Course Proposal from the Division of Math and Natural Sciences
1. Title: Molecules
2. Credits: 3
3. Instructor: Dr. James J. DeHaven
4. Course Number: CHE 142
5. Prerequisites: None
6. Catalog Description: This is an introductory course in chemistry, which addresses
the key concepts of chemistry by studying the structures and workings of the molecules
that we encounter in everyday life. Material will be presented in a conceptual manner,
with minimal mathematics, and, to the extent possible, in a manner which connects
chemistry to the everyday experiences of 21st century human beings. Topics will
include atoms, molecules, intermolecular forces, bonding, molecular structure, chemical
reactions, heat and energy, rates and equilibrium, acids and bases, light,
electrochemistry, polymers and biochemistry.
7. Objectives:
A) To introduce students to the basic concepts of chemistry by studying the basic
chemical structure, the molecule, whose existence in a pleasing variety of dimensions
and configurations governs all of our everyday lives and experiences.
B) It is our hope that the students who complete this course will be able to
comfortably and knowledgeably read articles on chemistry published in the science
section of the New York Times and other major newspapers and magazines. These
students should be able to explain to themselves and to others the chemical bases of
various life activities and experiences, such as cooking, the color of flowers, pain killers,
air pollution, etc.
8. Rationale:
This course will address the needs of students in the educational department’s
general studies majors. It will also be a lab science course, applicable to the core
curriculum, for students in other majors. It is particularly targeted for those students for
whom it will serve as “the only course in chemistry that I will ever take”.
Since the course will be built around internet modules from the ground up, we
anticipate that it can be expanded so that it will be suitable for the scheduling needs of
students in the ADVANCE program.
There are two caveats relevant to the internet component of the course:
1) Considerable expansion of the internet component of the course, from its
initial status of a course supplement to that of a full-blown course, will be necessary
before it will be usable as a stand-alone internet offering.
2) The current intention is to limit the internet course expansion to the ADVANCE
program and, for the time being, NOT to offer the online course (when it is internet
ready) to anyone not associated with the ADVANCE program
9. Full Course Format:
A)Format:
Three hours lecture per week. The course should be taken concurrently with the
associated laboratory.
The internet course, when offered, will consist of the entire lectures, either full
video or audio only, with complete transcripts for hearing disabled students. These
sections will also include some sort of interactive chat component or a weekly meeting
for the ADVANCE students.
B)Teaching Materials:
Conventional Lab Supplies and Materials
Online tutorials and animations
Books: “The Periodic Kingdom” by P. W. Atkins and “Molecules”, also by Atkins
Lectures for internet sections may be supplied on CD-ROM instead of the
internet if this
method of distribution appears to be more practical.
C) Assessment:
70% Lab Reports
20% Quizzes
10% Homework
Internet students will also be assessed on quizzes designed to demonstrate that
they have viewed/read the lectures. If online chat sessions or weekend meetings are
part of the course, students may also be graded on class participation in order to ensure
participation in these discussions.
D) Content Outline
The course will approach chemistry from the perspective of a descriptive study of
important or interesting molecules: molecules that impart flavor to meat or color to wine,
molecules that can poison us, that cause pain, or that govern our sex drive. The course
will be partitioned into 12 sections (roughly one per week), and each section will
illustrate a basic key concept of chemistry. By the end of the course, the student will be
expected to have a firm intuitive knowledge of chemistry, grounded in his or her
everyday experiences.
1) elements, atoms, compounds and molecules
2) forces between and within atoms and molecules
3) kinds of molecules
4) chemical reactions
5) Heat
6) order and disorder (entropy)
7) the idea of equilibrium
8) rates
9) light and color
10) acids and bases
11) electricity
12) molecules and life
10. Planned to be Offered: Spring 2001
11. Frequency: Each Semester
12. Enrollment: 30 max