CHEM121: General Chemistry II
Spring 2012
Instructor:
Dr. Anja Rosengarth
Hours:
Lecture:
Recitation:
MWF 11:00-11:50 am (Smith 101)
M
10:00 – 10:50 am (Bldg. 17, room 1 and 2)
Office hours: Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 – 10:50 am (Bldg. 16, Room 108)
I am also available on other days by appointment only.
Email for an appointment to anja.rosengarth@vanguard.edu.
Text:
1) John E. McMurry & Robert C. Fay, “General Chemistry – Atoms First”, 1st edition,
Prentice Hall, 2010. ISBN 13: 978-0-321-57163-2
2) Access code for “Mastering Chemistry” online learning program from Pearson Online
Learning.
3) David K. Gosser, Victor S. Strozak & Mark S. Cracolice, “Peer-Led Team Learning –
General Chemistry”, 2nd edition, 2006. ISBN: 0-13-146444-3
4) ACS Study guide “General Chemistry”
(available from SAINTS here on Campus (contact: Michael Lum) OR online at
http://www.examsinstitute.com/Study-Guides_c_1.html)
Catalog Description:
CHEM 121 · General Chemistry (4 units)
Prerequisites: CHEM 120. Co-requisite: CHEM 121L
Fundamental concepts including kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Special topics
will include nuclear chemistry, transition metal periodicity and coordination compounds. Three hours lecture
per week and one hour recitation session per week.
Student Outcome:
Upon completion of the class “General Chemistry II” the student will have an understanding of the principles of
chemistry. The student learned about atomic structure, chemical reactions and bonding, stoichiometric
relationships, thermochemistry, the periodicity in the periodic table of the elements and states of matter in the
first part of the General Chemistry course in the previous semester. In this class (the second part of General
Chemistry), the student will learn about chemical equilibrium in general and acid/base equilibrium in particular,
rates of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Additionally, the student will have an
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understanding of transition metal and coordination chemistry. The student will also get prepared for the final,
which is a standardized exam from the “American Chemical Society” (ACS).
The student will further improve his/her critical thinking and problem solving skills, the ability to work in a
group and to use his/her knowledge to evaluate scientific data.
Course format “Lecture”:
The majority of class time will consist of lecture. Students will have time to ask questions and discuss problems
during lecture. Science is often a difficult subject for many individuals, and missing lectures only tends to
weaken student’s performances. It is crucial therefore that you attend all lectures and work with the class and
the teacher. In order to have your full attention, I will NOT permit the use of a computer (notebook etc) or
cell phone in class unless otherwise stated. If a student is engaged in the use of his/her cell phone
(TEXTING!), I will remove the phone and return it at the end of the class.
The lecture will be a mixture between power point presentations and writings on the Board. The power point
presentations of the lectures will be posted on the Vanguard learning website (http://learn.vanguard.edu) for the
students to review. I highly recommend that you take good notes of the lectures though, especially for topics
that I will be explaining using the Board. The Vanguard learning web site will have ALL the important
information for the class posted (lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, and other “hot” topics). Homework
assignments will be assigned using the “Mastering Chemistry” program from Pearson Online Learning
(http://www.masteringchemistry.com; Course: CHEM121SP12ROSENGARTH).
We will also spend some time on a group work technique called progress-oriented guided inquiry (POGIL).
This type of group work will enable all the students to participate in and contribute to the learning experience.
Critical thinking and problem solving skills will be trained as well.
Recitation sessions:
Every Monday the students will meet in groups to work on topics outlined in the “Peer-Led Team Learning”
book mentioned above or other topics to be specified by the instructor. The instructor will assign reading
and/or self-tests on Fridays, so the students will have time to get prepared for the following Monday session.
Attendance in the recitation class is mandatory and will count towards the overall attendance of the CHEM121
class. If the student comes unprepared to the recitation session, he/she will be marked absent.
Vanguard University Educational Targets and Goals applied to Chemistry:
Standards:
Intellectual engagement
Professional excellence
Responsible stewardship
Objectives/Learning Outcomes
Students will
1) learn to think critically and evaluate evidence rationally.
2) acquire and continue to use skills for learning.
3) utilize research methods for the expansion of knowledge
and problem solving.
4) develop the ability to communicate the fruits of learning
and research clearly and effectively.
Students will
1) understand current theories and practices in chemistry.
2) develop lifelong skills for communicating and
performing professionally.
3) achieve technological competence in acquiring and
processing information.
4) acquire interpersonal ability to work harmoniously with
others.
5) internalize a strong sense of professional ethics.
Students will gain a global outlook in caring for the
environment and in promoting social justice and economic
impact.
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Activities
Performance
assessment
1) Lecture
2) Homework
3) POGIL work
sheets
4) Recitation
sessions
1)Exams
2) Online
quizzes
3) Homework
4) POGIL work
sheets
1) Homework
2) POGIL work
Sheets
3) Recitation
sessions
1) Homework
2) POGIL work
sheets
Lecture
Grading:
The final grade for the CHEM121 class will be comprised of Homework, online Quizzes, Exams, Recitation
sessions, and POGIL work sheets.
1) Homework is assigned online from the book (McMurry & Fay) for your benefit to help you in
understanding the material. The program we will be using for the homework assignments is called
“Mastering Chemistry” (Pearson Learning) and accompanies the book from Prentice Hall. One of the
seven homework assignment will be dropped from the grade calculation and no make-up homework is
permitted.
