Preparing for the First Day

 

NOTES ON ENROLLMENT, WAIT-LIST, LATE ADDS, etc. 
Please check the chemistry enrollment page frequently as updates are added daily: http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/enrollment/chem/index.html. Wait List FAQs for Students:  http://registrar.ucsc.edu/faqs/students/wait-list/

Wait-list / Late Adds for Labs (8L/M/110L) – DO come to the first lab lectures but DO NOT go to the secondary lab unless you are enrolled. If you add the class after the first lab meeting (from the wait-list or otherwise), please contact me (cambinde@ucsc.edu) with the following: Your full name, registered section letter (ex. 01A) & room number, and all labs you can attend for a make-up (use the class search to find a section time in the same room with less than 16 students if possible). You’ll be sent a enrollment notification email if you’re added from the wait-list, but this may take up to 24 hours. Check your enrollment through myucsc up to 30 minutes before your wait-listed section during the first week of class. Be ready to attend in case you’re added at the last minute! It’s your responsibility to know if you’re enrolled (don’t rely on email). Auto-enroll from the wait or swap list ends Friday, January 11th. Keep an eye on enrollment after that date and email me if you get a spot.

Section Switching – Instructors do not facilitate section switching. Use the online registration system in place through the myucsc portal. Many 8L/M/110L sections are full so instant section switching is very limited, if not impossible. If you would like to switch into a section that’s currently full, get on the “swap” list for that section in the myucsc portal. If a spot opens up (student drops or doesn’t show up the first day), then you will automatically be switched into that section if you are next on the list. Students cannot switch sections after checking into their locker next week, aside from auto-adds from the swap list. If you do end up being automatically swapped into another section after checking into a locker, send me an email with the new section info (same as late adds, see below).

Direct any further questions on enrollment to chemistryadvising@ucsc.edu.

*** Info below is for previous classes – Caitlin will email registered students with info pertinent to Fall ’22 and will copy that email here 🙂

Hello and Welcome to CHEM 109 Remote!– Canvas Announcement sent to registered students 3/15

A ‘remote class’ is different from an ‘online course.’ Lectures and discussions will take place in real time via scheduled Zoom meetings, allowing us to safely interact with each other on the interwebs. The course reader (lecture note templates) is available for free on the CHEM 109 website (no login required) or for purchase at the BayTree bookstore.

There will be more details / instructions in the syllabus, but I made an outline of remote course components below. Please ask questions not by replying to this email, but by logging into Canvas and posting a comment in this announcement.

Each component below will be streamlined through Canvas:

  • Links to Zoom meetings for lectures & discussions
    • GCal invite will be sent to registered students (it’ll be on your calendar)
  • Lecture attendance & participation will be tracked with iClicker Reef (10%).
    • FREE access this quarter!
  • Lectures will be recorded and maintained through UC webcast services.
  • Quizzes (20% ) are directly from HW
    • Quiz will be posted in Canvas Assignments
    • Upload completed quiz before the start of your enrolled discussion section
  • Exams will take place during regular lecture time
    • Two midterms (40%) and final exam (20%) – dates in syllabus
    • Exams will be posted on Canvas with specific deadline to upload the completed exam.
  • “Leave it to the Worms” (10%) – sustainability project via Canvas survey

Looking for something fun to do that’s chemistry related? Check out the Mechanisms app! Full access is offered to FREE due to current circumstances of the world.

I know this is weird, but I’m kinda excited to try out different things and to teach in my PJs with Obi & Chewy. Hey, maybe @greedo_gram will join us too 🙂

Thanks again for your patience and I’ll be in touch.

Caitlin

 

 

CHEM 8L (Winter ’19) – email sent to registered students 1/4

Hello and Welcome to the Organic Teaching Labs!

The experiments in CHEM 8L have direct applications to daily life that I’m excited to share with you! Staying ahead and taking full advantage of in-class time is pivotal for your success and enjoyment. You can find course materials on the CHEM 8L website. Please read the syllabus and first experiment  this weekend. You can watch a video of a similar experiment and even try a tasty version at home! 

