CHEM 2313 Georgia Tech | Fall 2021

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
Catalog Description: A second course in organic chemistry for pre-health majors that extends
the study to topics in synthesis, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry and polymer science. Primary
topics include the reactions of carbonyl compounds, aromatic compounds, and biopolymers.

Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 2311) with a minimum grade of "C"

LECTURE
ES&T L1255
MWF 9:30 -10:20 am

INSTRUCTOR

Professor Stefan France

(stefan.france@chemistry.gatech.edu)
Office: Molecular Science and Engineering 2100K
Office Hours: TBD

CO- INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Suneesh Karunakaran
suneesh.karunakaran@chemistry.gatech.edu
Office: IBB Wing 2b, Room 2209
Office Hours: TBD

TEACHING ASSISTANTS (office hours TBD)

Gabriel Faura (gfaura@gatech.edu)
Ashley Jones (ajones481@gatech.edu)
OVERVIEW
Welcome to CHEM 2313, Organic and Bio-organic chemistry! The essential
message of this course is that the behavior of organic compounds in real-life
settings is no different than their behavior in laboratory reactions. Both are
grounded in a set of fundamental principles of organic structure and reactivity. In
this course, we will learn and apply these fundamental principles to reactions in
both industrial settings, living systems, and the laboratory.

GOALS
Upon completing this course, you will be able to…
• Apply a variety of qualitative reasoning strategies, especially probabilistic
reasoning and reasoning by analogy, to predicting the mechanisms and
products of organic reactions.
• Draw and analyze reasonable organic reaction mechanisms using the curved
arrow formalism, the elementary-step framework, and structural stability
factors.
• Determine spatial relationships between molecules and groups and apply
these to predict the outcomes of reactions that introduce asymmetry.
• Design syntheses of relatively complex organic molecules from simple
precursors using mechanistic strategies for synthetic planning.
• Describe biomonomers and biopolymers, their synthesis, reactivity, and their
behavior using the principles and language of organic chemistry.

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

Required Textbooks
Organic Chemistry, 12th edition
by T.W. Graham Solomons, Craig B. Fryhle, and Scott A.
Snyder

If you have access to an earlier edition, you need to be aware

that the section numbers and problem numbers are different from the 12th edition.
However, if you take this into account you should still be able to use this earlier
edition. Problems from the textbook will only be suggested, not required. Readings
will be assigned both from the textbook and from supplemental materials that I will
provide on Canvas.
Model Kits (Recommended but not Required)
Many students find model kits useful when studying organic chemistry. You do
not need an expensive kit. A small selection of atoms and bonds is useful. Model
kits could certainly be shared. Students are allowed to use them on the exams.

COURSE FORMAT
CHEM 2313 will be offered in an in-person format with each class period also
having a synchronous broadcast through BlueJeans. Students will be able to ask
questions directly in person or using the BlueJeans chat feature. The course is
comprised on lecture class and recitation classes. During the lecture classes, new
material will be discussed along with any pertinent course logistics. In the
recitation classes, practice problems, problem-solving tips, establishing proper
study habits, and further concept explanations will be discussed. The recitation
sessions will not introduce new material and will focus on reviewing the topics
discussed in the lectures through practice problems and various examples. Both the
lectures and recitation classes will be recorded and posted on the course Microsoft
Teams page.

COURSE MANAGEMENT
The course will be managed through both GT Canvas and Microsoft Teams.
Canvas will be used as the primary repository and will include the course
information, syllabus, calendar, class notes, pre-lecture readings, homeworks,
current and old exams, practice problems, and answer keys. Make sure to turn on
your Canvas notifications and keep an eye out for course announcements.
Annotated notes will be posted following the completion of a topic. Recorded
lectures, recitations, and review sessions will be posted to Teams. Questions that
are posted on Canvas or Piazza will be answered by Prof. France or by the co-
instructor, Dr. Karunakaran, throughout the semester.

