CH153K Physical Chemistry Laboratory Syllabus

This syllabus applies to unique numbers 52640, 52660, 52665, 52670, 52675, 52680, 52685, 52690, 52695.

Lab personnel
Robb Wilson ........................................................................................ Lab Director, Course Instructor
................................................................... pchemdoc@cm.utexas.edu, Phone: 471-5709, WEL3.106
Angie Steelman/Aaron Bluhm/Jon Nielson .............................................................. Stockroom Staff
............. aloving@mail.utexas.edu /aabluhm@gmail.com /jrneilson@mail.utexas.edu, Phone: 471-3928, WEL 2.128
Contact information for TAs is available below and on Blackboard.
Lab sessions
MTWTh 2-5, MTW 7-10 (Uniq#‟s listed above)……………………………….Ph: 475-6182, WEL 2.110
Attend one lab session per week, based on your class unique number. See the lab manual for more detailed
schedule information. In some cases, you may perform experiments outside your scheduled lab time.
Office hours
All TA office hours are held in WEL 2.108. Times will be posted below, by the lab & on our website. Do
not disturb your TA outside office hours, except by appointment. The Lab Director‟s office hours are by
appointment.
Prerequisites
CH353(M) and its prerequisites: CH302, 6 hours of calculus, & your 2nd physics lecture and lab.
Course overview
1. This course offers a variety of experiments designed to help you:
 learn data techniques,
 learn error analysis techniques,
 communicate your work to other scientists
 receive an introduction to basic experimental methods of physical chemistry,
 apply various theories important in physical chemistry to the collected data,
 compare results with literature values,
 think about the meanings of the underlying theory and the answers obtained.
2. Experimental emphasis is on measurements of thermodynamic, kinetic, and physical properties and are
run in round-robin fashion.
3. The course is self-paced (open scheduling) & open-ended (a min. of six experiments is required & max. of
7 is allowed), which teaches organization & dangers of procrastination.
Course materials
 Lab Manual (available on Bb>Master Ch153K Course> Course Documents)
 C.W. Garland, J.W. Nibler and D.P. Shoemaker, Experiments in Physical Chemistry, any edition
 Lab notebook with duplicate numbered pages, we recommend buying from ACS
Attendance
You are expected to attend on time every lab session in which you are planning to do an experiment. Due to
our open scheduling system, there are no specific make-up dates. You are also required to take a full two
weeks for each experiment. If you have finished the in-lab portion, work on your data analysis or report
writing in the computer lab.
Computers
Computers are provided in the lab where needed for experimentation, and in our computer room (WEL
2.108) for analysis. All labs have wireless access.
We will use Blackboard http://courses.utexas.edu. Note that your Bb homepage has TWO different courses
listed for Ch153K. One is for your specific section and is run by your TA. The other is for all sections of
Ch153 and is run by the Lab Director. This site will have course-wide announcements and documents. Your
grades are posted on Bb.
All communications concerning this course will be sent exclusively through the Bb mailing list, with the
expectation that you will check your email daily. It is your responsibility to update UTDirect with any changes in email address.
We suggest you use UT WebSpace http://webspace.utexas.edu/ to store all computer files generated by this
course for the duration of the semester.
The course website is extensive (and scheduled for updates): http://courses.cm.utexas.edu/pchemlab/.
Also, there are a number of important documents available on the Chemistry Libraries e-Reserves website:
<http://reserves.lib.utexas.edu/>. (The password is posted on Bb under both Course Documents and External Links.)