Attend all lab lectures starting Monday, January 7th @ 8am and your enrolled lab section starting Tuesday, January 8th. Bring the lecture 1 note template to class Monday – either print your own or purchase the reader from the bookstore (more on the reader below).

The first week of lab (1/8-1/10) is an introduction to safety, writing, and error analysis. Attendance the first day of lab is mandatory. If you are more than 15 minutes to lab or are not properly dressed, you will be dropped from the course (see SAFETY RULES for what’s OK and NOT OK to wear). There is nothing to turn in on the first day, but you can get a head start by reading the Intro Packet. Copies are provided on the first day of lab for you to complete. You’ll also be given time during the first lab to prepare for Experiment 1 so bring your notebook with you. Experiment 1 will be completed the second week of class (see schedule in the syllabus).

The CHEM 8L reader is available for purchase for $15.35 at the BayTree Bookstore. Please read this intro message to better understand what’s in the reader (or not). In short, the reader contains the lecture note templates in lovely color print. The contents of the reader are also available for free on the 8L website. It’s your choice whether to buy the reader, print your own, or download to take notes on a tablet. If there are no 8L readers on the shelf in the bookstore, you need to go to the counter to order one, don’t expect more to show up the next day. Since students have the choice to buy, I requested these to be “print on demand” to save paper.

All other course policies are laid out in the syllabus, including the schedule, description of assignments, and what to do if you have to absolutely have to miss lab. 

Enrollment questions or concerns?  I don’t facilitate section switching or have permission codes. I have a few notes on enrollment on the Preparing for the First Day section of my website. If that doesn’t help, please contact chemistryadvising@ucsc.edu.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to a great quarter!
Best,

CHEM 8M (Winter ’19)

You will find course materials for CHEM 8M on the course website. Please read the syllabus and first experiment carefully before the first lab lecture. Attend all lab lectures starting Friday, April 6th (2:40 in Humanities Lecture Hall) and every lab section starting April 3rd (yes, lab meets before the first lecture!). 

Attendance the first day of lab is mandatory. If you are more than 15 minutes to lab, you will be dropped from the course. Come on time and dress appropriately for lab even though no experiment is performed (see SAFETY RULES for what’s OK and NOT OK to wear).

Students should bring the completed 8L Intro Packet to the first lab. Print a new one if you don’t have it and complete during the first lab meeting. A writing worksheet will be provided to complete during the first lab meeting.  You’ll also be given time during the first lab to prepare for Experiment 1 so bring your notebook with you. Experiment 1 will be completed the second week of class.

You should already have Mohrig’s “Techniques in Organic Chemistry” text. The reading schedule in the syllabus uses chapter numbers from the 4th edition of the textbook. If you choose to use an older edition, that is fine, but you will need to pay attention to chapter titles as the numbers are different. For example, gas chromatography is covered in Chapter 20 of the 4th edition but is Chapter 19th in the 3rd edition. Really, any experimental organic chemistry text that includes chromatography, IR, and NMR spectroscopy will be useful to you.

CHEM 146A (Fall ’18) – email sent to registered students on 9/21

Good Morning Chemists,
Welcome to the Advanced Organic Chemistry Lab!

The first class meeting is Tuesday 10/2 at 1:30 in THIM 318. Please be on time and dressed appropriately for lab even though no experiment is performed. Students who are 15+ minutes late or not dressed properly (ex. wearing sandals or shorts) will be considered to not be serious about the course and will be dropped.

