QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT
CH-110
CHEMISTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (3 hours / 3 credits)
LECTURE TEXTBOOK:
Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society
A Project of the American Chemical Society
McGraw Hill Publishers, 7th Edition; ISBN: 9780073375663
LABORATORY MANUAL:
Experiments for Everyday Chemistry
Sharon Lall-Ramnarine and Irina Rutenburg
Pearson Custom Publishing, ISBN: 0-536-16799-0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a Writing Intensive course with hands-on laboratory experiments where the role of chemistry in current
environmental topics of interest to all citizens is examined. Topics covered include: Green Chemistry; Acid rain;
Destruction of ozone layer; Greenhouse effect and global warming; Traditional and alternative energy sources:
Air, water and land pollution - sources, effects, detection and control / prevention. An emphasis is placed on
the importance of practicing green chemistry in order to achieve a sustainable civilization. The environmental
aspects of chemistry are introduced to non-science Majors. The approach in non-mathematical and strives to
make chemistry stimulating and to portray its relevance to everyday experiences. The ultimate goal is to
enhance students’ awareness of the environment we live in and to place emphasis on the need for a
sustainable environment.
CURRICULA FOR WHICH THE COURSE IS REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED:
A.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences (non-science concentration)
and other non-science majors as a laboratory science elective.
GENERAL EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
 To use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make
informed decisions.
 To employ concepts and methods of the natural and physical sciences to make informed judgments.
 To communicate effectively through reading, writing listening and speaking.
SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES / EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
 Students will develop an understanding of the theoretical and descriptive concepts that form the basis of
general chemistry with an emphasis on its relevance to everyday life and its impact on the environment.
 Students will use the scientific method to explore physical and chemical properties of matter through the
development of hypotheses, observation, experimentation, measurement, and analysis and presentation of
results. They will learn to evaluate evidence experienced or observed in everyday life (particularly as it
relates to the environment) and understand how they support scientific theories.
 Students will collaborate in groups of two or more to perform experiments to learn and apply fundamental
concepts and techniques of chemistry as applicable to environmental science.
 Students will collect, interpret and evaluate scientific data by performing experiments, reading scientific
literature such as articles from current issues of the American Chemical Society’s Chemical and
Engineering News magazines, conducting research on the internet and watching documentaries, on
science related topics. They will participate in class discussions and submit written reports containing
arguments based on evidence to support their conclusions. Written reports and papers will be done both in
class and as take home assignments.
 Students will learn to practice and expect unbiased gathering and presentation of scientific data in reports
and papers. Students will understand the importance of upholding ethics in investigations and be able to
identify violations of research ethics.
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WRITING INTENSIVE OBJECTIVE:
The writing intensive approach will facilitate and help enhance students’ thinking abilities, encourage critical
thinking and activity with both the subject of chemistry and in general. A byproduct of the writing intensive
approach is to improve the students reading and writing skills.
HANDS-ON LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS OBJECTIVE (total six experiments):
Students will work in groups and use the scientific method during each lab experiment to perform observations,
data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results; as well as develop hypotheses during post-laboratory
discussions.
METHODS BY WHICH STUDENT LEARNING WILL BE EVALUATED:
The overall course grade will be computed using the following general distribution:
 Attendance and class participation – 5%
 In class examinations / quizzes – 30%
NOTE: there will be no make-up examinations.
 Writing assignments – 35%
- 10%: Low stake assignments (graded based on participation not for content or English). Assignments must
be submitted on time during the semester for credit. In class writing of about one paragraph may also be
required
- 25%: High stake assignments (approximately 12 typed double spaced individually written laboratory
reports). These assignments will consist of six laboratory reports. Each report must contain approximately two
typed pages of objective, theory, experimental procedure, results and conclusion of each laboratory
experiment. The first draft of each report will be due one week after the experiment is performed. The
corrected draft will be due two weeks after the experiment. These assignments may include additional
mandatory revisions and mandatory assistance from the writing center in L 118. Each draft must be submitted
on time for credit. The detailed information about the requirements, format, number of revisions, time-frame
and grading of these assignments will be provided by the instructor using the additional hand-outs.

Cumulative final examination – 30%
Students need to achieve a passing grade in each of the above categories in order to pass the course. This
grade distribution may be changed at the discretion of the individual instructor.
The following may result in failure of the course:
Excessive absences or lateness; Missing in-class examinations; Missing low stake assignments as a result of
missing classes; Delay in the submission of the drafts of high stake assignments; Missing the final examination
(If there is a valid excuse the student can inform their instructor and arrange to take the final immediately).
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic honesty is taken extremely seriously and is expected of all students. All assignments must be the
original work of the student (and partners or group, if applicable). All questions or concerns regarding ethical
conduct should be brought to the course instructor. “It is the official policy of the College that all acts or
attempted acts that are violations of academic integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). At
the faculty member’s discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases,
though reported to the OSA, may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor
has the authority to adjust the offender’s grades as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the
assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course” (Adopted from the
QCC Academic Integrity Policy, 2/14/2005).
