USC Aiken
Spring 2016
CHEM 112 SYLLABUS
MEETING TIMES LAB/LECTURE:
MWF 2:30 – 4:20PM
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:30 – 10:30AM, TTh 10:00 – 11:00AM
Dr. M. Fetterolf
SBDG 300, x3378
SBDG 301
Or by appointment.
CHEM 112 – General Chemistry II (4) (Prereq: CHEM 111) A continuation of CHEM 111 with
special emphasis on chemical equilibrium. The course is designed to offer a general understanding
of topics in chemistry and supply necessary chemistry application skills for science, math and
engineering majors. This course completes the first year of General College Chemistry.
ATTENDANCE
University and departmental guidelines apply. A student cannot miss more than 25% of all
lectures and labs to pass the class. If a student has more than two (2) unexcused absences, a loss of
one letter grade penalty will result. Roll will be taken through mini-tests, pre-labs, and attendance
sheets. Excused absences must be verified with a doctor’s note, a note from a family member that
includes a telephone number, or a business note. Arrangements will be made to deal with the
material missed for excused absences only.
TEXTBOOK
“Chemistry” by OpenStaxCollege, Rice University, 2015; Team Leaders: Flowers,
Theopold, and Langley. Online text.
“General Chemistry Lab Manual” by USCA Chemistry Faculty, 2015 (Purple Cover).
“Preparing for ACS Exam in General Chemistry – The Official Guide,” ACS.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
An inexpensive scientific calculator and a lab notebook with carbonless paper are
required. You will need closed-toe shoes and long pants for lab. Safety goggles/glasses are
supplied and must be worn at all times in lab.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The introduction of topics such as 1) general chemical equilibrium, 2) acid/base, complex
formation, and solubility equilibria, 3) kinetics, 4) free energy, 5) electrochemistry, 6) nuclear
chemistry and 7) organic and biochemistry are planned.
The course will try to kindle a curiosity about chemistry and describe the ways in which
chemistry overlaps with other scientific disciplines. This will be accomplished by a series of
demonstrations and by reference to other scientific fields that overlap the current lecture topic. The
course will also attempt to give students a sense of confidence about basic chemistry ideas and
calculations. This will be done with homework, suggested problems, and classroom practice.
I plan to follow the textbook closely and a tentative outline/schedule is attached. Please
become very familiar with this. The three main characteristics of chemistry will be stressed in this
course--chemical methods (such as math manipulations, procedures, and complex problemsolving), chemical nomenclature (vocabulary and formulas), and chemical concepts (reaction
kinetics, thermodynamics, acid/base chemistry and equilibrium). The student is expected to accept
the responsibility of learning chemistry. Analytical thinking and problem solving skills will be
approached in the classroom on a chapter by chapter basis through the use of examples and
procedure development. Key chemical concepts and chemical nomenclature are well presented in
the text and will be approached as reading assignments.
MY RESPONSIBILITIES
Initial lectures on each chapter will involve direct examples of basic skills or topics. After
much in-class practice, the in-class work will turn to difficult chemistry examples. Since the
problem-solving foundations are established in earlier lectures, I can develop for the class
strategies for attacking these difficult problems. The lectures will proceed in this manner. The lab
exercises have been designed to overlap the lecture and text materials and to provide a hands-on
experience that complements the lecture. The goal is to prepare the student for real chemistry
problem-solving situations and provide opportunity for the students to participate in the problem
solving. I am responsible for guiding the class through the various topics in the text and lab in a
timely manner so that most students who uphold their responsibilities will acquire sufficient skills
to move on to their next science course. I am responsible for providing office hours so that students
who seek outside one-on-one help can get it. I am responsible for providing a fair and equitable
grade based on the knowledge and skills earned in class, lab, and on exams.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are responsible for understanding, reading, and memorizing (certain material when
necessary) the chapters in the text. The student is responsible for practicing the analytical thinking
and problem-solving skills that are discussed and illustrated in class and lab. This practice should
be to the extent that the multilevel but routine problems encountered in general chemistry are
understood and can be solved. The student is responsible for the lab work, its satisfactory
completion, and its understanding. The lab work should enhance the student’s growing
understanding of the topics presented. Only the student will know when the level of practice and
preparation reach the optimum. If the student’s perception of the practice level is not reflected in
the grade for any assignment or mini-test, please accept this last responsibility of seeking me out
for advise, counsel, and discussion. Nothing can guarantee a particular grade. However, if you
meet your responsibilities by understanding the lab exercises and online problems with their
associated techniques, the assigned reading with examples, and the concepts and methods
presented in lecture, you will have a good chance at passing the course with a “C” or better.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The “C” or better student will be able to perform basic chemical calculations and
judgments as assessed by their efforts on mini-tests, homework, and the Final Exam. The “C” or
better student will also be able to follow a basic chemical laboratory procedure as assessed by their
efforts on pre-lab pages and lab reports. This work is appropriate for a second semester of general
college chemistry. The "A" student will perform with a significantly higher level of understanding
and performance than the passing student as assessed by their routine high marks on all lecture
mini-tests, pre-lab pages, and lab reports.
