Chemistry 101 L: General Chemistry I Laboratory
Dr. Sara Harvey
Pierce College
Email: HarveySM@piercecollege.edu
Fall 2011 Sections 8077
Office: CFS 91046
Office Phone: (818)712-2618
Office Hours: T 11:00-12:30, W 1:00-3:00, Th 12:30-2:30 and by appointment
Laboratory: Th 8:00 – 12:05 CFS 92011
DESCRIPTION: General chemistry 1 presents the principles and laws of chemistry as related to the
structure of matter. Topics covered include a comparison of the states of matter; atomic structure
and the periodic table; stoichiometry; thermochemistry and introductory thermodynamics; chemical
bonding; solutions; solubility; acids and bases; introductory chemical equilibrium; phase changes;
and an introduction to Molecular Orbital Theory. The laboratory work is intended to develop skills
in observation, use of chemical glassware and equipment, making deductions from observations,
analyzing results and communicating them in a written laboratory report.
PREREQUISITES: Chem 60 and Math 115 with a "C" grade or better or equivalent skill level
demonstrated through the mathematics placement process. It is strongly recommended that you take
English 28 before you attempt this class in order for you to have the writing skills necessary for this class.
CHEMISTRY 101: General Chemistry I Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
1.
Conduct experiments and interpret data. This includes the ability to :
(a) perform experiments to answer questions and characterize unknowns;
(b) record, manipulate and evaluate the experimental data using graphs and equations as needed,
to reach conclusions;
(c) correlate experimental results with the appropriate theory and
(d) use instrumentation and appropriate laboratory techniques to carry out experiments.
2.
Solve mathematical problems specific to chemistry that require identifying key data (from lists,
tables, experiments or graphs) and constructing correct formulas for unit conversions, ratios, and
stoichiometry.
3.
Obtain and analyze data from different sources (i.e., literature/information technology).
4.
Apply the atomic and kinetic theories of matter to how atomic and molecular properties are
responsible for chemical and physical behavior at the macroscopic level and its impact on the global
environment.
5.
Compare and contrast the details of ionic, covalent and intermolecular bonding. This includes
describing how energy changes are related to temperature, motion at the atomic level, and changes in
chemical bonding.
6.
Practice safe and effective general laboratory skills, individually and in groups. This includes
(a) recognizing the limitations of physical measurements and the application of appropriate rules
for significant figures;
(b) completing measurements accurately and precisely; and
(c) effectively working with peers in a collegial environment.
ATTENDANCE: The guidelines in the course catalog apply to this class: Any student who has
unexcused absences equaling one week’s worth of class time prior to census date will be excluded. It is
your responsibility to drop this class if necessary. Three lateness’s will count as an absence. Please
contact the instructor if you know you are going to miss several days of class. Please read the attendance
regulations printed in the Schedule of Classes.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
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Lecture Materials (refer to Dr. Ogar)
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Chemistry 101 Laboratory Manual, Compiled by the Chemistry Department faculty, L. A. Pierce
College. (available at S&P Printing, not the Pierce Bookstore)
Pearson Custom Laboratory Notebook, customized for Chemistry 101 at L. A. Pierce College
Safety Glasses (comfortable safety glasses can be purchased at Home Depot)
Scientific calculator with exponents and logarithms (NOT graphing/programmable).
Memory Stick/Flash drive
Close-toed shoes are required for laboratory periods.
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OFFICE HOURS: Please attend office hours if you want extra help with homework problems, new
concepts, preparing for quizzes and exams etc. Feel free to attend office hours to work on homework and
ask questions as they arise. You may also ask me questions online by posting them on the questions
section of our course webpage.
WEBPAGE: Selected course materials are available online such as lecture slides, exam study material,
exam keys, and lab report details. You can access the course webpage at http://moodle.piercecollege.edu/.
