This course introduces the fundamental principles of Organic Chemistry with an emphasis on molecular structure, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, nomenclature, and introductory organic synthesis. Students will examine the relationship between molecular structure and chemical reactivity while developing mechanistic reasoning skills used to predict products and reaction outcomes. Topics include bonding and hybridization, nomenclature, stereochemistry, acid–base chemistry, thermodynamics, addition reactions, substitution and elimination mechanisms, and an introduction to multistep synthesis. The course is designed for students pursuing careers in the health sciences and related scientific disciplines. Special topics, case studies, and applied projects connecting organic chemistry to medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry, and other health-related fields will be incorporated throughout the course to emphasize real-world applications of organic chemistry. The course will also encourage active student participation, scientific communication, collaborative learning, and class discussion to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Each week, you will complete a worksheet pertaining to a new course concept. These worksheets are intended serve as independent practice and can be completed alongside lectures and readings. Use the opportunity to draw chemical structures to reinforce visual neural pathways and muscle memory. Worksheets are graded based on completion. Successful submission of a worksheet will unlock an answer key in the weekly content.
Discussion boards are utilized throughout the course as spaces for investigation, problem solving, and peer interaction. Each discussion will have an initial post (due on Friday) followed by peer responses (due on Sunday). Beginning in Week 12, weekly topic discussions will be replaced by presentation project focused interactions.
The Aktiv platform is a central component of the learning materials and practice in the course. Every week, you will review the textbook and learning materials hosted via the Aktiv platform to complete a variety of homework questions. If you are struggling in a particular area, you will have the option to practice with additional questions focused on similar concepts.
Through Labster, you will interact with virtual environments to complete safety training and experiments. Most weeks will explore differing topics in the platform that make up the lab component of the course.
The presentation project is broken into several steps starting in Week 10. You will first select a presentation format and topic for approval by your instructor. In Week 12, you will submit your 4 -7 minute presentation as an assignment for review and to a discussion for class viewing. This discussion forum will be used over the next three weeks to engage in conversation and reflection regarding the presentations.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
| Assignment Category | Grade Percentage |
|---|---|
| Aktiv Homework | 20% |
| Labs | 20% |
| Discussions | 10% |
| Practice Worksheets | 5% |
| Presentation Project | 10% |
| Midterm Exam | 15% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 93 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 92.9% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89.9% | 3.50 |
| B | 83 – 86.9% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 82.9% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79.9% | 2.50 |
| C | 73 – 76.9% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 72.9% | 1.75 |
| D | 60 – 69.9% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 59.9% | 0.00 |
| Week | Topic | Assignments | Due Dates |
| 1 | Structure and Bonding |
Aktiv Week 1 Homework Labster Week 1 Homework: Lab Safety Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 2 | Polar Covalent Bonds; Acids and Bases |
Aktiv Week 2 Homework Labster Week 2 Homework: Chemistry Safety Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 3 | Organic Compounds: Alkanes and Their Stereochemistry |
Aktiv Week 3 Homework Labster Week 3 Homework: Thin Layer Chromatography – Separate a mixture and monitor a reaction’s progress Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 4 | Organic Compounds: Cycloalkanes and Their Stereochemistry |
Aktiv Week 4 Homework Labster Week 4 Homework: Simple Distillation – Recycle waste from biodiesel production Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 5 |
Stereochemistry at Tetrahedral Centers |
Aktiv Week 5 Homework Labster Week 5 Homework: Fractional Distillation – Separate a liquid mixture into its fractions Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 6 | An Overview of Organic Reactions |
Aktiv Week 6 Homework Labster Week 6 Homework: Recrystallization – Purify your solid production Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 7 | Alkenes: Structure and Reactivity |
Aktiv Week 7 Homework Midterm Exam Practice Worksheet |
Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Midterm Exam due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 8 | Alkenes: Reactions and Synthesis |
Aktiv Week 8 Homework Labster Week 8 Homework: Purification and Separation of a Mixture – Test your analytical chemistry skills Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 9 | Alkynes: An Introduction to Organic Synthesis |
Aktiv Week 9 Homework Labster Week 9 Homework: Synthetic Polymers – Discover their impact on everyday life Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 10 | Organohalides |
Aktiv Week 10 Homework Labster Week 10 Homework: Liquid-liquid Extraction – Extract caffeine from your everyday drinks Week 10: Presentation Topic Selection Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Presentation Discussion due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 11 | Spectroscopy: Combined Spectral Problems |
Aktiv Week 11 Homework Labster Week 11 Homework: Elimination Reaction – Use cyclohexanol to create polymers Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Discussion Initial post to prompt is due by 11:59 PM ET Friday Discussion responses to peers by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 12 | Structure Determination: Mass Spectroscopy and Infrared Spectroscopy |
Aktiv Week 12 Homework Labster Week 12 Homework: Mass Spectrometry – The race of the fastest fragment Final Presentation Assignment Final Presentation Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Presentation Discussion due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 13 | Structure Determination: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy |
Aktiv Week 13 Homework Labster Week 13 Homework: Proton NMR – Spectra interpretation Final Presentation Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Presentation Discussion due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 14 | Conjugated Compounds and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy |
Aktiv Week 14 Homework Labster Week 14 Homework: Infrared Spectroscopy Final Presentation Discussion Practice Worksheet |
Assignments due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday Presentation Discussion due by 11:59 PM ET Sunday |
| 15 | Final Exam |
Final Exam |
Final Exam due by 11:59 PM ET Friday |
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6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
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Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3-point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
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A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
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