Virginia State University Chemistry & Society

1. Virginia State UniversityChemistry & Society GECH 119 Fall 2011 Dr. Victor Vilchiz

2. COURSE INTRO WHY CHEMISTRY? STUDY HABITS

3. Common Questions and Concerns • I am a _________ Major, why do I need to take chemistry? • I will never see chemistry once I am out of here… • Chemistry is not related to my field. • I hate Chemistry. • Chemistry Sucks.

4. I am a _________ Major, why do I need to take chemistry? • Chemistry studies the interaction of compounds or elements with one another. • All matter is made of compounds or elements. • Therefore, no matter what field you study, you will be affected by chemistry. • It affects your daily life as well.

5. I will never see chemistry once I am out of here… • WRONG • You shower • You drive • You eat • You dress • You write • You use your computer • You use your phone

6. 0 Chemistry is not related to my field • Even if you have a hard time accepting the fact that chemistry does affect your field, there are other reasons to take the class. • It is not just the material covered that you are here to learn • You are mainly here to develop your critical thinking mind.

7. 0 Chemistry Blows Chunks • It is not Chemistry you hate… • It is not Chemistry that sucks… REALLY, it DOESN’T it is the math associated with it that you dislike. it is the math that you think sucks

8. 0 RECIPE TO SUCCEED • THERE IS NONE!!! • There is no one set of things that I can tell you to do so you can succeed in this or any other course. BUT • There are things that if you do, then you are likely to fail.

9. Chemistry • Is chemistry hard? • Yes and No • Yes, only about 0.05% of the US population deals (works) in a chemistry related profession • No, it is not impossible. • I did it • A lot will depend on the attitude you have when you come in

10. Chemistry • Everything I make available to you is helpful and I hope that you take the time to use it. • This course is like a hiking journey • I am your guide… • I can come back and find you if you let me know you need help

11. 0 How Much time should I study? • It is advised that you spend at least 3-4hrs studying for each hour you spend in class. • For us… this means that you should study about 9-12hrs a week. • Remember this is a minimum (to get a C).

12. 0 My midterm grade is an F; now what? • Are you coming to class? • Are you reading before coming to class? • Are you spending the 9-12 hrs of study a week? • Are you studying right? YES there are right and wrong ways to study

13. 0 Improving your chance for success • First of all… you need to know what works for you. • Not everyone learns the same way. • There are 4 different ways of learning • Visual: You learn by looking at diagrams, pictures, flowcharts. • Auditory: You rather listen to a lecture than read notes • Reading: You rather sit in a quiet room and read the book than come to class. • Kinesthetic: You rather break machines figuring out how they work than read the manuals.

14. Under which one do I fall in? • Only you can answer that question. • You might be surprised how easy it is to figure it out. About 5 minutes • You only need to answer 10-15 questions. • Visit this website and take the quiz, you might be surprised by what you find out. • http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

15. Which is best? • The best method is simply the one that works FOR YOU • Unfortunately, I can not guarantee that my style of teaching will work for you, but at least I know there are some students that will need other means to learn.

16. Which is best? • Ideally you have more than one way of learning. • Unfortunately, you are to old to change the way you learn. • Answer the questions and do what you are advise and see if things are easier.

17. 0 GECH 119 • We cover about 13 chapters • This means a chapter a week • What do I make available to you? • Sample exams and checklists • Where can I find this information? • http://sest.vsu.edu/~vvilchiz/index.htm

18. What do I expect? • I expect you to be here everyday • On time • Read before you come to class • unlike other professors I assume you did • I will cover material the book does not and some material “out of order.” • There is a reason to my madness. • I write the exams not J & H • Study the material from the book but concentrate on class notes.

19. Web Communication • There is only one blackboard… • I use my own web page, checklists and links to old exams will be posted there. • DO NOT send me an email from your yahoo, gmail, hotmail, etc. account it will automatically go to the trash. USE YOUR VSU email account.

20. Grades • If you wish to talk about your grade in the class or an exam… come to my office. • I do not discuss grades over email, phone or during class. • If you think I made a mistake in grading your exam… • If I forgot my math I can fix it quick. If you think I need to regrade one question… go to the website download the regrade request …. READ IT then submit the exam (not the question) for regrade.

21. ExtraCredit • Extra Points are already built in… This is the last time we will discuss extra credit. • If there is EC it will be because I wanted it to be not because your grade needs a boost. • Extra Credit=Extra Work (for me) for you is a reward that you may not actually deserve.

22. Examinations • They have been scheduled. Do not ask for exemptions or special treatment. • Do not miss an exam unless you can afford a ZERO.

23. Absent? • Remember • 3 missed classes =1 letter grade. • 6 missed classes =2 letter grades. This is a 3 unit course for every 3 hours of class missed your grade goes down one letter.