Course Title:
Introduction to Chemistry
Course ID:
CHEM 003A
Section (ID):
29 (47695)
Semester:
Fall 2011
Instructor:
Brett Williams, Ph.D.
Email addresses:
balero01@cs.com
bwilliams@deltacollege.edu
Adj. Faculty Site:
www.deltacollege.edu/emp/bwilliams
Class Times:
Lecture: MW 6:00 pm to 6:55 pm, Cunningham 301
Laboratory: MW 7:00 pm to 9:55 pm, Cunningham 301
Catalog Statement: This course is designed to meet the chemistry requirement 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):
Reading Level II and Math 80 (Elementary Algebra) with a grade of “C” or
better.
Required for Course
The items listed below are necessary for use in class and laboratory:




Introductory Chemistry, Second Custom Edition by Nivaldo J. Tro
Foundations of Chemistry in the Laboratory, Thirteenth Edition by Hein et al.
A non-programmable calculator
Safety goggles (approved) and lock
Course Objective
This course provides the beginning science student with basic concepts of chemistry which can
be applied to potential courses and many different scientific fields of study. Upon successful
completion of the course, a student will be able to demonstrate the following basic chemistry
concepts:
1) The ability to identify and name elements and simple chemical compounds. This includes
acids, bases, ionic, and molecular compounds.
2) The ability to solve chemistry problems by mathematical means. Important problem-solving
methods are central to sections on mole-to-mole relationships, gas laws, and solution
chemistry.
3) The ability to predict and balance chemical equations.
4) The ability to relate chemical reactivity to basic atomic theory and structure.
5) The ability to discern different types of chemical bonding and to draw simple chemical
(electron-dot) structures.
6) The ability to use and identify the basic types of chemical glassware and labware.
7) The ability to conduct a chemical experiment with 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:
1) The scientific method and its role in chemistry and everyday life (Ch. 1).
2) The use of math in chemistry with an emphasis on the metric system, scientific notation,
significant figures, and dimensional analysis (Ch. 2).
3) Matter and its physical/chemical properties and changes (Ch. 3).
4) Chemical elements and the periodic table (Ch. 4).
5) Naming chemical compounds by chemical formulas. This includes acids, bases,
ionic, and molecular compounds (Ch. 5).
6) The atom and its electronic structure (Ch. 9).
7) Chemical bonds and their relationship to molecular shapes and interactions between
molecules (Ch. 10 and Ch. 12).
8) Chemical quantities such as atomic mass, molar mass, and the mole (Ch. 6).
9) Writing, balancing, and classifying chemical reactions (Ch. 7).
10) Chemical calculations using quantitative relationships in chemical reactions. This includes
mole-to-mole and mass-to-mass conversions (Ch. 8).
11) The fundamental physical properties of gases, gas laws, and chemical calculations with
gases (Ch. 11).
12) Solution chemistry with emphasis on solution properties and concentrations. This includes
molarity, weight percent, and chemical calculations in solutions (Ch. 13).
13) The properties of acids and bases with emphasis on the pH scale (Ch. 14).
Total Points
A student’s 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/Exams/Quizzes
No. of
Assignments/Exams/Quizzes
Dropped
Points
Percent
of Total
4 Lecture Exams (4 × 100 pts)
None
400
40
2 Name and Formula Quizzes (2 × 20 pts)
None
40
4
5 Quizzes (4 × 20 pts)
One (use best 4 of 5)
80
8
10 Lab Experiments (9 × 20 pts)
One (use best 9 of 10)
180
18
10 Lab Exercises (10 × 10 pts)
None
100
10
Final Exam
200
20
Total
1000
100
Letter grades
A student’s grade will be assigned by the following scale (based on 1000 total points):
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90.0% to 100%
75.0% to 89.9%
60.0% to 74.9%
50.0% to 59.9%
Below 50%
2
Experiments and Exercises
1) All laboratory experiments are due on the date announced in class. Although these dates
may change, laboratory experiments will be due (generally) on the same day of the following
week.
2) To make certain of participation in the laboratory experiments:



Student attendance will be checked during of each laboratory period.
All experimental work must be verified, dated, and determined satisfactory at the end of
each laboratory period.
If a student’s attendance is verifiable, but the experiment is not signed off by the
instructor, there will be a 10% reduction from the total possible points.
3) 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.
4) You are allowed to drop one laboratory experiment from your total lab score.
5) There are no make-up labs.
6) All (in-class) laboratory exercises 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.
7) All assignments that are submitted late (past the due date) are subject to a point reduction.
Exams and Quizzes
1) Exams and quizzes will be based on material covered in the power point slides, 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.
2) Please note that the topics that are covered 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 page six of the syllabus. Also, please
note these dates on your calendar.
3) Each student will be allowed one make-up quiz as long as reasonable documentation is
given for absence from class. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with
the instructor. Once arrangements have been made with the instructor, the make-up quiz
must be completed no later than three days after the arrangement date. If you know in
advance of any reason that may cause you to be late on the day of the quiz, you should
inform the instructor (by email) as soon as possible in advance of the quiz. Please do not
ask for additional make-up quizzes.
4) You are allowed to drop one quiz from your total quiz score (except for two Chapter 5 Name
and Formula Quizzes).
5) Exams can be made up only if you have an extenuating circumstance or a condition that
prevents you from attending class. Each student will be allowed one make-up exam as long
as reasonable documentation is given for absence from class. Once arrangements have
been made with the instructor, the make-up exam must be completed no later than three
days after the arrangement date. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements
with the instructor. Individual situations are different and must be evaluated.