I cannot stress enough the practical importance of completing homework exercises. This is a necessary
component of learning chemistry and without it, your success will be severely limited! Homework
assignments will be given periodically (usually at the beginning of each Chapter from the book).
2) Three exams will be given during the semester and one (the final exam) at the end of the semester. No
make-up exams will be permitted. You can drop one exam during the semester but not the final exam.
3) Four online quizzes will be assigned through the “learn.vanguard.edu” web site. One quiz will be
dropped from the grade calculation. No make-up quizzes will be permitted.
4) Five POGIL work sheets will be completed during the semester. One will be dropped from the grade
calculation. No POGIL make-up sheets/classes are permitted.
5) Thirteen Recitation sessions will be completed during the semester. One will be dropped from the
grade calculation. No Recitation make-up classes are permitted.
The assignment, exam or quiz that will be dropped is the one with the least points (either lowest number or not
done at all).
If you miss more than eight lectures and/or three recitation sessions you will fail the class (grade F). The
instructor will not make a difference between unexcused or excused absences. For students that are part
of a sports team, I request an email (during the first week of class) from their Coach containing
scheduled absences.
What to expect from the teacher:
In order to insure a successful class, I will do my best to help you.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for an appointment, or just talk to me after class. Before each exam I will
also give a REVIEW session 1 hour before class or whenever it is convenient for the students.
What I expect from the student:
Regular attendance, a good work ethic and curiosity!
The maximum of points for each assignment type you can receive in this class are summarized as follows:
160
90
120
60
96
120
646
Exams (2 @ 80 points each)
Online quizzes (3 @ 30 points)
Homework (6 @ 20 points each)
POGIL work sheets (4 @ 15 points each)
Recitation sessions (12 @ 8 points each)
Final Exam (1 @ 120)
Total
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25% of your grade
14% of your grade
18% of your grade
9% of your grade
15% of your grade
19% of your grade
Grading Scale: The following grading scale will determine your final grade:
100 – 85% A
84 – 80%
A79 – 78% B+
77 – 70%
B
69 – 68%
67 – 66% C+
65 – 55%
C
54 – 53%
52 – 51% D+
50 – 41%
D
40 – 39%
˂ 38%
F
BCD-
Please be aware that the only time you can “collect points” for this class is during the semester. As soon
as the final is done, I will not be able to credit ANY student ANY more points.
Changes:
The instructor reserves the privilege of making necessary changes to this syllabus during the course to improve
achievement of student learning objectives. In the event of a change, you will be notified in the lecture session.
Academic Honesty:
As members of Vanguard University, we commit ourselves to honesty. Honesty in our academic work is vital,
and we will not knowingly act in manners that erode integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to
tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. Acts of dishonesty will be dealt with according to
established procedures as described in the Academic catalog.
In order to reduce the temptation of cheating, I will not allow any materials (books, etc), cell phones or
computers in class during the exams. During the scheduled exams in class, I will personally check your pocket
calculators to see if they are not tempered with.
Cheating during an exam will result in 0 points for that exam. Repeated cheating will result in failure in
the class.
Students w/Special Needs:
For students with documented medical or psychological disabilities, documented temporary illness that requires
missing 1 week of classes, or documented chronic illness please contact Beth Lorance, the Coordinator of
Disability Services, to request reasonable accommodations. The Coordinator of Disability Services is located in
the Counseling Center on the second floor of the Scott Academic Center and can be reached at extension 5256
or by email at disabilityservices@vanguard.edu.
For students with a documented learning disability who would like to request appropriate accommodations,
please contact Barbi Rouse, the Director of Learning Skills, located upstairs in Scott Academic Center at
extension 2540 or by email at barbi.rouse@vanguard.edu.
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Tentative Course schedule for CHEM112C
Week 1 (Jan. 9th – 13th)
Introduction & Syllabus; Chapter 12 (“Chemical Kinetics”)
Week 2 (Jan. 18th – 20st)
Chapter 12
Week 3 (Jan. 23rd – 27th)
Chapter 12 (Exam I: 01/27)
Week 4 (Jan. 30th – Feb. 3rd)
Chapter 13 (“Chemical Equilibrium”)
Week 5 (Feb. 6th – 10th)
Chapter 13 & 14 (“Aqueous Equilibria: Acids and Bases)
Week 6 (Feb. 13th – 17th)
Chapter 14
Week 7 (Feb. 22nd – 24th)
Chapter 14 (Exam II: 02/24)
Week 8 (Feb. 27th – Mar. 2nd)
Chapter 15 (“Applications of aqueous equilibria)
Week 9 (Mar. 5th – 9th)
Chapter 15
Week 10 (Mar. 19th – 23rd)
Chapter 16 (“Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy, and Equilibrium”)
Week 11 (Mar. 26th – 30th)
Chapter 16
Week 12 (Apr. 2nd – 4th)
Chapter 17 (“Electrochemistry”)
Week 13 (Apr. 9th – 13th)
Chapter 17 (Exam III: 04/13)
Week 14 (Apr. 16th – 20th)
Chapter 20 (“Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry”)
Week 15 (Apr. 23rd – 27th)
Chapter 20 and REVIEW
Final exam is scheduled for Monday, April 30th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
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