ASSESSMENTS AND GRADING

Course grades will be assigned based on points earned on pre-class quizzes,
homework, a project, and exams. Assessments will be performed using
GradeScope. Points are distributed as follows:

Pre-class quizzes…………………………………..............100 pts

Homework (HW)……………………………….................200 pts
Project (P)............................................................................100 pts
Midterm Exams (E1-E4)………………………..................400 pts
Final Exam (F)………………………………….................200 pts
Letter grades will be assigned using the following ranges.
score (out of 1000) = Q + HW + P + E1 + E2 + E3 + E4 + F

A……………………………………….1000 - 875 pts

B………………………………………...875 - 750 pts
C………………………………………...749 - 600 pts
D………………………………………...599 - 450 pts
F…………………………………………....449 - 0 pts

PRE-CLASS QUIZZES (Q)

Before each class period, a set of readings and/or videos will be assigned. These
materials will introduce concepts relevant to the problems we will encounter in
class. Short multiple-choice quizzes based on these materials will be posted in
Canvas. Pre-class quizzes must be completed in accordance with the posted
timelines before the requisite in-class discussions.

HOMEWORK (HW)
Homework assignments will be posted and will be uploaded into Gradescope in
accordance with the indicated due dates. The homework assignments will be
comprehensive and graded for accuracy. One opportunity for a homework
replacement will be available at the end of the semester. This assignment will
replace the lowest scoring homework.

PROJECT (P)
As part of the course grade, the class will be divided into groups of three students
(~40 total groups). Each group will be assigned a commercial, FDA-approved
pharmaceutical drug molecule and is responsible for generating a 15-20 min
presentation that fully discusses each drug compound. The presentations will be
uploaded to Canvas. More details on the project will be uploaded to Canvas.

MIDTERM EXAMS (E)

Four midterm exams will be posted and completed virtually on the dates indicated
on the class calendar schedule. Each midterm exam will be open for a 24-hr period
as indicated by the Assignment details in Gradescope. Once accessed, you will
have a 2-hr time period to complete and submit the exam using Gradescope. The
exam template MUST be used! Midterms are written to be completed in 50
minutes using an in-person format. There is no class on Exam days.
If you experience technical difficulties let us know immediately so we can help
you work through it. If there is an issue with scanning/submitting your document,
you need to send us some indication of your completed work in the 2hr window to
receive credit. Sending jpegs of your assignment via email is better than submitting
the exam late in Gradescope. If you experience trouble printing the exam, you can
write your answers on lined paper as a last resort and submit that rather than
spending your exam time trying to fix a printer. We can always have you complete
the template at another time for us to upload to Gradescope.

Each midterm exam may include a section of multiple-choice questions along with
short-answer, predict-the-products, mechanism, and synthesis questions. The exam
is open source but no collaboration between students and any other party are
allowed. Using sites like chegg.com are not allowed (falls under academic
dishonesty) as they are crowd-sourcing question-answer platforms.

Exam Schedule
Exam 1 Wed, Sep 15 Topics 1-3 100 points
Exam 2 Fri, Oct 8 Topics 4 and 5 100 points
Exam 3 Mon, Nov 1 Topic 6 100 points
Exam 4 Mon, Nov 15 Topic 7 100 points
Final Exam Fri, Dec 10 Topic 8 (40%) 200 points
Comprehensive (60%)

FINAL EXAM (F)

The final exam is scheduled for Fri, Dec 10th. It will be open for a 15-hr period
(9am-midnight EST) on Friday December 10th. Once accessed, you will have a 4-
hr time period to complete the exam (though it will be written to fit in a normal
final window which is 2hr 50min). We are going to be fairly strict with late
submissions so make sure you submit it within the 4hr window to avoid serious
deductions.

