CHEM 103 & 107 “Chemistry Jumpstart”
Our team of instructors strives to provide you with learning resources that will help you strengthen your foundational knowledge of chemistry. Our goal is that you will enter the semester with the confidence and capabilities to hit the ground running. Supported by a strong foundation, we will be able to make the most of our brief 15 weeks together, preparing you to apply concepts learned in class to a variety of contexts.
We want to see you succeed in chemistry!
CHEM 103 & 107 are taught at a fast pace and we will assume that you have a basic background in mathematics and some fundamentals of science. Hence, you will be required to complete a Chemistry Jumpstart program in the ALEKS online platform before you start these courses. The purpose of the Chemistry Jumpstart program is, through the ALEKS platform, to first gauge your math and basic science background through an initial assessment. Don’t worry if you don’t do so well on this assessment; you won’t be penalized. The next step is the important one: you will be guided through a series of activities within the interactive program to help you strengthen areas you need to improve. This learning mode is designed to help you identify and address any weaknesses you may have in expected knowledge prior to your first day of class.
Our goal is to have you start off the semester with confidence, knowing that you have the needed skills to start learning chemistry in our classes. Specifically, completing this program will help you become familiar and comfortable with the skills we will be using in class starting on the first day. Chemistry Jumpstart is a great way to make the first couple weeks on campus a bit less daunting and to increase your overall success in the course.
Here are some important facts:
- UD Chemistry Jumpstart is hosted by the software company ALEKS.
- UD Chemistry Jumpstart is required for all CHEM103/CHEM107 students.
- An email will be sent 4-5 weeks before the semester begins with information on accessing the program.
- Completion of the program is worth 3% of your final grade for CHEM103/CHEM107.
- You must complete the program in full prior to the start of classes to earn credit for this component.
Student FAQ:
I have already completed the Math ALEKS placement test. Is this the same thing?
No. This is not a placement test for math or any other course. This is a preparatory program that will help you start the semester in your chemistry course with confidence.
How much do I have to pay for the ALEKS Chemistry Jumpstart program?
This program is provided at no cost to students, both at UD’s main campus and Wilmington campus.
How will I access Chemistry Jumpstart?
A few weeks before the semester begins, all students enrolled in CHEM 103 or CHEM107 will receive an email message with instructions and a link to access the program. You will need the registration code from that email to sign up for a new account.
Can I begin before receiving the email?
No. The program will not be available until a few weeks before the semester to make sure the concepts are fresh in your mind when you first arrive on campus.
What about students who have prior college-level experience with Chemistry?
All students enrolled in CHEM 103 or CHEM107 for the fall will be required to complete the program. If your initial assessment is very strong, your learning mode time will reflect your previous knowledge and hence be shorter.
How long will it take me to complete Chemistry Jumpstart?
That depends on your background knowledge. It can take anywhere from 2 hours to over 40 hours. Please plan for at least 40 hours to ensure that you have sufficient time to complete the program before classes begin.
Will this be graded?
YES. Completion of Chemistry Jumpstart will count for 3% of your CHEM103 or CHEM107 semester grade. As mentioned above, students earn either a 100% or 0%; you must complete the entire curriculum to earn this course credit.
Will I have to complete all the topics?
You will receive credit for this program only if you complete the whole program. Remember we will be using all the topics in the program during the semester, many during the first week. If something is difficult now, it is not going to go away and putting in the time now will make your semester more manageable.
Will the initial assessment count against me?
No, the initial assessment will not determine your grade in the program. Students will earn credit only for completing the entire program, regardless of initial assessment. Please do not try to “game” the initial assessment. This will only make the first week of classes more challenging for you.
When do I have to complete the Jumpstart program in order to receive credit?
The introductory email will include a recommended completion date for Chemistry Jumpstart but you will receive the credit if you complete the program by midnight on the Friday before the semester begins. Please try to work on this as soon as you can during the summer as it can take anywhere from 2 hours to upwards of 40 hours to complete.
What if I just added the course, and the due date has either passed, or is very near?
If you add the class after the recommended due date, contact your instructor and the UD Jumpstart administrator (chemjumpstart@udel.edu) the day you add the class. There are likely other communications from your instructor that you have missed, and the UD Jumpstart administrator will help apply an extension to your program.
I still have questions. Who do I contact?
If you experience technical issues accessing your ALEKS account or questions about content within ALEKS, please contact ALEKS support. ALEKS support can be reached by phone at (714) 619-7090 or by web form.
If you did not receive the course code by three weeks before the semester or have more questions about the philosophy of ALEKS Chemistry Jumpstart, please contact the UD Jumpstart administrator at chemjumpstart@udel.edu.
This information is also available online through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry website.
