CHEMISTRY 121
INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
1. Course Information: Winter 2010, Section D
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Lecture: Building 35, Room 252, Mon–Thu, 10:00–10:50 am
Laboratory: Building 35, Room 213, 1:15–4:05 pm on TUESDAYS. This time is IN
ADDITION TO the normal lecture time.
Prerequisites: Math 098 or Math 101.
 You MUST have completed this prerequisite in order to take this course. It is EXTREMELY
difficult to succeed in this course if you have not already fulfilled this requirement.
2. Instructor Information:
Name: James Chen, Ph.D., Chemistry Professor
Office: Bldg. 35, Room 258
Email: jchen@spscc.ctc.edu (preferred method of contact)
Phone: 360.596.5412
Office hours: 35–258; Drop-in times (no appointment needed) are M 10:50–11:50 am & 1:15–2:00 pm;
Th 11:50am–12:50pm; and F 9:15–10:45 am & 1:15–2:00 pm. If these times are not possible, then
appointments outside of these times may be arranged. Feel free to use these office hours as a study
period for this course. Check the lab (35-203, 35-204 or 35-213) if I am not in my office during these
hours.
3. Required Materials:
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Text: Bettelheim et al. (2009-2010). (Introduction to) General, Organic, and Biochemistry (9 th ed).
Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Online Access Code for OWL. OWL is the online homework submission system & supplemental
material platform for the text. YOU MUST HAVE AN OWL ACCESS CODE for this class. New
textbooks purchased through the SPSCC bookstore will have an OWL access code included. For
other copies of the textbook, you may purchase an OWL access code online through
www.ichapters.com (ISBN 0-495-11121-X for 1 semester, or 0-495-11105-8 for 4 semesters).
A simple scientific calculator, such as Texas Instruments TI–30Xa. The bookstore carries a
similar calculator for about $15. Your calculator MUST have a log key & an exponent key.
 PDA calculators & cell phone calculators will NOT be allowed for in-class exams. I reserve the
right to disallow the use of advanced scientific calculators and/or to erase stored functions &
values from your calculator prior to a quiz or exam.
Lab notebook with carbonless copies, available at the bookstore.
Scantron forms: Buy just a few at a time, to prevent them becoming too dog-eared.
Notetaking materials (3-ring notebook & 4-color pen are recommended).
OPTIONAL:
 Safety goggles, available at the bookstore. Please do not open the packaging until I have had a
chance to approve their use in the lab.
 Course packet: Chemistry 121 Course Packet & Laboratory Exercises.
Additional materials, such as slides, handouts & other such documents, will be available on the
library's electronic reserve (“ERES”) and/or at chemistryatspscc.blogspot.com. Not everything will be
available at these sites, but many things will be there.
 To access the library's electronic reserve (or "ERES"), go to the college website & click on
"Library/Media Services" followed by "eReserves." When the new page pops up, click on "Chem
121." Use the password "chem121" & click on "Chen."
Answer keys may be posted in the window of my office.
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 1 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
4. Course Description: Intro to Chemistry (Chemistry 121 or CHEM& 121, formerly known as
Chemistry 101).
 Fundamental chemistry for those interested in nursing/allied health and those pursuing a nonscience degree. Study of the classification, composition, calculations, and properties (both chemical
and physical) of matter at the macroscopic, atomic and subatomic levels. Includes measurements
and conversions, atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, molar stoichiometry, and
acid/base chemistry.
 This course can almost be thought of as "intensive high school chemistry" -- a year of high school
chemistry fit into a quarter. BE PREPARED TO WORK HARD!! We aim to cover material from the
first 9 chapters of the text.
 This course satisfies the Natural Science distribution requirement for a lab science for the A.A.
degree. However, this course does NOT satisfy the chemistry requirement for the A.S. degree.
 Mastery of skills & topics in this course is ESSENTIAL for providing health care that is SAFE.
