Chemistry as a Unifying Science CHEM 308
Spring 2005
San Diego State University, Imperial Valley Campus, Calexico
Lab N-108, M and W 9:30-10:45 am
Instructor: Dr. Salomon F. Itza
Office : East Faculty 133 Phone (760)768-5606
URL : http://www.rohan.sdsu.edu/~sitza Email: sitza@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:00-3:00 pm. or by appointment.
Textbook (Required): World of Chemistry: Essentials, 3rd Edition
Melvin D. Joesten, James L. Wood David and Mary E. Castellion
Published by Brooks/Cole
References (not required)
(1) Chemistry in Context, Applying Chemistry to Society 4 th edition
Conrad L. Stanitski, et al.
Published by McGraw-Hill.
(2) Essential Science
P. Wingate, Clive Gifford, Rebecca Treays
Published by E.D.C. Publishing
(3)Flinn Scientific Inc.
Online resources http://www.flinnsci.com
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to basic chemistry concepts. The student will use these concepts to explain observable phenomena in everyday life, including physical properties and chemical changes. The student will make connections between chemistry and biology, earth science, and physical science.
SCOPE OF THE COURSE
The scope of this course is basic concepts of organic and inorganic chemistry. Its relations to other natural sciences like physics, biology, and geology. The use of mathematical formulas is minimal.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO)
1.
Students will learn chemistry concepts by inquiry.
2.
Students will describe objects, events, and situations relating to chemistry concepts.
3.
Students will construct explanations for chemistry problems using words, graphs and diagrams.
4.
Students will test their explanations against experiments and current scientific knowledge.
5.
Students will communicate their ideas to other members in their group.
6.
Students will apply chemistry concepts to everyday life events.
7.
Students will make connections between chemistry and biology, earth science, and physical science.
COURSE POLICIES
1.
No eating or drinking is allowed in the lab. Although we are not using dangerous amounts, some chemicals used in our experiments are not to be inhaled.
2.
Turn off your cellular phone at the beginning of the class.
3.
You must bring your textbook to class.
4.
Your attendance is important for you, your group and everyone in the class. Your ideas and contributions are required in every class. Students who have more than three (3) absences at the end of the semester will loose the 20 points for attendance. For each additional absence they will loose
10 points. Students who arrive more than ten (10) minutes late to class will be consider tardy. Being tardy three (3) times will count as an absence. Your effort for getting to class on time is considered.
CHEM 308 Syllabus Page 1 of 5

5.
No late homework is accepted, and not make up tests are given. However, if you miss class because of illness; a major illness, death or emergency in the immediate family; or official SDSU business; and you present written justification, you will receive some consideration.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To see the student rights and responsibilities statement, visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/srr/index.html
DISABILITIES
If you have any condition that will make it difficult for you to carry out the work in class, or that it requires academic accommodation (e.g, more time on tests), please notify me and the Disabled Students Services,
Assistant Dean for Student Life . The information provided is confidential.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on the test or homework, inclusive failure in the course and/or complete dismissal from the university. If you are not sure about this, please ask me.
BLACKBOARD
Many assignments will be available through blackboard. It is expected that you know how to use it. The
URL is https://blackboard.sdsu.edu. You will need your RED ID and a password. Let me know if you need help. Make sure you have an updated your email account registered. After every test I will post grades and attendance updates.
CLASS DYNAMICS
In class you will perform experiments and discuss ideas with your group, and later with the whole group.
Your collaboration in performing the activities and discussing ideas is essential. Most often you will receive guidelines per group. A few of these guidelines will be available on blackboard. If you have concerns regarding your group work, or the class, please let me know.
HOMEWORK
Before each class you should read the definitions on the page margin of your book corresponding to the sections to be covered. There are 15 sets of homework to be graded. They will be assigned at the end of each class and, unless otherwise stated, they will be due at the beginning of the following class. You may type your assignment or handwrite it. If you opt for the last method, please write neatly so I can read your answers. Late homework will not be accepted. Whenever possible, solutions will be posted on blackboard.
You can exchange ideas, but it is expected that you write your own homework solutions.
LEARNING COMMENTARY
There are 2 learning commentaries. A learning commentary is a substantive narrative in which you write a story telling how the way you think about chemistry ideas has changed . This focus on learning should be useful to you in your future role as teachers, when you become concerned with the learning of your own students. More details can be found on blackboard under course information.
TESTS
There are 3 tests in the course. No final test is given. Your tests are based on the class lectures, activities and homework assignments. Allowed time is 60 to 70 minutes.
CHEM 308 Syllabus Page 2 of 5