The CHEM 146A lab manual is under production. I will let you know when it’s available for purchase in the bookstore. In the meantime, I’ve posted the sections of the lab manual  to read before our first meeting on the course website. I want to hit the ground running with structural analysis and thank you in advance for taking the time to carefully read before class. We’re happy to discuss anything that’s unclear.
You can find the full schedule online, but I wanted to give you a heads up on the assignments for the first week…
10/2 – Lab Map & NMR Activity (see below)
10/4 – Exp 1 (dry lab) – typed pre-lab questions due & notebook prep
          SciFinder & ChemDraw tutorials in McHenry Library
(students are split into 2 groups on 10/4, will clarify this on 10/2)
Do purchase a new notebook, carbon copies not necessary. The cheap and simple mead composition books are fine, for example.
NMR Activity – Begin working on #1 and #2 before the first lab. We’ll give an NMR refresher mini-lecture on 10/2. You’ll be given time to ask questions and complete the worksheet on the first day. “I haven’t used NMR in a while” cannot be used as an excuse for long!! Use your 8M notes, the McMurry, Mohrig, or any organic chemistry text, Khan academy videos, etc. to refresh your knowledge on this topic. In this activity, you’ll predict the 1H and 13C spectra for 6 compounds. This will be enormously helpful in structural elucidation of unknowns, a primary learning objective in this class. Please refer to these NMR correlation tables and/or your experimental organic chemistry textbook.
Homework to prepare for ChemDraw & SciFinder tutorials
1. Request a password for access to the Digital Scholarship Commons (DSC) (click here)
2. Register for a password for SciFinder Scholar (click here). If you have registered before, make sure you know your password!
3. Take a field trip to McHenry library and find the DSC on the ground floor (not first floor). We want to make sure you know where the room is so you can be on time on your tutorial day. I’ll admit I got a little lost my first time there. Go into the main library entrance, through the library, and take the stairs or elevator to the ground floor. There’s a big sign near the elevators that says “Digital Scholarship Commons.” There may be some construction and you may need to enter through office spaces, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. No requirements to do anything on those computers before your tutorial day.
Hopefully that addresses any questions you may have had. Looking forward to working with all of you this quarter!
CHEM 8A Fall ’18 – email sent to registered students 9/21
Hello and Welcome to Organic Chemistry!

The first CHEM 8A lecture is Thursday, September 27th, 9:50-11:25 am in Classroom Unit 2. Discussion sections begin Monday, October 1st. Course materials are available on the CHEM 8A website.

For many of you, stepping into organic chemistry will mean re-evaluating your study habits and part of this is life balance. Organic chemistry was definitely a wake-up call for me in college. It was the first class where I really needed to work hard and I wish someone had given me the advice I’m about to share with you. The materials I’m asking you to read are meant to prepare you, rather than alarm you, but an initial feeling of being overwhelmed is natural. Start early and re-read for best results!

First, I’d like to learn a little about you. Please fill out this anonymous survey.

Please take the time to read the following items before classes start:
4. Reading Questions for Lecture 1
The course reader is in production. I will let you know when it’s available in the bookstore. To save paper, I asked the bookstore to ‘print on demand,’ meaning you have the option to order the reader or to print/download the materials from the website. Whether or not you purchase the reader, all students are expected to bring the Lecture 1 note templates to the first class and all templates in the future.
 I’ll send a separate email to CHEM 8L students with preparation advice soon.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting you!
CHEM 8B (Summer ’18) – email sent to registered students on 7/19…
Good Afternoon Chemists,
CHEM 8B is just around the quarter! Our first class meeting is Monday 7/30 at 9:30-11:30am in Baskin 152. I have so much to share with you! Please read this email in its entirety for best results.