Assessment items and due-dates

Analysis techniques assignment ........................................................... Due at the start of your third lab session
Found in Lab Manual: pp205-210, using information in Chapter 3.
Lab reports ............................... Due at the start of your lab session, according to the dates on the course calendar
Your best 6 lab reports will count out of a maximum of 7, written following the format described in Section
1.5.2 of the lab manual.
Error analyses ................................................................................................. Due with the associated Basic Report
Your best 3 error analyses will count (out of a max of 4), written following the format described in Section
1.5.4 of the lab manual. The first EA must be done with one of the first two reports, and can be rewritten
within a week of receiving the initial grade.
Formal lab report........................................................................................................................... Due April 22, 5:00pm
Written in addition to a basic report (with Error Analysis) on one of your experiments, following the format
described in Section 1.5.3 of the lab manual. A draft may be submitted by April 15 & graded “for free.”
Future Plans Essay/Consultation .......................................................................................... Due March 11, 5:00pm
A one-page “What I Want to Do When I Graduate” followed by a 1-on-1 appointment with the Lab
Director to discuss it. (NOTE: This REPLACES the “Lab Performance” Grade discussed in your manual!)
Submit the essay to the Lab Director, and an online appointment signup will be made available on Bb.
Grading
Best six lab reports...............................................................................................................................60%
Best three error analyses .....................................................................................................................15%
Formal report ......................................................................................................................................15%
Analysis techniques homework............................................................................................................ 5%
Essay/Consultation ............................................................................................................................... 5%
Total ...................................................................................................................................................100 %
Note: basic policy information for both CH 153K & 154K is found in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 contains
policies that apply solely to CH 154K. Section 1.3 of the manual contains grading information for this
course, & the late penalty system is available in Section 1.4.4. All report grades are available on Bb,
protected by your UTEID. It is your responsibility to check your grades regularly. Grades are not curved;
therefore we expect an absolute level of achievement to attain a certain grade. You will be graded by all
course TAs & effort is made to ensure consistency between graders. The nature of the course allows self-
improvement over the semester by counting only the your best grades. There is no final exam in this course.
Any requests for extensions are handled solely by your TA.
 Estimated maximum grade cutoffs (NOTE: This information REPLACES the applicable portions
of Section 1.3 in your manual!!!!!):

A ≥90% C 73% - <77%

A- 89% - <90% C- 70% - <73%
B+ 87% - <89% D+ 65% - <70%
B 83% - <87% D 60% - <65%
B- 80% - <83% D- 55% - <60%
C+ 77% - <80% F < 55%

