Week 1 Ch 1 "The properties of gases"
Week 2 Ch 2 "The First Law: the concepts"
Week 3 Ch 2 "The First Law: the concepts"
Week 4 HOUR EXAM 1; Ch 3 "The First Law: the machinery"
Week 5 Ch 4  "The Second Law: the concepts"
Week 6 Ch 5  "The Second Law: the machinery"
Week 7 Ch 6 "Physical transformations of pure substances"
Week 8 HOUR EXAM 2; Ch 7 "The properties of simple mixtures"
Week 9 Thermodynamics of polymer blends
Week 10 Ch 9 “Chemical Equilibrium”
Week 11 Ch 24 “Molecules in motion”
Week 12 HOUR EXAM 3; Ch 25 “The rates of chemical reactions”
Week 13 Ch 26 “The kinetics of complex reactions”
Week 14 Ch 27, pt 1 “Reactive encounters”; Ch 28 “The properties of surfaces”
Week 15 Dynamics of phase separation in polymer thin films

Wednesday,  December 19, 2001,   12:00 noon - 2:00 pm - FINAL EXAM
 

                COURSE OBJECTIVES, PREREQUISITES AND GRADING

 The goal of this course is to expose the students to the main principles of modern
thermodynamics and chemical kinetics and their applications. The key points of both of these areas will
be illustrated with the examples of thermodynamics of polymer blends and the effect of formation of
meta-stable states in polymer thin films.  The Special On-Line Project (see below) is intended to
enhance creativity, team skills and independent thinking of the students, as well as their ability to
collaborate with peers via Internet in solving a real-life (and yet thermodynamical!) problem, the third
one in this course to further illustrate the richness of thermodynamics with another example.  During the
period of the Special On-Line Project at least one (sometimes two) lectures per week will be allocated
for the team work on the Project.  Each student is expected to develop a working knowledge of the
topics covered in the lectures and the textbook, to demonstrate some ability to work independently, and
to be able to solve the problems assigned in class and comparable exercises.

 Prerequisites: Math 241 and Physics 202 or consent of instructor.

  Students are expected to solve the homework problems independently. Students are expected to
remain current with the readings, and participation is expected in class through discussions and
questions. The grade will be dependent upon examinations (70%),  Special On-Line Project (10%), and
class participation (20%). There will be three regular examinations and a final comprehensive
examination, worth twice as much as the regular exam. Examinations will contain questions on the
theoretical material studied in class or assigned for the textbook reading, and problems similar to the
homework assignments and comparable exercises. No extra time will be given to those who are late,
and, generally, no make-up exams will be given. Any exceptions from this rule may come solely at the
instructor’s discretion. Bonus questions may appear on examinations at the discretion of the instructor.
Any student who gets 'A' (>92% of the max possible number of points) on the final exam gets the
maximal number of points for the first (examination) part of the grade.

Tentative grading scale (based on the maximal number of points =1000):

    >925 = A      900 - 924 = A-      875 - 899 = B+      825 - 874 = B
 800-824=B-     775 - 799 = C+      725 - 774 = C       700 - 724 = C-
 640-699=D+     600 - 639 = D       < 600 = F

A grade of “I” can be given only when a student is unable to complete the assigned work because of
reasons which are acceptable to the instructor, such as death in the immediate family, personal illness,
etc.  Reasons such as, “I have too much other work to do” are NOT acceptable excuses.

 Do not forget to bring a non-programmable calculator to the test/exam.  You may not share a
calculator with another person, since this is a way to pass answers to another person. If you forget your
non-programmable calculator, you will need to perform exam without one, and you still will be
responsible for correct numerical answers.  The use of programmable calculators at the tests/exams is
prohibited.

 If one is not satisfied with the grading of any test/exam question, it must be submitted to the
instructor for regrading within 3 days after the grades have been posted, with a written explanation of the
discrepancy.  Graded tests/exams can be reviewed in the instructor’s office during the office hours or by
an individual appointment.

     Attendance policy: From the instructor’s past experience, not attending even a small number of lectures
             usually drastically affects student’s performance in terms of both the exams and class
             participation, and therefore the final grade.  Attendance of lectures may be an important factor in
             assigning the final grade in borderline situations. If you are going to miss a lecture due to any
             reason, the instructor would strongly appreciate a prior notification. Attendance for the exams
             is mandatory.  If you miss the exam and you have a valid excuse (serious illness, death in family,
             etc.), contact the instructor as soon as possible.  If you miss the final exam with a valid excuse,
             contact the instructor well before the end of final exam week. Even in the case of notifying the
             instructor in time about a valid excuse, make-up exam may be given solely at the discretion of
             the instructor. Make-up exam(s), if scheduled, will not be easier than the regularly scheduled
             exam and will not contain bonus questions.

                         Policy on cheating:      A student caught cheating will receive a failing grade for the course.
                         University Policies:     see the handout.

1) DO YOUR HOMEWORK! It is absolutely essential for your success in this course. Chemistry is fun,- but only for the one who works hard. Even if the topic presented by the instructor seems to be absolutely clear - don't yield to this false sense of security! Thoughtful practicing, and practicing only, is the key for mastering this course. Solutions manual might be helpful as a last resort, but you will never learn how to solve problems unless you solve them. (Science is not poetry; memorization is far not enough!) Problems with math? - Look through your old calculus textbooks; ask the instructor for the additional handouts. For chemical kinetics part, you can use a short review on differential equations in the textbook by Atkins, page A19. Still have questions? - Don't hesitate to ask the instructor (office hours are given above).
 

2) Your learning can be greatly facilitated by the group discussions. Discuss your assignments and problems of interest with your classmates (not during the lecture, though). Discussion is the engine of science!
 

3) It's useful to briefly read the material before it is discussed at the lecture. Concentrate on the summary at the end of each chapter. This way, you will be able to focus on the main issues during the lecture.
 

4) I suggest you to write your lecture notes only on the right-hand side of your notebook, leaving the left-hand page blank. Then, at home, read the textbook and put the missed material and your comments on the blank side. Sometimes, the use of colored pens can be advantageous (to enhance your visual memory and pictorial thinking).
 

5) When you study for an exam, you should reach proficiency without looking into your notes or the textbook. (Only those numerical data and tables should be available that you are told by the instructor will be provided during the test). If you still need your textbook/notes, you are not ready for the test yet. Practice, and practice again!
 

6) You are smarter than you might think you are! At the exam, don't panic if you can't solve a problem immediately. Rather, go to another problem, return after a while and try again. Some problems are harder than others, some might need a rephrasing to make the solution obvious. Don't rely solely on your memory, trust your common sense, and don't be afraid to think!