5. Course Features & Policies:
Lectures: You should attend all lectures, as there will be material presented in lecture that is not
covered in the text, & portions of the text that we may skip. Homework assignments will be
announced during lecture, & much of the exams will be based around the lectures. You MUST
attend one of the first two lectures to reserve your spot in the class.
 You should try to begin reading the material in the textbook before that material is presented in
lecture, for maximum learning benefit. You will be responsible for all material covered in lecture, in
the assigned textbook readings, in the course handouts, & in the assignments (including laboratory),
except where specifically mentioned by me. Please feel free to ask questions during the lecture!
However, if we risk falling behind schedule I will answer your questions during office hours or after
class.
 Cell phones & music-listening devices must be turned off during lectures & exams.
Homework & In-Class Exercises: Homework assignments will be announced during lecture & will be
collected through the OWL system about once a week (see the “Tentative Schedule” on the last page).
Chemistry cannot be learned simply by reading the text & attending the lectures. You also must
work through problems yourselves to understand the concepts fully.
 Homework must be submitted online by 11:59 PM on the due date (see Tentative Schedule in back).
LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Each student submits his or her OWN
homework. Homework grade will be based partly on correctness & partly on effort.
 Any work submitted in paper form MUST BE STAPLED -- points will be deducted for loose paper,
folded corners or sloppily stapled work. STAPLERS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE PROVIDED. Final
answers must be circled or boxed, & you MUST show your work neatly on the page.
 In-class exercises will be worked on during lecture on the days indicated. They are meant to be
somewhat thought-provoking & thus will be graded mainly on effort. We will work on the exercise
for about the first 25 minutes of that lecture period; you will then turn in the exercise & we then will
immediately go over the answers. Because of this format, in-class exercises CANNOT be made
up or turned in late.
Ten study suggestions:
1. Do more than just the assigned problems. Try some of the other problems in the textbook as well -- for some
of them, the answers are provided in the back. The more practice, the better!
2. Do not simply work problems in your head – work them out on paper. Make this a habit, since you will
get almost no credit on test & exam questions that are not completely worked out on paper!
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 2 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
3. Do the problems without looking at the answer. Only after you have seriously worked on a problem should
you then allow yourself to look at the answer (if provided). Another idea would be to run practice tests using
some of the textbook problems that have provided answers.
4. Work in study groups. Your peers may be able to explain a concept in a manner that is more clear to you than
either the textbook, lecture notes, or instructor.
5. Work every day. For maximum benefit, you should expect to study at least 2 hours for every hour of lecture.
Being a student is a full-time job!
6. Use office hours throughout the quarter, not just right before an exam. There will not be enough time
during the lecture to answer all student questions, so please take advantage of the office hours for more one-onone time with your specific questions.
7. Before turning in assignments, make a photocopy for yourself so that you can continue studying with it
while it is being graded.
8. Aim for an A, not a C. If you aim for a C, there is a very good chance that you will do much worse than a C.
9. Study your calculator's instruction manual, especially the section on scientific notation. You will do very
poorly in this course if you do not know how to use your calculator properly.
10. Check the Internet for additional basic chemistry resources. However, be careful -- information from the
Internet is not guaranteed to be accurate. One website you may wish to check out is
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/index.shtml (again, I do NOT guarantee that this website is
completely accurate).
Midterm Exams: There will be 3 in-class midterm exams & a comprehensive final exam given during
the quarter. Dates are given in the syllabus schedule. For each midterm exam you will be allowed to
use one 3 x 5 in2 index card full of handmade notes, front & back (Suggestion: Write the index card
by hand instead of typing it -- you probably will retain more information).
 While each midterm exam will focus on recent material, in order to succeed you MUST retain a
working knowledge of all material covered since the beginning of the quarter.
 In determining your course grade, either your lowest midterm exam score will be dropped, or your
final exam score will be halved in weight, whichever is better for you. If you miss one midterm exam
(for whatever reason), it will count as your dropped score.