Go to the CHEM 8B website – read the Syllabus and Study Expectations & Learning Advice. I will go over course details very briefly in class. I’ve done my best to anticipate your questions in the syllabus but am happy to clarify in person.
I have arranged a different discussion section schedule. Click here to sign up for a new discussion section ASAP (first come, first served). Your enrolled discussion section will not meet at that time and place listed in the myucsc portal.
Organic synthesis is everything! Click here to order a blank set of cards to make your very own synthesis game. You can read a description of the game on the 8B website.
I’d like to know a bit about you before the class begins. Please take a few minutes to fill out this anonymous self-assessment form. I ask that you answer honestly, as I will receive your feedback without judgement. The more we know about you, the better we can help!
It’s no secret that this is a challenging class, especially with the cumulative reactions and rigorous pace of summer session. It is my intention to make this an enjoyable summer session and to set you up for success! The real secret is to START NOW and get ahead.
You should already have the McMurry Organic Chemistry 8th Edition text. Use the reading questions on the 8B website to efficiently read/skim Chapter 16.1-16.3 before the first class. These questions will help you make efficient use of your time. I also recommend starting the first set of homework problems before the first class – even just writing down the question. It is best to also have your own copy of the solutions manual.
General Recommendations:
– Think of this class like a full-time job with potential for overtime. Come to every class and plan on studying for at least 2 hours every day outside of class (reading & HW). Stay organized.
– I do not recommend taking other classes on top of summer organic chemistry.
– I do not recommend working a separate job over the summer, especially during the week. If possible, move work shifts to the weekends.
– I would like to caution you about taking 8M concurrently with 8B. The lab course will take up at least 15-20 hours per week. You must stay particularly organized and dedicated to your studies to succeed in both classes. It is definitely possible, but I won’t lie – it’s a ton of work and it’s not for everyone. You are not required to take the lab and lecture at the same time – you can start the labs in the fall (or anytime after). I’ve received positive student feedback about taking the lecture before lab.
– Contact summer session with all enrollment questions – summer@ucsc.edu.
Other recommended materials:
– 3 ring binder for organizing lecture notes and handouts
– Separate HW notebook
– Colorful, erasable pens or pencils for taking notes – I’ll be using the Pilot Frixion set in class
If you had the dedication to read this long email and links herein, then you have what it takes to succeed in organic chemistry! Thank you for reading and I look forward to seeing you again or meeting you next week!
Best
Dr. Caitlin Binder

CHEM 8A (Summer ’18) – email sent to registered students on 6/18…

Good Afternoon Chemists,

I’m looking forward to an engaging summer of organic chemistry with you! Our first class meeting is Monday 6/25 at 9:30-11:30am in Baskin 152. It’s no secret that this is a challenging class, even more so with the accelerated pace of summer session. It is my intention to make this an enjoyable summer session and to set you up for success! The real secret is to START NOW and get ahead.
I’d like to know a bit about you before the class begins. Please take a few minutes to fill out this anonymous self-assessment form. I ask that you answer honestly, as I will receive your feedback without judgement. The more we know about you, the better we can help!
Go to the CHEM 8A website – read the syllabus and Study Expectations & Learning Advice. I will go over course details briefly in the first class. I’ve done my best to anticipate your questions in the syllabus but am happy to clarify in person.
Get the McMurry Organic Chemistry 8th Edition text by the end of the week. Use the reading questions on the 8A website to efficiently read/skim Chapter 1 before the first class. These questions will help you make efficient use of your time. I also recommend starting the first set of homework problems – even just writing down the question can get you ahead. It is best to also have your own copy of the solutions manual. There are limited copies of the text and solutions manual on reserve in the S&E library to check out for 2 hour periods.
General recommendations:
– Think of this class like a full-time job with potential for overtime. Come to every class and plan on studying for at least 2 hours every day outside of class (reading & HW). Keep a schedule including lecture, discussion, and office hour times.
– I do not recommend taking other classes on top of summer organic chemistry.
– I do not recommend working a separate job over the summer, especially during the week. If possible, move work shifts to the weekends.
– I would like to caution you about taking 8L concurrently with 8A. The lab course will take up about 15-20 hours per week. You must stay particularly organized and dedicated to your studies to succeed in both classes. It is definitely possible, but I won’t lie – it’s a ton of work and it’s not for everyone. You are not required to take the lab and lecture at the same time – you can start the labs in the fall (or anytime after). I’ve received positive student feedback about taking the lecture before lab.
– If you’re planning to take CHEM 8B in session 2, email the summer session office (summer@ucsc.edu) for a permission code to enroll now. You do not have to wait to pass 8A first. Contact summer session with all other enrollment questions.
Other recommended materials:
– 3 ring binder for organizing lecture notes and handouts
– Separate notebook for HW
– Colorful, erasable pens for taking notes – I’ll be using the Pilot Frixion set in class

I am aware that discussion section days and times have not been set. I’ve inquired with summer session and thank you for your patience, as I hope this is sorted out soon.

