Problems: Problems from the body of the text and in periodic problem set handouts should be solved by you alone!  You should make an earnest attempt to solve them before consulting your TA or by working in a study group.  There is no better way to prepare for the examinations than by working as many problems as possible.  They should be solved soon after coverage in lecture to improve your comprehension and retention of the material.

Quizzes: Although no lecture quizzes are scheduled, should attendance in any given class fall below 50%, a short quiz will be administered during that lecture.

Notes: Lecture notes and cribs for quizzes & exams can be obtained in the Chemistry Library.  Cribs may also be found on the bulletin board outside BRWN 4103.

Exams: There will be three Hour Exams (100 points each), a special project (100 pts) and a Comprehensive Final (200 pts).  Your grade for the course will be based on your point total out of a maximum 600 pts.  The lowest score from your exams (i.e. one of the Hour Exams or 1/2 of the Comprehensive Final) will be dropped prior to the final point tally.

Grading: 1. Lecture quizzes (as needed, 20 pts each) ???

2. Homework 100 pts

3. Hour Exams (3 x 100 pts) 300 pts

4. Special Project (100 pts) 100 pts

5. Comprehensive Final Exam 200 pts

6. Drop lowest exam (one Hour Exam or 1/2 Final) -100 pts

Total 1-6 600+ pts

Guaranteed Grade Cutoffs

(out of a total of 600 pts) A 540

B 480

C 420

D 360

F <360

NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN!  Excuses for missing an exam are ONLY those coming from the Dean‹s office.  Missing an exam for personal reasons, short-term illness or injury, field trips, etc. will not be excused.  In these cases, the missed exam will serve as your exam to be dropped.

Regrades: If you feel that a quiz or exam problem has been graded incorrectly, or that an addition error has been made, check the crib first.  If you still believe an error exists, bring the exam and a written statement of the error to Professor Lipton for regrading within two weeks of its return to you.  It should be noted that the entire exam/quiz will be regraded and the final score may be revised up or down.

Cheating: Any student found cheating will receive an F for the course.

Bottom Line

We are here to help you learn Organic Chemistry.  You are urged to consult with Professor Lipton or the Tas during their office hours or by appointment if you are having difficulties.  Since most students struggle with the volume, not the conceptual difficulty, of the course, the best way to succeed in Organic Chemistry is to commit 2 hours per day, every day, to learning the material.  Do not wait until the day or two before an exam to seek help if you are struggling!!!