COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is a one-credit course on the topic of chemical literature.  It will serve to acquaint you with different sources of chemical information available and how to make the most of these sources.  Goals of this course include:

(1) learning the structure of scientific papers and how to read and discuss them effectively.
(2) learning how to find basic chemical information (properties, spectra, etc.) for individual compounds.
(3) learning to carry out a thorough literature search on a particular topic using a variety of chemical information databases.

The class web site will be used for posting class announcements and information.  In addition, I could have some links to web sites that I think are of interest or are useful for the class.

GRADING:

There will be no exams in this course, your grade will be based on:

(1) Homework assignments (number and frequency to be determined) (40%)
(2) Two journal article presentations (30%)
(3) Final research project (30%)

Homework

Throughout the semester you will be assigned a number of homework assignments which will give you experience using a variety of sources of chemical literature.  Some of these may seem like "busy" work, but you will find the best way to learn and remember things is to do them, not just listen to me telling you how to do them.  Assignments will be handed out in class.  If you miss class, you miss the assignment and get no points for it.   Also, unexcused late assignments will not be accepted

Journal article presentation

One important skill, which you all will need, is the ability to read and interpret a scientific article.  In class, we will talk about the structure of scientific papers and how to read them effectively.  To give you experience doing this, you will be asked to give two short (10-15 minutes) presentations summarizing an article on a selected topic and an article of your choosing.

Final research project

The final project is to select a topic in chemistry and research it using the resources we will discuss in class.  The topic should be something that interests you; it should be neither to broad nor too trivial.  You will give a written report on your topic, with a complete bibliography, as well as a description of your literature search.  We will talk more about the specifics of this project as the semester progresses.

GRADES:
 

A	93-100 %			C+	77-79 %
A-	90-92 %			C	70-76 %
B+	87-89 %			D	60-69 %
B	83-86 %			F	0-59 %
B-	80-82 %

POLICIES:

1.  Do not be afraid to ask questions.

2.  Class attendance is expected. The lecture will begin on the hour.

3. Instructors are asked (Senate rule 49-20) to provide a statement at the beginning of a course to "clarify the application of academic integrity to that course."  The Senate Rule includes the following:

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabrication of information or citation, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized  possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the work of other students.

Please read Senate rule 49-20. (www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20) and the Penn State Erie guidelines on academic integrity: www.pserie.psu.edu/faculty/academics/integrity.htm.

Any violation of academic integrity will receive academic and possibly disciplinary sanctions, including the possible awarding of an XF grade which is recorded on the transcript and states that failure of the course was due to an act of academic dishonesty.  All acts of academic dishonesty are recorded so repeat offenders can be sanctioned according.