My name is Dr. Michael Russell and I will be your Chemistry 223 instructor this quarter. I think this will be an exciting term (although quite different from how I had imagined it!), and I look forward to working with you! You can call me Dr. Russell, Mr. Russell, Professor, Michael, Mike.... almost anything respectful is fine (*except* for "Mikey" - don't go there! lol)

I will probably be using this email address to communicate with you over spring quarter. If this is not the best email for me to use, simply email me and tell me your preferred email and I'll change it quickly.

Classes start Monday, March 29 at Mt. Hood Community College.

If you would like to start working on Chemistry 223 materials a bit earlier, then here are some ideas to get you started in the course successfully:

• First, know that I am here to help you in any way that I can, and I encourage you to contact me any time you need assistance. Email is the best way to contact me (mike.russell@mhcc.edu); you can also use Discord (https://discord.gg/fwhD9tf) where my office hours will be (Monday 8 AM - 11 AM and Wednesday 11 AM - 1 PM.) (Special note: this Monday only my office hours are 8 AM - 9 AM and 1 PM - 3 PM)

• Watch an introductory video from the instructor! Use this link to see who I am (and a longer version is also available, if interested)... there are quite a few videos available for you in this class, you can see a list of them here (Link to CH 223 Videos: https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/video.htm) or on YouTube (http://youtube.com/marsmars2 - check out the CH 223 Complete Lectures playlist.)

• Many questions relating to Chemistry 223 this quarter will be answered in the "Chemistry 223 FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) document, found here: https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/pdf/CH223FAQ.pdf You can also email me directly (mike.russell@mhcc.edu) if you have a question that is not answered elsewhere.

• Look around the CH 223 website (http://mhchem.org/223) We will not be using the MyMHCC Portal or Blackboard this quarter, but you will find a variety of goodies on our website.... check it out!

• View the CH 223 Syllabus and check out the 'Getting Started' guide (https://mhchem.org/Syl223/). This will let you know what the course is like, and be sure to check out the "What's Due This Week" Guide (both in the syllabus and here: https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/223Sch.htm

• Everything in CH 223 will be due via email on a Friday by 9 AM.

• Download (and start reading!) our free textbook (https://mhchem.org/text/OpenStaxChem.pdf). This is an "Open Education Resources" (OER) textbook, and it's free to download (and read.) You can get a printed copy on Amazon, but I would not normally recommend it.

• Explore the Chemistry 223 Discord server (https://discord.gg/fwhD9tf). Discord is a wonderful platform to share ideas and learning, and my office hours will be hosted there (Monday 8 AM - 11 AM and Wednesday 11 AM - 1 PM.) Special note: this Monday (March 29) my office hours will be 8 AM - 9 AM and 1 PM - 3 PM - my apologies for the change, I need to attend a doctor's appointment with my son, and this will be for this week only... my apologies for this unexpected change.

• Explore the CamScanner app (https://www.camscanner.com). If needed, CamScanner can easily turn written work into a PDF file which can easily be sent over email to me. It's a free app (don't pay for the upgrades), and if needed, this app can be quite awesome!

• Start - and maybe complete! - the "Introduce Yourself" lab (https://mhchem.org/223/pdfLabs223/Memorandum.pdf). I want to "know who you are", so the first lab will give me a chance to "meet" you as you create a video on YouTube, Vimeo, etc. This assignment is due on Friday, April 2 at 9 AM via email, but you can turn it in early if you'd like. Note: if you took CH 221 or CH 222 with me, then yes, you must create a new video for CH 223... give me an update on how things have been for you, etc.

• Start Problem Set #1 (https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/pdf/zPS1.pdf). Problem Set #1 covers Chapter 13 of our textbook, and it's officially due on Friday, April 9 at 9 AM via email.

• Start the Determination of an Equilibrium Constant (https://mhchem.org/223/pdfLabs223/DetEquilConst.pdf). This lab, like many of the labs we'll see this quarter, encourages you to watch a video, then complete the worksheets found toward the end of the lab. The Determination of an Equilibrium Constant lab will be due on Friday, April 9 at 9 AM via email.

• Look over Sample Quiz #1 (https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/pdf/QzSample223.pdf). By Friday, April 2, I will release the actual Quiz #1 (which you'll turn in to me via email on Friday, April 9 at 9 AM), but if you're curious about what the quiz might be like.... check out the practice quiz! Practice Quizzes also have answers available, so you can see how you're doing before you turn in the actual quiz... if you'd like to. See the complete list of sample quizzes and exams here.

• Reserve a Class Presentation Topic (https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/PresentationTopics.htm). Everyone will be creating a paper and giving a presentation this quarter on a "topic in science that interests you", and everyone must have a different topic.... so reserving a topic with me is the way to get started, especially since the date to reserve a compound is earlier than in CH 222 or CH 221 (the deadline is April 9, 2021 at 9 AM.) You can read more about the process here (https://mhchem.org/223/classroom/wlCPFull.htm), and to reserve a compound, you can use the form or just email me (mike.russell@mhcc.edu) directly.

OK, I *think* that is is :), but I'm sure I missed something, so.... if you have any questions, on anything!, please contact me (mike.russell@mhcc.edu). There are no dumb questions!!! My answers might be dumb, but your questions are not, so please let me know if I can help.

Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to a great term with you! Peace, --- Michael

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Here's a preview of what's going to be happening during Week #2:

• Explore and learn the material in Chapter 13. There are several tools to help you learn the material.... they include:
  • Read Chapter 13 in the textbook
  • Watch the Complete Lectures for Chapter 13 (found here: Part I, Part II)
  • Lecture videos for Chapter 13 can be found on YouTube and as a Podcast.
  • Chapter Guide One (online learning materials for Chapter 13) might be helpful
  • "Mini video lectures" can be found in the Screencasts page for CH 223 under Chapter 13.
  • The Concept Guide for Chapter 13 and other Chapter 13 handouts might prove useful.
• Due Friday. April 9 at 9 AM: Problem Set #1 which covers problems from Chapter 13.
  • Use this link to get the Spring 2023 version of problem set #1.
  • Complete Problem Set #3 on your own first, then watch the "Problem Set #1 Recitation Video" and self-correct your problem set while watching the video... problem sets must show extensive self-correct marks for full credit.
  • Problem sets, once completed and self-corrected, will be emailed to the instructor.
  • Practice Problem Set #1 might be of help while completing problem set #1; answers are included at the end of the document.
• Due Friday. April 9 at 9 AM: Quiz #1 which will be released on Friday, April 2.
  • Quizzes will be completed and emailed back to the instructor.
  • Sample Quiz #1 (answers) might be helpful.
• Due Friday. April 9 at 9 AM: The "Determination of an Equilibrium Constant" Lab.
  • Download the newest version of the lab using this link.
  • To complete the lab, watch this video, then complete the worksheets towards the end of the lab to finish the material.
  • Email the lab materials to the instructor when completed.
• Due Friday. April 9 at 9 AM: Select a Class Presentation topic. Email me to reserve a class presentation topic; use this page to see which topics are still available (and which have been claimed.