Due to the plus/minus grading system, grade cutoffs are absolute, and NO ROUNDING WILL
OCCUR. Due to the smaller range for each grade level, it is all the more imperative for you to be proactive
about any grading questions immediately. Scrounging for points at the end of term will not be tolerated, so
be sure to get any grade clarification from the grading TA as soon as possible, and do the work
necessary to reach your desired grade. Getting the grade you want is your job. Evaluating the quality of your
work is ours. Any changes at the end of semester will require PROOF of a SIGNIFICANT grading error.
Each experiment is graded by a TA, generally following the rubric on the back of the summary sheet
(in the back of the manual). ). NOTE: failing to follow all directions will result in point deductions
apart from the rubric. Regarding the Future Plans essay, most students take this course near the end of
their degree plan and will be entering the „real world.‟ This assignment is an opportunity to think through
career plans/next steps and get feedback from the Lab Director. After turning in the essay, schedule a short
(~15 minute) appointment to discuss it using the Bb Scheduling tool.
Once you have the required number of reports turned in, you are under no obligation to show up to
do more experiments. Basically, you may walk away as soon as you have earned the grade you want.
Remember, it is your job to get the education and earn the grade you have paid for. Be SURE that you will
earn your desired grade BEFORE the end of the semester. All grades in this course are earned, not given.
Turn-in Procedures and Late Policies
Turn in reports to your TA. When your report is turned in, it will be time stamped. Also, turn in
electronic versions of your lab reports through Bb‟s SafeAssign no later than midnight of the hard copy due
date.
In order to be properly submitted, your report must have the Report Summary Sheet (from the back of
the manual) as the cover page, a printout of relevant electronic files, and the white sheets from your lab
notebook placed at the end. Remember any handwritten work should be in your lab notebook.
You must attend two weeks per experiment. If you finish data collection the first week, you must be
in the computer lab working on the analysis/report during the second week. If you turn in the report early,
then you can leave.
All due dates are as posted on the course calendar included with this syllabus, on Blackboard or
posted outside the lab. To be on time, an assignment must be submitted within the first 15 minutes of the
start of your lab period. After this, you will lose 20 points, and continue to lose 20 points per day until a
grade of 0 (zero) is reached. Weekends, school holidays, or emergency closures of the University do not
count as late days. If the University is closed when an assignment is due, then it will be due on the first day
the school reopens. Late penalties are only assessed on the report and not on the error analysis.
 If you do not want to write a report on an experiment, turn in the data sheets from your notebook
with the summary sheet. You will receive a zero on that assignment, which you can replace with an
additional lab report. Otherwise, the next report will be two weeks late and therefore a zero.
If you have an extenuating circumstance, tell your TA. If & only if your TA is impressed with your
sob story or your outrageous creativity, s/he will adjust your Report Summary Sheet appropriately.
NOTHING will be accepted after 5 p.m. on the last day of class. NO EXCEPTIONS. DON‟T
ASK. A student once lost her 4.0 because she didn‟t take this seriously.
Once your report is turned in, it will be given to the grading TA, and it should be graded in no more
than 2 sessions and returned to your TA. The graded report will be placed in your folder in your TA‟s
drawer. You may review your report during class time or office hours, but you may not remove it from the
lab area. After final grades are submitted, you may email the Lab Director to pick up your papers.
If you have a concern about your grade, you may request a regrade within 2 sessions of that grade‟s
posting. On a cover sheet, clearly explain your question and the reason you feel there is a mistake. Be
specific, and resubmit it to the grader. If after reconsideration you still have concerns, see the Lab Director.
Your first Error Analysis may be redone for a replacement grade if submitted within one week of its
initial return. We will take the higher of the two.
Appeals
Our teaching assistants will make decisions concerning grades, attendance and other policy matters. Should
you disagree with a TA, you are welcome to take the matter to the Lab Director.
Safety & Waste Disposal
Safe lab practices & waste disposal procedures are described in Section 1.6 of the lab manual. Unsafe,
imprudent & careless activities will result in you being removed from the lab. Continued noncompliance
could result in a reduced lab grade or course failure.
Accommodations
Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should notify the instructor at the beginning of
the semester by presenting a letter from the SSD office (471-6259). “The University of Texas at Austin
provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For
more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.”
Religious Observances
By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence at least fourteen days prior to the date of
observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project
in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work
within a reasonable time after the absence.
Academic Integrity
Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. For a detailed discussion of our expectations of you,
see Section 1.2 Scholastic Dishonesty in your lab manual. For definitions of unacceptable behaviour, such as
plagiarism, and the UT policy regarding such activities, see the Student Judicial Services website:
<http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/academicintegrity.html>
In many classes, you work in groups—NOT IN THIS ONE!! I cannot emphasize enough that you
MUST work ON YOUR OWN on all work other than data collection in lab. Working with your lab partner
on your analysis/report will result in an AI incident.
 PChem Lab Course Schedule — Spring 2011
Ch153K calendar in BLUE January/February Ch154K calendar in GREEN
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Jan 16 Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan 19 Jan 20 Off A/D ends 21
MLK Day Lab Introduction Lab Introduction Lab Introduction
Lab Introduction Lab Introduction
Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28
Lab Introduction Start Lab 1 Start Lab 1
Start Lab 1
Lab Introduction Start Lab 1 Start Lab 1
30 31 Feb 1 Last Drop Feb 2 <GrndhogDay Feb3  Chinese New Yr Feb 4
Start Lab 1 HW Due/ L1 cont. HW Due/ L1 cont. HW Due/ L1
Start Lab 1 L1 cont. L1 cont. cont.
6 7 8 9 10 11
L1 Due/Start L2 L1 Due/Start L2
SUPER HW Due/ L1 cont.
BOWL
Rough Draft Due/ Rough Draft Due/ L1 Due/Start L2
L1 cont.
Start L2 Start L2
13 Valentine‟s Day 14 Mawlid al-Nabi 15 16 17 18
L1 Due/Start L2
L2 cont L2 cont
Rough Draft Due/ L2 cont
L1 Due/L2 cont. L1 Due/L2 cont.
Start L2
20 21 Washington‟s Bday 22 23 24 25
L2 Due/Start L3/ L2 Due/Start L3/
L2 cont Must have 1st EA no Must have 1st EA no
L2 Due/Start L3/
later than L2 later than L2 Must have 1st EA no
L1 Due/L2 cont. later than L2
Start L3 Start L3
March
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Feb 27 Feb 28 Mar 1 TX Indep Day! Mar 2 Mar 3 Mar 4
L2 Due/Start L3/ L3 cont L3 cont
Must have 1st EA no
L2 Due/L3 cont. L2 Due/L3 cont. L3 cont
later than L2
Start L3
6 7 Mardi Gras 8 Ash Wednesday 9 10 11
L3 cont L3 Due/Start L4 L3 Due/Start L4
L2 Due/L3 cont. Start L4/Proposals Start L4/Proposals L3 Due/Start L4 Future Plans Due
Due Due
DST 13 14 Ides of March 15 16 St. Patrick‟s 17 18
Spring
Forward SPRING BREAK
Purim 20 21 22 23 24 25
Spring L3 Due/Start L4
L4 cont L4 cont
Equinox Start L4/Proposals L4 cont
L3 Due/L4 cont. L3 Due/L4 cont.
Due
27 End Q drp; chg P/F 28 29 30 31 April Fool’s Apr 1
L4 cont L4 Due/Start L5 L4 Due/Start L5
L4 Due/Start L5
L3 Due/L4 cont. Start L5 Start L5

