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Chemistry 141                                     Fall 2009

 

                                General Information

 

Chemistry 141 is the first semester of the one-year general chemistry course (141-142).  It is assumed that you have had a previous course in chemistry and can do problems in stoichiometry, solution concentrations, gas laws and that you can name common inorganic compounds and write their formulas.  Also that you are familiar with basic laboratory equipment such as balances, burettes, pipettes, graduated cylinders, etc.  Most of the first four weeks of the course will be spent reviewing basic material, material you should have covered thoroughly in a previous course.  Following this, new topics will be introduced.) The course consists of three hours of lecture instruction and six hours of laboratory per week.  Attendance at these sessions is required.  Plan to spend, on the average, two hours per lecture hour and one hour per lab hour per week additional study time.

 

Prerequisites:Grade of “C” or better in Chemistry 120 at Grossmont or successful completion of the Chemistry 141 entrance exam.

 

Working knowledge of intermediate algebra.  This includes such topics as solving simultaneous equations, graphing, and logarithms.

 

Ability to use computers for word processing, data manipulation, and accessing web-based instructional media

 

Text:               Chemistry, A Molecular Approach 1st edition, by Nivaldo J. Tro

 

Web Resources:       Mastering Chemistry for above text        www.masteringchemistry.com

                                    Blackboard                                                      http://bb.gcccd.edu/

                                    Instructor Web Page                                       www.grossmontl.edu/cwillard

 

Optional         Study Guide for above text.

 

Lab:                 141 Laboratory Manual

                        Quadrille-ruled, double-entry notebook

                        A pen with nonerasable ink is required for the recording of all laboratory data.

                        Safety Glasses - Available in bookstore and hardware stores.

Lock for laboratory drawer - Must be Master Lock, series approved by stockroom.

 

Additional requirements:

                        Calculator -- A standard scientific calculator is required for the course

                        USB Flash drive for storing lab data

 

Class Meeting times

            Lecture            MW     8:30 – 9:45 AM

            Laboratory       TTh      8:00 – 10:45 AM

 

Note:  Registration should be completed before checking into lab.  You will be charged for all breakage or loss of laboratory equipment, in addition you will be assessed a $15 fee if you fail to check out of the laboratory before the end of the semester.
 

Instructor information

 

Dr. Cary Willard                      Office              Room 30-224

Telephone       619-644-7427

E-mail              cary.willard@gcccd.edu

URL                 www.grossmont.edu/cwillard

 

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes: This course is both a lecture and a lab course.  Our major goals for the semester are to become fluent in the language of chemistry and to utilize the tools of chemistry to analyze a variety of chemical phenomena.  We will also explore the behavior of materials in the laboratory and use our knowledge of chemistry to explain that behavior.  

 

In particular, each student will be able to do the following upon completion of this course:

·         Demonstrate a working knowledge of the language of chemistry.

·         Apply quantitative reasoning to chemical problems

·         Apply a laws and theories to explain and predict the properties of atoms and molecules. experimental data.

 

 

Course Objectives (as outlined in the official course outline)

 

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1.    Solve stoichiometry problems involving mass, moles, mixtures, gas volumes, and limiting reactants.

2.    Solve gas problems using the ideal gas, combined gas, Dalton’s partial pressure, and Graham’s effusion laws.

3.    Demonstrate proficiency in chemical nomenclature.

4.    Identify and balance net ionic equations for oxidation reduction, acid base and precipitation reactions.

5.    Demonstrate quantitative and qualitative understanding of chemical equilibrium,

6.    Demonstrate understanding of chemical periodicity in terms of quantum mechanics and atomic structure.

7.    Analyze the bonding in chemical compounds in terms of Lewis structures, VSEPR, VB and  MO theory.

8.    Calculate enthalpies of reactions using Hess’ law, bond energies, and calorimetry.

9.    Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to chemical systems

10.  Solve colligative property problems and explain solution properties in terms of vapor pressure and intermolecular interactions.

11.  .Demonstrate ability to analyze a phase diagram.

12.  Apply science methodology in a laboratory setting.

13.  Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative chemical analysis techniques.

14.  Apply kinetic molecular theory to describe the properties of solids, liquids and gases.

15.  Demonstrate correct documentation of experimental data in laboratory notebook and presentation of analysis in a formal lab report.

