USC Aiken
Fall 2014
CHEM A111 SYLLABUS
MEETING TIMES LAB/LECTURE:
Dr. M. Fetterolf
SBDG 300, x3378
MWF 2:30 – 4:20PM SBDG 301
OFFICE HOURS: M R F  11:00AM – Noon W  10:00 – 11:00AM T  3:00 – 4:00PM
CHEM A111 – General Chemistry I (4) (Prereq: Placement into, beyond, or completion of
MATH 111; other specifications) The first semester of a two-semester course sequence that offers
a general understanding of topics in chemistry and that provides necessary chemistry application
skills and knowledge for science, math and engineering majors. This course begins the first year of
General College Chemistry.
ATTENDANCE
University and departmental guidelines apply. A student cannot miss more than 25% of all
lectures and labs to pass the class. If a student has more than two (2) unexcused absences, a loss of
one letter grade penalty will result. Roll will be taken through mini-tests and lab flow charts along
with an attendance sheet. Excused absences must be verified with a doctor’s note, a note from a
family member that includes a telephone number, or a business note. Arrangements will be made
to deal with the material missed for excused absences only. Regardless of reason, you are
responsible for the missing course and lab content.
TEXTBOOK
“Chemistry: A Molecular Approach,” by Nivaldo Tro, 3rd Ed., Pearson, 2014.
Mastering Chemistry Online Homework, Pearson Publishing. (Access code is good for
three semesters; Course Name: MCFETTEROLF54503.
“General Chemistry Lab Manual” by USCA Chemistry Faculty, 2014 (Lt. Green Cover).
“Study Manual for ACS Standardized Tests,” by the American Chemical Society.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
An inexpensive scientific calculator is needed. You will need closed-toe shoes and long
pants for lab. Safety goggles are supplied. A lab notebook with carbonless paper is required.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The introduction of topics such as 1) general reaction stoichiometry, 2) reaction types,
3) gases, 4) thermochemistry, 5) atomic structure and periodicity, 6) molecular bonding and 7)
molecular geometry are planned.
The course will try to kindle a curiosity about chemistry and the way in which chemistry
overlaps with other scientific disciplines. This will be accomplished by a series of demonstrations
and by reference to many other scientific fields that overlap the current lecture topic. The course
will also attempt to give each student a sense of confidence about routine use of basic chemistry
ideas and calculations. This will be done with online homework problems and a great deal of
classroom practice.
I plan to follow the textbook closely and a tentative outline/schedule is attached. Please
become very familiar with this. The three main characteristics of chemistry will be stressed in this
course--chemical methods (such as math manipulations, procedures, and complex problemsolving), chemical nomenclature (vocabulary and formulas), and chemical concepts (periodicity,
bonding, geometries, and stoichiometry for instance). The student is expected to accept the
responsibility of learning chemistry. Analytical thinking and problem solving skills will be
approached in the classroom on a chapter by chapter basis through the use of examples and
procedure development. Some key chemical concepts and chemical nomenclature are well
presented in the text and will be approached as reading assignments.
