CHM 3120
Fall 2021
Florida International University
CHM 3120: Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
Fall 2021
Course Syllabus
Class hours: TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Classroom: RDB1100 (Rafael Diaz Balart building)
(if necessary) Zoom Class Meeting ID: 981 6672 9195 (passcode AnalytFa21)
Instructor: Dr. Lichter
Office: DM331B
Email: jlichter@fiu.edu (preferred form of communication)
Phone 305-348-6209
Office hours time: MW 3-5pm or by appointment (email to make an appointment)
Remote Office hours Meeting ID: https://fiu.zoom.us/my/lichter (email to make sure I am there)
Weekly LA review help sessions TBA
Meeting ID: TBA
Password: TBA
LAs will answer questions related to in-class activities, homework, quizzes/exams and anything you ask!
Attend 6 (or more) full sessions and you will receive an additional 1% towards your grade in the class
A. Course Description
CHM3120 focuses on quantitative chemical analysis (“how much of a molecule is in something”) and the use of
analytical tools in chemical research. The subjects covered include making and diluting solutions, calculating
concentrations, making measurements correctly, statistical analysis of data, experimental error, quality assurance,
solution chemistry, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry , and overviews of analytical tools as electrochemistry,
spectrophotometry, spectroscopy, spectrometry, and chromatography. The class will cover both theory and practice.
This is an extension of course concepts from general chemistry 1 and 2 and a bit of statistics and instrumental analysis.
Whether in the private sector (biotech/pharma/consulting) or the public sector (EPA/DEA/ FDA/FBI/CDC etc.)
quantitative analysis is a major component of laboratory research. Therefore, material covered in this class will be
important for such occupations. We will look at many examples of this.
The class will be a mix of lectures, problem solving in breakout sessions with LAs, reviewing material, discussions, exams,
and a COVID-19 vaccine project.
Outside of the time spent in class, you will be required to watch videos, answer questions through canvas (the questions
will come from an external program called Achieve), post to discussion boards (various topics) and more. There is also a
free online textbook you can refer to. We will generally begin class reviewing the material you were supposed to view
outside of class time, to ensure that you are preparing before class, then a bit of a lecture and then some problem
solving and conceptual development during class. At the conclusion of class, we will ensure that we have met the
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CHM 3120
Fall 2021
Florida International University
learning outcomes for the day. The class website (on canvas) will have power point lectures, videos to watch,
announcements, and a link to our online homework site. The examinations will cover the material that is discussed in
the classroom so participation in the course is critical for both your participation grade and your ability to learn and
perform well on exams.
B. Pre and Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: CHM1045/1046
Co-requisite: CHM3120L
C. Learning Outcomes
With respect to the content in this course, it will be expected that students will be able to:
 Quantify how much of an ion, compound, or something is in a solution various types of concentration (molarity,
ppm, % by weight)
 Evaluate which concentrations or measurements fit the appropriate application
 Based on measurements and calculations, determine how many numbers you should represent when reporting
a measured value and its associated error
 Associate and apply the correct statistical analysis that would be appropriate for the question and data set one
might be working with
 Identify the quality assurance protocols in chemistry laboratories and how they provide guidance for the
research objectives of a laboratory
 Review acid-base chemistry and calculate the many variables associated (pH, [H+], fraction of acids and base in
solution, etc.)
 Predict the outcome of reactions based on variables quantified.
 Relate the quantifiable variables of acid-base chemistry to the actual chemical reactions and solution
composition associated with such variables
 Calculate concentrations of reactants and products in a reaction using equilibrium
 Review and practice existing knowledge about acid base chemistry
 Describe how electrodes (like a pH meter) can be used to find out how much of something is in something else
(like [H+] in a solution)
 Frame useful calculations for trying to both first solve problems in quantitative chemical analyses as well as to
check that their answers work
 Collaborate with peers to solve problems
 Build self-confidence, self-regulation and self-efficacy.
 Explore and discover you strengths in chemistry and find out more if you are interested in a career in chemistry
 Able to excel on the MCAT/PCAT/DAT general chemistry questions
 Be aware of what it takes to work in a laboratory as a scientist
 New for Spring 2021: explain the different ways that vaccines are made and how they are tested to be safe and
protective
D. Text/supplies
What you need to own/buy:
1. Analytical Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry Approach by Juliette Lantz and Renee Cole (ISBN
9781118891315) https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Analytical+Chemistry
%3A+A+Guided+Inquiry+Approach+Quantitative+Analysis+Collection-p-9781118891315
2. ACHIEVE HW supplement (will be accessible through Canvas)
3. Calculator (scientific)
The Guided Inquiry workbook will be used everyday while on Zoom, so it’s mandatory. I think having
the print one is better but the e-book is fine too. DO NOT RENT IT! If it has the answer written in it, it
takes away all of the value.
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CHM 3120
Fall 2021
Florida International University
FREE ONLINE TEXTBOOK: Analytical Chemistry 2.0 by David Harvey
http://dpuadweb.depauw.edu/harvey_web/eTextProject/pdfFiles/AnalChem2.0.pdf
Achieve access can be purchased directly with a credit card from the canvas site for $42
It can also be purchased in the bookstore for $52.49 (specifically those with financial aid or scholarship will want to go
through the book store)
There is a 2 week trial access you can choose if you aren’t sure you want to take the course but want to have
a look during add drop
E. Grading Scheme
Students will be graded with the following percentages:
1. Exams
40%
2. Homework
20%
3. Participation
20%
4. COVID-19 Vaccine Project
20%
5. LA sessions
1%
_____________________________________________________________
Total
40% + 20% + 20% + 20% + 1% = 101%
Exams (40%)
You will be given 2 regular exams throughout the semester. The expected dates for the exams are listed on the
calendar, and will be verified at least two weeks in advance in class. The exams will cover the unit previously studied.
