Course:
Chem 003A, Introduction to Chemistry
Semester:
Spring 2009
Instructor:
Brett Williams, Ph.D.
Email addresses:
balero01@cs.com
bwilliams@deltacollege.edu
Adj. Faculty Site:
www.deltacollege.edu/emp/bwilliams
Class Times:
Lecture: TTh 6:00 pm to 6:55 pm, Cunningham 301
Laboratory: TTh 7:00 pm to 9:55 pm, Cunningham 301
Catalog Statement:
This course is designed to meet the chemistry requirements for registered
nursing, agriculture, home economics majors, and certain other majors in
the biological sciences. Upon successful completion, a student earns
four semester units.
Prerequisite(s):
Math Level II; Math 80 or 83B with a grade of “C” or better.
Required:
The items listed below are necessary for use in lecture and laboratory.
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Basic Chemistry, 2nd Ed. by Timberlake and Timberlake
Foundations of Chemistry In The Laboratory, 12th Edition by Hein et al
Basic Chemistry Study Guide, 2nd Ed. by Timberlake and Timberlake
(recommended)
Non-programmable calculator
Safety goggles (approved) and lock
Course Goal:
To provide the beginning science student with the basic principles of
chemistry. These principles can then be applied to future courses and
many different scientific fields of study.
Specific Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the course, a student will acquire and be
able to demonstrate the following basic chemistry knowledge.
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The ability to identify and name elements and simple chemical
compounds. This includes acids, bases, ionic and covalent
compounds.
The use of a mathematical approach to solve chemistry problems.
Important problem-solving techniques are central to sections on moleto-mole relationships, gas laws, and solution chemistry.
The ability to predict and balance chemical equations.
Basic atomic theory and structure and its relation to chemical
reactivity.
Describe the nature of chemical bonding and to draw simple chemical
(electron-dot) structures.
Use and identify the basic parts of chemical glassware and labware.
A basic understanding of laboratory procedures and chemical safety.
1
Course Outline:
Here is a sequential list of topics that will be covered in the course.
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The Scientific Method: Its role in chemistry and everyday life (Ch 1)
Use of Math in Chemistry: The emphasis is on the metric system,
scientific notation, significant figures, and dimensional analysis (Ch 2)
Matter and its Physical/Chemical Properties and Changes (Ch 3)
Chemical Elements and the Periodic table (Ch 4)
Naming of Chemical Compounds: Includes acids, bases,
ionic, and molecular compounds (Ch 5)
The Atom and its Electronic Structure (Ch 9)
Chemical Bonds and Molecular Shapes (Ch 10)
Chemical Quantities: Includes atomic mass, molar mass, and the
mole (Ch 6)
Writing, Balancing, and Classifying Chemical Reactions (Ch 7)
Quantitative Relationships in Chemical Reactions (Ch 8)
Properties of Gases and Gas Laws (Ch 11)
Solution Chemistry: Includes molarity, and weight percent (Ch 12)
The Properties of Acids and Bases: Includes the pH Scale (Ch 14)
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Total Points:
The total grade is comprised of lecture exams, quizzes, in-class (written)
lab exercises, and laboratory experiments. A tentative breakdown of all
the possible points is shown below.
Assignments
Percent of
Total
4 Lecture Exams
(4 × 100 pts)
No drops
400
40
2 Name and Formula Quizzes
No drops
40
4
Drop one
Best 4 of 5
Drop one
Best 9 of 10
No drops
80
8
180
18
100
10
200
20
1000
100
(2×20 pts)
5 Quizzes
(4 × 20 pts)
10 Lab Experiments
(9 × 20 pts)
10 Lab Exercises
(10 × 10 pts)
Final Exam
Total
Letter grades:
Points
A student’s grade will be assigned by the following scale (based on
1000 total points).
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
Below 50%
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Laboratory requirement
 At the end of the semester, your total laboratory experiment points must be (at minimum)
108 out of 180 total points (60 %). If you fail to meet this minimum requirement, your
overall grade will be less than a “C”, regardless of your total point score.
 You are allowed to drop one laboratory experiment from your total lab score.
 There are no make-up labs.
 To ensure laboratory participation, all laboratory experiments must be signed and dated
(satisfactory) by the instructor at the end of each laboratory period. If it is not signed,
there will be a 25 percent reduction from the total possible points.
Exams and Quizzes
 Exams and quizzes will be based on material covered in the lectures, problem sets,
exercises, laboratories and the text. Since the bulk of the exercises and questions in the
text are problem solving, the exams and quizzes will be based mainly on problem
solving as well.
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Please note that the topics that I cover in lecture are those that I believe are important so
you should study accordingly. The lecture exams and quizzes will be given (tentatively)
during the first hour of lecture on the dates entered on the calendar. Please note these
dates on your calendar.
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There are no make-up quizzes. If you know in advance of any reason that may cause
you to be late on the day of the quiz, you must inform the instructor by email as soon as
possible in advance of the quiz. Please do not ask for a make-up.
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You are allowed to drop one quiz from your total quiz score (except for two Chapter 5,
Name and Formula quizzes).
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Exams can be made up only in certain cases. If you have an extenuating circumstance
or a medical condition that prevents you from attending class, the exam can be made up
if acceptable documentation is submitted to the instructor. Each individual’s situation is
different and will have to be evaluated.
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All (in class) laboratory exercises and experiments are due on the date announced in
class. These dates may change, but generally exercises are due at the end of the lab
period unless otherwise stated. Laboratory experiments will be due (generally) on the
same day of the following week.