April/May
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
3 CIS 4 CIS 5 CIS 6 CIS 7 8
L4 Due/Start L5 L5 cont L5 cont
L5 cont
Start L5 L4 Due/L5 cont. L4 Due/L5 cont.
10 11 12 13 14 Taxes Due  15
L5 cont L5 Due/Start L6 L5 Due/Start L6
L5 Due/Start L6 Rough Drafts Due
L4 Due/L5 cont. Free Free
17 18 Passover 19 20 21 Good Friday 22
Palm L5 Due/Start L6 L6 cont L6 cont
L6 cont Formal Due
Sunday Free L5 Due L5 Due
Easter 24 25 26 27 28 29
L6 cont Lab 6 Due/Open Lab scheduling
L5 Due Open Lab scheduling
May 1 Lab 6 Due May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 All Due May 6
May Open Lab scheduling
Day Oral Presentations M/T/W
REPORTS are due at the start of your lab according to the schedule above.
NO REPORTS will be accepted after 5pm on Friday May 6. No exceptions. Don‟t ask.
 Spring 2011 PChemLab Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

7:30-9
9-9:30 Rebekah
9:30- Ofc. Hr
10 Leigh Ofc Hr.
10-11 9-11 Xiaoxi
Andrew Ofc Hr
11- 52640
9:30-11:30
11:30
11:30-
Staff Meeting
12
11:15-12:30
Rebecca Ofc. Hr. Xiaoxi Ofc Hr
12–2 Dhivya Ofc. Hr.
Marlene Ofc. Hr. Devin Ofc Hr
Rebekah Ofc Hr

Marlene Devin Andrew

Rebecca Rebekah Leigh Jason
2–5 52710 52715 52720
52660 52665 52670 52675
Ch154 Ch154 Ch154

Nick Ofc. Hr.

5–7 Beiyue Ofc. Hr. Jason Ofc Hr.
Liz Ofc. Hr.

Nick
Beiyue Rebekah Liz Dhivya
7–10 52723
52680 52685 52690 52695
Ch154

CH153K CH154K
TA Grading Email TA Grading Email
Rebecca Long GD Rebecca.Long@mail.utexas.edu Devin Matthews CT/CS/IS dmatthews@mail.utexas.edu

Beiyue Shao LV bshao@mail.utexas.edu Marlene Gutierrez LE/AE marleneg@mail.utexas.edu

Rebekah Wood VP/BC TArebekah@gmail.com Andrew Ritchie PB/DM drew.w.ritchie@mail.utexas.edu
Xiaoxi Wu PA/OR wustream@mail.utexas.edu Nick Monahan RV/TD/MK nick.monahan@mail.utexas.edu
Leigh Krueger BP/SL eleighkrueger@mail.utexas.edu
Liz Vockac HC lizvokac@mail.utexas.edu
Jason Dugger TV jdugger@mail.utexas.edu Lab Director
Dhivya Manogoran PG/ST dhivya@mail.utexas.edu Robb Wilson pchemdoc@cm.utexas.edu