A student who expects to pass this course (“C” or better) should spend at least 8 hours per
week on homework, chapter reading, and study of the lecture/lab material, and around 2 hours per
week on laboratory preparation and reading; this is outside of scheduled lecture/lab periods. This
follows the "Rule of Thumb" that to pass a college course one should spend twice as much time
outside of class as in class. My experience has been that novice chemistry students who seriously
approach the task of learning chemistry have the best chance at passing this course with a "C" or
better.
Working on text examples, end-of-chapter problems, and suggested problems throughout
the semester is an important part of learning. However, certain problems will help prepare you for
each mini-test and I will outline those problems as we get close to a mini-test. There will also be
Challenge Questions assigned at the end of the semester that should acquaint you with the format
of the national exam and remind of you of topics from the entire text. You will receive 20 points
for attempting all 20 questions, and an additional point for each correct answer.
There will be ten (10) mini-tests given during the semester. Please see the tentative course
outline/schedule for the dates. These mini-tests will contain questions that apply the skills
discussed and illustrated in the lecture/lab sessions, in the homework, and in the suggested
problems. Reading of the text will be tested by student responses to several general, short-answer
questions. The reading questions are assigned about 10% of the mini-test points. Mini-tests
designed in this manner will provide motivation to keep up in class, to do the assigned reading and
to help develop strong study habits and time management skills. Please see me if a mini-test is
missed due to an excused absence. The excuse must fit the criteria for a make-up test. Fifty
minutes will be provided for each mini-test and they will usually be at the end of a class period.
Lab reports and pre-lab (completed before each scheduled lab) will be used to determine
the lab portion of your grade. Please see the class calendar for upcoming labs. The pre-lab will be
done in your notebook and then specific details will be discussed in class. The lab report
requirements are given at the end of each lab manual experiment/procedure. These reports will be
due at the end of the lab session unless otherwise stated. The Safety Rules for each lab will be
reviewed. Any repeated safety infraction during a lab will result in a dismissal for that day’s work.
Approved eye protection must be worn at all times in the lab.
A Final Exam will be given in our regular classroom. See the class calendar for the date and
time. The Final Exam will be the American Chemical Society National Exam for General
Chemistry. This national exam is cumulative, covering material from the entire year of general
chemistry. We will use the ACS Study Guide throughout the semester in preparation for this exam.
The point totals are given on the next page. The totals break down to approximately 20%
from lab, approximately 76% from mini-tests and exams, and about 4% from Challenge Problems.
Reading questions on mini-tests are worth approximately 10% of the test points.
GRADING FORMAT AND POLICIES
Lecture
Challenge Problems
Mini-Tests (10 @ 55 pts)
Final Exam – ACS National
40 pts
550 pts
100 pts
Labs (16 @ 4 or 7 pts)
Demos (4 @ 4pts)
Pre-Labs (16 @ 3 pts)
106 pts
16 pts
48 pts
860 pts
Laboratory
Total
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the percent of your accumulated points to the
total possible points of 860 obtained from both lecture and lab combined. Letter grades for
individual exams are not assigned. Consultation during an appointment or office hour is the best
way to obtain your class standing at any particular time. This is because I have all of your
accumulated scores at hand and can therefore judge your overall performance. I do not grade
strictly on a straight percentage basis but allow for some flexibility in class performance. Within
plus or minus 2 percentage points, the final letter grade lines will be at 90% for an "A", 80% for a
"B", 68% for a "C", and 60% for a "D". If you keep track of your own points relative to the total
possible you can use the percentages listed above and obtain a fairly good notion of your class
standing. I also record scores on BlackBoard.
The ACADEMIC HONOR CODE is in place for all assignments and exams. The Honor
Code states that it is dishonest to either give or receive any unauthorized aid or assistance on an
exam or homework. Evidence of such practice is very obvious to a grader so be forewarned; such
behavior will result in a zero for the assignment or exam. A student must complete the work in the
lab as well as take the final to pass this class.
Thursday, March 31, 2016 is the last day to drop this class without receiving a WF for the
course. Several mini-tests will have been given by then and several lab reports turned in so you
will have a basis on which to make a decision to withdraw or not. I will ask students to stop by my
office if their performance is not moving in the direction of passing the class. If you are thinking of
withdrawing from the class, please talk with me first to see if your standing in class matches your
perception. Often students are doing better than they thought.
PLEASE ask questions at any time—especially during a mini-test. Many times questions
will come up that center on clarification and these are very important questions to ask. Don't be
afraid that you are seeking too much information; let me judge that. If lecture questions start
running into a lengthy discussion, I may ask that we continue later in lab or at an office hour.
Note: Any student who has a physical, psychological and/or learning disability that might
affect your performance in this class or lab, please contact the Office of Disability Services as soon
as possible. If you are registered with that office and have an accommodations sheet, please see me
after class today or phone me as soon as possible to set up an appointment. Thank You
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, April 27 at 2:00PM in our regular classroom, SBDG 301.
ENJOY THE CLASS
GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION
Campus Phone: 803/641-3378 (Voice message after fourth ring.)
