Chemistry 11 – First Semester General Chemistry
Winter 2016
Instructor: Dr. Jim Murphy
Office: SCI 270
Phone: 434-4751
e-mail: murphy_james@smc.edu
Lectures:
Monday
Tuesday, Thursday
8:00 – 1:10
8:00 – 1:10
SCI 155
SCI 140
Laboratories:
Wednesday, Friday
8:00 – 1:10
SCI 332
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday
3:00 – 4:00
Textbook:
- Chemistry Ninth Edition, by Zumdahl and Zumdahl.
Supplies:
-A Scientific Calculator
-Safety Goggles (available in bookstore)
-Lab Coat (available in bookstore)
-Locker Check-in Card (available in bookstore)
Assignments:
Homework problems will be assigned in class. Homework will not
be collected or graded but it is essential that you do all of the
suggested problems in order to guarantee success in the course.
The assigned homework problems can be accessed using the
Homework and Practice Problems links on my faculty
homepage.
Exams and Quizzes: There will be five 30 minute quizzes and three 1 hour exams.
There will also be a comprehensive final exam. The final exam
will be divided into two parts. The specific dates of exams and
quizzes are listed on the syllabus. There will be no make-up
exams or quizzes given. Please note that your lowest quiz, exam
and lab scores will be dropped. If you miss an exam, quiz or a lab
this will be the score that is dropped.
Laboratories:
The Laboratory schedule is listed on the syllabus. Students should
be familiar with the procedure for each experiment before coming
to the laboratory. The laboratory manual is now online. You can
access it using the Labs link on my homepage. The Prelab
Assignment should be completed before coming to the lab. Be
sure to print and bring a copy of the Background and Procedure
and the Lab Report to the lab. Every student in the appropriate
places on his or her laboratory report form must record all data and
relevant information. After completion of each laboratory
students will complete the laboratory report forms and turn them in
at the beginning of the following lab. Each lab is worth 10 points.
Students who fail to turn in a lab report will receive 0 points even
if they were in attendance at the laboratory. Please note that the
lowest lab grade will be dropped.
Discussions:
The first hour of each laboratory class will be used as a discussion
period. The discussion periods will be used primarily for problem
solving. Students will be encouraged to ask questions relating to
the assigned homework and additional problems will be assigned
which students will solve either individually or in groups.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. You are
expected to attend all classes and labs. Two or more absences
from class and/or lab may result in a student being dropped.
Students are expected to arrive at the beginning of each class and
attend for the entire duration of the class. A student who arrives
more than 15 minutes after the beginning of class will be marked
as late. Every two late marks will count as 1 absence. Similarly,
every two early departures will count as 1 absence.
Grading:
Your grade will be based on two 1 hour exams worth 100 points
each, four quizzes worth 25 points each, eleven labs worth 10
points each and the final exam worth 150 points. The maximum
number of points possible is 560. Your grade will be determined
based on the percentage of points you earn out of the possible 550
points as follows.
A
90% - 100%
504 – 560 points
B
80% - 89%
448 – 503 points
C
70% - 79%
392 – 447 points
D
60% - 69%
336 – 391 points
F
0% - 59%
0 - 335 points
Upon receiving a graded exam, quiz, or lab report students have
two class days (including the day on which the document is
returned) to submit the document for review if there is a concern
that the grade was assigned incorrectly.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for Chem 11:
1. The student will demonstrate the ability to solve scientific problems by following
logical procedures based on well-established scientific principles.
2. The student will follow written procedures used in the general chemistry
laboratory accurately and safely. When completing a lab report, the student will
correctly apply the scientific method by making reasonable estimates of
experimental uncertainties and drawing appropriate conclusions based on the
gathered data and scientific principles.
3. The student will be able to relate microscopic theories to macroscopic
observations specifically using the chemical principles developed in Chemistry 11
to explain observable phenomena.
Suggestions:
Students are responsible for the information presented in lectures
and laboratories including any changes to the syllabus. If you miss
a class it is a good idea to contact another student or myself in
order to determine what was covered.
In order to do well in this course you must be able to solve
problems efficiently. The only way you can develop your problem
solving skills is through practice. For this reason it is absolutely
essential that you do all of the assigned homework problems. If
time allows, do additional problems as well. If you are having
difficulty with a particular problem or concept I encourage you to
come to my office during office hours. If my office hours are not
convenient than I can arrange to meet you at some other time. I
will answer questions concerning the homework at the beginning
of each class. Please feel free to ask questions during the lecture.
Remember if you are confused then it is safe to assume other
students are confused as well. They will be grateful that you asked
the question.
If you are having trouble with any of the course material I urge you
to come see me as soon as possible. You may also obtain tutoring
from the learning resource center (LRC) located on the second
floor of the science building. You may set up a tutoring
appointment by contacting Saundra Willis (434-4860).