Chemistry 120 – Summer 2008

SYLLABUS

Instructor: Judy George

E-mail: judy.dirbas@gcccd.edu

Office: Room 3216   Phone: 619-644-7325

 

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." Michelangelo, Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet, (1475-1564)

 

Purpose: A beginning general chemistry course for students with little or no background in chemistry.  This course will be an intensive study in areas of problem solving, basic atomic theory, chemical nomenclature, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, acid-base chemistry and redox and more.  The laboratory will be an introduction to quantitative techniques, descriptive chemistry, and data treatment.

 

Prerequisites: The academic prerequisite for the course is a “C” or “CR” or higher in Mathematics 110 or equivalent.  You must be able to read, write and understand English at a technical level equal to that found in the texts for this course. 

 

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the class the student will:

 

1.     Solve a wide variety of problems using dimensional analysis.

2.     Use proper conventions with regard to significant figures.

3.     Apply the basic terms of science and chemistry.

4.     Write the correct chemical formula from a name and the correct IUPAC name from a formula for simple inorganic compounds.

5.     Relate the position of an element on the periodic table to the electronic structure of that atom at its ion.

6.     Diagram Lewis Dot structures for atoms, simple inorganic ions, and simple compounds.

7.     Prepare three dimensional drawings showing polarity of molecules by applying VSEPR theory.

8.     Solve a wide range of stoichiometry problems involving percent yield, limiting reagents, and impure reactants.

9.     Use both the Arrhenius and Bronsted concepts in describing acid-base behavior.

10.   Compute pH and pOH of a solution from its hydrogen or hydroxide ion molarity.

11.   Write conventional, total, and net ionic equations for reactions in aqueous solutions.

12.   Inventory ion and molecular concentrations in aqueous solutions.

13.   Use standard laboratory equipment such as milligram balances, volumetric glassware, pipets and burets.

14.   Observe a change and determine if it involves a physical change, a chemical change, or both.

15.   Make a good quality graph from data and from a linear plot determine the equation of the line.

 

 

ipods, mp3 players, cell phones, or the like are not allowed in class (lecture or lab). Turn them off and put them away before class starts.

 

 

 

Texts and Equipment:

Introductory Chemistry, Cracolice/Peters 3rd edition

If purchasing a used book, the OWL password can be purchased directly from the publisher. 

Chemistry 120, Lab Manual

Homework Packet for 120 (download from website)

Master Lock:  the combination kind sold in the bookstore.

Approved laboratory safety glasses and a nonprogrammable calculator capable of exponential notation are also required. 

 

Bring your nonprogrammable scientific calculator to all class meetings.

 

Homework: 

The homework assigned from your text book is to be completed in a spiral-bound notebook and is due, in lab, the week of the hour exams. 

 

In order to learn chemistry you should do as many problems as possible.  Ideally you will complete the entire end of chapter exercises.  However, you are required to do all even exercises.  No points will be given for the homework.  Your instructor will check it for completion (all work must be shown) at each exam.  Homework completion will be used to decide your grade in the event that it is very close.

 

Homework from the Chemistry 120 Homework Packet will be due as announced in class.

 

 

 

Exams Exams: There will be five exams this semester in addition to a cumulative

final exam.  These exams are not optional and are given as per the schedule. The term moves very quickly!  It is very important for the student to stay current and seek assistance when needed.  If you have any question, ask.  There will be no make-up exams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laboratory Work:  There will be a lab quiz at the start of each new experiment.  This quiz is designed to ensure that you’ve read the lab before coming to class. The pre lab questions for each lab must be completed before coming to the lab period.  Your lab work must be done and completed during YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED TIME and the reports must be turned in order to pass the course.  The skills and knowledge gained in the laboratory part of this course are essential..  Lab reports are due at the end of the lab period when possible.  Otherwise, no later than the week after the period in which they are scheduled to be completed.  There will be a 10% deduction per week for each week the lab is late.  The schedule will be modified as needed.   Lab reports must include:

            1. Data recorded during the progress of the experiment in ink.

            2. Recorded data initialed by instructor.

            3. Calculations and calculation set- ups as indicated on the laboratory report

                sheet.

            4. All of the problems and questions given at the end of the report sheet are to be

                completed.

 

Laboratory sessions will be fully utilized you should plan to stay the whole period!

Results MAY NOT be recorded on other sheets of paper.  ALL LABORATORY DATA AND OBSERVATIONS ARE TO BE DIRECTLY REPORTED ON THE LABORATORY SHEET IN NON ERASABLE INK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The faculty and the college have determined that integrity and honesty are essential to the academic process and that it is necessary that the written materials submitted by each student in a class reflect his or her own work for that class.

 

ADACEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

 

Submitting work as one’s own which has been done either all or part by another is defined as CHEATING.  Students found cheating will receive an “F” for the course.

 

“CHEATING” includes  but is not limited to the following:

1.     The possession or use of unauthorized materials such as crib notes or unauthorized copies of exam material.

2.     Copying from another person’s quiz or exam or allowing another person to copy one’s examination material.

3.     Copying another person’s lab data and turning it in as one’s own or allowing another person to copy one’s data.

4.     Using a calculator or computer which contains stored information that can be used while taking a quiz or exam.

5.     The possession and/or use at the students work area of a personal communications device during exams or quizzes.

6.     Submitting a false report for work that was not actually done.

7.     Modifying or attempting to modify an answer on an exam after it has been returned and then claiming it was graded incorrectly.

 

We hope that each student will support this policy and realize the importance of honesty and integrity in his or her academic effort!

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE:  Regular attendance is expected.  Excessive absence (3 absences) may result in being dropped from the class.

 

GRADING:  Those enrolled at the end of the semester must receive a letter grade unless they have chosen the CR/NCR option. 

 

Approximately   88% will be an A, 78% a B, 66% a C and 55% a D grade.  Please note however that anyone with less than 55% average on the exams (including final), or the labs will be given an F.

 

These percentages are based on:

 

Exams = 40%

Homework = 5%

Labs = 35%

Final = 20%

 

 Please note, however, that anyone on the borderline, but with test scores substandard to the higher grade, WILL NOT receive the higher grade. Less than a 55% average on the exams (including final), or on the labs will earn an F.  All grades may be subject to a

 ( +/-) 1-2 % instructor evaluation of the student.  (Evaluation may be based on homework, class participation, etc.)

 

 

 

 

For accommodations due to a disability, please see your instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.