December 5, 2005                  CHEMISTRY 103-1   Professor Bassam Zekin Shakhashiri

FINAL EXAM HANDOUT

Final Examination:     2:45 to 4:45 p.m., Wednesday, December 21

            601,604                                                                       B371 Chemistry

            602, 603, 605, 606, 607,608                                       1361 Chemistry

            609, 610, 611, 612, 613,614,615,616                         1351 Chemistry 

The final examination is comprehensive. It is a SUMMARY exam. It covers the entire course from the first lecture of September 2 through the lecture of Wednesday, December 14. As mentioned in the course syllabus and announced in class, the final examination will constitute 34% of the semester grade.

The entire exam will consist of multiple choice questions of different point values. The total point value is 100. Please follow the instructions on the front page of the examination.

Questions and problems are of the same degree of difficulty as on the three examinations, but the answers are in the multiple choice format. Pay special attention to the statement of each question and to the choices of answers. Solve each problem before selecting an answer. In some cases, "none of the above" may be the correct answer. ALWAYS SELECT THE BEST ANSWER.

You have been preparing for this exam all semester long. I have already mentioned in class how you may go about reviewing and preparing for the exam. Here is a summary of the suggestions:

1. Always THINK!

2. Review all the questions on each of the three exams. Make sure you now know the correct answer for each question.

3. Review the Study Questions for the three exams. Make sure you are able to answer each appropriate question correctly.

4. Review your lecture notes after Exam III (lectures on November 21, 28, 30, December 5, 7, 12, and 14.)

5. Review all the handouts distributed in lecture including the CHEMICAL OF THE WEEK SERIES.

6. Review appropriate examples and suggested exercises in textbook and the WORKBOOK FOR GENERAL CHEMISTRY.

7. Review your lab reports. Pay attention to those experiments which relate to lecture material.

8. Review all the Lecture Assignments .

9. Once again, PLEASE follow the instructions on the front sheet of the examination.

            I HOPE YOU DO WELL!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The semester letter grades will be available on MY UW. If you like, you may leave a self-addressed post card or envelope with your TA and we will mail you your final exam score and semester letter grade.

Your semester letter grade will be based on the following (see syllabus page5):

                        3 Exams                                              34%

                        Lecture Assignment                           10%

                        Quiz (adjusted by me)                        10%

                        Laboratory (adjusted by me)              12%

                        Final Exam                                         34%

As announced in the syllabus (bottom of page 5) at the beginning of the semester, the quiz and lab grades will be normalized by me to take into account variations in grading among TAs.

The grades for the entire semester may be curved prior to assigning letter grades using the scale announced in the syllabus as the guide. Improvement and progress in performance will be taken into consideration after the total scores for all students are curved.

Improved performance on the final exam can greatly help you since the final exam has the same weight (34%) as all three exams combined. In addition, if your final exam score is higher than the average of your three exams, the three exam scores will be replaced by the final exam score in calculating your cumulative score. So, it is really worthwhile for your academic record to do your very best on the final examination.

Each student's total performance will be reviewed in detail by me and your TA prior to assigning the semester letter grade.

I will keep your final exams on file for one year; you may view your final exam in my office (9355 Chemistry) anytime after the grades are posted. If you plan to stop by, please contact me ahead of time via E-MAIL to make sure I am around.

You can judge your course standing now by looking at the cumulative score of the three exams and comparing that to the level of achievement shown in the syllabus.

REMEMBER: YOUR TA AND I WILL LOOK FOR PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT ON EXAMS AND IMPROBEMENT ON EXAMS ESPECIALLY THE FINAL EXAM.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

            I am sometimes asked to write letters of recommendation on behalf of former students. I am pleased to do so especially if given enough advance notice. I usually consult the TA prior to completing my statement. If you wish to have me write a letter, please contact the Reference Letter Center at 1305 Linden Drive, Suite 205 and follow the procedure they have developed. Always indicate the lab section number, the name of your TA, and the semester you were in my course. If their format does not serve your purposes, contact me directly. 

Science Is Fun Shirts, Buttons, Mugs, Etc. are available from Educational Innovations http://www.teachersource.com/ 

RECOMMENDED READING (give yourself or someone you care about a Holiday present)

1. Check the listings I have on my web site.2. Shakhashiri, Bassam Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry, Vol. 1 (1983), Vol. 2 (1985), Vol.3 (1989), & Vol. 4 (1992). Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. These maybe appropriate as gifts to your former teachers.

ONE LAST COMMENT–for now.....

          Throughout the semester, and virtually every time we met in the lecture hall, in my office, at exam times, at the Bull Session, and elsewhere, I have shared with you both in writing and orally my goals and expectations. In addition, I have attempted to provide guidance, encouragement, and support to facilitate your individual transition to this college-level course and to the mastery of its content. I realize that such transitions require clear understanding of the responsibilities of the learner, the professor, and the teaching assistant. I recognize the fact that takes time to make personal adjustments to take charge of ones’ own learning, to develop good study habits, and to discard old ones. I appreciate your efforts and your independence and I congratulate you on your progress.

         Of special interest to me is that you develop an informed and healthy attitude toward chemistry in particular and science in general. Also, I want you to develop good study skills and habits to enable you to fulfill your intellectual and emotional capacities in all your academic work.

         I wish you the best in your academic pursuits and in all your endeavors. I trust that some day you will look back at your experience in Chemistry 103 and judge it to have been rewarding. I have enjoyed and benefitted from my interactions with the class and with individual students. Keep in touch in all ways you choose and visit my web page periodically (www.scifun.org).

         Thank you.