 Thus, there should be NO NEED to request a makeup exam. However, upon your
insistence (no later than the scheduled day of the exam) a makeup exam may be granted, but
only if the reason for the request is judged (by the instructor) to be GENUINELY beyond your
control. BE FOREWARNED -- if you are granted a makeup exam, you MUST show up to take it,
and the score you get on the makeup exam WILL NOT BE DROPPED EVEN IF IT IS YOUR
LOWEST SCORE. Failure to show up for a makeup exam will result in a score of zero that will
not be dropped.
 If you already missed a scheduled midterm exam, midterm exams subsequent to the missed
scheduled exam cannot be made up.
 Note that makeup exams may be a little more difficult than the scheduled exam.
 Also note that makeup exams may be subject to point penalties as detailed in the section on
"Late Work," below.
 Please see me if there are any questions or concerns regarding the midterm exam makeup policy.
Comprehensive Final Exam: The comprehensive final exam is all multiple-choice, and will cover
material from the entire course. For the final exam you will be allowed to use three 3 x 5 in2 index
cards full of handmade notes, front & back. The final exam score carries DOUBLE the weight of a
midterm exam. Upon request (no later than the scheduled day of the final exam) a makeup
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 3 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
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INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
final exam may be granted, but only if the reason for your request is judged (by the instructor) to be
GENUINELY beyond your control.
Note that makeup final exams may be a little more difficult than the scheduled exam.
Also note that makeup final exams may be subject to point penalties as detailed in the section on
"Late Work," below.
Please see me if there are any questions or concerns regarding the final exam makeup policy.
Final exam schedule: Monday March 22 from 10:00 – 11:50 am.
Late work: Assignments not turned in by the times specified will be considered late.
 LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, and will receive a score of ZERO.
 Missed in-class exercises CANNOT BE MADE UP, and will receive a score of ZERO.
 If a lab assignment is one day late, then 1/5 of the maximum point value for the assignment will be
deducted off the top. If a lab assignment is two days late, then 3/5 of the maximum point value for
the assignment will be deducted off the top. Lab assignments more than 2 days late will receive a
score of ZERO.
 Makeup exams may be subject to similar point deductions as late lab assignments, depending on the
specific reasons why such makeup requests are made.
Laboratory: In order to pass the course you MUST attend, perform & submit proper assignments for at
least all but one of the scheduled laboratory sessions, including the session on lab safety in Week 2.
Failure to do so will most likely result in a course grade of 'V' or 'F'. Proper assignment format may
vary from session to session and will be explained each week. All lab assignments will count towards
your final grade; none will be dropped.
 Experiment descriptions, revisions and additions will be announced in class, and/or posted on ERES
or chemistryatspscc.blogspot.com.
 Before you can begin an experiment you must prepare according to the guidelines discussed during
the first several lab sessions. Lab assignments are to be turned in by 1:15 PM on the due date
(see Tentative Schedule in back) unless specified otherwise. Each student will submit his or her
OWN WORK unless specified otherwise.
 In the lab, unless otherwise specified you may work in groups of two without penalty; however,
working in larger groups may result in point deductions. It will not be possible to make up
experiments after the assigned week.
 You ABSOLUTELY MUST attend your lab section during the second week of the quarter since we
will be discussing issues of lab safety as well as the format of the lab reports you will be turning in.
 FOOD, DRINK & SMOKING ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE LAB (including gum!). Shorts,
sleeveless shirts, open-toed shoes & exposed-midriff shirts also are NOT ALLOWED IN THE LAB.
At the very least, all lab violations will result in point penalties without warning. You will not be
allowed to perform the experiment until you return wearing proper clothing. If you think you may
forget to wear proper clothing, then keep a spare set of suitable clothing in your car (or bring a lab
coat!).
