Phone: 538-6447
Leave a message with a return phone number. I’m in the labs a lot and can’t answer my phone most of the time, so please leave a message or send me an email.
ross.fischer@wnmu.edu
e-mail is the best way to contact me. Please use your mustang express account for e-mailing me. I will e-mail messages and labs to the class using Mustang Express, so it is important that you check your account often.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-11:00 am (subject to change)
CHEM 121/123. Chemistry for Life & lab. Introduction to chemistry covering general, and organic; can be used for general education and nursing requirements (Requires some algebra. This course is broader in scope but less intense and/or mathematical on specific topics than General Chemistry 151, 152). This course does not constitute a prerequisite for chemistry majors. (NMCCN CHEM 1113/1111)(Area III). (4)
Principles of Chemistry: A Molecular Approach (2nd Edition) by Nivaldo J. Tro, (hard cover,
with Mastering chemistry ISBN-13: 978-0321750907)
There are several different bindings of the textbook and different packages available. You must have the Mastering Chemistry
Code for class.
I recommend getting the loose leaf/three hole punched version of the book. It can be bought with Mastering Chemistry included for a little over $100 from amazon.com ISBN-13: 978-0321767462. This version should be available in the Bookstore.
Purchasing an e-book with Mastering Chemistry is one of the more economical methods to get the book. An e-book will require the use of a computer to read the book. A kindle fire version is available through Amazon.com. The bookstore will sell a copy, “rent” a copy, or rent a digital copy (an e-book) to you.
The class will follow the book. I will use PowerPoint slides that cover the same material from the book. Sharing a book with someone often works well. Test questions will come from material covered in Mastering Chemistry and the PowerPoint slides.
http://www.masteringchemistry.com/ Mastering chemistry is a study aid that grades you as you do your homework. It has tutorials to help you do homework and prepare for tests.
All homework and most quizzes will be done using the Mastering Chemistry website. You can buy a book with a subscription. Go to http://www.masteringchemistry.com/ to purchase your subscription if you didn’t buy a book with the subscription included. You will need to join our class as part of the registration process;
“ WNMUCHEM121SPRING2013FISCHER
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This course is designed to teach the student the basics of chemistry and how it relates to real life situations. We will cover the chemistry that someone entering into nursing or a related field will encounter. Chemistry for Life teaches the basics of atoms and molecules. Nomenclature, the scientific method, concentrations and some environmental science will be covered. This is a math intensive course. Most questions are
math word problems. If you don’t have good math skills you will struggle with the assignments.
We will cover at least 7 chapters of Tro. A successful student will learn the following basics of Chemistry:

Nomenclature of chemicals.
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The definitions of an atom, a compound, a chemical, an ion, an element, an electrolyte and a salt.
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Identification of common chemicals.
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Measurements in the metric system.
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The energy of compounds.
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Chemical bonding. Ionic versus Covalent.
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The mole concept and the Molarity concept.
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Basic Gas laws.
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Nuclear radiation.
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Oxidation and reduction.
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Osmosis.
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Acids, Bases and pH.
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: Students with disabilities in need of accommodation should register with the Special
Needs Office (JUANCB 210, Ext. 6498) at the beginning of the semester. With student permission, that office will notify instructors of any special equipment or services a student requires.

1.
Your attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken during class. If you have a scheduling conflict that is going to cause you to be chronically late or you need to always leave early, you must speak with the instructor as soon as possible. University policy states that the instructor of a class can drop you from the course after three unexcused absences. It’s your grade you’ll screw up by not coming to class. If you cannot attend class due to work or over scheduling, speak with Mr. Fischer immediately. Missing class is the number one way to fail the course.
2.
This class is going to be fast paced and will require you to read ahead. Don’t fall behind; stay caught up with your reading. I expect you to read the chapters before you come to class.
3.
There will be a chapter test each worth 100 points when we complete a chapter. All tests are cumulative; meaning previously covered material is going to be in each test. Chemistry requires you to learn and remember each principle so that it can be used to explain other subjects throughout the semester.
4.
We will have approximately 14 quizzes. These quizzes will be 10 to 20 points each depending on difficulty. Most quizzes will be done on the Mastering Chemistry website. Several quizzes will be done in class as “pop quizzes”.
5.
Homework assignments will constitute an additional 200 points. We will have 1 or 2 homework assignments a week. Homework assignments can be done early. Most assignments will be available for a week in advance of the due date.
6.
There will be a 200 point final during final’s week. This test will cover subjects from all of the chapters studied.

7.
You will be graded from a total of all the above points. I don’t believe in the 10% grade scale. Most test will be curved. If I feel you learned a lot you can get an A with an 80% grade. Approximately 1/4 of my students earn A’s and 1/3 earn B’s. Please don’t hesitate to ask what your grade is throughout the semester. I’ll gladly tell you if you are producing an A or an F grade.
8.
Student athletes, club members, and students in classes going on field trips will be excused and allowed to make up quizzes and tests if, and only if, your coach or sponsor sends an email stating that you are going to be out of town. Students with excuses given from the Student Affairs office will also be allowed to make up quizzes. It is your responsibility to schedule a make-up if needed. I realize that we all have family and heath issues that may interfere with you coming to class. I will often accommodate students if they will talk with me and explain their problem.
9.
Cheating just isn’t worth the problems that you will suffer if you are caught. Cheating is grounds for expulsion from the class.
10.
In order to allow a positive learning atmosphere for everyone; obscenities, offensive and foul language will not be tolerated. Please respect your fellow students.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Plagiarism: “the intentional or unintentional representation of another’s work as one’s own without proper acknowledgement of the original author or creator of the work”. A grade of zero will be applied to assignment. Cheating:
“using or attempting to use unauthorized materials…and unauthorized collaboration with others, copying the work of another or any action that presents the work of others to misrepresent the student’s knowledge” (WNMU
Faculty Handbook, 2008). A grade of F will be assigned for the course.