Chem 2310 Syllabus

Assessment Outcomes Data Report

CHEM 2310 – FALL 2006

 

Instructor:  Bradley Davidson 

Course  Description: Chemistry 2310, Organic Chemistry I – First of a Two-semester sequence, covering physical properties, nomenclature, mechanisms of reactions, and biological relavance of organic anc bioorganic molecules. 

Enrollment:  197

Assessment method: The following assessment strategies were incorporated into this course:

• A pre-test/post-test approach was be used to measure comprehension and teaching of important concepts.  A  pre-test was administered through WebCT and taken out of class.  The ten multiple choice questions of the pre-test reappeared in the final, in slightly altered form, to assess teaching and learning progress during the semester. 
• Student evaluations are used to evaluate course/instructor strengths and weaknesses. 

 

Outcomes Data:  The post-test questions are shown below.  They some questions are slightly altered from the pre-test questions.  Correct answers are marked with 4. 

1. List the following compounds in order of decreasing acidity.  List most acidic compound first. 

 

1. B > A > D > C
2. B > D > A > C
3. C > A > D > B
4. A > D > C > B 4

 

2. Which statement in NOT true for an S_N2 reaction? 

1. The reaction is concerted.
2. The reaction involves two separate steps. 4
3. The reaction proceeds with inversion of configuration.
4. The reaction is bimolecular. 4

 

3. What is the product of the following reaction? 

 

                                      4 

4. The non-bonded electron pairs on the oxygen atom of dimethyl ether reside in what type of orbitals?

1. 2s
2. 2p
3. sp²
4. sp³ 4

 

5. What reaction sequence would accomplish this transformation? 

 

A)  
   4 

B) 
 

C) 
 

D) 
 

6. Which L-amino acid has the "R" configuration? 

                                                     4 

7. Which structure is lowest in energy? 

                                                                                                                 4

8. What is the IUPAC name for this compound? 

 

1. (E)-1-ethyl-1,3-dimethyl-1-pentene
2. (Z)-2-ethyl-4-methyl-2-hexene
3. (Z)-3,5-dimethyl-3-heptene
4. (E)-3,5-dimethyl-3-heptene  4

 

9. Which mechanism best represents the E2 reaction between bromoethane and methoxide ion? 

 

10. Which cation is most stable? 

                                                                                4 

The percentages of correct answers recorded for the pre- and post-tests are graphed below. 

 

Summary:  The pre-tests showed an almost random result, with most questions receiving near the 25%, which is, perhaps, not surprising for a technical subject.  The exception was question #2, which had two answers scored as correct, so the percentage correct was correspondingly higher.  Almost all questions showed the expected increase for the post-test.  The exception was question #1, which involved ranking the acid strength of organic molecules.  The inclusion of the ester (B), which had not been explicitely discussed in relation to acidity seemed to stump the class.  Acid-base concepts will continue to be stressed and reviewed throughout the course.  Question #10, which pertained to carbocation stability, exhibited the next lowest improvement for the post-test.  Students failed to recognize the contribution of resonance in the correct answer (D).  The implications of resonance to compound stability will be further emphasized.

      The course evaluations showed strong, but mixed opinions relating to the on-line quizes and homework sets, though sufficient positive comments suggest continuation, with some focusing of the questions used.  The use of Business 201 was poorly received due to dim lighting.  A change of room will be attempted, though lecture hall scheduling is difficult.  Finally, requests for additional out-of-class help support efforts to enlist a SI for problem sessions.