Chemistry 350 Organic Chemistry I
Course Orientation
Course Materials
Chemistry 350: Organic Chemistry I is taught using a combination of online material, laboratory work, and academic support.
Chemistry LibreTexts (part of STEMWiki Hyperlibrary UC). Davis, CA: University of California, Davis, 2017. (online)
Chemistry 350: Organic Chemistry I Study Guide. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University, 2017. (online)
Chemistry 350: Organic Chemistry I Course Orientation. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University, 2017. (online)
Chemistry 350: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Manual. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University, 2009/12. (PDF)
Chemistry 350: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory Report Book. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University, 2012-2014. (PDF)
Other Items
The items listed below are not supplied; you should purchase them before you begin to work on the course. You will need
an electronic calculator capable of handling logarithms and exponentials.
Note: Remember to take your calculator with you whenever you write an examination or attend a laboratory session.
- a lab coat. You will not be allowed to attend lab sessions without one.
- the digital or analogue method of your choice for note-taking (e.g., lab notebook, pencil, etc.)
Forms
The Forms you may require are available through the myAU portal.
Course Design
The course materials are designed for self-instruction and individualized study. What you should learn and how you should learn it are described in the Study Guide.
The Study Guide units follow numerically the chapters in the LibreText, which is your course textbook. Each unit contains a preview, a list of learning objectives and a series of sections (also corresponding to the LibreText). Let us look at exactly what you can expect to find under each heading.
Unit Preview
This is an outline of what you can expect in the relevant chapter of the LibreText.
Unit Objectives
These are the overall learning objectives that we expect you to be able to fulfill when you have finished studying the unit.
Topic Sections
These form the bulk of each unit. Most topics contain the following features:
a list of objectives, which may be one of the most valuable features of the Study Guide, because they tell you explicitly what you need to understand and to be able to do. While questions on the examinations and assignments are based on the unit objectives, be aware that you will be required to demonstrate your mastery of a number of related objectives, so do not place too narrow an interpretation on each.
learning activities, mainly readings and exercises in the LibreText, designed to improve your understanding of the material and develop your problem-solving skills. The best way to learn organic chemistry is by doing lots of practice exercises. Refer to your notes and to the LibreText when you attempt the exercises. Do not spend a large amount of time on any one exercise. If you are unable to make any progress after a few minutes of concentrated work, consult the solutions provided.
There are two (2) assignments in this course. These assignments contribute to the overall mark that you will obtain for the course (see the “Assessment” section of this document).
Units 1 and 2 have entry-level tests designed to determine your mastery of the fundamentals. If you obtain a high score on the test in one of these units, you may proceed immediately to the next unit.
Self tests are given at the end of Units 5, 8, 9, 11, 14 and 16. These tests are designed to allow you to measure your progress in the course—they are not a comprehensive overview of the material, nor are they at the same level of difficulty that you will encounter in the midterm and final examinations. If you have difficulty with any self test, you should go back and review the material before going on.
Sample examinations are provided in the “Assessment” section of the homepage.
The LibreText contains most of the information you will need to pass this course. It offers clear explanations and interesting discussions of the material we wished this course to cover. One of the advantages of using a wiki is that it includes some discussion of a number of advances made in organic chemistry during the last decade. The chapters contain key terms and study notes that may include hints on how to study the material effectively, problems, exercises, and some review material.
A set of molecular models will assist you in understanding the stereochemical aspects of the course. Molecular models can be used during examinations. If you cannot obtain a set, one may be ordered from the Athabasca University Library.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- use structure, including conformation and stereochemistry to recognize and designate (e.g. R/S or E/Z) stereochemistry and explain the reactivity and stability of an organic molecule.
- explain the roles of nucleophiles, electrophiles, electronegativity and resonance in organic reactions.
- use physical data (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy) to elucidate organic structure.
- name and draw skeletal structures of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, organohalides, and conjugated and aromatic compounds.
- design syntheses of organic molecules involving the compounds you drew for Learning Outcome 4.
- draw key reaction mechanisms involving those same compounds and/ or predict the outcome of reactions based on your understanding of the mechanisms you have drawn.
- apply the basic techniques for the preparation, purification and identification of organic compounds in the organic chemistry laboratory.
