Organic Chemistry I - Chem 211

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Study Alert! Before class begins: use this checklist to guide your preparatory studying so you can start the first day with confidence!  We will go through chapter 1 &2 of Klein during the first week, and these chapters assume a basic foundation of the concepts listed on this checklist.  

Course Materials:

Example links have been provided , but prices are always changing, so shop around for the best price. The first semester is unfortunately quite expensive if you buy everything brand new, so start early and ask around for used options.   These particular links were built by our department such that using them helps to fund the department scholarship program (only by clicking on them, not at any additional cost to the student). NOTE: We are NOT using the Wiley (+) online HW system, so a used version of the textbook is perfectly acceptable.

• Meyer Joiner, C.D. Chemistry 211 Course Guide - These are the lecture note templates and selected problem sets.  You will need them with you at all classes meetings. It is a large PDF and free to download.  If you have a tablet (e.g. iPad Pro), you can take notes on the pdf using the GoodNotes App.  If you prefer to write it out by hand, then send the file to a place like Staples to be printed and bound (recommended print settings - double side, spiral binding, black and white).  

• Official ACS Organic Chemistry Study Guide (for the final exam)

• Klein, David R. Organic Chemistry. 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2020. Example links:  ISBN =978-1119659594 (Loose leaf hard copy).  The e-book is also acceptable. No code for Wiley Plus needed, we don't use that system for online problems.  Also note that the 1st and 2nd editions are not recommended.  The 4th edition, however, is acceptable, but likely more expensive.

• Klein, David R. Student Study Guide and Solutions Manual, 4e, for Organic Chemistry, 4e. 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2020. Loose Leaf hard copy

• Ball & Stick Molecular Model Kit (example)

• Organic Chemistry As a Second Language, 5e: First Semester Topics (example link)

• Composition book (or other dedicated notebook for HW) (example)

• Hexagonal Graph Paper -optional- (example)

• Spartan Student (software - discount link sent on first day)

• Lab Notebook - Research Version - any color cover is okay

• Lab Coat – 100% cotton, long sleeve, knee-length (example). Polyester lab coats are not allowed. Do not buy the lab coat available in the student store, it is a polyester blend, and not safe for organic labs.

• Goggles – Fully enclosed (not plastic ‘glasses’) with elastic head strap (example)

Computer preparation for a new semester:

If you have a reliable computer already, I recommend that you take some time for the following housekeeping to make your experience more seamless for you - (although we are a face-to-face class, this class relies heavily on computer usage for computational chemistry assignments, lab report writing, assignment submission and occasional office hours that are held via zoom.

1. Backup all files (to an external hard drive and/or online cloud system - I personally do both!)

2. Sort files by largest size.  Delete any that are now cluttering your space, especially large files.

3. Do a hard reboot.

4. Perform software updates - including updating to the latest version of Chrome, zoom, etc.

5. If space permits, download 1 or 2 reliable backup browsers (like Brave, etc.)

6. Do another hard reboot before the first day of class.