problem sets, Mastering, etc.

[robert zellmer]

I'm getting a number of questions about homework, both the
MasteringChemistry on-line homework and the textbook homework.
There are instructions on Carmen for signing up for MC in
the MasteringChemistry module.  I think most of you have done
this by now. Much of what is below has already been enumerated
in class, my web page or e-mail.  I'm still getting questions though.

As I've mentioned multiple times, we are doing on-line homework
using MC.  I'm trying to limit this so as not to overwhelm you.
Overall this will contribute 7.5% of your course score.  All the various
types of on-line homework are always available to work on, even
past the due dates (although you won't get credit for anything done
after the due dates).

There are the DSM problems which *are* *for **credit*. To me they seem
to be easier than the end-of-chapter problems.  I would suggest you
work on these every day for a short while and get them done by they
due date.  You probably want to get them done before doing the
homework review questions (see below).

There are the tutorials which are *not for credit*.  I've tried to limit 
these
as well because I don't want someone getting "stuck" in these and
spending too much time.  They have due dates only to give you some
timetable for when to finish them.  These are NOT a substitute for
reading the textbook and critically analyzing the material.  Use these
if you're having trouble understanding the material and you can't find me
or a TA.  Whenever possible, it's best to see one of us in person for help.

There are homework review problems which are for credit.  There will
be around 20-30 of these.  These will be due usually the day of the
quizzes but that could change depending on circumstances.
However, this is *NOT* enough.

I've "assigned" end-of-chapter (EOC) problems from the book
which you will find on my class web page (not Carmen).  You do
not get credit for these.  However, it is of utmost importance you
do these.  If I see people are not doing as well as in the past I
will attribute that to people not doing the textbook assignments
and only the "review" problems. I may then decide to include
these EOC problems in the on-line homework for credit.
I would prefer not to since I want you using these to figure things
out and not be "afraid" of making a mistake or needing help from
someone or the solutions manual.  But you have to use the help
correctly and not lean it too much (i.e. don't just read the solutions
manual and think you know it).

In which order should you do these?  It doesn't really matter.  It
kind of depends on how things are going for you.  You get credit
for the on-line homework and do lose points for wrong answers.
Doing the book problems first might make the on-line homework
a little easier.  On the other hand the on-line homework does have
tutorials available and is often easier (but not always) than the book
problems.

Personally I would do the book problems first.  If you have trouble
you can peak at the solutions manual on Carmen for help (and
then do another similar problem).  That doesn't cost you anything.
These don't count for a grade so getting one wrong the first time
won't cost any course points.  By doing these first you should
already know the material pretty well before attempting the on-line
homework.  You can then use that kind of as a review before the
quiz each week.  It should go quicker and you can maximize your
points since you will have already done the book problems and
have a good idea of what to do.  I will say this again, doing just
the on-line homework isn't enough if you hope to do decently.
If you want to do really well you have to do a lot of problems and
of course understand what it is you're doing.

The on-line homework does have cutoff dates.  They are there to
try to force you to at least do some homework and not fall behind.
They are "flexible" and could change, maybe pushed back from
the due dates I'll show (doubtful I would make them sooner).
I keep stating how important it is not to fall behind and there are
many of you who have not started these problems.  Hopefully you've
started the EOC problems.

You would want to complete the MC stuff which apply to the
sections covered by a quiz before the quiz.  I'll let you know
which those are before the quiz.

My belief is,  if you do ALL the assigned homework problems
(and then some extra) AND understand what you are doing AND
understand the concepts in the book AND do things the proper
way (read the "How to Study" link) AND seek help when you
need it, you should be fine.   The problem is many people do NOT
do the proper things. I will treat you as adults and it's up to you to
be responsible enough to do homework and come for help.  I will
provide as much help as possible but it ultimately comes down to
you being responsible enough to do the proper things.

This would apply even w/o on-line homework.  We shouldn't have
to "force" you to do the work you need to do to learn the material.
You're here to learn and you do so by doing the work, not by simply
showing up to lecture and doing the minimum possible.

You can find the "assigned" EOC homework on the class web page,


      _*Chemistry 1220 - Su17
      *_ <http://chemistry.osu.edu/%7Erzellmer/chem1220/chem1220.htm>

Once there you will see links for "Homework".  Click on the
appropriate link for the edition of the textbook you're using
(that will be the 14th ed. for the vast majority of you).
What you will find are the end-of-chapter problems you should do.
I've listed the EOC problems as 2, 4, 6, etc.  For example, for the
Chapter 11 review material, this means 11.2, 11.4, 11.6 in the
EOC exercises.

Just looking at the publisher's solutions is NOT the same as
YOU doing the homework problems.  YOU must  be able to
do them on your own in a reasonable period  of time.  Chem
1220 involves lots of concepts and equations.  You need to
understand these concepts and truly understand the equations
(when and how to use them, what the eqns tell you about the
relationships between the variables in the eqns, etc.).  If you
attempt the homework problems I've assigned but can't do
them on your own or don't understand the concepts and eqns.
you should seek help from me and/or the TAs and then work
some more problems.  If you don't do this you won't do well
in the class.

You MUST keep up with what we are doing in class.  If
you are behind, even by one lecture's worth of material,
you will find it will be difficult to catch up and understand
things.  This is not a course you can put off for another
day.  You will need to spend 5-6 hours EVERY DAY in
order to do well.  You should be spending about 30 hours
per week (sometimes less, sometimes more) on the lecture
material and 3-4 hours on lab to prepare for one lab and write
the report and since there's two labs per week that's 6-8 hours
per week for lab.  Students often tell me (after failing the first
midterm) they spend a lot of time every week studying.  When I
ask for specifics I'm often told "a lot" is 6 or fewer hours
a week.  That won't work.  Always skim 1/2 a chapter ahead
in the book before class so that lecture will make a little more
sense.  You should then finish the sections in the textbook and
associated homework for sections covered in one lecture before
the next.  I generally follow the order of the sections in the book.
This way you are keeping up and the next lecture will make more
sense. You should be done with Friday lecture material by Saturday.
You should be done with ALL the assigned sections and homework
for the week by Saturday or Sunday.  Read about how to study for
this class at the following link,

*Studying Methods - 1220* 
<https://cbc-wb01x.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/%7Erzellmer/studying/studying_1220_summer.txt>

This class is quite a bit tougher than most, mainly because most
of you have not seen most of this material in high school and even
if you have probably not at the level of understanding we expect.
We cover a lot of conceptual things and that is often something
most students did not see in high school or in other classes.  Plus,
we are moving much faster than a normal semester.

You will be busy with this course.  It takes a lot of hard work
and effort.  It will be mostly up to you how much you learn.
Probably 90% of what you learn will be on your own with about
10% coming from me, both in  class and by you asking me
questions.  I'm always very willing to help and will help as much
as I can. You can always come by my office or e-mail me questions.
You will likely get a lot of e-mails from me throughout the semester.
When someone asks me a good question I usually send my answer
to the whole class (usually when there's one person with a question
there's probably several more with the  same question).  I will also
send answers to questions  I've received in previous years.  As a
matter of fact, the answers to some of those can be found at the
"Helpful Tidbits" link on the 1220 class web page (not Carmen).
Check this page and my other links for answers to your questions
before e-mailing me.  However, if you still don't understand something
do not be afraid to seek me out in my office or send an e-mail.

Dr. Zellmer
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