16.  Solve problems involving the relationship of pH, pOH, and Kw in aqueous solution.

 

 


 

 

Grading Criteria

Quizzes

15%

Exams

35%

Assignments

10%

Laboratory

25%

Final Exam

15%

Total

100%

 

The tentative grading scale is shown in the table below.  Please note however that anyone with less than a 50% average on the exams (including final), or on the labs will receive an F.

 

 

A+

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

D

F

95%

90%

88%

85%

80%

78%

75%

67%

55%

<55%

 

 

 

·         Quizzes -- Quizzes will be given in lab.  There will be 9 - 12 quizzes given over the course of the semester and 1 or 2 will be dropped.  Material from both laboratory and lecture may be included.  Much of the material on the quizzes will be similar to the material found in the assignments.  No makeup’s are given for missed quizzes.  Missed quizzes will count zero points and will be counted as low scores when dropping quizzes.

 

·         Exams -- Exams will be given in the lab as noted in the schedule.  Please do not miss these examinations.  If you know that you cannot be present for an exam, you must arrange for a make-up with the instructor in advance of the scheduled time.  Please note that make-up exams may not be the same exam given to the rest of the class and may be more difficult than the regularly scheduled exam.

 

·         Assignments -- These include computer exercises and homework. 

o   Computer exercises – These are computer graded tutorials that are available via the internet. 

o   Homework assignments - Problems and questions from the textbook are assigned on the syllabus. 

 

·         Laboratory Work -- Your laboratory work must be done and completed during your regularly scheduled time and the reports must be turned in to pass the course.  The laboratory portion of the grade will depend on experimental technique, lab etiquette, and the lab reports.  Lab reports are due one week after the period in which they are scheduled to be completed.  The format for writing up lab reports is appended to the end of this document. 

o   Deductions will be made from the overall laboratory grade for failure to follow basic laboratory protocols as outlined below:

o   Always wear eye protection (without reminders from the instructor)

o   Wear appropriate clothing- closed-toe shoes, long pants, no sleeveless tops, no dangling jewelry or neckties etc.

o   Tie back long hair

o   Use proper technique when handling glassware (we will review new techniques)

o   Properly clean up any minor chemical spills; report major spills to the instructor

o   Clean up your hood space and put away your equipment at the end of lab, turn off gas, and lock your locker

o   Do not wear contact lenses in the laboratory

 

 


 

 

Important Dates

Last day to drop without receiving a W                Friday, September 4, 2009

Last day to apply for Pass/No Pass                     Friday, September 25, 2009

Last drop date                                                       Friday, November 12, 2009

Holidays – Monday, Sept 7, 2009, Friday, Nov 13, 2009, and Thursday-Friday, Nov 26-27, 2009.

 

Additional Policies and Information

 

Academic Integrity: 

Cheating and plagiarism (using as one's own ideas writings, materials, or images of someone else without acknowledgement or permission) can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam, paper, project, or assignment (all of which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to, under certain conditions, suspension or expulsion from a class, program or the college.  For further clarification and information on these issues, please consult with your instructor or contact the office of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Student Services & Programs (DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110 or by phone at (619) 644-7112 (voice) or (619) 644-7119 (TTY for deaf).

 

 

Supervised Tutoring Referral

Students are referred to enroll in the following supervised tutoring courses if the service indicated will assist them in achieving or reinforcing the learning objectives of this course:

IDS 198, Supervised Tutoring to receive tutoring in general computer applications in the Tech Mall;

English 198W, Supervised Tutoring for assistance in the English Writing Center (Room 70-119); and/or

IDS 198T, Supervised Tutoring to receive one-on-one tutoring in academic subjects in the Tutoring Center (Room 70-229, 644-7387).

To add any of these courses, students may obtain Add Codes at the Information/Registration Desk in the Tech Mall.

All Supervised Tutoring courses are non-credit/non-fee. However, when a student registers for a supervised tutoring course, and has no other classes, the student will be charged the usual health fee.

 

Attendance

·         Regular attendance is expected.  The instructor will plan to drop any student who misses over 9 hours of class. (BUT this is not a guarantee!)  If you wish to drop do so using WebAssist.

·         Those enrolled at the end of the semester must receive a letter grade unless they have chosen the P/NP option.  An “incomplete” may be arranged for completion of a particular item such as the final exam, but will not be given to allow a repeat of the course.  Withdrawal or P/NP grading is available through admissions and records.

 

Additional Chemistry Assistance

There is a free tutoring service in the library building, and chemistry instructors are available to all students during "open" help times.  Chemistry 141T, the computer drill course, is recommended.