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ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE POLICY:
Attendance will be taken at every class. The Student Handbook states that a student will be considered
excessively absent from a course and will receive a WU grade if the student has been absent for 15% or more
of the total number of contact hours for the course. A WU is computed as an F in the student’s GPA. Students
who have valid excuses for missed classes should speak with their instructor and present documentation
explaining the reason for the absence. Absences that have been excused by the instructor will not be counted
toward a WU grade. If a class meets twice per week: students will receive a grade of WU if they have 7 or
more excused/unexcused absences. For any lecture or laboratory that meets only once per week, students will
receive a grade of WU if they have 3 or more excused/unexcused absences. For additional details consult the
student handbook.
LABORATORY POLICY:
Students MUST adhere to all laboratory policies of the chemistry department (provided in a separate handout).
Students MUST wear safety goggles in the laboratory at all times. Failure to do so may lead to their expulsion
from the laboratory and failure of the course. Unacceptable attire includes: clothing and shoes that expose any
part of the legs or feet, sleeveless tops, tops exposing midriff and untied long hair. In addition any type of food
or beverage and chewing gum is forbidden in the laboratory. Detailed departmental laboratory policy will be
provided in separate hand-outs.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
As stated in the current college catalog, any student who needs specific accommodations based upon the
impact of a disability should register with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to be
eligible for accommodations which are determined on an individual basis. The SSD office is located in the
Science Building, room S132 (718-631-6257). Students should also contact their instructor privately to discuss
their specific needs.
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CH-110
CHEMISTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
TEXTBOOK:
Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society
A Project of the American Chemical Society
McGraw Hill Publishers, 7th Edition; ISBN: 9780073375663
CHAPTER /
ACTIVITY
Intro:
TOPIC
HOURS
Basic physical sciences, applied physical sciences, chemistry, Green
Chemistry and the role of chemistry in developing a sustainable environment
[View and discuss green chemistry PowerPoint adapted from ACS]
2
WI
Second Lecture period[In Class Assignment 1: What is Green Chemistry?]
LAB 1*
Safety Training: View safety film from the ACS. Discussion on working
safely in the laboratory, appropriate attire, safety quiz etc.
Check in: Introduction to laboratory equipment
2
1
The Air We Breathe
(Elements and compounds, Atoms and molecules, Chemical formulas
and names, Chemical reactions, Composition of atmosphere, Air pollutants,
prevention and protection)
6
WI
[Low Stakes Assignment 1: A visit to the EPA (Website)]
[In Class Assignment 2: Composition of the air we breathe]
[Low Stakes Assignment 2: Analysis of an Auto Emission Report]
LAB 2*
Separation of mixtures
2
WI
In Class Assignment 3: Development of an objective for Lab 2
Guidelines for preparing lab reports following scientific reporting format
including grading rubric and sample report
1
Protecting the Ozone Layer
(Electromagnetic radiation and matter, Oxygen and ozone, Stratospheric and
ground level ozone, Ozone destructors, Solutions to the problem)
3
2
WI
[In Class Assignment 4: Chemical Equations]
Movie: The Ozone Layer - Hole in the sky
[Low Stakes Assignment 3: The Ozone Layer]
LAB 3*
Title to be announced
WI
[High Stakes 1: Lab report for labs 2 and 3
3
The Chemistry of Global Warming
(Chemical Reactions – Combustion, Greenhouse effect and Greenhouse
gases: natural and man-made, weather and climate, solutions and alternatives)
Movie: An inconvenient truth
[Low Stakes Assignment 4: Global Warming]
WI
2
4
4
LAB 4*
Making biodegradable plastic
WI
[High Stakes Assignment 2: Lab report for lab 4]
4
Energy, Chemistry, and Society
(Fuel: coal, petroleum, gasoline, substitutes)
3
5
Take A Drink: The Wonder of Safe Drinking Water
(Composition, Structure, and Properties of Water, Water pollutants)
1
LAB 5*
Qualitative Analysis: Salinity of water
2
WI
[High Stakes Assignment 3: Lab report for Lab 5]
6
Neutralizing the Threat of Acid Rain
(Acid, bases, and salts, pH - measure of acidity / basicity, Damage by acid rain)
LAB 6*
pH determination of common solutions (use of pH paper and pH
indicator solutions
2
3
2
WI
[High Stakes Assignment 4: Lab report for Lab 6]
7
The Fires of Nuclear Fission
(Radioactive isotopes and nuclear radiation)
1
LAB 7*
Radioactivity and Lab Check-Out
2
WI
[In Class Assignment 5: Objective and Conclusion for Lab 7)
8
New Energy Sources for the New Century
(Conventional and Alternative Energy Sources)
Movie: Energy for Tomorrow
WI
[In Class Assignment 6: Summary of movie on Alternative Energy
WI
[High Stakes Assignment 5: My Experience in Chemistry 110
2
In-Class Exams and Quizzes
3
Cumulative Final Examination
2
*All LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS ARE HANDS-ON EXPERIMENTS.
STUDENTS WHO MISS THE SAFETY TRAINING MUST ATTEND A MAKE UP SESSION
BEFORE LAB 2 IN ORDER TO CONTINUE IN THE COURSE
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