3
Homework: Questions/Problems
1) The complete textbook homework assignment for each chapter will appear at the beginning
of the lecture notes for each chapter.
2) Each student will be expected to do the homework assignments from selected
chapters.
 These homework problems will not be graded. However, they are closely related to the
quizzes and exams.
 Each student should read the chapter material and work through the self-check
exercises (skillbuilders, conceptual checkpoints) and all of the assigned odd numbered
questions and problems throughout the chapter.
 Each student is responsible for checking his/her answers. This is where concepts are
learned and the majority of problem-solving skills are acquired. If you cannot determine
how the solutions manual or text produced a particular answer, please see me.
Problem Sets: Assignments for Additional Credit
1) Instead of turning in homework from the textbook, a student will have the option of turning in
problem sets for credit. Each problem set will be announced in class and will consist of
selected problems that are associated with a particular chapter from the text. This will give
the student the ability to assess their own progress and understanding of the topics within
each chapter.
2) The problem sets are also to ensure that the student is keeping pace with the current topic
under discussion. The problem sets are a useful study tool. However, they are not a
substitute for the text homework.
Suggestions for Studying Lecture/Chapter Material
1) Review the text and lecture (chapter) overview topics that are presented in lecture.
2) A student should plan to regularly study at least 10-15 hours a week. Also, a student should
make sure that the concepts of the homework and problem sets are understood. Your study
time should be active and not passive: Solely reading the chapters in the textbook or
reviewing the computer generated notes generally will not work.
3) Make additional notes and comments on the slides presented in class. Mark all important
points and material which you don’t understand. Ask the instructor about the material you
have marked.
4) You should 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.
5) Make flash cards.
4
Additional Assistance with Coursework
1) Assistance for Chemistry 3A is available in the Science/Math Learning Center which is
located in Shima 217. A student should check with the center for available hours.
Laboratory Safety
1) 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.
2) Any fooling around or careless acts are not allowed.
3) Smoking, drinking (including bottled water), or eating is not permitted in the lab at any time.
4) Safety goggles must be worn at all times when conducting an experiment in the lab.
5) Contact lenses may be worn but are not recommended in the lab.
6) Open-toed shoes will not be allowed in the lab. Shorts are not recommended.
Attendance Policy and Miscellaneous Issues of Importance
1) 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.
2) Prior to the end of the fourth week, it is mandatory to drop a student from the class if the
student’s cumulative absences surpass two weeks of class time (i.e., more than twice the
number of times the class meets per week).
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) It is the students’ responsibility to drop the class.
6) Avoid the use of phones during class periods or exams.
7) A make-up exam will be given in cases of illness with a doctor’s note or other extenuating
circumstances.
8) 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.
9) The instructor reserves the right to alter or amend this syllabus or calendar to meet
instructional goals.
10) The last day to drop without a “W” is Friday, September 9th, 2011.
11) The last day to drop with a “W” is Thursday, November 17th, 2011.
12) 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.
5
Calendar – Important Dates (subject to change)
Class
Dates
Important Information/
Scheduled Class Activity
Class
Topic
Lab Topic
AUG 15
Fall Semester Begins
First day of instruction
Purchase Lock and Goggles for Lab
Locker check in, Safety Lecture
Must have goggles
Syllabus,
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3, 4
Chapter 4
Math Review
Worksheet 1
AUG 17
AUG 22
AUG 24
AUG 29
AUG 31
SEPT 5
SEPT 7
SEPT 9
Campus closed for Labor Day
Review of Chapters 1, 2, 3
Last Day to Drop a F/T Class w/o a “W”
Chapter 5
SEPT 12
Exam covers Ch. 1, 2, 3
Exam 1
Name and Formula Quiz I
Chapter 5
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
SEPT 14
SEPT 19
SEPT 21
SEPT 26
SEPT 28
OCT 3
OCT 5
OCT 10
OCT 12
Review of Chapters 4, 5, 9, 10, 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Oct 17
Exam covers Ch. 4, 5, 9, 10, 12
Exam 2
OCT 19
OCT 24
OCT 26
OCT 31
NOV 2
NOV 7
Review of Chapters 6 ,7, 8
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
NOV 9
Exam covers Ch. 6, 7, 8
Exam 3
NOV 11
NOV 14
NOV 16
NOV 17
NOV 21
NOV 23
NOV 24
NOV 25
NOV 28
NOV 30
Campus Closed for Veteran’s Day
Quiz
Chapters
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Expt #1
Expt #2
Ch 1, 2, 3
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Expt #5
Ch 4
Ch 5
Chapter 10, 12
Name and Formula Quiz II
Expt #17
Expt #17
Exer 10
Worksheet 2
Ch 5
Exercises 6, 7
Expt #14
Exercise 11
Expt #11
Expt #10
Worksheet 3
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Exercise 12
Expt #9
Chapter 13,14
Exercise 13
Expt #22
Ch 6, 7
Ch 8
Ch 11
Last Day to Drop a F/T Class with a “W”
Chapter 14
Campus Closed for Thanksgiving
Campus Closed for Thanksgiving
Chapter 14
Review of Chapters 11, 13, 14
DEC 5
Exam covers Ch. 11, 13, 14
DEC 7
Final Review, Locker check out
DEC 12
Your Final Exam Begins at 6 PM
DEC 16
Semester Ends
Expt #23
Worksheet 4
Exam 4
Final
Exam
6