CHEM 121
Spring 2014
1
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I
Spring 2014 WNC
T, Th 9:30-10:45 AM DC112 lecture
Th 11 AM – 1:45 PM DCSL lab
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Tattersall
Email: eat@wnc.edu
Office hours at WNC: M, Th 8-9:15 AM, M, W 4-5 PM, or by appointment
Office: Douglas Rm 102
Office phone: 775-782-2413 x 5228
Fax: 775-782-2415
Note: when emailing or leaving a phone message, please indicate which course you are
contacting me about.
Course Description: Provides fundamentals of chemistry including reaction stoichiometry,
atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, states of matter and thermochemistry.
Three hours lecture/three hours laboratory. 4 units.
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: MATH 126 or higher or appropriate score on the WNC placement
or equivalent test OR Math 96 AND Prerequisite or Corequisite of MATH 120 or higher
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of CHEM 121, students should:
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Understand the principles of chemical reactions
Stoichiometry
Atomic structure
Chemical bonding
Molecular structure
States of matter
Aqueous solutions
Acid-base chemistry
Redox reactions
Thermochemistry
Applications to biologically important molecules in preparation for pre-nursing/allied
health biology courses
Have practiced the laboratory methods needed to observe and measure the above.
CHEM 121
Spring 2014
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Required materials:
Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry, 7th ed. McMurry, Ballantine,
Hoeger & Peterson, Pearson, 9780321750112 with Mastering Chemistry access
Lab coat
Safety glasses/goggles that meet ANSI Z87 standard.
Scientific calculator
Recommended materials:
These materials will help you study:
A Visual Analogy Guide to Chemistry, Krieger, Morton, 0895828359
Methods of Instruction: Lecture, video, demonstrations, laboratory exercises. This is a Web
enhanced course. You will need to use a computer to access WNConline (Canvas) regularly
to obtain class materials. The lecture outlines will be posted on WNConline for you to
download and print. Some assignments, announcements and supplemental learning materials
will be posted on WNConline. Some quizzes will also be on WNConline.
You are responsible for getting the definitions for the bold terms in the chapter outline from the
textbook, and come to lecture with the definitions completed. This will allow us to spend more
class time on the more difficult concepts and on doing practice bproblems.
Exams, Assignments and Grading:
Lecture exams: There will be three lecture exams. The first two are worth 100 points each.
The final exam will be worth 150 points. These will be cumulative, with an emphasis on the
material from the section since the previous exam.
The ACS exam is worth 50 points.
Lab exercises: You will complete the lab exercises and turn them in at the end of lab. You
must come to lab with the Pre-Lab exercise completed. Ten points per lab exercise. If you
miss more than three labs, your grade will be reduced by one full letter grade.
MasteringChemistry: MCTATTERSALL20410 is the course ID for this class. Homework will
be assigned in MasteringChemistry, the online quiz & study tool associated with the textbook.
This homework will account for 10% of your final grade.
Extra Credit: You may do additional assigned exercises in MasteringChemistry to earn extra
credit.
CHEM 121
Tentative Course Schedule
Week Date Lecture Topic
1
1/21 Syllabus
Matter & measurement
1/23 Matter & measurement
2
1/28
1/30 Atoms & periodic table
3
4
5
6
7
2/4
2/6
2/11
2/13
2/18
2/20
2/25
2/27
3/4
3/6
8
3/11
3/13
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
3/173/21
3/25
3/27
4/1
4/3
4/8
4/10
4/15
4/17
4/22
4/24
4/29
5/1
5/6
5/8
5/13
5/15
Spring 2014
Reading Lab
Lab safety
Ch 1
ACS pretest
Ch 1
Math review
Measuring practice
Ch 2
Atoms & periodic table
Ionic compounds
Ionic compounds
Molecular compounds
Molecular compounds
Chemical reactions:
classification & balancing
Exam 1
Chemical reactions: mole &
mass relationships
Chemical reactions: mole &
mass relationships
Chemical reactions: energy,
rates, equilibrium
Chemical reactions: energy,
rates, equilibrium
Chemical reactions: energy,
rates, equilibrium
Spring break no class
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 3
Ch 4
Ch 4
Ch 5
Graphing in excel
Ch 6
Molecular models
Ch 6
Calorimetry
Gases, liquids, solids
Gases, liquids, solids
Exam 2
Gases, liquids, solids
Solutions
Solutions
Solutions
Acids, bases
Acids, bases
Acids, bases
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Exam 3 part 1
Exam 3 part 2
Ch 8
Ch 8
Density
Chromatography
Ch 7
Ch 7
Antacid titration
Ch 7
Air bag (gas laws)
Redox titration
Ch 8
Ch 9
Ch 9
Ch 9
Ch 10
Ch 10
Ch 10
Ch 18
Ch 21
Ch 23
Ch 25
Atomic spectra
TBD
Buffers
Peanut analysis
ACS exam
3
CHEM 121
Spring 2014
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Study tips: To do well in science courses, you should attend class, read the textbook, and
keep up with the material. You should plan to study every day. Rewriting your notes and
preparing flash cards are good ways to learn the material. Many students also benefit from
studying together.
I also encourage you to see me if you desire help in understanding the material.
For a four unit class, you should expect to spend at least 12 hours per week studying and
preparing assignments.