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PLEASE BEWARE -- In this course you will be required to work with, and to be in a room
containing, chemicals that have potential health, fire and/or reactivity hazards if not
handled properly. Such exposure to these chemicals, with proper handling, typically
poses minimal or no problem. However, if you have a medical condition that may be
worsened by exposure to such chemicals, please consult your doctor regarding whether
or not it is medically advisable to take the course.
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 4 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
Examples of chemicals to be used can be found in the experiment descriptions for this
course. Additional information on the hazards of specific chemicals also can be found on
the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS sheets) located in Building 35 (you may go to the
administrative office for the Applied & Natural Sciences Division on the second floor for
further information).
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There are a BUNCH of other safety issues that must be addressed before we begin lab work -- we will
address those during the first few lab sessions.
Extra Credit: There may be some small extra credit opportunities that may pop up. However, these
small opportunities will NOT be able to compensate for consistently poor test performance!
Cheating & Plagiarism: Honesty & integrity in science is fundamental. In this spirit, I expect that you all will
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conduct yourselves honorably, that you each will do your own work in & out of class. With proper conduct,
cheating & plagiarism should not be an issue. For my part, I promise not to make accusations that are
unfounded or without merit.
It is OK to study with each other, but any work you turn in must be written in your own words, & as a result of
your own effort. If a significant part (or combination of parts) of your work appears to have been copied from
other students, or from a book, website or other source, you will face significant point penalties, such as a
failing grade for that assignment, a failing grade for the course, or possibly even dismissal from the college.
Reminder: Anyone who assists in cheating or plagiarism will face the same penalties.
Anyone observed cheating on exams or quizzes will face academic disciplinary action at the discretion of the
instructor; such as a failing grade for the exam, quiz or assignment in question; a failing grade for the course,
or possibly even dismissal from the college. It is your individual responsibility to conduct yourself in a manner
that cannot reasonably be interpreted as cheating or plagiarizing -- please take this responsibility seriously!
For the college policy on academic honesty, please refer to the "Rights, Responsibilities, Policies" section of the
"Current Student" page on the college website. It is the responsibility of the student to understand & abide by
the college policy on academic honesty.
Financial Aid: Students receiving financial aid should ALWAYS check with Financial Aid prior to withdrawing,
signing an incomplete contract, changing to an audit, or receiving an F or V grade in a class.
Grades:
A maximum of around 280 points can be earned, tentatively to be distributed as follows:
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Midterm exams + Final Exam
Homework & In-class exercises
All experiment write-ups & worksheets (including pre-lab preparation &
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Lab Notebook
Instructor Evaluation
160 points total
40 points total
62 points total
in-lab performance)
(attendance, class participation,
10 points total
8 points
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appropriate lab & lecture conduct, overall lab safety, etc.)
280 POINTS TOTAL
The course grade is based on the percentage of total points earned.
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If you believe that your score was miscalculated on an assignment, quiz or exam, then let me know in person,
within 48 hours after that assignment, quiz or exam was returned to the class. Only your original unmodified
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 5 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
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INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
answers will be considered, and ALL of them will be re-examined. If your score ends up being corrected, then
you must agree to the correction, even if it ends up being lower than the original score.
Anyone quitting the course without following proper withdrawal procedures will receive a grade of V or F, in
accordance with the college grading system. Check the quarterly calendar for the appropriate deadlines for
grading options & withdrawal dates.
An incomplete ('I') may be considered for a student with extenuating circumstances beyond his or her control.
To be considered, the student must consult with me, be at least halfway through the course, be earning a grade
of C or better, & can complete the course by the end of the following quarter.
Scale for Course Grade
Overall %
Grade
Overall %
Grade
Overall %
Grade
93–100
89–92
A
A–
87–88
83–86
79–82
B+
B
B–
75–78
72–74
68–71
C+
C
C–
Overall % Grade
64–67
60–63
56–59
D+
D
D–
While there may be some minor alterations to this grading scale in determining the final grades, this course will not
be graded on a curve.