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There will be an additional 10 percent reduction (from total points possible) for any
assignment turned in one period after the stated due date. There will be a 20 percent
reduction (from total points possible) for any assignment turned in beyond one period
after the due date.
Homework, Questions/Problems
 The complete homework assignment for each chapter will appear at the beginning of the
lecture notes for each chapter.
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You are strongly encouraged to read the chapter material and work through the selfcheck exercises. In addition, do the assigned odd numbered questions and problems
throughout the chapter. These questions and problems will not be graded. However,
you are responsible for checking your answers. This is where concepts are learned and
the majority of problem-solving skills are acquired. If you cannot understand how the
solutions manual or text came up with a particular answer, please see me.
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Suggestions for Studying Lecture/Chapter Material
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A student should plan to study at least 10-15 hours a week, on a regular basis. Your
study time should be active and not passive. That is, simply reading the chapters or
reviewing the notes generally will not work.
Have an overview of the chapter material before it is presented in lecture.
Make additional notes and comments on the slides presented in class. Mark all
important points and material which you don’t understand.
Compare lecture notes and material in the textbook. Ask the instructor about the
material you have marked.
You must be able to solve the questions and problems throughout each chapter by
yourself. Check your study guide only after you have tried to work out the problem on
paper several times.
Make flash cards.
Laboratory Safety
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All students are expected to abide by the safety rules of the laboratory. Any student
violating any of these rules will be dismissed from the lab.
Horsing around or other careless acts are prohibited.
Smoking, drinking (including bottled water), or eating is not permitted in the lab at any
time.
Safety goggles must be worn at all times when conducting an experiment in the lab.
Contact lenses may be worn but are not recommended in the lab.
Open-toed shoes will not be allowed in the lab. Shorts are not recommended.
Attendance Policy and other Important Miscellaneous Issues
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Any student who fails to attend any class session during the first three sessions of the
class will be dropped unless the student has advised and obtained an absence approval
from the instructor.
Prior to the end of the fourth week, it is mandatory to drop a student from the class if the
student’s cumulative absences surpasses two weeks of class time (i.e., twice the
number of times the class meets per week).
After the fourth week, the instructor may dismiss a student from the class at any time
when the cumulative absences reach three times the number of times the class meets
per week prior to the last day of the fourteenth week of the semester.
Students who will be absent from class for three days or longer for health reasons or
other personal emergencies should notify the Office of Guidance and Counseling.
It is the students’ responsibility to drop the class.
Avoid the use of phones during class periods or exams.
A make-up exam will be given in cases of illness with a doctor’s note or other
extenuating circumstances.
Regular attendance to lecture is expected, and attendance during laboratory periods is
required. Time lost to tardiness which affects the lab, quizzes, or exams cannot be
made up.
The instructor reserves the right to alter or amend this syllabus or calendar to meet
instructional goals.
The last day to drop without a “W” is Friday, February 6th, 2009.
The last day to drop with a “W” is Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009.
All acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Services and
dealt with according to Delta College’s Codes for Standards of Conduct.
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Calendar – Important Dates (subject to change)
Class
Dates
Important Information
JAN 12
JAN 13
Spring Semester Begins
First day of instruction
JAN 15
JAN 19
JAN 20
JAN 22
Purchase lock and goggles for Lab
Campus Closed, M.L. King Day
Locker check-in, Safety Lecture
Must have goggles
Lecture
Topic
Lab Topic
Syllabus
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Math Review
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Exercise 2
Lab Safety
Quiz
Expt. #1
Expt. #2
JAN 27
JAN 29
JAN 30
FEB 3
Last Day to Add a Full Term Class
Review of Chapters 1, 2, 3
Chapter 5
FEB 5
Exam I covers Ch. 1, 2, 3
Exam I
FEB 6
FEB 10
FEB 12
FEB 13, 16
FEB 17
FEB 19
FEB 24
FEB 26
MAR 3
MAR 5
Last Day to Drop a Class w/o a “W”
MAR 10
MAR 12
MAR 17
MAR 19
MAR 24
MAR 26
MAR 31
APR 2
APR 6-10
APR 14
APR 16
APR 21
APR 22
APR 23
APR 28
APR 30
MAY 5
MAY 7
Chapter 3, 4
Chapter 4
Quiz
On
Exercise 1
Ch 1, 2, 3
Worksheet I
Chapter 5
Chapter 9
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Expt #5
Review of Chapters 4, 5, 9, 10
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 10, 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Exam II covers Ch. 4, 5, 9, 10
Exam II
Ch 4
Campus Closed, Lincoln’s/Pres. B’day
Name and Formula Quiz I
Name and Formula Quiz II
Ch 5
Expt .#17
Expt. #17
Expt. #9
Worksheet II
Ch 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Exercise 10
Expt. #10
Exercises 6, 7
Ch 6, 7
Expt. #11
Exercise 11
Ch 8
Campus Closed, Cesar Chavez Day
Review of Chapters 6 ,7, 8
Campus Closed, Spring Recess
Chapter 11
Worksheet III
Exam III covers Ch. 6, 7, 8
EXAM III
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Exercise 12
Expt. #8
Chapter 12, 14
Exercise 13
Expt. #22
Ch 11
Last Day to Drop a Class w/ a “W”
Review of Chapters 11, 12, 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Worksheet IV
MAY 12
Exam IV covers Ch. 11, 12, 14
EXAM IV
MAY 14
Final Review, Locker check-out
May 21
Final Exam begins at 4 PM
Expt. #23
Final
Exam
5