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Catalog Description (2009-2010): Thermodynamic analysis of multi-component, multiphase, and reacting systems. Calculation of properties for real materials. Application of First and Second Laws. Free-energy, activity, fugacity, and activity coefficients. Phase equilibrium. Chemical reaction equilibrium and reaction rate kinetics.
Student Outcomes: At the end of this course, each student should be able to:
I can usually be found in or around my office from about 7:30 in the morning until about 4:00 in the afternoon. Please feel free to stop by the office as needed, even if it doesn't match the posted office hours.
You are welcome to phone or email to arrange an appointment. Appointments are not necessary, but are nice if you think you need a sizeable block of time.
I try to maintain an updated schedule on Google Calendar
The text for this class will be:
The library has a tremendous amount of material that is relevant to this course. Use it to your advantage.
Prior to 2004, the course was taught using:You are encouraged to consult other texts. In particular, you should recognize some of the material as overlapping books from previous courses:
Often thermodynamics problems require you to locate data. Handbooks and databases are good sources as are specialized data collections. The CBU library has a number of useful titles, including:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has placed a large amount of data on the web. Examples include:
If you find a misprint, etc., in the text, please let me know so that the information can be shared.
Generally speaking, students are encouraged to work together to understand the course material. Students are allowed to cooperate on all "regular" homework problems, unless specifically requested not to do so. All students must turn in individual assignments. Penalties will be imposed if there is evidence that students did not individually prepare their work. Some "design" homework assignments will be assigned to small groups. In these cases, please do not collaborate outside your group.
Collaboration is not permitted on any exam.
Current plans (subject to change -- your opinions are invited) are to have three or four tests during the semester. I will attempt to space them roughly equally, and will endeavor to give you at least one week's firm advance notice of each.
All regular exams will be open-book, open-note. The final examination will be open-book only -- notes and other unpublished materials will not be permitted.
No make-up exams will be given without advance arrangements (made before the day of the exam).
Collaboration is not permitted on any exam.
My goal for an exam problem is for the student to prove they know how to apply their knowledge to an unfamiliar situation. By contrast, homework is intended to exercise more basic skills. This means that test problems will not be "like the homework". Be warned.
If you are really interested in maximizing your exam score, keep in mind that if I don't understand what you're doing, you probably won't get all the points you may have earned. Also remember that I'm usually matching your paper against a solution of my own, so you want the similarities to jump out at me while any differences hide under a bushel.
With this in mind, be sure to
Grades will be determined by student performance on graded homework asssignments, examinations, and a comprehensive final examination. The components of the grade will be weighted so that:
The target grading curve will be determined by a 90, 75, 60, 50 scale. The grades actually assigned may be adjusted downward to reflect overall class performance (the class average score), using natural breaks in the score distribution. The class average score will typically correspond to a "C" grade. Adjustments will never raise a cutoff.
This grading scale does not apply to those students who fail to achieve at least 35% on the final exam. In such cases, an appropriate grade will be determined without strict reliance on the scale.
All students should be aware that performance on the final is very important, and that qualitative weight is given to work at the end of the semester over that at the beginning.
The best way to acquire the skills this course seeks to teach is practice. Homework assignments are the best opportunity to do so. Students are encouraged to work as many homework problems as they can in order to improve their knowledge.
Homework will be assigned frequently.
Homework is due by the beginning of class on the designated due date unless other instructions are given at the time of the assignment. Waiting too long to start is never an acceptable reason for being late. Late homework is not accepted unless arrangements are made in advance of the deadline.
All homework assignments must meet the following requirements. Assignments which do not comply will not be graded.
NOTHING will be accepted late unless arrangements were made prior to the due date. If a student is to be out of town, the instructor must be notified in advance. In case of illness, the instructor should be notified before the assignment becomes late, either by phone (901)321-3412 or email.
Makeup exams will only be given under extraordinary circumstances, and only if arrangements are made before the exam period.
There are two ways to earn "extra credit" or "bonus" points. These are added to your point totals but don't add to the "possible" points. Your options are:
These are links that you might find helpful as you study for this class. If you find any of them particularly useful (or especially useless), or if you want to suggest an addition to the list, please email and let me know.
Last Revised: 17 August 2009 by RMP
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