Study Strategies
Chemistry 350 is a three-credit course that must be completed within six months of your official start date. This may seem like a long time, but procrastination can rapidly put you in a difficult position. We suggest you start right away by establishing a study schedule. The Faculty of Science & Technology−Student Success Centre (fst_success@athabascau.ca) can help you.
Most of the material in Units 1 and 2 is a review of the topics covered in a typical university-level general chemistry course. Each unit has an entry-level test to help you quickly determine if you need to complete the unit or skip onto the next unit. How quickly you proceed through the units will depend on your background in general chemistry. If it is good, you should be able to complete these two units in less than a week. If not, the extra time you may have to put in could affect your chances of completing the course within the normal six-month contract period. If you find yourself having trouble with Units 1 and 2, contact the Student Success Centre right away.
At a traditional university, this course would normally be spread over one semester and take about 12–13 weeks to complete. If you wish to attain this rate, follow the 13-week study schedule shown in the “Course Outline and Study Schedules” section of this Course Orientation. If you wish to proceed at a slower rate, refer to the 18- and 24-week schedules when you plan your own personal study schedule. Should unforeseen circumstances put you in a position where you cannot complete the course in six-months, consult the Athabasca University Calendar for current regulations about extensions. Be sure to do so well before the end of your course contract to ensure that you meet any deadlines.
Although the amount of time students will need to spend on the course depends on a variety of factors, those intending to complete the course in 13 weeks should be prepared to spend at least nine (9) hours each week working on it. You may need to take additional time when you have laboratory reports to write, or when you are reviewing for an examination. We suggest that you begin Unit 1 now. As you work through it, make a note of any questions you have on content, study procedures, and so on. Then, before you go on to the next unit, contact your academic expert to clear up these questions. Remember that regular study habits can be a major contributing factor to your ultimate success in this course.
Course Outline and Study Schedules
The table below gives a brief course outline and suggests the amount of time you should spend on each unit for 13-, 18- and 24-week schedules.
Note: Students who are receiving financial assistance may face special time constraints. Please check your course registration for any restrictions on the length of registration, and be prepared to adjust your schedule.
| Unit number and title | 13-week schedule |
18-week schedule |
24-week schedule |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Structure and Bonding | Week 1 | Week 1 | Week 1 | ||||
| 2 | Polar Covalent Bonds: Acids and Bases | Week 1 | Week 1 | Week 1 | ||||
| 3 | Organic Compounds: Alkanes and Their Stereochemistry | Week 1 | Week 1 | Week 2 | ||||
| 4 | Organic Compounds: Cycloalkanes and Their Stereochemistry | Week 2 | Week 2 | Week 2 | ||||
| 5 | Stereochemistry at Tetrahedral Centres | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | ||||
| 6 | An Overview of Organic Reactions | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | ||||
| 7 | Alkenes: Structure and Reactivity | Week 3 | Week 5 | Week 6 | ||||
| 8 | Alkenes: Reactions and Synthesis | Week 4 | Week 6 | Week 7 | ||||
| 9 | Alkynes: An Introduction to Organic Synthesis | Week 5 | Week 7 | Weeks 8/9 | ||||
| 1–9 | Review for Midterm Examination | Week 6 | Week 8 | Week 10 | ||||
| 10 | Organohalides | Week 7 | Week 9 | Week 11 | ||||
| 11 | Reactions of Alkyl Halides: Nucleophilic Substitutions and Eliminations | Week 7 | Week 10 | Week 12 | ||||
| 12 | Structure Determination: MS and IRS | Week 8 | Week 11 | Weeks 13/14 | ||||
| 13 | Structure Determination: NMRS | Week 9 | Weeks 12/13 | Weeks 15/16 | ||||
| 14 | Conjugated Compounds and UV Spectroscopy | Week 10 | Week 14 | Weeks 17/18 | ||||
| 15 | Benzene and Aromaticity | Week 11 | Week 15 | Weeks 19/20 | ||||
| 16 | Chemistry of Benzene Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution | Week 12 | Week 16 | Weeks 21/22 | ||||
| A Brief Review of Organic Reactions | Week 13 | Week 17 | Week 23 | |||||
| 1–16 | Review for Final Examination | Week 13 | Week 18 | Week 24 | ||||
The table below allows you to plan a personalized study schedule. Begin by filling in the first few units, and keep track of how long each unit is taking you. Once you have done the first few units, you should be able to come up with a realistic schedule for the rest of the course. You may wish to print the schedule and display it in a prominent place, to help you keep track of your progress.
