Chemistry 105
Introductory Chemistry I
Fall 2009
Instructor: Dr. Jeremy Wessel
Office Phone: (985) 448-4504
Office Hours: 9:40-11:40 MTWF, 1:00-3:00 R
Office: Pel 245C
E-mail: phsc-jjw@nicholls.edu
Catalog Description: CHEM 105. Introductory Chemistry I. 3-3-0. Prerequisite or corequisite:
MATH 101. Nature and properties of matter including the common elements and their
compounds. Periodic classification, atomic and molecular theories, nuclear chemistry, and the
relation of atomic and molecular structure to chemical behavior, stoichiometry, nomenclature. For
students needing more than one year of chemistry. Degree credit will not be given for both
CHEM 101 and 105. This course is also available via Internet. Basic computer knowledge is
required for students enrolled in the Internet section. (40.0501)
Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 101
Required Text/Other Materials: Tro, Principles of Chemistry, New York: Prentice Hall, 2010
 iClicker
 Calculator
Required Supplemental Readings:
The class Blackboard page will be used for announcements, supplementary materials etc.
Homework will be done online using the Mastering Chemistry system.
(http://www.masteringchemistry.com)
General Education Student Learning Outcomes
CHEM 105, as a Core Curriculum course, fulfills three hours of general education requirements
in the area of the natural sciences and is thus designed to enable students to meet the following
broad outcome for all the natural sciences:
Goal: Upon completion of the undergraduate curriculum, students will be able to comprehend and
to apply the basic principles of science and methods of scientific inquiry.
For further explanation of the learning objectives associated with this goal, go to
http://www.nicholls.edu/gened/goals_objectives.html.
CHEM 105 meets this goal by the following course-specific student learning outcomes:
Course Goals: The student should learn the basic concepts, laws and theories of the topics and
apply them to chemistry problems. The student will develop an understanding of the
interconnectedness of chemistry to the other sciences and will relate the concepts of chemistry to
contemporary, historical, technological and societal issues.
Student Outcome Objectives: The student is expected to master and apply the following concepts
to problem solving:
 Units of measure, unit conversions, uncertainties in measurements, density and
definitions of matter.
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Basics of atomic theory applied to the atom, basics of the periodic table, radioactivity,
correct use of the terms atom, molecule, element, compound, writing formulas of
compounds and proper use of inorganic nomenclature
Determination of atomic and molecular masses, mole calculations and Avogadro’s
number, mass relations in chemical formulas and reactions including percent
composition, empirical and molecular formulas, theoretical and chemical reaction yields,
limiting reagents, writing and balancing equations.
Write and balance chemical reaction including precipitation reactions, acid/base
reactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions.
Competencies students will acquire at the completion of the course: explain and demonstrate the
Louisiana K-12 benchmarks related to:
 properties and changes of properties of matter (PS-M-A1 through A9)
 transformations of energy (PS-M-C1, C2, C3, C7)
 measurement and symbolic representation (PS-H-A1, A2)
 atomic structure (PS-H-B1 to B3)
 structure and properties of matter (PS-H-C1 to C5)
 chemical reactions (PS-H-D1, D3, D5, D7)
 energy (PS-H-F2),
 interaction of energy and matter (PS-H-G1)
 understanding scientific inquiry (SI-M-B2, B3, SI-H-B2)
Course Content:
Chapter 1 – Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving
The scientific approach; elements, compounds and mixtures; scientific measurement; significant
figures; chemical problem solving
Chapter 2 – Atoms and Elements
Atomic theory, the periodic table, the mole, atomic and molar mass
Chapter 3 – Molecules, Compounds, and Chemical Equations
Chemical nomenclature, determining formulas, chemical equations
Chapter 4 –Chemical Quantities and Aqueous Reactions
Reaction calculations, solution stoichiometry, solubility, precipitation reactions, acid-base
reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions,
Chapter 5 – Gases
Pressure, gas laws, the ideal gas law, kinetic molecular theory of gases, real gases
Chapter 7 – The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom
Nature of light, atomic spectra, wave-particle duality, quantum-mechanical model of the atom,
atomic orbitals
Chapter 8 –Periodic Properties of the Elements
Electron configurations, periodic trends, atomic structure and chemical reactivity
Chapter 9 –Chemical Bonding I: Lewis Theory
Lewis dot symbols, ionic bonding, covalent bonding, electronegativity and bond polarity, Lewis
structures
Chapter 10 – Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, Valence Bond Theory, and Molecular
Orbital Theory
VSEPR theory, molecular shape and polarity, valence bond theory, molecular orbital theory
Course Requirements:
 There will be four 100 pt. exams including one on nomenclature, one each on the rest of
chapters 1-3, chapters 4-5, and chapters 7-10. There will also be a 200 pt. final which
will be comprehensive.
 Problem assignments will be done on Mastering Chemistry. Total number of points will
be added in.
 1 point per day extra credit is given for clicker participation.
Method of Evaluation: Grades will be determined using the following scale:
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: <60%
This scale may be adjusted downward if the class average is low. (This is determined at the end
of the semester.)
Honors students may obtain honors credit by completing a special project determined with the
instructor.
Make-up Policy: Missed exams should be made up as soon as possible. Exams can be made up
for an excused absence only.
Attendance Policy: No excuses are necessary for missing class. The student is responsible for
making up any missed work. Attendance is essential to doing well in the course.
Academic Honesty Policy: Anyone found cheating will be subject to the penalties stated in
Student Code of Conduct including but not limited to a score of zero on exam, expulsion from the
class or expulsion from the University.
Semester Withdrawals: The last day to withdraw from the class with a ‘W’ is 28 October, 2009.
Academic Disabilities Policy: If you have a documented disability that requires assistance, you
will need to register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic
accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The
Phone Number is (985) 448-4430 (TDD 449-7002).
Class Disruptions are not tolerated. The use of cell phones, pagers and/or any other electronic
personal device in class is prohibited. Talking in class without permission of the instructor is
unacceptable. Any infractions will result in dismissal from class.
Academic Grievances:
The proper procedure for filing grade appeals or grievances related to academic matters is listed
in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct and at the following link:
http://www.nicholls.edu/documents/student_life/code_of_conduct.pdf.
Continued Learning following an Extreme Emergency:
In order to make continued learning possible following an extreme emergency, students are
responsible for:
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reading regular emergency notifications on the NSU website;
•
knowing how to use and access Blackboard (or university designated electronic delivery
system);
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being familiar with emergency guidelines;
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evacuating textbooks and other course materials;
•
knowing their Blackboard (or designated system) student login and password;
•
contacting faculty regarding their intentions for completing the course.
Faculty are responsible for:
•
their development in the use of the Blackboard (or designated) software;
•
having a plan for continuing their courses using only Blackboard and email;
•
continuing their course in whatever way suits the completion of the course best, and
being creative in the continuation of these courses;
•
making adjustments or compensations to a student’s progress in special programs with
labs, clinical sequences or the like only in the immediate semester following the emergency.