Your user name is your LACCD student ID number, which begins with the numbers “88”. The password
is the same PIN used in SIS, which is your four digit month and date of birth (MMDD) unless it has been
changed. Click on our section of Chemistry 101. You can also ask me questions through this site. This is
an excellent way to get help with homework, exam, lab, or lecture questions. It is also beneficial to read
the answers posted to other students questions.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: Our learning experience in this class will involve a community. The
more support and courtesy you give this community the better you and your fellow students will perform.
Please arrive on time and prepared, do not annoy or distract others during lab. Refrain from talking to
classmates while the instructor is speaking, turn off all cell phones before class, and obey all safety rules
in the laboratory. Please read and follow the Conduct Code for Students in your schedule of classes.
LABORATORY: You are required to attend the lab section in which you are enrolled. You may be
dropped from the course if you have two consecutive unexcused absences. There are no makeup labs. If
you miss a lab period, you will earn zero points for all components of the entire experiment for that day.
All experiments will be performed individually unless otherwise noted. When working with a laboratory
partner, each student must record his or her own data in their lab notebook and turn in an individual Postlab Report written in your own words. Turning in post-lab reports containing the same wording is
considered cheating.
You must pass the laboratory section in order to earn a passing grade in Chem 101.
Pre-lab Assignments: Prelabs are due at the beginning of the lab period. You may not perform the
experiment if you have not completed your pre-lab assignment:
1. Title – This can be found in your lab manual
2. Purpose – state what the experiment is and how it will be accomplished
3. Procedural notes – written by hand in ink in your lab notebook. Briefly summarize the
experimental procedures (do not copy from your lab manual) on the left hand side of the
page. The right hand side should be left blank to record experimental data in lab.
4. Completed pre-lab questions, when applicable.
In-class Laboratory Work: You are graded on your preparation, safety, and technique in the laboratory.
You are required to take notes of both qualitative (mass, volume, etc) and quantitative (color, physical
state, etc) data in ink in your laboratory notebook throughout the course of the experiment. At the end of
each lab period, I will sign initial your data pages. You are responsible for obtaining my signature.
Post-lab Reports: Lab reports must be typed (size 12 font, 1.5 line spacing) and data graphed with
Microsoft Excel. Show all calculations and report final answers with the correct significant figures and
units.
Grading: In addition to the above criteria, lab reports are also graded on the accuracy in your technique.
Some experiments will be performed in pairs. In these cases, the wording on your lab report MUST be
different than your partner’s, otherwise it is considered to be cheating. You cannot share pages, or
photocopy each other’s data. Each of you must produce an original report, with the data handwritten in
your handwriting. Sharing/modifying data is also considered cheating. Lab Reports are due at the
beginning of the following lab. Any lab reports handed in after this deadline are considered late. Late lab
reports will be penalized as follows: reports received 15 minutes late on due date will be marked 20%
down; lab reports received at next class meeting will be marked 20% down. Lab reports received after
that will be marked 50% down. You WILL NOT pass this class if you do not pass the laboratory
section of the course.
At the end of the semester, all of your lab reports will be totaled and a percentage will be taken. Dr. Ogar
will receive the percentage and apply it toward total points earned in the course in order to calculate your
letter grade.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Anyone found cheating will receive
an “F” grade for the assignment and will be recommended to the Dean for expulsion from the college.
Post-lab Reports must include the following sections. Please clearly label each section.
Chemistry 101 Lab Report Format
1. Title Page (use title from your lab notebook)
2. Purpose (What is the objective of this experiment? How (What technique) will you
accomplish this objective?)
3. Procedure (one short (1/2 page) paragraph summarizing the procedure from your
prelab. You do NOT need specific quantities.)
4. Data / Observations (Organize your data into data tables using word. Also answer
post-lab report questions here)
5. Conclusions (what does your data mean? Make references to, and thoroughly
discuss the significance of your numerical values. What are some sources of error?)
6. Appendix (graphs - when applicable, and detailed hand-written calculations)
7. Attach the top copy of your data pages from lab (including my signature).
Note: The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus. All dates are tentative