Course Name:  Organic Chemistry I 
Course Prefix: Chem
Course Number: 2310
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Barry Lloyd, blloyd@weber.edu

Current Date:  12/7/2010
College: Science
Department:   Chemistry                              
From Term: Fall  2011 

CHEM 2310. Organic Chemistry I (5) Su, F, S Fundamental principles of organic chemistry, including structure and reactivity of carbon based molecules. . Four hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab a week. Prerequisite: CHEM SI1220

New/Revised Course Information:

Course Title: Organic Chemistry I

Abbreviated Course Title: Organic Chemistry I

Credit Hours:  4  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 4  Lab    Other

Grading Mode:  standard

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

CHEM 1220 Principles of Chemistry II. Corequisite CHEM 2315 Organic Chemistry I Lab.

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

CHEM 2310. Organic Chemistry I (4) Su, F, S
Principles of organic chemistry, including structure and reactivity of carbon based molecules. Detailed study of mechanisms, synthesis, and reactions. Alkane, alkyl halide, alkyne, alcohol, and ether families are covered. Four hours of lecture a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 1220. Corequisite CHEM 2315.

Justification for the new course or for changes to an existing course. (Note: Justification should emphasize academic rationale for the change or new course. This is particularly important for courses requesting upper-division status.)

Weber State Chemistry Department is one of few institutions that has integrated laboratory exercises incorporated into most chemistry courses, where laboratory scores are currently figured into an overall lecture/lab grade. Laboratory is usually a separate course at other universities (U of U and USU, for examples) and students earn a separate laboratory grade. After much discussion, the WSU Chemistry Department voted to separate organic laboratory courses from lectures (Chem 2310 and 2320). Laboratory courses would then be Chem 2315 and 2325, the same as at other in-state chemistry departments. Chem 2315 and 2325 (1 credit hour each) are already on our books, but are currently used only for transfer students who have had a lecture only course elsewhere. We propose to change Chem 2310 and 2320 courses from 5 to 4 credit hours each. Chem 2310L and 2320L (0 credit hours) course numbers would be eliminated. Chem 2315 and 2325 would become co-requisites to chem 2310 and 2320, respectively, for all students. No net credit hour change results. Organic chemistry I and II are core courses, required for B.S. degrees. Advantages:

Simplifies most (but not all) transfer articulations. Better alignment with other (especially in-state) universities.
Students with good lab grades but poor lecture grades would not have to repeat lab. Saves laboratory space and lab grading.
Students could transfer or repeat lecture or lab only and try for a better grade -- greater flexibility for students.
Lab grade would indicate experimental aptitude separate from lecture (theoretical) ability.
Might allow online lecture or lab only course offerings -- could reach more remote students.
Would accommodate lecture only transfer students who are currently turned away.