Criteria for full credit: In order to be considered for full credit for anything submitted for grading,
three criteria must be met:
(1) All work must be shown (this includes showing how the calculation was done using values from the problem, or
providing a COMPLETE explanation for the answer submitted (i.e., why that answer was chosen));
(2) All work must be done by the person requesting the credit, in his or her own words.
(3) All work must be presented in a logical, organized manner, with final answers circled, boxed, or otherwise
clearly indicated.
Requests for recommendation letters/internship support: Students need to put any requests for support
in the form of recommendation letters & work internship support into a signed dated letter (not e-mail, not an
oral request) because of the 1974 Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).
Bad weather days: On days of bad weather, the cancellation of sessions for this course will conform to the
official decision of the college. If your section is officially canceled on a test day, then you should assume that
the test will be given on the first day back (unless specified otherwise). If your section is canceled on a day on
which an assignment is due, then you should assume that the assignment will be due on the first day back.
Lab sessions officially canceled by the college due to bad weather are subject to re-scheduling.
PLEASE: NO APPLES FOR THE TEACHER! I will not take gratuities of any kind, including food.
6. Additional Information:
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
A. Take mass, volume, length and temperature measurements with appropriate accuracy & precision
B. Perform mathematical conversions (particularly Metric conversions) & calculations, expressed with appropriate units &
significant digits
C. Recognize & describe various forms of matter & the transformations (physical & chemical) thereof
D. Recognize & describe the key ideas of atomic structure, the periodic table, & chemical bonding
E. Recognize & identify specific ionic compounds, binary molecular compounds & inorganic acids by chemical formula &
chemical name; derive the chemical formulas & names of these compounds
F. Balance chemical equations; recognize & describe various types of chemical reactions (such as addition, decomposition,
replacement, precipitation, redox & neutralization)
G. Perform chemical calculations involving moles, molar mass, molarity and concentration, stoichiometry, gas laws, & Ph
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COLLEGE-WIDE ABILITIES:
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 6 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
A. Effective communication
B. Application of fundamental skills; understanding of mathematical relationships; & appreciation of the beauty & power of
mathematical structures
C. Ability to explain & apply natural laws & theories that model the natural world
D. Thinking logically & critically
E. Integration & synthesis of knowledge
F. More knowledgeable functioning as responsible citizens in our democratic society
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COURSE CONTENT:
A. Matter
1. Solids, liquids, gases
2. Homogeneous & heterogeneous mixtures
3. Elements & compounds
4. Properties & transformations of matter
B. Measurement
1. Significant digits
2. Scientific notation
3. Metric units & conversions
4. English-Metric conversions
5. Temperature scales
6. Density
C. Atomic structure
1. Subatomic particles (location within the atom; properties); nucleus, shell, subshell, orbital
2. Atomic mass, atomic number, mass number
3. Electron energy levels; electronic configuration of the elements
4. Valence shell, valence electrons, & Lewis symbols
5. Isotopes; radioactivity; radioactive decay
D. The periodic table and periodic table trends
1. Various categorizations of the elements
a. Groups & periods
b. Metals, nonmetals & metalloids
c. Orbital blocks
