Chemistry 121 Introduction to Chemistry
Instructor
Office hours
Dr. Heather Price
Office: IB 2422A
Email: heather.price@seattlecolleges.edu
Course Website: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/hprice/
Tel: 206-934-7020
Tue 9-10:50 am
Wed 10-11:50 am
M & Th by apt
Course Video Lectures, Calendar, Labs: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/hprice
Grades: http://canvas.northseattle.edu
Homework and ebook: http://connect.mheducation.com/class/h-price-chem-121-spring-2016
Office: IB 2422A
Course Meetings We will meet from 11am – 3pm every Tuesday. Each Tuesday, we will begin
in our classroom (HS 2434A) and then move to the laboratory room (HS 2640E).
Classroom: HS 2634A
Laboratory: HS 2640E
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for non-science majors in two-year degree programs. The course is a
first step toward achieving scientific literacy and the content includes measurements, energy,
atomic theory, bonding, chemical reactions, the mole concept, calculations involved in chemical
reactions, acids and bases, and nuclear chemistry. This course should give you a good grasp of
introductory chemistry before you go into higher level chemistry courses and it will also
enhance your problem solving skills. This 5-credit class includes laboratory activities.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of Chemistry 121 students should feel confident in making the following
statements:
 I know and can recognize basic chemical symbols and their associated names and can use
these symbols to write molecular formulas.
 I can use basic math skills to solve chemistry problems and be in a position to build on this
ability in more advanced problem solving sessions.
 I will understand the process of scientific inquiry and how it is common to all investigative
processes involving questioning, analyzing and reporting.
 I am able to use appropriate documentation to exchange spoken, written, and visual
information in order to communicate effectively and to participate as an effective team
member within the scientific learning community and other appropriate settings.
1
TOPICAL OUTLINE
I. Matter and measurements
II. Atoms and the periodic table
III. Ionic Compounds
IV. Covalent Compounds
V. Chemical Reactions
VI. Energy Changes, Reaction Rates, and Equilibrium
VII. Gases, Liquids, and Solids
VIII. Solutions
IX. Acids and Bases
X. Nuclear Chemistry
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
 Text Book or ebook with homework access code: Smith. General, Organic, and Biological
Chemistry, 3nd Edition (Chapters 1-10) ISBN: 978-0-07-351124-5
 Lectures, lab handouts, due dates: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/hprice
 Grades: Available at http://canvas.northseattle.edu
 Homework: Available at http://connect.mheducation.com/class/h-price-chem-121spring-2016
 Safety Goggles: available at the bookstore or any hardware store
 Non-graphing, non-programmable, scientific calculator is required
ATTENDANCE
This course is fast-paced and covers a broad range of content. Attendance is critical for success
in this class. If for some reason you are unable to make a session, please make sure you get all
notes, assignments, readings completed. No make-up quizzes will be given. If you miss more
than one lab you cannot pass the class.
VIDEO LECTURES
I have created video lectures, available on the course website, for each chapter. I recommend
watching the video before you attempt the Learn Smart and homework for a given chapter and
to watch the video in small pieces (10-20 minutes at a time), rather than all at once.
HOMEWORK
(50 points total) Homework and Learn Smart assignments are due on a weekly basis. Go
through Learn Smart before attempting the homework. We will use the online homework
system Connect. You are welcome to work together on the problems, but every student needs
to complete their own work.
QUIZZES
(10 points each) Quizzes will take place on almost a weekly basis. These quizzes will be unannounced, so always come prepared to class. There are no make-up quizzes. You can drop one
quiz. Notes, phones, and graphing/programmable calculators are NOT allowed during quizzes.
2
EXAMS
(100 points each) A total of four in-class exams will be given during the quarter. Notes, phones,
and graphing/programmable calculators are NOT allowed during exams. Please see the online
calendar for dates. The final exam will be cumulative. No Make-up exams. Only for a true
documented emergency can the final exam replace one missed exam.
LABS
Students who miss more than one laboratory experiment will FAIL the course
Safety First! Many chemicals in the lab are hazardous, so handle all chemicals carefully and
dispose of all waste properly. Be aware of yourself and those around you at all times (pay
attention!).
Lab Dress Code – shoes, goggles
You must wear shoes which cover your toes. If you don’t have the right shoes, I will send you
home to get a pair that works. NO EXCEPTIONS. It is best to bring your goggles the first day of
lab and then leave them in your lab drawer; you will need them for every experiment in the
course.
Lab policies (this is a partial list; a more complete list will be discussed in the lab)
1. Write lab data in pen, not pencil.
2. No food or drink is allowed in the lab.
3. Safety goggles are mandatory and must be worn at all times in the lab, even if you are not
doing any experimental work at the time.
4. Open-toed shoes (sandals, flip-flops, etc.) are strictly forbidden. You will be sent home to
get appropriate shoes.
5. Dispose of all waste in marked waste containers, never down the sink.
6. Follow the instructions of the instructor or the lab technician; failure to do so will mean
expulsion from the lab.
How do you prepare for lab?