FINAL PROJECT
Chemistry Research Project (CREPRO)
On week 13 th of classes you (and your group) will receive a research project based on the last three chapters of your textbook.
Chapter 15 Water: Plenty of it, but of what quality.
Chapter 16 Air: The precious canopy
Chapter 17 Feeding the World
Guidelines will be available on blackboard.
GRADING SCALE:
Usual cut off for a grade
(number is the lowest 88 % B+
92 % A
82 % B
90% A-
80 % B-
70 % C- limit) 78 % C+ 72 % C
60 % D
GRADING CRITERIA AND TENTATIVE DUE DATES
Test # 1 Basics
Course component
Test # 2 Reactions
Test # 3 Chemistry and other sciences
Learning Commentary (2 assignments)
Point value
200 points
200 points
100 Points
60 points
Approximate Dates
Monday 2/14
Wednesday 4/6
Monday 4/25
As in schedule
Homework (15 assignments)
CREPRO
Attendance
Total points possible
Day
Week 1
M 1/24
W 1/26
Week2
M 1/31
W 2/1
Week 3
M 2/7
W 2/9
150 points
100 points
20 points
830 points
As in schedule
To be scheduled
See attendance policy
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: (75 min. class)
Activity in class
Introduction and background questionnaire (15 m)
Chapter 2 section 2.1-2.4
A1 Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
Chapter 2 section 2.6 , Chapter 3 sections 3.1 – 3.4
A2 The atomic model (atom activity model kit)
Assignment
HW 1 Draw the Bohr’s atomic model, and write the spectroscopy notation for first 10 elements (H to
Ne).
Chapter 3 sections 3.5 and 3.6
A3 Knowing your periodic table (Periodic Table
Cards)
Chapter 3, sections 3.7, 3.8,
A4 It is in your cards (periodic trends)
PART I
Chapter 2 section 2.7
A4 It is in your cards (periodic trends)-
PART II
Chapter 4, sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.8 and 4.9
HW 2 Exercise 3.3 page 60
Bring 50 index cards (3x5 inches)
HW 3 Exercise 4.1, page 74
CHEM 308 Syllabus Page 3 of 5

Week 4
M 2/14
W 2/16
Week 5
M 2/21
W 2/23
Week 6
M 2/28
W 3/2
Week 7
M 3/7
T EST # 1 M ATERIAL FROM WEEKS
Your notes and activities
Book Chapters 2 to 4
Chapter 5, sections 5.1 and 5.2
1 TO 3 Learning commentary #1
Your ideas on basic chemistry
DUE 2/21
HW4 Writing and naming formulas
(guidelines on blackboard)
Chapter 5, sections 5.3 and 5.5
A5 Introduction to molecular models (kit)-PART-I
Chapter 5, sections 5.6
A5 Introduction to molecular models-PART-II
Chapter 5, sections 5.8, and 5.9
HW 5 Self test 5C Page 117
Chapter 5, sections 5.10 and 5.12
A6 A temperature “history”
Chapter 6, section 6.2 and 6.5
Chapter 7, section 7.1 and 7.2
Instructor brings RED Cabbage.
W 3/9
Week 8
M 3/14
W 3/16
Week 10
M 4/4
W 4/6
Week 11
M 4/11
Chapter 7, section 7.3 and 7.4
A7 Become a wonderscience chemist
Chapter 7, sections 7.5 and 7.6
A8 Measuring pH of substances (kit)
Chapter 8, sections 8.1 to 8.3
Week 9
M 3/21
W 3/23
BREAK
Chapter 8, section 8.4
A9 Voltaic cell (kit)
Chapter 8, sections 8.5 to 8.6
SPRING BREAK M 3/28 TO F 4/1
Chemistry and Physics
Chapter 5 page 111- Fullerenes
NOVA VIDEO Race to catch a bucky ball
T EST # 2 M ATERIAL FROM WEEKS 4 TO 9
Your notes and activities
Book Chapters 5 to 8
Chemistry and Biology:
Organic Chemistry
Chapter 11, sections 11.2 and 11.3
HW 6 Self test 5E Page 128
HW 7 Identify acids and bases at home (guidelines on blackboard)
Bring one orange, lemon and lime per group
HW 8 List 4 antacids. How could you test which is the best? Read paper posted on blackboard
HW 9 List what kind of batteries you have at home (guidelines on blackboard)
HW 10 Lemon battery (guidelines on blackboard)
Bring it to class
HW 11 Self test 8B (page 191)
BREAK
HW 12 Answer questions posted on blackboard.
Learning commentary #2
Your ideas on chemical reactions.
DUE 4/13
CHEM 308 Syllabus Page 4 of 5

W 4/13
Week 12
M 4/18
W 4/20
Chemistry and Biology:
Chapter 11, Sections 11.6 to 11.8
A10 Test for starch (kit)
Chemistry and Biology:
Chapter 11, Sections 11.10 and 11.11
A11 DNA Puzzle (kit)
Week 13
M 4/25
W 4/27
Week 14
M 5/2
Week 15
M 5/9
W 5/11
Last day of class
Week 16
FINAL
TESTS
WEEK
Chemistry and Geology:
Chapter 14, sections 14.1 to 14.5
T EST # 3 M ATERIAL FROM WEEKS 10 TO 12
Your notes and activities
Book Chapters 11 and 14
Assign tasks for CREPRO
Chemistry Research Project
Lab will be open
CREPRO Lab will be open
CREPRO Lab will be open
CREPRO Lab will be open
Presentations for CREPRO
Thursday, May 12-Weds., May 18---Final
Exams.
HW 13 Chew your cracker
(guidelines on blackboard)
HW 14 Self Test 11D- Questions 4 to 10, page 301
HW 15 Self Test 14A and 14B pages 369 and 376
Receive guidelines for CREPRO
TBA (To Be Announced)
Two days
CHEM 308 Syllabus Page 5 of 5