Organic Chemistry I
Official Description
Organic Chemisty with Lab (24-342/3)
This is a general course in organic chemistry for
students majoring in chemistry. It must be taken
concurrently with Chem 24-343. Three hours of
lecture and recitation.
Overview
An introduction to Organic Chemistry. Students are taught nomenclature of organic compounds, categories and properties of compounds, molecular structure, reaction pathways, and general trends.
Lab
The Organic I lab is far more intensive then the Gen Chem Labs. Instead of being given a lab manual, students must write comprehensive lab reports for each lab done, some labs spanning two or three weeks. Students must also complete Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before each lab. Also notice that this lab is 6 credit hours: There are two, three-hour sessions per week.
What Really Happens
Do you like math and your calculator? Too bad, because there is absolutely no math in Organic I. The class focuses on general trends, and gives reason to some things taught in Chem I + II (ie: VSEPR Theory) Not necessarily a hard class, though. Most trends are common sense and can be reached through simple reasoning. A molecular model kit is highly, highly recommended for the course. One may be able to get away with taking lecture without the lab.