If you had the dedication to read this long email and links herein, then you have what it takes to succeed in organic chemistry! Thank you for reading and I look forward to meeting you next week!
Best
Dr. Caitlin Binder

CHEM 8M (Spring ’18)

You will find course materials for CHEM 8M on the course website (tab above). Please read the syllabus, textbook reading assignment, and first experiment carefully before the first lab lecture. Attend all lab lectures starting Friday, April 6th (2:40 in Humanities Lecture Hall) and every lab section starting April 3rd (yes, lab meets before the first lecture!). 

Attendance the first day of lab is mandatory. If you are more than 15 minutes to lab, you will be dropped from the course. Come on time and dress appropriately for lab even though no experiment is performed (see SAFETY RULES for what’s OK and NOT OK to wear).

Students should bring the completed 8L Intro Packet to the first lab. Print a new one if you don’t have it and complete during the first lab meeting. A writing worksheet will be provided to complete during the first lab meeting.  You’ll also be given time during the first lab to prepare for Experiment 1 so bring your notebook with you. Experiment 1 will be completed the second week of class.

You should already have Mohrig’s “Techniques in Organic Chemistry” text. The reading schedule in the syllabus uses chapter numbers from the 4th edition of the textbook. If you choose to use an older edition, that is fine, but you will need to pay attention to chapter titles as the numbers are different. For example, gas chromatography is covered in Chapter 20 of the 4th edition but is Chapter 19th in the 3rd edition. Really, any experimental organic chemistry text that includes chromatography, IR, and NMR spectroscopy will be useful to you.

CHEM 110L (Spring ’18)

You will find course materials for CHEM 110L on the course website (tab above). Please read the syllabus, textbook reading assignment, and first experiment carefully before the first lab lecture. Attend all lab lectures starting Friday, April 6th (10:40am in Kresge 327) and every lab section starting April 3rd (yes, lab meets before the first lecture!). 

Attendance the first day of lab is mandatory. If you are more than 15 minutes to lab, you will be dropped from the course. Come on time and dress appropriately for lab even though no experiment is performed (see SAFETY RULES for what’s OK and NOT OK to wear).

During week 1 of the 110L lab, students will complete a technique refresher activity (worksheet provided, encouraged to read in advance) to reacquaint themselves with the space and common lab techniques & etiquette.  Students should bring the completed 8L Intro Packet & 8M Writing Worksheet to the first lab. Print new ones if you don’t have them and complete during the first lab meeting. A writing worksheet will be provided to complete during the first lab meeting.  You’ll also be given time during the first lab to prepare for Experiment 1 so bring your notebook with you. Experiment 1 will be completed the second week of class.

You should already have Mohrig’s “Techniques in Organic Chemistry” and McMurry’s “Organic Chemistry” texts. The reading schedule in the syllabus uses chapter numbers from the 4th edition of Mohrig and the 8th edition of McMurry. If you choose to use an older edition, that is fine, but you will need to pay attention to chapter titles as the numbers are different. NMR spectroscopy will be a major focus in this class. Read the assigned text sections before class to help you follow along.

CHEM 109 (Spring ’17)

Before 4/4: Read the syllabus and lecture 1 reading assignment from the textbook chapter posted online. Continue to peruse the CHEM 109 tab above and find the HW assignments, lecture blanks, supplemental reading, practice exams, etc. I will provide copies of the syllabus and Lecture 1 blanks on the first day of class. It would be wise to print out the blanks for Lecture 2-6 now! Future lecture blanks will be posted in the weeks to come. Wait-listed students should come to lecture the first week of class. Discussion sections begin the second week of class (4/10).

CHEM 109 focuses on the chemistry of biological pathways. You do not need to have full knowledge of every single reaction covered in CHEM 8A/B. I will review the reaction mechanisms you should be familiar with during the first few lectures in the context of biological processes. There are underlying concepts you should be bringing with you from your first two quarters in organic chemistry. I’ll expect students to be proficient in using the following general terms/concepts…

– Acid-base chemistry

– Nucleophiles and electrophiles – would be wise to make a list of both

– Resonance

– Arrow-pushing – will be a huge focus in this course!

