Tips and hints for success
While many students enter college already well-versed in chemical theory, they often find themselves lacking in some of the fundamentals of experimental techniques. This course is designed to walk a student through the basics of analytical chemistry. There is no pre-requisite knowledge of lab techniques, but they will build-up quickly.
Make sure to use the course staff (and their office hours) and study groups to get the answers to any questions that you have. The best approach is to always make sure that you know what you are doing, and why you are doing it, and if you don’t understand something then ask questions.
In the past, students have best been able to manage their workload with good time management. Students should be reading the textbook and lab manual before their lecture on Monday. Pre-lab assignments, and notebook pages, are best completed soon after lecture in order be prepared for lab. Break-up working on the post-lab assignment: consider doing the data analysis in the day or two after the lab period, and then polishing/completing the assignment (sometimes with help at office hours) later in the week.
An important note about getting answers to your questions: e-mail is not a replacement for office hours. While instructors will certainly respond to personal, private, and urgent matters by email, they will not be regularly answering content-related questions by email. To get answers from instructors, please attend any of the office hours.