Chemistry 110
Environmental Chemistry

Course Objectives:  Chemistry 110 is designed to be a general introduction to the science of chemistry.  It is designed for the nonscience student who is curious about how chemistry impacts our society.  Fundamental concepts in chemistry will be explored through a variety of ways.  These avenues of exploration include demonstrations, experiences in the lab, and group projects.  Emphasis will be placed on how the scientific method is applied to a modern laboratory science.  By the end of the semester you should have a good understanding of the scientific method, how it is used to understand nature, the role chemistry plays in that understanding, and how chemistry is applied to some aspects of your life.

Required Materials:  Chemistry in Context, 4th Edition, A Project of the American Chemical Society
A calculator capable of scientific notation will also be necessary.

Attendance and Class Participation:  Regular attendance is expected.  You may be dropped if you miss 2 or more class meetings.  You are an adult in a college course.  If you wish to drop, you must turn in the proper forms. 

The “Consider This” and Skeptical Chemyst” sections of your text are to give you practice in applying chemistry to everyday life, or in looking at things from a different perspective.  Here’s where your background and initiative can really shine.  Be prepared for taking an active role in class.

Basis of Grading:

Approximately 88 % will be an A, 78 % a B, 66 % a C and 55 % a D.  Please note that anyone with less than a 55 % average on the exams (including the final) will receive an F.  Also, the final grade will be no more than 1 letter grade higher than the exam average.

Exams:  Exams will cover lecture material, chapter content and any labs that have been completed up to the date of the exam.  However, chemistry is a hierarchal science and anything that is cover earlier may appear on any given exam.   It is very important that you are well prepared for each lecture.  Stay on top of the reading and assignments!

Assignments:  Assignments will be in the form of a submitted paper, article critique   and in class or out of class laboratory work.  The lab work will be addressed as the semester proceeds.  The assignments will be in the form of two papers. 

Criteria for paper and article critique:

1. A two to three page paper (absolutely no more than three pages) will chosen from a “Consider This” or the “Skeptical Chemyst, up to Chapter 7.   The paper will be due before the chapter is scheduled to be part of our classroom work.  An exception is the topics from chapter 1 and 2, these will be due before we start chapter three.   Some of the scenarios are written as if there is going to be a class discussion or debate, etc.  You are to ignore this and write a paper, which focuses on the issue raised in the scenario.  If, for example, the scenario refers to two positions on an issue, you should detail those two positions.

All submitted papers should include a cover page and be typed or word-processed.  Typing or word processing should use Times New Roman type with font size of 12 and margins of 1.5 inches on the left and 1 inch on the right. A 1-inch header and footer are required.  The paper should be single spaced with a double space between paragraphs.

1. Submit an article from a newspaper or journal, which has an environmental theme and makes at least one statement that is erroneous or misleading. (Full biographical information should be included.)  Use a highlighter to highlight and emphasize those statements.  Then, on an accompanying page state why you think the statement is incorrect.  Submit your position with explicit support from at least three credible sources. 
   

ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BEFORE SPRING BREAK!!

Academic Integrity

Please be aware of Grossmont College’s and the Chemistry Department’s academic integrity policy.  In particular, exam work, quiz work and lab results are to be entirely your own.  Also, information may not be programmed into calculators for use on a quiz or exam.  Penalties from zero on an exam to expulsion from the college are available.

Student Accessibility

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