General Chemistry I Syllabus
Course Information
Term: Fall 2021
Subject, Number, Section, Course Title: Chemistry, 131, 111/113/115, General Chemistry I
Course Format: Lecture Web-enhanced
Class Time and Place: M W F 11:15 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. in HUMB 170
Required Recitation Sessions Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. (Section 111), 4:00 p.m. (Section 113),
or 5:00 p.m. (Section 115) in SLB 236.
Instructor Information
Instructor:
Dr. Richard Sykora
Office:
Chemistry Building, Room 129
Office Phone:
251-460-7422
E-mail:
rsykora@southalabama.edu
Office Hours:
M W R 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Course Description Three lecture hours and one recitation hour per week for one semester. First
of a two-semester sequence for majors, minors, and others seeking quantitative treatment. Topics
include the nuclear model, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, gas laws, thermochemistry, atomic
structure, and molecular bonding. Together, CH 131 and CH 131L count as one laboratory
science course partially fulfilling general education requirements. (Offered Fall and Spring
Semesters) Core Course.
Expected Preparation This course is quite quantitative, and students are expected to be fluent in
mathematics with at least a reasonable understanding of algebra. Familiarity with operations
such as rearranging equations, solving systems of linear equations, the use of scientific notation
(and how to put it in your calculator!), logarithms, and exponents is necessary. Students are
expected to make a significant effort of studying outside of class in order to be successful in this
course.
General Education Course As a General Education course, the competencies this course fulfills
are 1) critical thinking and 2) quantitative reasoning. Critical thinking is the formulation,
rational scrutinizing, and/or considered assessment of information and diverse reasons for belief
or action. Quantitative reasoning is the ability to systematically analyze quantitative concepts,
evidence, processes, and outcomes to reach a rational conclusion.
Required Textbook and Materials N. Tro “Chemistry—A Molecular Approach, 5th edition,”
with access to Modified Mastering Chemistry. The e-Book and homework software bundled as a
single purchase from the bookstore or textbook vendor. You may purchase a hard copy of the
text, if you wish. We will cover Chapters 1-11. You must also bring a calculator and your
JagCard (Student ID card) to all class meetings.
Attendance Attendance at all class sessions is strongly encouraged.
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Grading Performance in this course will be assessed by a variety of participation and
assessment activities. Grades for the course will be determined as follows:
Average of Four In-Person Hour Exams:
In-person Final Exam
Recitation Session Activities
Mastering Chemistry Online Homework
60 % (Best 3 of 4, lowest/missed exam dropped)
20 %
10 %
10 %
Hour Exams: Four in-person, written, hour exams will be given on September 10, October 6,
November 3, and December 1. These will begin promptly at 11:15 a.m. and end at 12:05 p.m.
You will need to bring a non-programmable calculator and something to write with. Your lowest
Hour Exam grade will be dropped.
In-Person Final Exam: An in-person Final Exam will be given on Wednesday, December 8,
from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. It will be comprehensive.
Recitation Sessions: Weekly, required recitation session will be held on Wednesdays. These
activities are led by a Peer Leader (Teaching Assistant). You will receive credit for participation
in the session and completion of the recitation activity. You must attend the session for which
you are registered. Two recitation grades will be dropped.
Mastering Chemistry Online Homework: Weekly online homework sets will be assigned via
Mastering. They will be available on Monday at 11:00 a.m. and close the following Monday at
11:00 a.m. Material on Homework assignments will correspond approximately to material
covered in class that week. Homework activities are used to help you learn that week’s lecture
material. Two HW grades will be dropped.
Optional Quizzes: Short content quizzes will be available in Canvas. These are intended to be
quick “knowledge checks” to identify concepts that may need more attention from you. The
quizzes are optional and not part of your grade.
