problem sets, on-line homework (Mastering Chem, Aleks, Sapling) etc

[robert zellmer]

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned the following in class, on my
webpage or previous e-mails.  However, I've still received
a couple of questions about whether there will be "problem
sets" in 1250 or online homework exercises. I do not use
(assign problems from) Mastering Chemistry, Aleks, Sapling,
etc. or collect problems for a grade or extra credit.  I know
some instructors do.  My belief is,  if you do ALL the assigned
homework problems (and then a few 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 most 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 ultimately it comes down to you being
responsible enough to do the proper things.

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


      _*Chemistry 1250 - Sp18
      *_ <http://chemistry.osu.edu/%7Erzellmer/chem1250/chem1250.htm>

Once there you will see links for "Homework". Click on the
appropriate link for the edition of the textbook you're using.
What you will find are the end-of-chapter problems you should
do.

Just looking at the solutions (mine or the publishers) is NOT the
same as YOU doing the homework problems.  YOU must be
able to do them on your own in a reasonable amount of time.
Chem 1250 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
2.5-3 hours EVERY DAY in order to do well.  You should be
spending about 18 hours per week (sometimes less, sometimes
more) on the lecture material (and 3-4 on lab to prepare for one
lab and write the report).  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 4-6 sections 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 only have Thursday/Friday lecture material for the weekend.
You should be done with ALL the assigned sections and homework
for the week by Saturday or Sunday, except for the Integrative Exercises.
These often require knowledge from multiple sections or chapters(wait
and do these after finishing the chapter).  Read about how to study for
this class at the following link,

*Studying Methods - 1250* 
<http://chemistry.osu.edu/%7Erzellmer/studying/studying_1250.txt>

As stated in a previous e-mail, to help yourself keep up, learn the
material and remember it you need to do things more than once.
Each week pretend you have a quiz covering the material from the
previous work.  Pick a day for the pretend quiz.  If you had a quiz
each week you would review the material the quiz would cover and
do some more EOC homework problems the day before.  In this
case you can do it the day before your pretend quiz or the day you've
chosen for your pretend quiz.

This class is quite a bit tougher than most, mainly because we move
very quickly.  Most of you have probably seen most of the material
in chapters 1-10 in high school, but not all and not at the same
level we will be covering it.  Most of you will not have not seen most
of this material beyond chapter 10, and 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 do not see in high school or
in other classes.

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 1250 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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