This class requires memorization as well as applying what you have learned to new situations.
Miscellaneous
Any student caught cheating on any test or assignment will receive an F in the course. This
includes, but is not limited to: looking at notes, books or another student’s paper during an
exam, and plagiarizing the work of others.
I encourage any student needing to request accommodations for a specific disability to please
meet with me or the DSS coordinator (775-445-3275) at your earliest convenience to ensure
timely and appropriate accommodations. If special accommodation is needed during testing,
please ensure you have a note from the DSS.
You are expected to be in class each day. Assignments must be turned in on time. You will
lose points for late assignments. Once papers have been returned to students, late
assignments will no longer be accepted. Turn cell phones off during class. No eating during
class.
If you have not taken EPY150: College Success, I recommend that you take it. This class will
help you with study skills and college success strategies.
You must take quizzes, tests and exams as scheduled. Quizzes and lab practical tests cannot
be made up. Tests and exams can only be made up under the following conditions, and make
up tests must be taken no later than 6 days after the originally scheduled test date:
1. You are gravely ill, you notify Dr. Tattersall that you are ill before the start of the test,
and you bring a doctor’s note.
2. A death in the family. A copy of the death certificate is required.
3. Military orders. A copy of the orders is required.
When you use laptops during class, the use should be directly related to the class. Do not use
laptops for entertainment during class and do not display any material on the laptop which may
be distracting or offensive to your fellow students.
CHEM 121
Spring 2014
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Recording of lectures: You may record audio of the lectures, but you must notify Dr. Tattersall
that you will be doing so. You may not take video of class without express permission on each
specific occasion. Audio and video recordings of class may not be posted to the web in any
form. They may be shared directly between members of the class.
Grading Scale
Grades are earned by students and recorded by faculty. Grades are based on the points
earned by the student during the semester. You can track your progress in WNConline.
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
% points possible
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
59 or less
grade points
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0
Students are responsible for dropping the class if they wish to receive a grade of “W”. The last
day to drop with a grade of W is Friday of the 9th week of class (3/28/14)
Dr. Tattersall’s test-taking rules (these apply to quizzes, tests and exams):
 Remove all books & bags from the tables.
 Keep your test paper on the table/desk.
 Keep tests folded so that only one page is showing.
 Tests are distributed upside down. You may not begin work until all students have
received a test and you have been told to begin.
 If you leave the room during a test, you are done taking the test.
 If you touch a cell phone or other communication device during a test, you receive an F
(0 points) on the test. If your cell phone rings during a quiz or exam, you will lose 10%
of the points possible. Leave your cell phone in the car.
 No food, gum, or drinks allowed in DCSL. No eating or gum chewing during tests.
 For exams and tests, seating is every other seat.
 If you finish a test early, you may turn in your paper and leave the room QUIETLY. You
may not reenter the room until all students have turned in their test papers.
 You may not access any books or materials while other students are still working on
their tests.
 You may not wear headphones or hats with brims.
 You may use pen or pencil, but not red ink nor glitter pens.
 Print your full name (first and last) on your paper (legibly).
CHEM 121
Spring 2014
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Douglas Science Laboratory Safety Rules:
1. No eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lens, chewing gum, or applying
cosmetics will be allowed in the laboratory. Do not bring food or beverages into the lab
classroom.
2. Long hair must be restrained. Dangling jewelry must be removed. Closed-toe shoes
shall be worn during all laboratory exercises (no sandals, crocs, ballet flats, high heels
or slippers). Wear sensible shoes and clothing that will cover and protect your body,
and not interfere with your lab work. Thighs, midriffs and upper arms must be covered
by your clothing. If your clothing is inappropriate, you may be asked to leave the lab.
3. Work surfaces will be decontaminated at the beginning and the end of the class and
whenever a spill occurs.
4. Safety glasses/goggles (ASTM Z87 standard) will be used in experiments involving
liquids, aerosols, vapors, and gasses.
5. Personal protective equipment (lab coats and gloves) will be worn when doing
experiments where potentially hazardous chemicals are used. All protective equipment
will be removed when leaving the laboratory.
6. Laboratory work areas will be cleaned up at the end of class and all equipment and
materials cleaned and returned to the proper location. If you don’t know where it goes,
please ask.
7. Report all spills or accidents, no matter how minor, to the instructor.
8. Hands will be washed after cleaning work surfaces, when hands become contaminated
and when leaving the laboratory.
9. Dispose of any broken glass, disposable slides, dull scalpel blades, etc. in the red
sharps container.
10. Books and bags, other than those that will be used during the class, will be stored in the
corner of the room. Only those materials needed for that day’s exercises will be allowed
on the laboratory work areas during the laboratory portion of the class.
11. All glassware will be scrubbed and triple rinsed after use.
12. Carefully follow lab protocols and instructions to ensure experiments are conducted
safely.
13. WNC does not have insurance to cover students on campus. All students should carry
personal medical insurance.
14. A first aid kit is located near the door. A fire blanket is located in the corner of the lab,
and by the fridge. Material Safety Data Sheets are located in the corner of the lab,
along with a chemical spill cleanup kit. A fire extinguisher is located near the door.
15. In the event of an evacuation of the lab, proceed in an orderly manner to the door, exit
the building, and assemble in the parking lot.