CCBC, Essex Campus
CHEM100 - Chemistry and Its Role in Society
School of Mathematics and Science
Section: WE1
DESCRIPTION
CHEM 100 -- 3 Credits -- Chemistry and Its Role in Society illustrates how chemistry is
intimately involved in many aspects of our life; explores areas of interaction between
chemistry and human society including chemistry of the earth, chemistry of the atmosphere,
polymers, food, household chemicals, and energy. This is a course intended for students not
planning to enroll in a higher-level chemistry course.
3 credits 3 lecture hours per week
Prerequisites: (ENGL 051 or ESOL 051 or LVE1) and (RDGN052 or LVR2) and
(MATH082 or MATH 013 or LVM2)
CHEM 102 is the laboratory associated with this course.
BASIC COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor’s name: Irene Matusz
Semester/term and year: Fall, 2012
Instructor's office room number: F712
Instructor’s Contact Information:
Phone number – 443-840-2924
Email address(es) – imatusz@ccbcmd.edu; pixie_priss@yahoo.com
Contact information for course related concerns:
Students should first attempt to take concerns to the faculty member. If students are
unable to resolve course-related concerns with the instructor, they should contact Katherine
Van de Wal, Physical Science Campus Coordinator, at 443-840-2685,
kvandewal@ccbcmd.edu, room F510H on the Essex campus.
Class meeting: 24/7 on the web
Instructor's office hours: by appointment
COURSE GOALS
Overall Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. describe the characteristics of science and the use of the scientific method as a way of
gaining knowledge;
2. describe or recognize the difference between observations, hypotheses, scientific laws and
theories;
3. make conversions using the metric system;
4. make use of significant figures in evaluating data;
5. describe Dalton's atomic theory and how it has evolved since the discovery of electricity,
isotopes, and atomic particles;
6. describe the structure of atoms, and their component parts;
7. explain the process and give examples of radioactivity, alpha particles, beta particles and
gamma radiation;
8. explain the concept of half-life and how it has been used to date materials;
9. utilize the periodic table to predict the properties of elements and compounds;
10. classify compounds as ionic or covalent based on their chemical formulas;
11. describe the general properties of organic compounds and classify them into one of the
following categories: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes,
ketones, organohalides, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, amines, carbohydrates, fats, proteins;
12. identify the general structural features and properties of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
and compare caloric values;
13. describe some of the chemicals found in household products;
14. explain and describe how chemistry relates to environmental problems such as use of
fossil fuels, use of nuclear energy, air pollution and water pollution; and
Major Topics
1. Science and Chemistry
2. Matter and Energy
3. Measurement
4. Atoms and Atomic Structure
5. Periodic Table
6. Chemical Bonding: Ionic, and Covalent Bonds
7. Chemistry of the Atmosphere
8. Chemistry of the Earth and Water
9. Organic Chemistry
10. Polymers
11. Food Chemistry
12. Household Chemicals
13. Drugs and Medicine
Rationale: This course gives the student an understanding of how chemistry affects their
everyday lives and introduces them to the principles involved in the field of chemistry.
EVALUATION
Grade determination:
Test # 1 - (Lectures 1 - 4)
Test # 2 - (Lectures 5 - 7)
Test # 3 - (Lectures 8 - 10)
Test # 4 - (Lectures 11 - 13)
Final – (Lectures 1 – 13)
Grade by Percentage
90 - 100
80 – 89
70 - 79
60 - 69
Below 60
20 %
20 %
20 %
20 %
20 %
A
B
C
D
F
Instructor’s audit policy: If you don't take advantage of ‘coming to class’, studying the material,
etc., you're wasting your money!!
COURSE PROCEDURES
Text : Chemistry in Focus, any edition, Nivaldo J. Tro
(or any chemistry text that covers the subject matter noted in the lecture notes on the website for
this course)
Calculator : A calculator may be helpful for doing simple calculations
Homework assignments will be given for your benefit as study aids for tests.
This is a semi-self-paced course. All tests will be available from the beginning of the semester.
Due to having too many students wait until the last week or two to take all tests, each test will
have a cutoff date which will be noted on the ‘Suggested Schedule’ on the web site.
NOTE: Midterm grades must be submitted to the records office. If you have not taken at least
test #1 with a passing grade by midterm, you will receive a 'U' for your midterm grade. This
grade does not go onto your official transcript, but is to be used as an indicator as to how you are
progressing in the course.
Testing:
Each test and the final exam are to be taken at one of the testing centers and they will be done
on paper, not the computer. For each test and the final:
bring your calculator
a copy of the review sheet as found on the web site will be attached to the test
The final exam (not Test #4) is optional. I.e., if you do not take the final, your grade will be
determined by the average of the four tests. The final will be divided into four parts. Each part
will correspond to the corresponding test. If any test is below 70 points, the percentage for
that part of the final will replace that test score if it is higher. (Note: This applies to only one
test score below 70. If more than one test score is below 70, only the lowest score will be
affected). You will be given a review sheet containing formulas and other pertinent
information for each test. These review sheets are on the web site for you to preview at any
time. Since it outlines the material you should know for the test, it could be used as a study
aid by making a printed copy of it and jotting down notes next to each item.
The tests and final are not 'curved'. For extra points, you will be given additional problems
corresponding to the lectures covered for that test. For these extra credit assignments, you can
use whatever references that you feel you may need. You can then fax them, send them by
regular mail, or bring them in at the time you take the test. These assignments will be
accepted up to the end of the semester.
Test format: The tests are set up the same as the on-site quizzes except that there are more
multiple choice type questions than the other two types.
College wide syllabus policies such as Code of Conduct related to Academic Integrity and
Classroom Behavior or the Audit/Withdrawal policy, please go to the Syllabus Tab on the
MyCCBC page.
This syllabus may be changed at any time with notification.
Revised Fall, 2012