2009/08/31

Periodic Table

Today we talked about the origin of the Periodic Table and element symbols.

For labs this week, you will be meeting in the following rooms. Bring your lab manuals, goggles and notebooks.

Wednesday 2:30pm (w/Marasinghe) SL118
Thursday 9:00am (w/Bodwin) BR263
Thursday 12:00pm (w/Marasinghe) SL118
Thursday 3:00pm (w/Bodwin) SL118

There is a new MC assignment posted, due the 8th.


2009/08/29

New Mastering Chemistry

There is a new Mastering Chemistry assignment posted, due Friday.

I wanted to add a couple notes here about MC policy/procedure:
1. MC assignments are due at 11:59pm on the due date.
2. Late assignments drop 50% per day.
3. I do not intentionally pre-list assignments. If a MC assignment is active and visible, it is something that we have already covered in class. That means when a new assignment is posted, you should look at it as soon as you have time. Don't wait until the day it's due!
4. As I mentioned in class, I intend to post shorter assignments often, rather than long assignments less frequently. That means that there will probably always be an active MC assignment.

See you all Monday.

2009/08/28

First Friday...

Today we dove into Chapter 2 and atomic theory, through Rutherford's gold foil experiment.

Jean has times set for SI, info is listed to the left <--. I would encourage you to attend if your schedule allows.

Have a good weekend, I'll see you all on Monday.

2009/08/26

Change, units, and approaching problems...

The bookstore has ordered more books and more MC access codes, I'm not sure when they'll arrive. If your finanacial aid and funding situation doesn't require you to use the MSUM bookstore, you can also purchase MC access directly from the publisher, and probably find a good deal on the textbook somewhere online.

Today in class we talked about physical vs. chemical changes, and then moved into some math including metric/SI units, unit conversions, and the problems solving strategy used in your textbook. As I said in class, the best thing you can do is to try and think about what a problem or calculation means and develop a reasonable and reasoned approach rather than memorizing a formula to plug in numbers.

If you didn't buy a lab manual and googles today, the Chem Club will be selling again before class on Friday. Manuals = $5; goggles = $5.


2009/08/25

Mastering Chemistry

For those of you who need to purchase a separate access code for Mastering Chemistry, you can purchase directly from the publisher. Go to www.masteringchemistry.com and click on the "New Students" button under "Register". That should get you to a page that asks if you have an access code with the options "Yes, I have an access code" or "No, I need to purchase access online now". The "No" option will ask you about purchasing an eBook, that cost extra so if you already have a textbook you will probably not want to use that option.

Again, the course ID is: C150F09JB

Good luck and see you tomorrow.


2009/08/24

Lab...

Also, Chem 150L will not meet this week, but lab manuals and goggles will be sold before class on Wednesday and Friday. Manuals are $5, goggles are $5, you will need both...

First day...

The semester has started!!

To sign up for Mastering Chemistry, you will need a course ID, it's listed on my web page, it is:
C150F09JB

Get signed up and look at those assignments as soon as you can.

Today in class we looked at a bunch of Chapter 1 info, we'll wrap that on Wednesday.


2009/08/22

Welcome to Fall 2009!

Welcome to Dr. Bodwin's General Chemistry blog for Fall 2009. Check back here for class announcements and information, including answers to questions I get via email. If you really want to dig in, you can check out the blog archive (at left) to see what was posted to the blog during last fall's Chem 150 class.

I will also post announcements on the blog for things that are not necessarily chemistry-specific. If you're involved in a campus organization/team and would like to me to post your event/performance/game, let me know.