Syllabus

 

Chemistry 141                                                Fall 2016

 

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 3rd or 4th edition or custom Grossmont edition, by Nivaldo J. Tro

 

Web Resources:           Mastering Chemistry for above text        This will be accessible through blackboard

                                    Blackboard                               https://gcccd.blackboard.com

                                    Instructor Web Page           http://www.grossmont.edu/cwillard  

 

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.

 

Additional requirements:

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

                        USB Flash drive for storing lab data

 

Instructor information

 

Dr. Cary Willard             Office               Room 30-224

Telephone         619-644-7427

E-mail               cary.willard@gcccd.edu

 

 

Class Meeting times

Lecture TTh       9:30 – 10:50 AM            room 30-250

Laboratory        MW      8:00 – 10:45 AM            room 30-240

 

  

Grading Criteria

Quizzes

15%

Exams

40%

Online Homework / other assignments

10%

Laboratory

25%

Final Exam

10%

Total

100%

 

Approximately 88% will be an A, 78% a B, 67% a C and 55% a D grade.  Please note however that anyone with less than a 50% average on the exams (including final), or on the labs will receive an F.

 

  • 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. Note that there are self-assessment quizzes at the end of each chapter. Those are good to practice!

 

  • Mastering Chemistry -- These include computer exercises and homework. 
    • Computer homework – These are computer graded homeworks that are available via the internet.  To register for the on-line computer assignments
      • go to blackboard and click on the mastering chemistry link
      • You will be prompted to enter the code you received at the bookstore with your text book. If you are using only the online text you can pay for it at this point, or sign up for the free 2 week trial. After the end of the trial you will need to submit either a code or pay for access for the remainder of the semester.  (Note that you have the option of buying mastering chemistry only or the combination of the online book and mastering chemistry.)
      • Once you have registered for the class you will see the homework assignments and their due dates.  The homework assignments correlate to the problems in the book and they are also listed on the schedule.  The numbers may change from the book on the calculated questions.

 

  • 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 in the course documents section of blackboard. 
    • Lab manual is on line both in the course documents section of blackboard and on my web-page.

 

Important Dates

Last day to drop without receiving a W               Friday, September 2, 2016

Last day to apply for P/NP (CR/NCR)                 Friday, September 23, 2016

Last drop date                                                  Thursday, November 10, 2016

Holidays

Labor Day                                 Monday, September 5, 2016

Veteran’s Day                           Friday, November 11, 2016

Thanksgiving                             Thursday-Saturday, November 24-26, 2016

Last class day                                                   Friday, December 9, 2016

Final exam (tentative)                                         Tuesday, December 13 2016 (9:25-11:25 am)

 

 

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.
  • Employ laboratory equipment and techniques to collect, organize and evaluate 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.

 

Additional Policies and Information

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.

 

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 tutors are available to all students in the Chemistry Learning Center.