CHEMISTRY 60: INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL CHEMISTRY
DR. BHUVANA GOPAL
FALL 2009
SECTION 0214
OFFICE: CHEM 0816
EMAIL: bhuvgop@yahoo.com
Chemistry 60 is an introductory course for science majors who have not taken any previous chemistry or
who need a refresher course. It serves to prepare students for General Chemistry (Chemistry 101). Students
who do not pass the Pierce Chemistry 101 Readiness Test are required to take Chemistry 60.
Prerequisites:
Math 115 with a "C" grade or better, or equivalent skill level demonstrated through the
mathematics placement process. It is recommended that you take English 28 before you take this class.
Course Meeting:
Lecture:
T, Th
11:10 – 12:35 p.m.
PHYS 0918
Labs:
T, Th
8:00 – 10:05 a.m.
CHEM 0806
Office Hours:
T,Th
10:25 – 11:05 p.m.
CHEM 0816
Attendance: The guideline given in the college catalog will apply: you will be excluded from the class
when more than one week’s worth of class time is missed prior to the census date. It is the student’s
responsibility to drop this class after that. All students should be familiar with the attendance regulations
and other guidelines published in the Schedule of Classes. Students who have not dropped this class and
have stopped attending will be assigned a letter grade of “F”. I do NOT drop any student.
Required Textbooks/Materials: all available in the bookstore
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Introductory Chemistry, Tro, 3rd edition, 2009 (2nd edition OK also).
Laboratory Experiments for Beginning Chemistry; 5th ed., L.A. Pierce College Faculty, 2001.
50 page duplicate-sheet notebook for lab reports (packaged with texts in the bookstore).
Scientific calculator (you may not use a programmable calculator on exams or quizzes)
Safety goggles (from the bookstore), a small container of liquid soap and a sponge
What You Will Learn (Learning Outcomes):
 Chemical Language: To understand and explain basic facts, terminology, symbols, and concepts in
chemistry.
 Problem Solving: To analyze and construct a plan to solve quantitative problems related to
chemical properties, composition and reactions.
 Laboratory Skills: To follow written protocols by carrying out basic chemical laboratory procedures
effectively, efficiently, and safely; interpreting results and keeping a complete and organized written
record.
 Periodic Table: To apply the Periodic Table to predicting, summarizing, and explaining
fundamental chemical principles.
 Scientific Method: To understand the history and function of the scientific method and apply its
principles to an inquiry based process.
 Macroscopic/Molecular Connection: To synthesize knowledge of the atomic and kinetic theories of
matter to understand how atomic and molecular properties are responsible for chemical and physical
behavior at the macroscopic level.
Web page: These materials and other handouts related to the course will be posted on my web page. It can
be accessed at http://faculty.piercecollege.edu/gopalb/
To access my webpage, go to www.piercecollege.edu and click on Map and Phone directory followed by
Faculty by Department. Click on C for Chemistry Dept. and then click on my name Gopal, Bhuvana
Cheating: Cheating in any form on an assignment will, at a minimum, result in a zero grade on that
assignment and a letter with your name describing the incident will be filed with the Vice President of Student
Affairs. Prior or future cheating incidents anywhere in the College could result in expulsion. Cheating includes:
the copying or exchanging of information during exams or quizzes, including letting someone copy your
material; using banned materials/information/devices during exams or quizzes; and plagiarism (copying
someone else's work, lab data or writing and turning it in as your own). Please read the Academic Integrity
Policy Statement in your lab book.
Proper Behavior: Our learning experience in this class will involve a community.
The more respect,
support and courtesy you give this community, the better you and your fellow students will perform. Please
arrive on time and prepared, do not annoy or distract others during lectures, turn off all cell phones,
pagers, iphones, etc. before class and put them away, respect your fellow students and obey all safety
rules in the laboratory.
Miscellaneous Information:
 The last day to drop this class without receiving a "W" on your permanent record is Sept. 25 (in
person) Sept. 27 (online)
 The last day to drop without receiving a grade is Nov. 20 (in person) Nov. 22 (online).
 Please inform the instructor if you decide to drop the course. You will need to check out of the lab.
 Please check my webpage regularly as the instructor will be sending important announcements.