MY RESPONSIBILITIES
Initial lectures on each chapter will involve direct examples of basic skills or topics. After
much in-class practice, the in-class work will turn to difficult chemistry examples. Since the
problem-solving foundations are established in earlier lectures, I can develop for the class
strategies for attacking these difficult problems. The lectures will proceed in this manner. The lab
exercises have been designed to overlap the lecture and text materials and to provide a hands-on
experience that complements the lecture. The goal is to prepare the student for real chemistry
problem-solving situations and provide opportunity for the students to participate in the problem
solving. I am responsible for guiding the class through the various topics in the text and lab in a
timely manner so that most students who uphold their responsibilities will acquire sufficient skills
to move on to their next science course. I am responsible for providing office hours so that students
who seek outside one-on-one help can get it. I am responsible for providing a fair and equitable
grade based on the knowledge and skills earned in class, lab, and on exams.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Students are responsible for understanding, reading, and memorizing (certain parts when
necessary) the chapters in the text. The student is responsible for practicing the analytical thinking
and problem-solving skills that are discussed and illustrated in class and lab. This practice should
be to the extent that the multilevel but routine problems encountered in general chemistry are
understood and can be solved. The student is responsible for the lab work, its satisfactory
completion, and its understanding. The lab work should enhance the student’s growing
understanding of the topics presented. Only the student will know when the level of practice and
preparation reach the optimum. If the student’s perception of the practice level is not reflected in
the grade for any assignment or exam, please accept this last responsibility of seeking me out for
advise, counsel, and discussion. Nothing can guarantee a particular grade. However, if you meet
your responsibilities by understanding as best you can the lab exercises and online problems with
their associated techniques, the assigned reading with examples, and the concepts and methods
presented in lecture, you will have the best chance at passing the course with a “C” or better.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The “C” or better student will be able to perform basic chemical calculations and
judgments as assessed by their efforts on exams, homework, and the Final Exam. The “C” or better
student will also be able to follow a basic chemical laboratory procedure as assessed by their
efforts on pre-lab pages and lab reports. This work is appropriate for a first semester of general
college chemistry. The "A" student will perform with a significantly higher level of understanding
and performance than the passing student as assessed by their routine high marks on all lecture
exams, pre-lab pages, and lab reports.
A student who expects to pass this course (“C” or better) should spend at least 8 hours per
week on homework, chapter reading, and study of the lecture/lab material, and around 2 hours per
week on laboratory preparation and reading; this is outside of scheduled lecture/lab periods. This
follows the "Rule of Thumb" that to pass a college course one should spend twice as much time
outside of class as in class. My experience has been that students who seriously approach the task
of learning chemistry have the best chance at passing this course with a "C" or better.
Each student will sign up on the Mastering Chemistry website to access the online
homework. The due date for all problems will be at the end of the semester to allow students to
return to problems and continue to work on them for credit even after an exam. Working on
problems throughout the semester is important. However, certain problems will help prepare you
for each mini-test. The course name is: MCFETTEROLF54503. I will also assign suggested
problems from the back of each chapter that will help focus your studies in preparation for each
mini-test. These problems will not be graded.
There will be eight min-tests given during the semester. Please see the tentative course
outline/schedule for the dates. These exams will contain questions that apply the skills discussed
and illustrated in the lecture/lab sessions and in the online homework and suggested problems.
Reading the text will be tested by student response to several general, short-answer questions. The
reading questions are assigned on average about 15% of the points for any exam. Exams designed
in this manner will provide motivation to keep up in class and to do the assigned reading, also
helping develop strong study habits and time management skills. Please see me if a mini-test is
missed due to absence. An excused absence must fit the criteria for a make-up exam to take place.
Lab reports and pre-lab (completed before each scheduled lab) will be used to determine
the lab portion of your grade. Please see the class calendar for upcoming labs. The pre-lab will be
done in your notebook and specific details will be given in class. The lab report requirements are
given at the end of each lab manual experiment/procedure. These reports will be due at the
beginning of the next class unless otherwise stated. The Safety Rules for each lab will be reviewed.
Any repeated safety infraction during lab will result in a dismissal for that day’s work. Approved
eye protection must be worn at all times in the lab.
A Final Exam will be given in our regular classroom. See the class calendar for the date and
time. The Final Exam is the American Chemical Society National Exam for First Semester General
Chemistry. This national exam covers ACHM 111 is timed, and is comprehensive. We will use the
required Study Guide throughout the semester in preparation for this exam.
The point totals are given on the next page. The totals break down to approximately 22%
from lab, approximately 73% from exams, and about 5% from homework. The reading questions
that are a part of the exams are worth approximately 15% of the exam points.