Course grades will be assigned as follows:
90. % and above = A; 80. – 89 % = B; 70. – 79 % = C; 60. – 69 % = D; 59 % and below = F
Exam Policies In general, no make-up exams will be given. Your lowest of the four Hour Exam
grades will be dropped; if you miss an exam, it will be your drop grade. An exception will be
made for documented participation in University-sponsored events that are cleared with the
instructor beforehand. In the case of more than one missed exam, a makeup on the second exam
may be considered, but only if all absences were for reasons out of the student’s control. The
instructor’s decision on giving a makeup in this circumstance will be final. For all in-person
exams, you will need a non-programmable scientific calculator—but you may not use any
calculator with imaging or messaging capabilities (for example, you may not use the calculator
that’s built into your cell phone.) Smartphones (and related devices, such as smart-watches),
language dictionaries/translators, tablets, etc. are also not allowed. All such devices must be off
your desk and not visible to you during an in-person exam. You may wish to check with the
instructor a few days before the exam to make sure your calculator is acceptable. All in-person
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exams are closed-book; no “cheat sheets” or other reference materials are allowed. There are no
excuses and no second chances for this policy; if a banned device is seen or found during an
exam it will be considered an instance of academic dishonesty. Please be on time for exams;
late-arriving students will not be allowed to begin an exam once an exam has been turned in.
Academic Honesty Policy Cheating on exams will incur a penalty ranging from a grade of zero
for the exam to a grade of F for the course. In order to combat cheating, various measures may be
taken during exams, including but not limited to: using multiple versions of the exam, using or
banning electronic devices, requiring students to sit in or move to assigned seats, banning of hats,
head coverings, book bags, etc. during exams, submittal of the student’s Jag Card to take an exam, or
any other measure deemed necessary by the instructor.
COVID-19 Policies While on campus, students are required to follow all USA COVID-19
policies and practices. These policies can be found at
https://www.southalabama.edu/coronavirus/. Be advised that policies may change during the
semester, and students should check the University's Coronavirus Update page regularly.
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Date
8/18/2021
8/20/2021
8/23/2021
8/25/2021
8/27/2021
8/30/2021
9/1/2021
9/3/2021
9/6/2021
9/8/2021
9/10/2021
9/13/2021
9/15/2021
9/17/2021
9/20/2021
9/22/2021
9/24/2021
9/27/2021
9/29/2021
10/1/2021
10/4/2021
10/6/2021
10/8/2021
10/11/2021
10/13/2021
10/15/2021
10/18/2021
10/20/2021
10/22/2021
10/25/2021
10/27/2021
10/29/2021
11/1/2021
11/3/2021
11/5/2021
11/8/2021
11/10/2021
11/12/2021
11/15/2021
11/17/2021
11/19/2021
11/22/2021
11/24/2021
11/26/2021
11/29/2021
12/1/2021
12/3/2021
12/8/2021
Chapter
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1-3
4
4
4
5
5
5
5/6
6
6
6
4-6
7
7
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7
7/8
8
8
8/9
9
9
7-9
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
10,11
1-11
Course Topical Outline
Topic
Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving
Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving
Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving
Atoms and Elements
Atoms and Elements
Atoms and Elements
Molecules and Compounds
Molecules and Compounds
Labor Day – No Class
Molecules and Compounds
Exam #1
Chemical Reactions and Chemical Quantities
Chemical Reactions and Chemical Quantities
Chemical Reactions and Chemical Quantities
Introduction to Solutions and Aqueous Reactions
Introduction to Solutions and Aqueous Reactions
Introduction to Solutions and Aqueous Reactions
Introduction to Solutions and Aqueous Reactions/Gases
Gases
Gases
Gases
Exam #2
Fall Break – No Class
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry/The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom/Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Properties of the Elements
Exam #3
Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VB Theory, and MO Theory
Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VB Theory, and MO Theory
Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VB Theory, and MO Theory
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VB Theory, and MO Theory
Exam #4
Return Exam #4 and Final Exam Review
Final Exam from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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