 Print out the lab handout from the course website: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/hprice
 Bring a pen (NO pencils). You will need it to record your data.
 Bring your data report sheet.
 Finish and bring your pre-lab. It is your ticket in the door. If I see you completing it “in the
lab” after we have started, you will be ejected from the lab.
 Read and understand the procedure and safety concerns before you arrive in the lab. Our
lab work is complex and potentially dangerous. If you are not prepared you will be a hazard
to yourself and to others. Don’t slow down your lab partner because you are not prepared
to start the lab when you arrive.
What happens if you are late to lab?
If you are more than 15 minutes late for lab you MAY not be allowed to participate, because
you will have missed important safety information at the beginning of the lab.
When is lab work due?
Keep track of lab due dates at the course website: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/hprice
3
1. Pre-Lab: (3 points) Due at the beginning of lab. Hand written outline of the procedure you
will follow in lab that day, and any pre lab problems found in your lab handout. Pre-labs
turned in late will be given a score of zero.
You must complete the pre-lab in order to participate in the lab. NO EXCEPTIONS. You are a
hazard to yourself and others if you are not prepared.
2. Post-Lab and Data: (12 points) Your experimental data and your answers to any post-lab
questions are due at the beginning of class, a week following the lab (eight days later). Postlab reports turned in after class starts will be marked late. On some occasions I may ask you
to turn in your data and results immediately after the lab.
What happens if you miss a lab?
There are no make-up laboratories. Completion of laboratory experiments is a requirement of
chemistry 121. If you miss more than one lab you cannot pass the class.
Does each lab group turn in ONE report, or a report for each person?
Even though you work in groups in the lab, EACH person must write down all data and
complete their own lab report. This means one pre-lab and one lab report PER person, not per
team. Furthermore, your academic lab work must be YOUR own work. If it becomes apparent
that you have copied the work of another student, you and any other students involved will
receive a zero on that lab report. For more information, see the section on Academic
Dishonesty in this syllabus.
GRADING
Homework: 50 pts total for the quarter
Quizzes: 10 pts each
Pre-labs: 3 pts each
Post Labs: 12 pts each
3 Midterms: 100 pts each
1 final exam: 100 pts
Grade Scale
95% = 4.0 = A Excellent
80% = 3.0 = B High
65% = 2.0 = C Average
50% = 1.0 = D Minimum
<50% = 0.0 = F Unsatisfactory
ETIQUETTE
 Arrive on time. If an emergency causes you to arrive late, enter quietly through the rear
doors of the classroom.
 Do not begin packing your belongings until after the end of lecture
 Keep conversations to a minimum
 Keep your cell phone (or other device) on silent and refrain from using phones, laptops,
pads, or other electronics not associated with Chem 121 during class time.
4

Do not browse or read materials that are unrelated class. This includes – but is not
limited to – phones, texts, internet, newspapers, magazines, books, and e-mail. If
computers are used for these applications computers may no longer be allowed in class.
Expectations for Success
1. Cheating Is not tolerated. Cheating of any kind will result in a zero grade for the assignment and you
may be reported to the college for academic dishonesty.
2. Plagiarism Is not tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as:
 Incorporating five words in a row from a print, electronic, or oral source without quotations marks
and proper citation (APA format)
 Paraphrasing another source so closely that the work is not truly your own
 Submitting work done by another person or receiving so much help from another person that the
work cannot honestly be considered your own.
3. Attendance: It is my expectation you come to every class on time. If your attendance is poor or you
are frequently tardy, you will not do well in this class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to
obtain the necessary materials from classmates, the webpage or myself and to hand in any
assignments.
4. Assignments: Assignments are due at the start of class, before lecture begins. Late assignments are
not accepted. Multi-page assignments will not be accepted, unless stapled. If I can’t read it I can’t
grade it. Illegible or ambiguous work will receive a zero so write carefully.
5. Show your work. Partially correct problems will receive partial credit. Problems showing no work
will receive no credit. Make sure your work is organized and clear because I will not sift through a
mess.
6. Quizzes and Exams: Quizzes will be performed in groups. Exams are completed alone. There are no
make-up exams or quizzes. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.
7. Lab Reports: Will generally be due one week from completion of the lab and are to be completed
individually. Although you will have the same data as your lab partner, the content of the lab report
must be unique from your partner.
8. What you get out of this class is related to what you put in:




The majority of learning occurs outside of the classroom!! The learner is responsible for mastering
the material.
Organization – Sticky tabs may be used to mark important pages or questions in your notebook or
textbook. Folders will help keep you from losing papers.
Class Preparation – Come to class with pens, pencils, a notebook and a functioning calculator.
Practice – The textbook, online resources, and notes offer example problems. The homework online
offers practice.
Accommodations for special needs
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability; if you have emergency medical
information to share with the instructor; or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be
evacuated, please provide the instructor with a letter of accommodation from the Office of Disability
Services: https://northseattle.edu/disability-services. Disability Services is located in CC 2346A, phone: 206934-3697.
5