IMORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES FOR SUMMER 2012 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY COURSES

For the Summer 2012 organic chemistry lecture course I have adopted Organic Chemistry, 10th 
Edition, by Solomons and Fryhle.  I will be using the text as an integral part of the 
course and using it as a significant source.  It is in your best interest to have a copy of 
that text.  If you use a prior edition to save money, you will be spending a good deal of 
time trying to coordinate with the 10th edition.  I do not recommend using a prior edition 
or any other text given that time is very tight in a summer course.

Given that, there are many ways you can get a 10th edition.  There is a hardcover version, 
a 3 hole binder version and an ebook version.  Along with this, there is a web based Wiley 
Plus software program to support students.  Wiley Plus has the ebook version and many other 
helpful applications.  For Wiley Plus, you receive a login account which is good for the 
summer course.  I am confused as the when your license would expire but it will expire at 
some point after the course ends.  At this time, I am not sure what use I will make of 
Wiley Plus but I expect my use to be minimal.

The approximate costs as I understand it are as follows:  Wiley Plus alone ($120), 3 hole 
binder version alone ($170), 3 hole binder version and Wiley Plus special version ($185), 
hard cover version ($240), hard cover version and Wiley Plus ($255).  In the bundled 
packages, the additional cost for Wiley Plus is highly discounted.  I am told by many 
people that ebooks are becoming very popular with students.  Please note that the prices I 
mention here are from the Publisher and the final cost from the bookstore could be highly 
when the course begins due to any number of reasons.  In my life, I am finding it very 
difficult to get exact prices until you reach the checkout window.

In long conversations with the textbook manager of the Ramapo Colege bookstore, we have 
agreed that the bookstore will stock both the hard cover bundled with Wiley Plus and 3 hole 
binder verisons bundled with Wiley Plus.  There are advantages and disadvantages to either 
choice.  I will be asking students to bring the pages we are using to class so that I can 
refer to the actual book sections for the material I am covering in that day.

You will also be required to wear safety goggles when experiments are being done in the 
lab.  If you have eye protection from a prior lab course, bring them to class on the first 
day for evaluation.  Generally speaking, hardware store goggles are not suitable for 
chemistry labs for reasons I will discuss in the first lab meeting.  The bookstore will 
stock suitable eye protection.  You will be required to have eye protection by Wednesday, 
July 11th.

There is a separate Study Guide for the Solomons text.  I do not know the approximate cost.  
The bookstore manager said he would probably have a limited number available.  You are not 
required to have this study aid.  We will be working on assigned problems in the recitation 
lab periods scheduled the class meeting before each test.  I will have my study guide at 
those class meetings and I can bring it to our lab meetings if someone tells me to do 
so.

And lastly, if you have a large sum of disposable cash, you could purchase a molecular 
model kit which will help in understanding the 3D aspects of organic molecules.  I expect 
we will have a lab period devoted to using model kits supplied by the chemistry 
department in the first summer session.  I will not generally use models in the second 
session.  Again, the purchase of a molecular model kit is not required.

In sum, what you really are required to have is suitable eye protection and a copy of the 
10th edition of the Solomons text.  If you use an earlier edition of Solomons, you are on 
your own to find the important sections to study.

If you have any questions, please email me (bshine@ramapo.edu) or give me a call 
(201-444-4150).

Bob Shine
July 1, 2012