 November 27 Thanksgiving Holiday
Office Hours:
T, TH 10:25 – 11:05 p.m and any time before or after lab and lecture
You are encouraged to attend office hours whenever you need help or just to chat about your concerns. Bring
your homework, quizzes, test or other work so I can see what you are having difficulty with. Bring your study
group. The Learning Center, in room 1613, will also have a tutor available. Check for the hours.
Laboratory:
The laboratory is designed to expose you to experiments that introduce basic chemical
principles and techniques. It is where chemists acquire knowledge in a “hands on” fashion. Each lab
experiment will require a written lab report- all reports being kept in a lab notebook. You will be expected to
prepare your lab notebook before each lab and then turn in a completed report at the next lab period. Details
about how to keep the notebook and how to write reports will be distributed and reviewed. For each lab, the
report will be worth 30% of the points. So for a 10 point lab, lab write-up will be worth 3 points and 7 points
will be awarded for doing the experiment following the prescribed lab procedures. .If a lab report is not turned
in you will receive a zero for that experiment. You must pass the lab in order to pass the course.
COURSE GRADING POLICY: There may be extra credit given later in the
semester
Three exams will be given, each worth 100 points. No make up
exams will be given.
EXAMS
QUIZZES
HOMEWORK
LABORATORY
300
There will be 3 short quizzes each worth 30 points.
90
You will be expected to maintain an organized notebook with all of
the semester's homework in it. Working HW problems is essential
for success in this class. Random HW problems will be checked
weekly for completion.
The lab will be graded on your preparedness, technique, safety,
cleanliness and the written reports. The organization of your lab
book will also be graded. 10 points for each lab. (22 labs total).
These include labs that need more than one lab period to complete.
These labs will be graded for each day the lab meets for that
experiment. Example Expt. 19: Meets 3 days; 10 x 3 = 30 points
WORKSHOPS
There will be 9 workshops each worth 10 points
FINAL EXAM
A comprehensive final must be taken on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 11 am-1PM
100
220
90
TOTAL
100
900
Your grade will be calculated on these percentages. Grades will not be curved.
A: 89-100%
B: 77-89%
C: 65-77%
D: 55-65%
F: 0-55%
Expectations of the Student to be successful:
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To attend all class and lab sessions and arrive on time.
To plan a realistic schedule that allows me to devote enough time to the class.
To review reading assignments before coming to lectures and keep up with HW.
To review all graded materials returned by the instructor to correct mistakes.
To read lab experiments and prepare my lab notebook before coming to lab.
To retain all class materials: notes, HW, graded exams, quizzes and labs, and keep
them in an organized folder.
To check my webpage at least twice a week for class information and tips.
To be courteous and respectful of my fellow students and instructor.
To follow all behavior and safety rules.
To read and follow all lab directions carefully.
To see or email the instructor when I need help with the material or any other
things related to my performance in the class.
To do the best that I can do.
Promises of the Instructor:
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To be prepared for every lecture and lab.
To excite you about chemistry and learning.
To provide you with insights and advise on how to become a better student.
To treat all students with courtesy and respect.
To be clear about my expectations.
To return graded materials promptly.
To keep you informed of how you are doing in the class.
To provide a supportive, encouraging but challenging learning environment.
To be the best that I can be in making you successful in this experience.
Depending on your background, how easily you grasp the material and how effectively you listen,
take notes and study, the time you will need to spend outside of this class will vary. A good estimate
is between 14 and 18 hours per week, but this amount will depend upon how well you use the time.
I encourage you to make it quality time in a quiet, non-distracting environment- this will give you the
greatest chance for success.
Do not overload your schedule- it is the most common reason for failure! If the number of units
you are taking and the number of hours you work per week totals more than 35, you have too
much on your schedule. Plan you r schedule wisely t the beginning of the semester before it starts
to affect your grades. Above all, attend all class meetings.
I look forward to teaching you and hope that you will enjoy learning chemistry. I'll be glad to
discuss any concerns or suggestions you may have regarding the class or related topics. I
encourage you to set high goals for yourself and to work hard to strive to achieve them.
Remember: The capacity to learn is a gift. The ability to learn is a skill. The willingness to learn
is a choice- yours!
Bhuvana Gopal