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Chem 3361: Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors

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This lab course is for chemistry majors. Biochemistry majors are encouraged, but not required, to take this course. Non-chemistry majors can also take this course if they wish. This course meets twice a week and is worth 2 credit hours.

A large part of Chem 3361 is spent learning the theory behind and practicing the techniques of organic chemistry: chromatography, distillation, extraction, and crytallization. Since the labs meet twice as often as Chem 3321, this course goes into more depth and provides more practice in these techniques than does the non-majors course. Once the techniques are mastered, they are applied to study reactions in organic chemistry, including halogenation, nucleophilic substitution, epoxidations, preparation of alkenes, stereochemistry of alkene additions, and hydration of an alkyne. Both IR and NMR spectroscopy are studied and applied to the identification of unknown compounds. Two laboratory periods are devoted to working with molecular model sets to study nomenclature, conformational analysis, and stereochemistry.

The 3361 Lab Manual is titled "Experiments for Organic Chemistry, 3361, Fall 2006." It is sold in a shrink-wrapped package in the CU Bookstore. If you lose/forget/prefer not to purchase this Manual, you can use the PDF versions available online:

• 3361 Lab Manual

jump to:

• 3361 sections/TAs/rooms for Fall 2008
• required supplies and text
• grading
• missed labs
• dropping

Schedule, Fall 2008

Required Supplies and Text

• Experiments for Organic Chemistry, 3361, Fall 2008, by CU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Handbook for Organic Chemistry Lab, by CU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Carbon or carbonless laboratory notebook.
• Approved safety goggles (see Safety Guidelines in the Lab Manual).
• Rubber gloves (Playtex unflocked), available at the bookstore.
• Organic Chemistry Models (Molecular Design Inc.).

Optional:

• Organic Laboratory Techniques, 3nd Ed., by Fessenden, Fessenden, and Feist.

The texts in the above list as well as the lecture texts are available on reserve at the main circulation desk in the library.

Grading

Grading will be based on: your performances in the laboratory, prelab quizzes, lab notebooks, answers to molecular modeling and spectroscopy exercises, and the comprehensive quiz. The approximate breakdown of the grading scheme for 3361 is:

• Technique, 15%
• Prelab and Comprehensive Quiz, 25%
• Notebook: Prelabs, Write-ups, 30%
• Model Exercises, CAS Assignment, 15%
• Spectroscopy, 15%

The technique grade reflects the student's preparedness for the lab, neatness, efficiency, ability to perform the experiments, ability to use the equipment properly, the product purity, and (to a lesser extent) the product yield. Prelab quizzes cover assigned reading, procedures, and Lab Manual Study Questions. The comprehensive quiz will be held in-class during the lab period scheduled for check-out. Refer to pages 7-8 in the Manual for a description of what is to be included in the notebook.

Missed Labs

Unexcused absences will result in a grade of zero for the lab missed. No make-up labs will be allowed for unexcused absences. To have an absence excused, the student must:

• Phone the TA or the Lab Coordinator (492-8256, Voice Mail after 5 rings) before the lab starts.
• Bring the proper justification of the absence, e.g., a doctor's note.

Excused absences result in the averaging of the student's other lab grades and substituting this average grade for the lab missed. Missed labs must be made up if the student has missed more than 3 labs. To make up a lab, make arrangements with the Lab Coordinator. Students who cannot meet these requirements must either drop the course or obtain permission to take an incomplete.

Dropping

Students who do not attend the first laboratory session may be dropped from the lab and the lecture if necessary to allow other students to enroll in the course. You cannot drop the lab portion of organic chemistry without dropping the lecture, and vice versa.

Note: you are not automatically dropped from lab if you do not attend, you will only be dropped if your space is required. Do not assume you will be dropped for non-attendence; if you want to drop a class, it is your responsibility to drop it yourself.

Add deadlines:

• Sept 3 is the deadline to place your name on a course waitlist. After this date you will need an instructor’s signature to add a course.
• Sept 12 is the deadline to add a course.

Drop deadlines:

• Sept 10 is the deadline to drop a course without the instructor’s signature. After this date, you must obtain the instructor’s signature to drop a course. If you decide to drop the lab/lecture courses after this date, see the Laboratory Coordinator to check out of lab and receive a Special Action Form.
• Oct 8 is the deadline to drop a class without petitioning your dean.

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