Syllabus

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Spring  2008

                                                                    

Course Description

Chemistry 152 is a one semester preparatory course in chemistry consisting of an intensive study of some of the principles of inorganic and physical chemistry that are needed before taking Chemistry 200.  Topics include but are not limited to atomic structure, chemical nomenclature, periodicity, chemical equations, stoichiometry, solutions, intermolecular forces, and gas laws.  The course emphasizes problem solving and chemical calculations. It is intended for those students majoring in one of the natural sciences, engineering or related curricula, who do not meet the entrance requirements of Chemistry 200. My goals in teaching this course are to give the students not only an understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry, but also to teach them how to think like chemists.   When you leave this course, you will be prepared to take Chem. 200.

 

Advisories

Mathematics 96 with a grade of “C” or better, or equivalent or Assessment skill level M4; English 51 and 56 each with a grade of “C” or better or equivalent, or Assessment skill level  R5, W5

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Diagram and explain the scientific method.
  2. Solve problems, related to measurement, metric conversions, density and calorimetry, using dimensional analysis and express the calculation to the correct number of significant figures.
  3. Explain key concepts and terminology related to the properties and classification of matter.
  4. Write formulas for ionic compounds, covalent compounds  and acids from names and names of compounds from formulas.
  5. Describe the model of the atom including subatomic particles, isotopes and electron configurations.
  6. Undertake mole calculations.
  7. Perform stoichiometric calculations  including mass to mass, solutions and gases, and solve limiting reactant problems.
  8. Perform calculations necessary to prepare solutions from solids or dilutions and determine their molarity.
  9. Write balanced chemical equations, from words, including predicting products of double replacement, single replacement and combustion of hydrocarbons, and ionic equations.
  10. Compare and contrast the differences between covalent and ionic bonds and compounds.
  11. Draw Lewis dot structures of simple compounds to illustrate molecular structure.
  12. Explain polarity and intermolecular forces and their application to the dissolving process.
  13. Explain concepts related to gas laws and solve problems with Boyle's Law, Charles Law and the Ideal Gas Law.
  14. Describe acid/base theories and perform simple acid/base calculations.
  15. Describe the periodic table including such trends as atomic radii, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and how they relate to element reactivity.

 

 

Textbooks and Supplies

  1. The required textbook for this class is Foundations of College Chemistry 12th Ed. by Morris Hein and Susan Arena.
  2. Scientific Calculator.   
  3. Lecture notes/ homework package from bookstore.
  4. A working e-mail account.  It is important that you check your e-mail regularly for important announcements and/or assignments. 

 

Evaluation

  1. Quizzes.  Quizzes consist of multiple choice and/or essays and problem solving questions.  Under no circumstances will make-up quizzes be given. Quizzes are 40 points each.
  2. Tests.  There will be three tests. Each test is worth 200 points. The tests will stress material covered in the lecture and in your homework. They will be a combination of short essays and problem solving.
  3. Homework.  Weekly homework assignments are worth 10 points each.  If you do not complete the homework, then you will not do well on the tests. Keep in mind that it is very difficult to pass this course without doing your homework! 
  4. Class Participation.  Class participation is worth 100 points.  This is to ensure that you will come to class prepared.  You need to be an active learner by asking questions and answering questions.  I will often ask you to work on questions in the classroom.   These questions are to be tried by the student and turned in right away. 
  5. Final Exam.  The final exam will be cumulative and will be worth 200 points. The grade that you receive on the final will replace your lowest test grade. This means that if you miss a test for any reason, including illness, the final will replace the missed test. Under no circumstances will make-up exams be given.
  6. Total Points.               Homework:                             18 x 10 points

Quizzes:                                     3 x 40 points

Tests, Final:                              3 x 200 points

Class participation:                         100 points

                        Total                                            1000 points

5.  Grading Scale.

             88-100%  = A; 76-87 % = B;  63 -75% = C ;   52-62 % = D;   51 % and below = F

 

Responsibility to Add, Drop or Withdraw

It is the student’s responsibility to add, drop, or withdraw from classes before the deadlines stated in the class schedule.  Petitions to add, drop, or withdraw after the deadline will not be approved without proof of circumstances beyond the student’s control, which made him/her unable to meet the deadline.  If you decide to withdraw from this course, you are reminded to do so before the week of instruction.  If you fail to withdraw by that date and you stop coming to class, a final grade must be assigned to you. 

Attendance Policy

Regular and prompt attendance is required. I will take roll before starting the lecture; if you come late you will be marked absent.  It is your responsibility to inform me at the end of the class period that you were late not absent. 

Attendance is critical to teaching and learning.  You will fall behind in acquiring course content and skills if you do not attend class regularly (especially in chemistry, where each lesson is built on the previous one, and where my job is to clarify the concepts using demos and examples which are most likely not in your textbook, and by restructuring them in an order which may not appear in your textbook.)  I realize that situations may develop which are beyond your control and which may interfere with your attendance.  Therefore a maximum of 2 absences has been established (3 hours of instruction).  This is in compliance with Mesa College policy on attendance.    If you miss class, make arrangements with a classmate to keep you informed on lecture topics, and give you a copy of the notes and assignments.

Quizzes and tests are given at the beginning of the class period.  If you are late and your classmates are still taking the quiz, you will be allowed to take it but you will not be given additional time to complete the quiz/test.

Students with excessive absences may be dropped without notice with reinstatement at instructor’s discretion.  Also note that students who miss too many classes, even if they are receiving decent grades on the tests and quizzes, can and will be dropped up to the final drop deadline.  Students missing class within the add period at the beginning of the semester may be dropped to allow crashers to enroll in the course.

 

Classroom Behavior and Student Code of Conduct

            Students are expected to respect and obey standards of student conduct while in class and on the campus.  The student Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedure, and student due process (Policy 3100.1 and 3100.2) can be found in the current college catalog in the section Academic Information and Regulations pages 39-51, and at the office of the Dean of Student Affairs.  Charges of misconduct and disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon students who violate these standards of conduct or provisions of college regulations. 

As your instructor, I have the following expectations on your behavior in this class:

1.      Promote a courteous learning atmosphere by exhibiting mutual respect and consideration of the feelings, ideas, and contributions of others.

2.       Demonstrate respect for tools, equipment and supplies in the classroom.

3.       Practice consideration for others by maintaining a clean and orderly classroom.

4.       Recognize everyone’s opportunity to contribute information in a relevant and meaningful manner by not monopolizing discussions, interrupting, interjecting irrelevant, illogical or inappropriate questions or comments.

5.        Avoid eating and drinking in the class.

6.       Turn off your personal electronic equipment:  cell phones, pagers, etc.

7.       This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student code of conduct and basic standards of academic honesty.  Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. If caught cheating on an exam or quiz, you will receive a zero. The Dean of Natural Sciences and Student Services will be notified immediately for appropriate action.

 

Accommodation of Disability

Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should notify me immediately.