you build your resume, figure out what sorts of non-nursing people work at hospitals, and they also can help you work at establishing and maintaining a healthy work-school-life balance. These folks also are great at helping you find others who can be of assistance if your needs are beyond their abilities to meet.
BEC, or Boyle Education Center, is the place where you pay your bills and find Financial Aid. The people who work the front line at Boyle also are experts on navigating the college and can be a great resource. Don't hesitate to contact them for your questions about how to navigate this place.
Computer lab tutors can be very knowledgeable and are easy to access for computer help.
Every department has an office and an administrative assistant. For questions about paperwork, course requirements, etc., they can be a good first place to go. Every department also has a faculty department chair who is the person to go to with concerns about faculty teaching your classes, if you have been unsuccessful communicating with your instructor about the issue.
If you ever feel physically unsafe, the campus has Security personnel and a pager system so that you can find them in a hurry. Security numbers are posted by the doors of any classroom as well as around the buildings, and those striking red poles placed on upper campus and by the library also link you to Security. I think they will escort you to your car if you are afraid to go on your own.
If you feel overwhelmed by your school or personal situation, you can call 211 to find a whole range of public services, from food banks to immediate access to counselors.
The college web site has quick access to a telephone directory and Academic Calendar, one mouse click from the home page. A campus map is here. The final exam schedule can by found on the Academic Calendar page.