Generally, the exam will be 50% theory questions, and 50% problem solving. Exams will be a mix of short answer
questions, diagrams, and fill in the blanks.
Homework (20%)
There will be homework problems assigned through Canvas. The Achieve HW assignments will have unlimited
attempts but you will lose points after each attempt so you want to do your best to answer correctly on the first
attempt. You will have videos to watch through canvas that will also have some questions and discussions for you to
do. These will count towards your homework grade.
Participation (20%)
You are expected to attend class. We will have a lot of class time dedicated to problem solving, lectures, and
discussions. In order to make sure you attend, there will be attendance taken using i-clicker problem solving in class.
You will also have discussion boards on the canvas page that you should engage in discussion when prompted. These
will be graded. You must submit responses to those or you will lose points
If for some reason you can not attend class, please email Dr. Lichter with the subject CHM3120 absence and in the
body of the email please provide proof of a valid excuse for an absence.
COVID-19 Vaccine Project (20%):
In 2020, the entire world was impacted by the novel coronavirus, SARS- CoV-2. This highly contagious virus, first
identified in Wuhan China in 2019 eventually spread across the globe, creating a worldwide pandemic.
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CHM 3120
Fall 2021
Florida International University
As with many other viruses that have existed in history (Polio, Tetanus, Influenza, Hepatitis A, B and others) the
scientific community has created vaccines to protect people from future infections. 1 A vaccine is a biologically
prepared solution intended to help create immunity against a particular virus or infectious disease. There are many
different biological ways in which a vaccine can be created and administered. One popular way to do so is to may
inactivate a virus through heat, chemicals or radiation and then administer the inactivated virus so that the body’s
immune system can create antibodies (a protein produced in response to a foreign particle, with the intention of
keeping the foreign particle from allowing to remain in system), without ever being sick (as done for Polio, Hep A,
Rabies, and most influenza vaccines). Newer methods of vaccine development include injecting conjugated
vaccines, RNA vaccines, subunit vaccines and more.
In 2021, vaccinations started to be administered in great volumes. Many have opted to receive the vaccine, while
yet still many have chosen not to.
Our class will have an assignment to better understand the vaccines, how they work, the quality assurance process
in designing these vaccines, the differences between the many that exist, and evaluating any risks.
You will work in groups of 3 or 4 people to create a short video about the covid-19 vaccines. These are the elements
that must be included:
 identifying the different vaccine types that are currently being administered (brand name, method of
creation, how it is administered, level of protection)
 how does the vaccines work
 reviewing the process by which the vaccines had to undergo before being administered to the public
 reviewing any vaccines that did NOT succeed in their design and administration
 evaluating any risk and reviewing any credible (and non-credible) articles on vaccine risk
Your video should be somewhere between 5-10 minutes long. Any shorter or longer and you will be penalized.
Consider it a video that you can share with your friends who may not be chemistry majors!
OPTIONAL Final exam (20%)
The final exam is optional. You can use it to replace your lowest exam score. It will be comprehensive. If you do not
wish to take it, it will not count against you.
OPTIONAL LA sessions (20%)
LAs will answer questions related to in-class activities, homework, quizzes/exams and anything you ask!
Attend 6 (or more) full sessions and you will receive an additional 1% towards your grade in the class
F. Tentative Grading Scale
90-101 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
(+/- grades will be given at the junctions between letter grades)
G. Honor code/Conduct code
1
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/forgot-14-diseases.html
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CHM 3120
Fall 2021
Florida International University
Please remember that as an FIU student you must abide by the provisions of the honor code (as described in the FIU
student handbook), which prohibits any plagiarizing, copying work from classmates, or cheating on exams. If I
suspect that you have acted against the honor code you will be dealt with accordingly. Given that exams will be
done through Zoom, you will need to be held accountable for doing them at home and will sign a statement that you
did not cheat, as well as will keep a webcam open on our zoom class for us to proctor. As well, you are also to
remember that you must abide by the student conduct code (also in the FIU student handbook). Should you be
unruly or disruptive I will not hesitate to ask you to leave the room and penalties against your grade can and will be
assessed.
H. Disabilities
Students with disabilities who feel they may need accommodations in class should visit the Office of Disability
Services (website: http://drc.fiu.edu ) and ensure the appropriate accommodations. Please be certain to present Dr.
Lichter with the documentation as soon as possible. As exam time draws near, it will be the responsibility of the
student to arrange a time to take the exam at the DRC.
I. Suggestion for success
1. PARTICIPATE! This means being on time and active during class time. Many of the questions that you will see
on your exams will come from problems done in class.
2. Look at the POGIL activities before class starts so that you have a head start on them and can ask good
questions.
3. Do the POGIL and homework problems and be sure you understand them. The only way to succeed in
analytical chemistry is by doing practice problems. If you have problems with the problems (ha!), email me
a picture of the problem and your work and I will try to help within reasonable time.
4. Study with classmates! Sometimes discussing materials with your classmates is the best way to learn.
5. If you begin to feel confused with the material, please address the situation with Dr. Lichter as soon as
possible. This means after exam 1, if you receive an email saying that you need major improvement, make
an appointment or come in during office hours to discuss how to study more efficiently.
6. Have a healthy attitude, follow the 5 steps laid above, and I promise you will succeed!!
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