 

 

CHEM 8B (Winter ’18) – email sent to students on 12/22

Dear CHEM 8B Students,

You can find the Winter ’18 syllabus and supplemental materials on the CHEM 8B website. Discussion sections and lecture begin Tuesday, January 9th, a little more than 2 weeks away! Students must attend their enrolled section. We do not facilitate section switching or otherwise handle enrollment.
 
This class is a continuation of CHEM 8A and you should be solid on that material before coming into 8B. There will be organic chemistry workshops every Monday 2-4pm in PSB 257, beginning January 8th with a focus on CHEM 8A material. Drop-ins are welcome but space is limited to 20 students. Please follow the form on the 8B website to secure your spot each week (coming soon). This is not a substitute for discussion sections.
 
You’ll find several posts on the CHEM 8B website designed to help you best prepare for next quarter. While it’s important to focus on the material itself, these posts also include general attitudes and learning strategies to spread out the work efficiently, making this demanding class more approachable and even fun!
CHEM 8B Syllabus – Course policies, schedule, HW assignments
Study Expectations & Learning Advice – Strategy for 8A review and how to study for 8B
Reading Questions – Refer to before every lecture to make efficient use of reading time and stay engaged in class.

 

CHEM 8M (Summer ’17)

You will find materials to get you started for the first week of CHEM 8M on the course website. Please read the syllabus, textbook reading assignment, and first experiment this weekend. Policies and requirements will be quickly reviewed in the first lecture Monday, July 31st. I highly recommend having your Exp 1 notebook pages and pre-lab questions prepared or at least attempted before lecture, however, this is not “due” until the following Thursday. Given the accelerated nature of this class, I generally recommend preparing for labs the weekends prior, especially those of you concurrently enrolled in 8B.

The first lab meeting is the following day, August 1st. Come on time and dress appropriately for lab even though no experiment is performed (syllabus contains a section on what’s OK and NOT OK to wear). Attendance the first day of lab is mandatory. If you are more than 15 minutes to lab, you will be dropped from the course. Bring your completed intro packet (safety, error, & writing) from 8L or print out a blank one to re-do these activities before or during lab. You will be given an addition to the writing packet (experimental methods) in lab, and you are encouraged to read this ahead of time (also on website).

You should already have Mohrig’s “Techniques in Organic Chemistry” text. The reading schedule in the syllabus uses chapter numbers from the 4th edition of the textbook. If you choose to use an older edition, that is fine, but you will need to pay attention to chapter titles as the numbers are different. For example, gas chromatography is covered in Chapter 20 of the 4th edition but is Chapter 19th in the 3rd edition. Any other experimental organic chemistry text that includes chromatography, IR, and NMR spectroscopy will be useful to you.

 

CHEM 8L (Summer Session)

You will find course materials on the CHEM 8L website. Please read the syllabus, textbook reading assignment, and first experiment carefully before the first lecture (M 6/26). Office hour times and locations may change. I will provide updated copies of the syllabus in lecture Monday. Labs meet the following day (Tu 6/27) for orientation and introductory activities. You can get a head start on these activities by reading the “Intro Lab Packet” on the 8L website, particularly the sections on error and technical writing. Copies will be provided in lab. Attendance the first day of lab (6/27) is mandatory. If you are more than 15 minutes to lab, you will be dropped from the course. 

You will be given time to prepare your notebook for Experiment 1 during the first lab meeting (6/27) but are encouraged to do so before the class starts (this weekend). That is the first assignment in the lab notebook and it is due at the beginning of the second lab period (6/29). There is a sample notebook page online. More details on assignments and due dates are in the syllabus.

The Mohrig “Techniques in Organic Chemistry” text should be available in the bookstore now or you can order online (see syllabus). Please get your textbook ASAP as you are required to read several sections before the start of summer session (see reading assignments in the syllabus). The reading schedule in the syllabus uses chapter numbers from the 4th edition of the textbook. If you choose to use an older edition, that is fine, but you will need to pay attention to chapter titles as the numbers are different. For example, gas chromatography is covered in Chapter 20 of the 4th edition but is Chapter 19th in the 3rd edition.