GRADING FORMAT AND POLICIES
Lecture
Homework (Mastering Chemistry)
Mini-Tests (8 @ 60 pts)
Final Exam (100 pts)
42 pts
480 pts
100 pts
Labs (18 @ 4, 7 or 14 pts)
Pre-Labs (18 @ 3 pts)
124 pts
54 pts
Laboratory
Total
800 pts
Final letter grades will be assigned based on the percent of your accumulated points relative
to the total possible points of 800 obtained from both lecture and lab combined. Letter grades for
individual exams are not assigned. Consultation during an appointment or office hour is the best
way to obtain your class standing at any particular time. This is because I have all of your
accumulated scores at hand and can therefore judge your overall performance. I do not grade
strictly on a straight percentage basis but allow for some flexibility in class performance. Within
plus or minus 2 percentage points, the final letter grade lines will be at 90% for an "A", 80% for a
"B", 68 % for a "C", and 60% for a "D". If you keep track of your own points relative to the total
possible you can use the percentages listed above and obtain a fairly good notion of your class
standing. I also record scores on BlackBoard.
The ACADEMIC HONOR CODE is in place for all assignments and exams. The Honor
Code states that it is dishonest to either give or receive any unauthorized aid or assistance on an
exam or homework. Evidence of such practice is very obvious to a grader so be forewarned; such
behavior will result in a zero for the assignment or exam. A student must complete the work in the
lab as well as take the final to pass this class.
Friday, October 31, 2014 is the last day to drop this class without receiving a WF for the
course. Several exams will have been given by then and several lab reports turned in so you will
have a basis on which to make a decision to withdraw or not. I will ask students to stop by my
office if their performance is not moving in the direction of passing the class. If you are thinking of
withdrawing from the class, please talk with me first to see if your standing in class matches your
perception. Often students are doing better than they thought.
PLEASE ask questions at any time--especially during an exam. Many times questions will
come up that center on clarification and these are very important questions to ask. Don't be afraid
that you are seeking too much information; let me judge that. If lecture questions start running into
a lengthy discussion, I may ask that we continue later in lab or at an office hour.
Note: Any student who has a physical, psychological and/or learning disability that might
affect your performance in this class or lab, please contact the Office of Disability Services as soon
as possible. If you are registered with that office and have an accommodations sheet, please see me
after class today or phone me as soon as possible to set up an appointment. Thank You
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, December 10 at 2:00PM in our regular classroom, SBDG
301.
ENJOY THE CLASS
GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION
Campus Phone: 803/641-3378 (Voice message after fourth ring.)
Email Address: montyf@usca.edu
Cell Phone: 803/640-5679
Chemistry & Physics Department Home Page accessed from USCA Home Page.
CLASS CALENDAR
Please see the attached calendar for the lecture and lab schedule along with other important
dates and times throughout the semester. It is part of an abbreviated syllabus that will be
distributed in class on our first meeting day. Do not lose this schedule. It is copied on green paper
for easy identification.
USC Aiken
Fall 2014
CHEM A111 SYLLABUS
Dr. M. Fetterolf
SBDG 300, x3378
MEETING TIMES LAB/LECTURE: MWF 2:30 – 4:20PM SBDG 301
OFFICE HOURS: M R F  11:00AM – Noon W  10:00 – 11:00AM T  3:00 – 4:00PM or by
appointment.
CHEM A111 – General Chemistry I (4) (Prereq: Placement into, beyond, or completion of MATH 111;
other specifications) The first semester of a two-semester course sequence that offers a general
understanding of topics in chemistry and provides necessary chemistry application skills and knowledge for
science, math and engineering majors. This course begins the first year of General College Chemistry.
ATTENDANCE
University and departmental guidelines apply. A student cannot miss more than 25% of all lectures
and labs to pass the class. If a student has more than two (2) unexcused absences, a loss of one letter grade
penalty will result. Roll will be taken through mini-tests and lab flow charts along with an attendance sheet.
Excused absences must be verified with a doctor’s note, a note from a family member that includes a
telephone number, or a business note. Arrangements will be made to deal with the material missed for
excused absences only. Regardless of reason, you are responsible for the missing course and lab content.
