CHEMISTRY 104 LABORATORY
INFORMATION
Laboratory Times and Attendance
The lab starts exactly at 8:30 A.M. for the morning sections and at 2:30 P.M. for the afternoon
sections. The lab closes at 11:20 A.M. and 5:20 P.M. respectively. The laboratory experiments
are preceded by a very brief laboratory lecture which includes demonstrations when necessary.
M ISSED LABORATORY SESSIONS
*
In general, there are no makeup lab sessions for missed experiments and students are not
allowed to complete an experiment in another lab session UNLESS a student prearranges
and receives permission from the head lab instructor to attend an alternate session (if it is
possible).
*
Student athletes should contact the head lab instructor two weeks in advance of athletic
events that interfere with lab attendance to determine options.
*
If you miss a lab session, email the head lab instructor (within 3 days following the day
you missed) to determine what your options are. If you have a valid excuse (for example
an illness or accident), you must bring the supporting documentation within 7 days of the
day you missed, and arrangements will be made so
that you will not lose marks for being absent. If you
fail to follow this procedure or do not have a valid
excuse, you will receive a mark of zero for the missed
lab session.
*
MISSING 3 OR MORE LAB SESSIONS FOR ANY
REASON (INCLUDING VALID EXCUSALS)
WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE IN THE
LAB.
Evaluation
The evaluation may vary slightly between laboratory sections. Your overall laboratory mark will
constitute 20% of your Chemistry 104 course grade.
Laboratory final quiz
Pre-laboratory assignments
Discretionary*
Laboratory Reports
Evaluation / %
40
10
10
40
*Note: This discretionary mark typically reflects your average performance in the laboratory.
Pre-labs
Each experiment contains pre-lab
questions that must be answered and
submitted for grading at the beginning
of the lab period. (found on the
webpage
http://uregina.ca/~tymchakm/). These
should be handed in the Pre-Lab
basket in the laboratory at the
beginning of the lab. Failure to hand in
a prelab assignment at the appropriate
time will result in lost marks. Only 1 or 2 of the Pre-lab questions will be graded. Although
only a few questions will be graded, the other questions may be used in the laboratory quizzes.
Reports
During the experiment, data should be recorded on the DATA SHEET (web page). After each
experiment, you should answer the questions for the experiment ((found on the webpage
http://uregina.ca/~tymchakm/). The Report (Data Sheet and Questions) should be handed in at
5:30 pm, within 3 days following the experiment. (Example: If your laboratory is on a Monday,
your report will be due Thursday by 5:30 pm). These reports should be stapled and placed in the
Report-Box which is in the hallway outside of LB321. Penalties for late reports are 20% for the
first day and 10% for each subsequent day late.
You are expected to record all data and observations in your table using ink. Don't erase or use
liquid paper. If an incorrect value is recorded, simply draw a line through it and record the
correct value above or beside it.; e.g. 1.23 1.32. Do not scribble the original number out so that it
is no longer recognizable! All measurements must be recorded with units, and with the proper
number of significant figures. Answer the questions in the appropriate spaces. Always include
a few words to clarify what it is you are calculating. Use of the dimensional analysis method is
required.
Lab Final Quiz
At the end of the semester a final lab quiz will be given. The quiz is based mainly on the
questions in the Pre-lab assignments and Lab Reports. Questions will also test your
understanding of the equipments used in the 104 lab.
Locker Sheets
You will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the semester. (Look at the name sheet on the
door for your section). In every lab session, you are required to check the contents of your
drawer for completeness and sign the locker form. Leave the form on the bench. DO NOT
TAKE IT HOME! It is extremely important that you keep the locker equipment clean and fully
stocked. Failure to do so will result in penalties to your grade. (Up to 30%)
How to Get Help
Please don't hesitate to seek help when you need it. Extra help is generally very effective because
in a one-on-one dialog, your instructor will be able to answer your specific concerns instead of
trying to teach to a group.
The laboratory is run by a full-time laboratory instructor and several teaching
assistants. The full-time laboratory instructor usually is in charge of other
laboratory classes as well and is therefore not present in all laboratory sections.
However, you should feel free to approach the laboratory instructor if you run into
problems or need assistance or information about any part of the laboratory
section of the course. The laboratory instructor will try to answer emails. As the
semester progresses, the volume of emails the instructor receives may mean that it
takes a few days before a response is given - if you are waiting on a response, it
may be best to just come and see the instructor.
The teaching assistants (usually graduate students) are very knowledgeable and
are able to answer your questions. The graduate students usually take classes and are actively
involved in research. They will let you know when and where you can see them outside of
regular laboratory times.