d. Representative, transition, & inner transition elements
e. Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, noble gases
2. Ionization energy, electronegativity
E. Chemical bonding
1. Molecules & the covalent bond; Lewis structures
2. Shapes of molecules; VSEPR theory; bond angles; polarity
3. Ion formation & the ionic bond
4. Naming of ionic & binary molecular compounds
5. Derivation of chemical formulas
F. Chemical compounds and equations
1. Chemical reactions & equations; balancing chemical equations
2. Types of chemical reactions (such as addition, decomposition, replacement, precipitation, redox & neutralization)
3. Chemistry of solutions
4. The mole; Avogadro’s Number
5. Molar mass; molarity & concentration; & calculations thereof
6. Chemical equilibrium
7. Calculations involving:
a. Dilution
b. Reaction stoichiometry
c. Gas laws
d. Limiting reagent
G. Acids and bases
1. Names & chemical formulas of common acids
2. Neutralization reactions; acid-base titration
3. Predicting acid-base reactions
4. Acid & base strength; weak acid dissociation
5. pH and calculations thereof
6. Buffers
H. Laboratory and experimental science
1. The scientific method; observation, hypothesis, theory, scientific law
2. Laboratory safety and proper laboratory technique
3. Laboratory exercises to complement lecture concepts
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 7 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC
CHEMISTRY 121
INTRO TO CHEMISTRY
5.0 credits
7. Tentative Schedule (NOTE: This schedule is tentative, & probably WILL change during
the quarter... stay tuned!):
WEEK
LECTURE
LAB
Introduction to OWL
Chp 1
#1: 4–10
Jan
#2: 11–17
Chp 1, 2
Jan
#3: 18–24
Chp 2,3
Jan
#4: 25–31
Chp 3
Jan
#5: 1–7
Chp 3
Feb
#6: 8–14
Chp 3,4
Feb
#7: 15–21
Chp 4
Copper Silver Reaction;
Moles & Chem Formulas
Chp 4,6
NO EXPERIMENT
Chp 6,8
Identifying Ionic Cmpds
(will not be done in lab
notebook)
Chp 8,5
Titration of Vinegar;
Buffers
Chp 8,9
Gas Law
(will not be done in lab
notebook)
--
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Feb
#8: 22–28
Feb
#9: 1–7
Mar
#10: 8–14
Mar
#11: 15–21
Mar
#12:
FINALS
IMPORTANT DATES
Tue: Must show up by this day’s lecture in order to reserve
spot in the course
Fri: Last day for 100% drop refund
Sun: Homework 1 due
Introduction, Notebook Signed safety sheets due in lab; Safety map will be
& Safety Talk
checked next week in lab
Fri: Last day to drop without ‘W’
Mon: MLK DAY - NO LECTURE
Measurements & Density Tue: Homework 2 due
Fri: Last day for 40% drop refund
Separation of
Mon: Homework 3 due
Binary Mixtures
Tue: In-Class Exercise and/or Review
Tue: "Meas/Dens" notebook writeup due in lab
Wed: MIDTERM EXAM #1
Molecular Models
Tue: "Binary Mixts" notebook writeup due in lab
(will not be done in lab
Wed: Homework 4 due
notebook)
NO EXPERIMENT
Tue: ADVISING DAY – No Lecture or Lab
Fri: Homework 5 due
Mon: PREZ DAY - No Lecture
Tue: "Molecular Models" lab worksheets due in lab
Sun: Homework 6 due
Mon: In-Class Exercise and/or Review
Tue: MIDTERM EXAM #2
Fri: Last day to withdraw
Mon: Homework 7 due
Tue: “Moles & Chem Formulas” worksheets due in lecture
Tue: "Ionic Cmpds" lab worksheet due IMMEDIATELY, end
of lab period
Mon: Homework 8 due
Tue: In-Class Exercise and/or Review
Tue: "Copper/Silver" notebook writeup due in lab
Wed: MIDTERM EXAM #3
Tue: “Titration” & “Buffers” lab writeup due in lab
Thu: Gas Law worksheets due @ 5 PM
Thu: In-Class Exercise and/or Review
Thu: Last day to turn in any late lab-related work in order to
pass the course (with major point penalties), by 5 PM
Thu: Last day of instruction
Sat: Homework 9 due
Sun: ‘Last-Chance Extra Credit Exercise’ due
Mon, Mar 22: COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM, 10:00–
11:50 AM
N.B. 1. This syllabus is subject to change. Changes will be announced in class.
2. This syllabus is written in the first person, from the instructor's perspective.
Winter '10, Page 8 of 8
J. Chen, SPSCC