ChEE 201
Elements of Chemical Engineering I
Fall 2007
University of Arizona
Instructor: Dr. Paul Blowers Office Hours: To Be Determined
128 Harshbarger blowers@engr.arizona.edu
Students should contact the instructor by email instead of by telephone. He checks his telephone messages every 2-3 weeks, but checks email very often and responds. Students should be aware that phone calls may not be returned in a timely manner.
Lecture: MWF 1 pm - 1:50 pm, Harvill 305
TA: To Be Determined
Course Description:
This course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of chemical process analysis. It will equip you with problem solving techniques and will give you experience in the application of these techniques to a wide variety of process-related problems. This course will also begin demonstrating how mathematics and spreadsheets can be a fundamental tool for solving complex engineering problems.
Text: Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, 3rd edition,
R. M. Felder and R. W. Rousseau, John Wiley and Sons, 1998 or 2005.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students should:
1) be able to comfortably use unit conversions while solving problems
2) be able to confidently transfer a verbal problem statement into its mathematical representation
3) be able to write and solve mass balances for a process
4) be able to use the appropriate gas law while solving mass and energy balances
5) be able to use phase diagrams to solve mass and energy balances
6) be able to apply Raoult's law in mass and energy balances
7) be able to identify and use formulas for the different energy terms
8) be able to use heat capacities correctly in energy balances
9) be able to integrate material and energy balance solution techniques to solve complex problems
10) be able to investigate transient behaviors where variables change over time
Other metaconcepts the students should be proficient at:
1) be able to identify personal difficulties during problem solving and to take corrective action
2) be able to knowledgeably think of everyday examples where material and energy balances are important
3) be able to conceptually link levels of information and ideas in a problem solving framework
4) begin to use the library and electronic resources effectively to find high quality information
Course Prerequisites:
The courses you must have taken before this course are:
MATH 124 or MATH 125; CHEM 103A, CHEM 103B, CHEM 104A, CHEM 104B, ENGR 102. You should have also completed or be co-enrolled in ENGR 170 or ECE 175. If you have not fulfilled the co- or prerequisite courses you may be dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion since you may not succeed based on past student performance.
If the class becomes too large for the classroom it is scheduled in, students who do not meet the 2.0 U of A GPA may be dropped from the course. 2.0 is the minimum GPA to be a student at U of A so this requirement may be followed.
Course Website: http://blowers.chee.arizona.edu/chee_201.htm
Important Dates to Keep in Mind:
Last day to drop a course where it will not appear on the record of enrollment, September 14, 2007.
Last day to drop a course with a withdrawal of "W", October 12, 2007. Students must be passing the course in order to withdraw at this time.
Course Grading Policies:
Homework quizzes, and group projects (20 % of grade)
Homework is due at the beginning of the class on the day it is due. Late homework will not be accepted.
To eliminate confusion and difficulties in staying current, students will have 1 week from the date homework, quizzes, or exams are returned to discuss grading criteria and scores. After the 1 week time limit has passed, students will not be able to petition for changes. Additionally, students who do their homework with a team are responsible for knowing their score and retaining copies of the scored coversheet for their records. On the final exam, students will have 1 week into the new semester to petition on final grading scores.
To ensure students are responsible for their materials, work that is returned to students will be kept for 1 week after the first day a return to a student is attempted. If a student has not claimed their homework after 1 week of attempts in class, it will be destroyed.
Exams (four exams, will drop lowest exam score, 16.66 % each, 50 % of grade total).
These in-class exams are comprehensive and are scheduled for Sept 10, Oct 8, Oct 29, and Nov 19.
Unless otherwise announced, these exams will be closed book.
Make-up exams: A make-up exam may be arranged if you notify the instructor before the regularly scheduled exam. A makeup exam will be scheduled only if the student has a valid reason for missing the regularly scheduled exam. Verifiable illness with notification from the emergency dean or family emergencies are valid reasons for missing an exam.
Final exam: (30 % of grade).
