CHM2041 Summer '98
Mission Statement

Our goal is the enjoyment of discovery. Discovery of the structure and behavior of the world around us. We do this because knowledge is power. We do this because the understanding of nature reveals its beauty. We do this because we are in a time when others manipulate our environment without complete knowledge of the consequences of their actions. We do this because we are curious. We do this because ancient humans toiled log and hard to master this science and they have conveniently left us a record of their results. We do this because chemistry is a required course for our major.
We are an unusually small section of CHM2041 this semester and therefore enjoy certain advantages over other offerings of the course. We will all meet together, at the same time and place, twice a week, to go over in exact detail the material that the ancients have left for us to learn. We will get to know them, one another, and some Science, together. You can learn from each other, you can learn from the textbook, you can learn from me, and you can learn from experiment. Learn.
Notable differences exist in the operation of this course as compared to other General Chemistry courses you may have taken at the University of Florida. Because we can physically meet all at once, we will have our exams during the lecture period, as opposed to evenings. The exams will not be machine graded; they will be graded by hand by your teaching staff. This allows us to avoid multiple choice exam questions. The exams will be challenging and fair, but not impersonal.
We will follow the textbook content but not in Chapter order (the Chapter order we will use is: 6, 13, 14, 15, 5, 17). Lecture presentation of the material is not significantly from that found in the textbook but will contain far less content, for lectures are just a few hours a week. You should read your textbook twice as much as the time you spend in class. Profit from discussion of the material with your TA and fellow students in your Discussion Section. You will need to work at least 2 hours more than all this on the assigned homework, and working additional problems from your text is advised. This all adds up to a lot of time a week (about 12 hours). Don't short change this course by spending less time on it than this. It will just make you unhappy.

My advice, to help you succeed in this endeavor:
  • Read your Textbook
  • Stay ahead of the lectures in your reading
  • Read your Textbook
  • Work the homework problems by yourself, without the aid of an answer book
  • Don't fall behind
  • Wear sunscreen
  • Read your Textbook
  • Floss
  • Read your Textbook
  • Talk to your Instructor, especially if you are confused
  • Stretch
  • Sing
  • Read your Textbook
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    • PJ Brucat // University of Florida