TEXTBOOK
“Chemistry: A Molecular Approach,” by Nivaldo Tro, 3rd Ed., Pearson, 2014.
“General Chemistry Lab Manual” by USCA Chemistry Faculty, 2014 (Lt. Green Cover).
“ACS General Chemistry Exams – The Official Guide,” by the American Chemical Society.
Mastering Chemistry: MCFETTEROLF54503
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
An inexpensive scientific calculator is needed. You will need closed-toe shoes and long pants for
lab. Safety goggles are supplied. A lab notebook with carbonless paper is required. Routine access to
BlackBoard. (Answer keys, grade scores, full syllabus, other information will be posted.)
GRADING FORMAT
Lecture
Homework (Mastering Chemistry)
Mini-Tests (8 @ 60 pts)
Final Exam (100 pts)
Laboratory
Labs (18 @ 4, 7 or 14 pts)
Pre-Labs (18 @ 3 pts)
Total
42 pts
480 pts
100 pts
124 pts
54 pts
800 pts
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Campus Phone: 803/641-3378 (Voice message after fourth ring.)
Cell Phone: 803/640-5679
Email Address: montyf@usca.edu
Chemistry & Physics Department Home Page accessed from USCA Home Page.
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, December 10 at 2:00PM in our regular classroom, SBDG 301.
CALENDAR: Exam dates and lab schedule are printed on back.
Enjoy the class!
ACHM 111 GENERAL CHEMISTRY
TENTATIVE LECTURE/LAB SCHEDULE
FALL 2014
Date
8/22 F
Chapter
Lab
Syllabus; Intro;
Toledo XM
None
Chapter 1
8/25 M
8/27 W
Chapter 1/Chapter 2
8/29 F
Chapter 2
9/3 W
Mini-Test 1;
Chapter 2
9/5 F
Chapter 3
9/8 M
Chapter 3
9/10 W
Chapter 3
9/12 F
9/15 M
Chapter 3
9/17 W
9/19 F
Mini-Test 2;
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Rxn Stoichiometry (Pg
20)
Solutions & Dilutions
(Pg 25)
Electrolytes (Pg 23)
9/22 M
Chapter 4
Titration (Pg 30)
9/24 W
Chapter 4
Precip/Redox Rxns (Pgs
27 & 28)
9/26 F
Chapter 5
9/29 M
Mini-Test 3;
Chapter 5
10/1 W
Chapter 5
Gas Labs (Pgs 34 & 37)
10/3 F
Chapter 5
Gas Rxn Stoichiometry
(Pg 49)
10/6 M
Chapter 6
10/8 W
Chapter 6
10/10 F
Mini-Test 4;
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
10/13
M
Chapter 4
Conductivity (Pg 9)
Weighted Averages (Pg
17)
Elements & Compounds
(Pg 16)
Specific Heat of Metal
(Pg 53)
Hess’s Law (Pg 56)
Date
Chapter
Chapter 7
10/15
W
Chapter 7
10/17 F
10/20 Chapter 7; Chapter
8
M
Mini-Test 5;
10/22
Chapter 8
W
10/24 F
FALL
BREAK
Chapter 8
10/27
M
Chapter 8
10/29
W
Chapter 9
10/31 F
11/3 M
11/5 W
Chapter 9
11/7 F
Mini-Test 6;
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
11/10
M
11/12
W
11/14 F
11/17
M
11/19
W
11/21 F
Lab
No Lab
Periodic Props
(Pg 59)
Last Drop
Date
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Molec. Models
(Pg 63)
Chapter 10;
Chapter 11
Mini-Test 7;
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
11/24
M
12/1 M
Chapter 11
12/3 W
Chapter 12
12/5 F
Mini-Test 8;
Chapter 12
12/10
W
FINAL @
2PM
Chapter 12
Evap. Forces (Pg
64)
Fusion Heat Ice
(Pg 68)
Possible Handout
Lab
Last Class Day
ACS EXAM