| Unit or event | Action needed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | ______________ | Book your lab Complete entry-level test. |
||
| Unit 2 | ______________ | Complete entry-level test. | ||
| Unit 3 | ______________ | See below, “Note 1.” | ||
| Unit 4 | ______________ | |||
| Unit 5 | ______________ | Complete first self test. | ||
| Unit 6 | ______________ | |||
| Unit 7 | ______________ | |||
| Unit 8 | ______________ | Complete second self test. | ||
| Unit 9 | ______________ | Complete third self test. Complete Assignment 1. |
||
| Midterm Examination | ______________ | |||
| Unit 10 | ______________ | See below, “Note 2.” | ||
| Unit 11 | ______________ | Complete fourth self test. | ||
| Unit 12 | ______________ | |||
| Unit 13 | ______________ | |||
| Unit 14 | ______________ | Complete fifth self test. | ||
| Unit 15 | ______________ | |||
| Unit 16 | ______________ | Complete Assignment 2. | ||
| Review | ______________ | Complete sixth self test. | ||
| Final Examination | ______________ |
Note 1: Check “Applying for and Writing Examinations,” in the online Student Manual, and note, on your schedule, the date by which you must apply to write the midterm exam.
Note 2: Check “Applying for and Writing Examinations” and note, on your schedule, the date by which you must apply for the final exam.
Assessment
The assessment of students in this course is based on examinations, assignments, and laboratory work. To obtain credit for Chemistry 350, you must
- obtain an overall (composite) mark of at least 50%.
- achieve at least 45% on each of the two examinations.
- obtain an average of at least 60% on the assignments.
- achieve an average of at least 55% on the laboratory work.
| Component | Material covered | Percentage of total mark |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midterm examination (2 hours) | Units 1–9 | 20% | ||
| Final examination (3 hours) | Entire course | 50% | ||
| Assignments | Following Unit 9 and Unit 16 | 10% | ||
| Laboratory work (32 hours) | 20% | |||
| TOTAL | 100% |
All examinations are supervised and “closed-book.” However, you will be supplied with a periodic table and a list of appropriate data (constants, spectral data, etc.).
Remember: You must be sure to have your own electronic calculator and molecular models with you when you write an examination.
Note that while the emphasis of the final examination is on Units 10–16, you are still responsible for the material covered in Units 1–9.
If you are not satisfied with the mark you obtain on your first attempt at an examination, you may apply to rewrite that exam. (There is a fee for this service.)
The following hints may help you to write examinations successfully.
- Write only when you feel adequately prepared, after you have successfully completed the relevant assignments.
- Remember that the examination is based on the objectives outlined in the Study Guide. Many of the questions will be similar in format to those given in the assignments.
- For short-answer questions, do the ones that you find easiest immediately. This strategy has two benefits. First, you can more quickly accumulate enough marks to pass the examination. Second, you gain confidence to tackle the harder questions.
- For numerical problems, show your work! Part marks will be given for correct methods even if your answer is incorrect. The answers to numerical problems must be given to the correct number of significant figures and, where appropriate, with the correct units. If not, marks may be deducted.
Laboratories
You must complete about 32 hours of laboratory work to obtain credit in this course. Labs are typically held in concentrated multiple-day sessions during the year. Please consult the Organic Chemistry Lab Schedules for this year’s times and locations.
To attend a scheduled laboratory session, fill in the Lab Booking Form. You will find information about the laboratory program and the experiments to be carried out in the Laboratory Manual (see PDF on course homepage). Note that your lab work accounts for 20 per cent of your overall mark in the course. You must satisfactorily complete and write up a specified minimum number of experiments to obtain credit for this course.
For Lab Inquiries, email sciencelab@athabascau.ca.
Lab Exemptions: https://www.athabascau.ca/science-and-technology/resources/centre-for-science/labs/chemistry-labs.html
Lab Resources: https://www.athabascau.ca/science-and-technology/resources/centre-for-science/labs/chemistry-labs.html#organicchemistry
Note: Proof of WHMIS certification is required before you can sign up for the lab?