Comprehensive final on Monday December 10th, 11 am to 1 pm. A comprehensive final will be given during the scheduled period during finals.
Grading Rubric:
Letter grades on exams or assignments will not be determined; a final letter grade will be given at the end of the semester instead. This course will be graded on a straight scale as follows:
Total percentage of points earned Final Grade
90 - 100 % A
77 - 89 % B
65 - 76 % C
52 - 64 % D
< 52% E
Course Lectures and Policies:
This class uses an active learning environment and attendance is not optional for students to be able to learn the material. If a student misses more than two class periods prior to the last drop date, they will be administratively dropped from the course. If the student misses three classes total, before and after the last drop date, they will receive a grade of E in the course. If a student must miss class a third or more times, they must communicate with Dr. Blowers in person to document why they have had valid reasons for missing each class.
A variety of measures will be used to ensure students are in class and excuses are not accepted unless they are substantiated by documented and verifiable methods. Some of the methods that will be used to verify attendance include submission of homework, submission of extra credit assignments in class, and visual inspection of the classroom. The instructor will know all student names and recognize students by the end of the third week of class so students are expected to be present at all times during class. Please note that the campus health center does not verify illnesses so other means must be used. The instructor will work with students to meet this requirement with email prior to class absenteeism.
DRC Center: Students who are able to use the services of the Disability Resource Center or may have other educational needs may see the professor at any time to discuss accommodations for their needs. However, this should be done at least 1 week prior to the first exam to allow for preparations that may be needed.
Student Success in This Course
Students who succeed in this class, i.e., those who earn grades of A or B, typically are serious students who follow the Arizona Board of Regents policy of studying three hours for every in class hour. This means that you should expect to spend 9-12 hours of outside time on this class each week, consistently, throughout the semester. This means:
1) Students should attend class for all scheduled lecture periods and get notes from classmates when they are unable to attend.
2) Students who must miss the discussion section due to course conflicts should get the notes and handouts from team members and then assiduously go through the information so they will understand the problem solution as it was presented.
3) Students should read the book sections that are assigned prior to attending the lecture for that material. Students will often be referred to the book information during the lecture and their success will depend upon some familiarization with the readings.
4) Students should come to class prepared to participate in active learning methods that encourage them to explore and question the material they are learning. This means that students should not expect any time during class for other activities like text messaging, telephone calls, other courses, or activities not part of the class. An active learning environment like the one used in this class maximizes exposure to problem solving techniques and mastery of the information.
5) Students should do their homework in a timely manner. Most homework assignments will be covered in class approximately seven days in advance of when they are due. This leaves students ample time to reflect on the examples in class, come to office hours, and submit complete and correct homework solutions. Students should begin working on their solutions as soon as the topics are covered in the active learning lecture so they have time to reach the correct answer. Likewise, half of the discussion problem solutions are due soon after the discussion where they are covered. Students should compare their answers to the team presentations to ensure they have the correct answer.
Standards for Homework Problems and Quizzes:
1. Briefly restate the problem using a sketch or diagram where appropriate. Label the sketch or diagram with all quantities involved.
2. Indicate the basis you select, and indicate any change of basis within the problem. State assumptions.
3. Include both the numerical value and units for all quantities involved, including intermediate results.
4. Answers should be circled or otherwise marked, and reported to an appropriate number of significant digits.
5. Values obtained from a handbook or other reference should be accompanied by a citation. For example:
CCl4 boiling pt. 76.5 oC (CRC, pg C-373)
6. Show how you have checked your work if appropriate.
7. Be clear and concise when writing answers to questions.
Standards for Style and Presentation of Problem Sets
1. All assignments are to be submitted on 8.5 x 11 inch paper with writing on one side only. Multiple pages must be stapled together. Unlined paper may be used if the work is done neatly. Handwriting must be legible.
2. Each page must have the student's name, the course number and the page number in the upper right hand corner.
Substandard work will result in a loss of credit.
Class Schedule (click here for PDF format): (This link will be updated as the semester progresses)
All homework is due on the days listed above unless otherwise designated on a specific problem handout.