Homework

Homework will be assigned and completed via the Aktiv Chemistry platform. Due dates can be found on the platform or on the Course Schedule.  Deadline extensions will not be granted for any reason, including computer malfunction. However, any questions that remain incomplete or incorrect can still be completed after the due date until the exam over that material for up to half credit. The lowest two (2) homework scores will be dropped.

An Aktiv account can be purchased through the bookstore at https://usm.ecampus.com/ or directly through the site itself using the instructions below.

There is a free trial which expires on Feb 4. You must pay to activate your account before then. DO NOT create a new account at that time. You can simply activate the account you already created.

Note that Aktiv has a fairly good mobile ap, as well, so you can complete work on your mobile device if you choose.

Homework Policies

• Homework due dates/times are non-negotiable. Deadlines will not be extended for any reason, including computer malfunction. Assignments will be available two weeks prior to the due date. Plan ahead and plan accordingly. 

• Any questions that remain incomplete or incorrect can still be completed after the due date until the exam over that material for up to half credit

• The lowest two (2) scores will be dropped.

• Homework is to be completed individually.  Suspicion and/or evidence of working collaboratively on graded work will result in referral to the academic dean for academic dishonesty.

• You will have between 3-5 attempts for each problem, depending on the nature of the question. Ten percent (10%) will be deducted for each incorrect answer, for which you will receive feedback. The answer and solution process will be shown 

  • Graded homework should not be when you first "practice" these problems. There are plentiful practice worksheets on the website.  Use those for practice PRIOR to attempting the graded homework.

Aktiv Course Code (Spring 2025): USYFCH

Note that Aktiv offers a free trial period. You can fully access the site without paying for the first two weeks of the semester using the instructions below and the course code. At that point, you MUST purchase access to the platform. Remember, all of your homework and quizzes will take place via this platform, so this is an absolute requirement of the course.

Quizzes

There will two quizzes per week (most weeks). They will be available on Aktiv Chemistry beginning at 6 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays and open until 15 minutes before lecture begins the next day. Quizzes will cover material from the previous lecture, as well as basic material from the reading for the material we are covering that day.  Questions from the previous lecture may be more in depth than questions from the upcoming material. Questions from the upcoming material will be very basic and can be answered easily from your text. You are allowed to use any materials you wish (text, notes, etc.) as a resource for these quizzes.

The lowest three (3) quiz scores will be dropped.