The final will be comprised of multiple choice, short answer, predict the product,
synthesis, mechanisms, and an extra credit question. It will be 60% comprehensive
and 40% based on the material from Topic 8. The length of each section (by
percentage of the total exam) will be very similar to previous exams with the
exception of the multiple choice and short answer. These sections combined will
have a similar weight to what was previously just the multiple choice section.
Final Exam Grading: Final exam grades and course point totals will be made
available to students on Thurs, Dec 16th.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE AND MAKEUP POLICY

If a student misses an exam due to planned absence (e.g., athletics), illness, or
other reasons, it is the student's responsibility to obtain an institute excused
absence from the Office of Student Life. See the following link for more details
regarding expectations, rights, and responsibilities:
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/student-absence-regulations/
Once the absence has been formally approved, the student will be able to take the
exam or make it up depending on the timing and circumstances.

For personal emergency situations, communicate with Prof. France or Dr.

Karunakaran as soon as possible. Also, contact the Office of the Dean of Students
to request a formal absence at https://studentlife.gatech.edu/content/class-
attendance

REGRADE POLICY
Regrades are automatically handled through Gradescope where students can select
the specific question and explain their reasoning for a regrade. Then the instructor
or grading TA can reevaluate the answers, respond to the students, and award
points accordingly in gradescope. All regrade requests need to be submitted within
one week from the time the graded assignment is posted.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Georgia Tech aims to cultivate a community based on trust, academic integrity,
and honor. Students are expected to act according to the highest ethical standards.
For information on Georgia Tech's Academic Honor Code, please visit
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/honor-code/ or
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/18/.
Any student suspected of cheating or plagiarizing on a quiz, exam, or assignment
will be reported to the Office of Student Integrity, who will investigate the incident
and identify the appropriate penalty for violations.

I am dedicated to helping you learn chemistry; however, I cannot do that unless

your work truly reflects your understanding and skill. Academic misconduct
undermines your own potential to learn and my ability to help you. Thus, I expect
you to adhere to the standards of academic integrity set forth in the Georgia Tech
Honor Code. Specifically, plagiarism and quotation must be avoided at all costs in
this course. I define plagiarism as using words written by another without giving
credit to the original author. Clearly, plagiarism is a misrepresentation of your own
ability. You should also avoid quotations, the use of another’s words with credit. I
expect your writing to reflect your own ideas.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS
FACIAL COVERINGS: Facial coverings are strongly recommended while
inside campus facilities.

Instructor Illness or Exposure to Covid-19

During the fall 2021 semester, it is possible that Prof. France or Dr. Karunakaran
could be required to quarantine due to exposure or isolate due to a Covid-19
diagnosis. Some disruption to classes or services is inevitable, but every effort will
be made to ensure continuity of operations. As is the case in any semester, the
faculty or instructor may cancel a class due to an illness or emergency situation
and cover any missed material at their own discretion. If there is a need to cancel a
class, you will be notified through the Canvas announcements feature.

Student Illness or Exposure to Covid-19

During the semester, you may be required to quarantine or self-isolate to avoid the
risk of infection to others. Quarantine is the separation of those who have been
exposed to someone with Covid-19 but who are not ill; isolation is the separation
of those who have tested positive for Covid-19 or been diagnosed with Covid-19
by symptoms.

If you have not tested positive but are ill or have been exposed to someone who is
ill, please follow the Covid-19 Exposure Decision Tree for reporting your illness.

During the quarantine or isolation period you may feel completely well, ill but
able to work as usual, or too ill to work until you recover.

When in isolation or quarantine, if you are well (asymptomatic), you will be able
to participate in the course remotely and or access the recorded sessions from
Teams.
If you are ill and unable to do course work this will be treated similarly to any
student illness. The Dean of Students will have been contacted when you report
your positive test or are told that it is necessary to quarantine and will notify your
instructor that you may be unable to attend class events or finish your work as the
result of a health issue. Your instructor will not be told the reason. We have asked
all faculty to be lenient and understanding when setting work deadlines or
expecting students to finish work, and so you should be able to catch up with any
work that you miss while in quarantine or isolation. Your instructor may make
available any video recordings of classes or slides that have been used while you
are absent, and may prepare some complementary asynchronous assignments that
compensate for your inability to participate in class sessions. Ask your instructor
for the details.

ACCOMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS THROUGH DISABILITY

SERVICES
If you are a student with learning needs that require special accommodation,
contact the Office of Disability Services at (404)894-2563 or
http://disabilityservices.gatech.edu/, as soon as possible, to make an appointment to
discuss your special needs and to obtain an accommodations letter. Please also e-
mail me as soon as possible in order to set up a time to discuss your learning needs.

STUDENT-FACULTY EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT

At Georgia Tech we believe that it is important to strive for an atmosphere of
mutual respect, acknowledgement, and responsibility between faculty members
and the student body. See http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/22/ for an
articulation of some basic expectation that you can have of me and that I have of
you. In the end, simple respect for knowledge, hard work, and cordial interactions
will help build the environment we seek. Therefore, I encourage you to remain
committed to the ideals of Georgia Tech while in this class.

STATEMENT OF INTENT FOR INCLUSIVITY

As a member of the Georgia Tech community, I am committed to creating a
learning environment in which all of my students feel safe and included. Because
we are individuals with varying needs, I am reliant on your feedback to achieve
this goal. To that end, I invite you to enter into dialogue with me about the things I
can stop, start, and continue doing to make my classroom an environment in which
every student feels valued and can engage actively in our learning community.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
In your time at Georgia Tech, you may find yourself in need of support. Below you
will find some resources to support you both as a student and as a person.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT
• Center for Academic Success http://success.gatech.edu
o 1-to-1 tutoring http://success.gatech.edu/1-1-tutoring
o Peer-Led Undergraduate Study (PLUS)
http://success.gatech.edu/tutoring/plus
• OMED: Educational Services (http://omed.gatech.edu/programs/academic-
support)
o Group study sessions and tutoring programs
• Communication Center (http://www.communicationcenter.gatech.edu)
o Individualized help with writing and multimedia projects
• Advising and Transition (https://advising.gatech.edu)
o Study Strategies Seminar course https://advising.gatech.edu/gt2801-
study-strategies-seminar
o Academic coaching https://advising.gatech.edu/academic-coaching
o Advising in your major http://advising.gatech.edu/

PERSONAL SUPPORT
Georgia Tech Resources
• The Office of the Dean of Students:
https://studentlife.gatech.edu/content/get-help-now; 404-894-6367;
nd
Smithgall Student Services Building 2 floor
o You also may request assistance at https://gatech-
advocate.symplicity.com/care_report/index.php/pid383662?
• Center for Assessment, Referral and Education (CARE) 404-894-3498;
https://care.gatech.edu/
o Smithgall Student Services Building 1st floor
o Students seeking assistance from the Counseling Center or Stamps
Psychiatry need to visit CARE first for a primary assessment and
referral to on and off campus mental health and well-being resources.
o Students in crisis may walk in during business hours (8am-4pm,
Monday through Friday) or contact the counselor on call after hours
at 404-894-2575 or 404-894-3498. Other crisis resources:
https://counseling.gatech.edu/content/students-crisis
 • Students’ Temporary Assistance and Resources (STAR):
https://studentlife.gatech.edu/content/star-services
o Can assist with interview clothing, food, and housing needs.
• Stamps Health Services: https://health.gatech.edu; 404-894-1420
o Primary care, pharmacy, women’s health, psychiatry, immunization
and allergy, health promotion, and nutrition
• OMED: Educational Services: http://www.omed.gatech.edu
• Women’s Resource Center: http://www.womenscenter.gatech.edu; 404-
385-0230
• LGBTQIA Resource Center: http://lgbtqia.gatech.edu/; 404-385-2679
• Veteran’s Resource Center: http://veterans.gatech.edu/; 404-385-2067
• Georgia Tech Police: 404-894-2500; http://www.police.gatech.edu

National Resources
● The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255
o Free and confidential support 24/7 to those in suicidal or emotional
distress
● The Trevor Project
o Crisis intervention and suicide prevention support to members of the
LGBTQ+ community and their friends
o Telephone | 1-866-488-7386 | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
o Online chat | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
o Text message | Text “START” to 687687 | 24hrs day, 7 days a wee