Email Address: montyf@usca.edu
Cell Phone: 803/640-5679
Chemistry & Physics Department Home Page accessed from USCA Home Page.
CLASS CALENDAR
Please see the attached calendar for the lecture and lab schedule along with other important
dates and times throughout the semester. It is part of an abbreviated syllabus that will be
distributed in class on our first meeting day. Do not lose this schedule. It is copied on green paper
for easy tracking.
USC Aiken
Spring 2016
CHEM 112 SYLLABUS
MEETING TIMES LAB/LECTURE: MWF 2:30 – 4:20PM
Dr. M. Fetterolf
SBDG 300, x3378
SBDG 301
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:30 – 10:30AM, TTh 10:00 – 11:00AM, or by appointment.
CHEM 112 – General Chemistry II (4) (Prereq: CHEM 111) A continuation of CHEM 111 with special
emphasis on chemical equilibrium. The course is designed to offer a general understanding of topics in
chemistry and supply necessary chemistry application skills for science, math and engineering majors. This
course completes the first year of General College Chemistry.
ATTENDANCE
University and departmental guidelines apply. A student cannot miss more than 25% of all lectures
and labs to pass the class. If a student has more than two (2) unexcused absences, a loss of one letter grade
penalty will result. Roll will be taken through mini-tests, pre-labs, and attendance sheets. Excused absences
must be verified with a doctor’s note, a note from a family member that includes a telephone number, or a
business note. Arrangements will be made for make-up for excused absences only.
TEXTBOOK
“Chemistry” by OpenStaxCollege, Rice University, 2015; Team Leaders: Flowers,
Theopold, and Langley. Online text.
“General Chemistry Lab Manual” by USCA Chemistry Faculty, 2015. (Purple Cover)
“ACS General Chemistry Exam – The Official Guide,” by the American Chemical Society.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
An inexpensive scientific calculator and a carbonless lab notebook are required. You must wear
closed-toe shoes and long pants for lab. Safety goggles are supplied and must be worn at all times in lab.
GRADING FORMAT AND POLICIES
Lecture
Challenge Problems
Mini-Tests (10 @ 55 pts)
Final Exam – ACS National
Laboratory
Labs (16 @ 4 or 7 pts)
Demos (4 @ 4 pts)
Pre-Labs (16 @ 3 pts)
Total
40 pts
550 pts
100 pts
106 pts
16 pts
48 pts
860 pts
GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION
Cell Phone: 803/640-5679
Campus Phone: 803/641-3378 Email Address: montyf@usca.edu
Chemistry & Physics Department Home Page accessed from USCA Home Page.
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, April 27 at 2:00PM in our regular classroom, SBDG 301.
CALENDAR: Mini-test dates and the lab schedule.
Enjoy the class!
CHEM 112 GENERAL CHEMISTRY
TENTATIVE LECTURE/LAB SCHEDULE
SPRING 2016
Date
1/11M
1/13 W
1/15 F
1/18 M
1/20 W
1/22 F
1/25 M
1/27 W
1/29 F
2/1 M
2/3 W
2/5 F
2/8 M
2/10 W
2/12 F
2/15 M
2/17 W
2/19 F
2/22 M
2/24 W
2/26 F
2/29 M
Chapter
Lab
Syllabus; Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Beer’s Law (Pg 88)
MLK Day
No Class or Lab
Chapter 12; Mini-Test #1
Spectrochemical Series (Pg 92)
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Demo: Iodine Clock (Pg 98)
Chapter 12
Candle Height Kinetics (Handout)
Chapters 12; Mini-Test 2
Rate Law – Crystal Violet (Pg 94)
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Demo: Le Chatelier’s (Pg 104)
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Finding Kc (Pg 106)
Chapter 13; Mini-Test 3
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
pH House; WA/WB (Pgs 110; 111)
Chapter 14; Mini-Test 4
Acidic/Basic Salts (Pg 114)
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Buffers (Pg 116)
Chapter 14
Demo: Titration of WA (Pg 119)
Chapter 14; Mini-Test 5
Date
3/2 W
3/4 F
3/7 M
3/14 M
3/16 W
3/18 F
3/21 M
3/23 W
3/25 F
3/28 M
3/30 W
4/1 F
4/4 M
4/6 W
4/8 F
4/11 M
4/13 W
4/15 F
4/18 M
4/20 W
4/22 F
4/25 M
Chapter
Lab
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Mg(OH)2 Solubility (Pg 123)
SPRING BREAK
No Classes or Labs
Chapter 15
Chapter 15; Mini-test 6
Chapter 15
Selective Precip. (Pg 125)
Chapter 15
Coupled Eq. (Pg 127)
Chapter 16
Chapter 16; Mini-Test 7
Chapter 16
Entropy (Pg 129)
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 17; Mini-Test 8
Chapter 17
Redox Titration (Handout)
Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Redox Potentials (Pg 131)
Chapter 17; Mini-Test 9
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Radioisotope Decay (Pg 135)
Chapter 20
Chapter 20; Mini-Test 10
Chapter 20; Final Review
Demo: Wintergreen (Pg 137)
National American Chemical Society Final Exam – 2PM, Wednesday, April 27, 2016