CHEM1120 Welcome - Northrup's 8 A.M. Section



Northrup's Chem1120 Home Page

Welcome to my section of Chem1120. Let me give you some general information about how I teach this course that will help you have success. If you have already had me for Chem1110 last semester, things will be pretty much the same.

I have published a complete copy of my lecture notes that you will be able to purchase fromthe bookstore the first week of class for about $10. These notes are identical to my PowerPoint slides that I use in class. Still, it is essential that you come to every class to be sure to take notes from my lecture. I have left blanks in the printed notes that you must fill in during lecture.

You also must have a Responsive Innovations RF Clicker since I use these to give pop quizzes and such during the lecture. Yes, I know it's a pain.

But an even bigger pain is that you have to have OWL online homework access as well, which should be OK if you are continuing on from Fall semester. It will still be good. You simply have to log in and change your section to Chem1120-001 spring 2006. Other than that, you're good to go.

I rely heavily on email and the Internet to post important information to you, and so you should immediately become adept at checking and sending email messages. Feel free to send me email messages with any questions you have. That is the best way to reach me. You may also stop by and see me at my office, Foster 333, right next to the Chemistry PC Lab. I am usually there, unless I'm somewhere else. (Is that helpful?) It might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with me by email before coming to see me unless you come during my posted Help Hours (2:30 - 4:30 on Tuesdays).

30% of your course grade is based on lecture quizzes and graded homework. This is to be broken down as follows:

  • 15% - five or six announced 30-minute quizzes in class (I drop your lowest).
  • 5% - about a dozen pop quizzes in lecture at random, taking 5 minutes (I will drop two or three lowest). You need a functioning Clicker to take these.
  • 10% - OWL Homework (Nothing will be dropped).

    Here is a checklist of things to do to succeed in the class:

  • Read the assigned readings from the textbook.
  • Come to class every day and pay close attention. Try to understand the material as I present it. Don't say to yourself, "Oh I can figure this out later when I study."
  • Work the assigned OWL homework problems. These are posted on the Web
  • Work the practice quizzes in the Chem1120 TestBank posted on the Web.
  • Come to my HELP SESSIONS, which are usually held the afternoon or evening before a quiz or test.
  • Form a study group to help one another study for the tests.
  • If you are still having trouble, use the free chemistry tutors in the help room Foster Room 133, 3-9 p.m. M-Th.
  • Email me (SNorthrup) with questions that arise during your study that you can't resolve for yourself.
  • Come see me at my office (Foster 333) during my office help hours Tuesdays 2:30 - 4:30 pm if you continue to have problems understanding the material.
  • Keep your mind clear by getting plenty of sleep, eating proper meals, and avoiding the use of drugs and alcohol. Partying and poor attendance is the main reason students don't do well in this course.
  • Throughout the semester, all your scores will be posted on the WebCT site for this section. A running total score will be given which will help you understand how you are doing overall in the course.


    To send electronic mail to Dr. Northrup ====> snorthrup@tntech.edu, or call 931-372-3748, or come to the main Chemistry office in Foster Hall 333 and ask to see Dr. Northrup. You, the student, are the reason we are here.