Great Basin College
Molecules and Life in the Modern World – CHEM 100
Section I01
Fall 2010 - 3 Credits
Instructor Caroline R Bruno
Phone
775-753-2204
Office
Lundberg 109D
E-mail
WebCampus
Office Hours
T,Th 8:00am-9:30am
Th 1:30pm-3:30pm
Online Course
Text:
Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society, 6 th edition
A Project of the American Chemical Society
McGraw-Hill
ISBN-978-0-07-304876-5
Catalog Description:
Introduction to chemistry in its many forms and applications, physical and organic, with
consideration of environmental and social issues. Includes online laboratory activities. Prerequisite:
MATH 096 or higher.
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in chemistry that may be used either as an introduction before
moving on to higher levels of college chemistry or as a fulfillment of general science credit for any
degree. The general headings of topics to be covered include measurement, the structure and
naming of atoms and compounds, the construction and use of the periodic table, chemical
reactions, stoichiometry, gases, organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry - with an emphasis on
chemistry in the environment. A more specific outline of the topics to be covered and the tentative
schedule for the semester is attached. The outline should be considered a general guide only and
not an absolute schedule.
Objective:
The primary objective of this course is for students to understand concepts and interrelationships
involving chemical phenomena. With this understanding in hand, it is hoped that the student will
then use this understanding in problems of every day occurrence or move on to a higher level of
chemistry with more depth in problem solving and more laboratory experience. It is also an
objective of this course that the students understand the scientific method and its role in problem
solving. The imbedded laboratory exercises will show students the use of the scientific method and
how mathematics can be applied for consistent, reproducible evaluations of problems.
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Method of Instruction:
This is a fast-paced, rigorous internet course. PowerPoint Presentations available on WebCampus
coincide with assigned reading material in the text and add clarification and examples to the
material in the text.
Learner Outcomes and Measurement:
Expected Learner Outcomes
Measurement
Solve problems using the scientific method.
Lab reports
Demonstrate how chemistry is used to
Lab reports, Chapter Quizzes
understand and explain many of today’s
environmental problems.
Chemically analyze current and potential
Chapter Quizzes
energy sources.
Analyze how chemistry is applied in the
Chapter Quizzes.
development of medicines, plastics and
polymers.
Analyze the chemistry of nutrition.
Chapter Quizzes
Analyze various types of chemical reactions
Lab reports, Chapter Quizzes
Demonstrate and analyze how genetic
Chapter Quizzes
engineering is used in our society.
Calculate empirical and molecular formulas
Lab reports, Chapter Quizzes
Calculate chemical quantities
Lab reports and Chapter Quizzes
Evaluation:
Chapter Quizzes:
Students are required to complete quizzes associated with each chapter. Generally, quizzes will
be available on Tuesdays through Sundays. Quiz availability will not be extended under any
circumstances. Take quizzes from a computer with a speedy and reliable internet connection.
Immediately contact the GBC Helpdesk if technical problems arise.
Lab:
Four labs will be completed by students in the comfort of their own kitchens! The lab reports are
"gateway" requirements for this course; to receive a passing grade in this course, all labs must be
handed in and receive a passing grade (A, B, or C). If any of the four labs are not handed in or do
not receive a passing grade, a failing grade will be issued for the course. If any lab is handed in but
does not receive a passing grade, the student will have one week to revise the lab to a passing
grade (C only). If a lab is handed in late, the highest grade possible is a 70%. For every additional
day the assignment is late, the highest possible percentage will drop by 10%. You may conduct
the experiment with a fellow classmate, but you must write your own lab report and display and
format your data independently.
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Recommended ‘End of Chapter’ Questions:
Your success in this course depends on active participation and active learning. At the beginning
of each chapter, your professor will provide a list of recommended ‘End of Chapter’ (EOC)
questions. Although these questions will not be graded, careful and accurately completion is
necessary for success, as these questions will be similar to quiz questions. Answers to the ‘End of
Chapter ‘questions will be posted online for students to review. Most of the EOC questions
selected by your instructor will be quantitative (involving calculations) but keep in mind the student
is responsible for all content in each chapter.
Grading:
Grading will be based on the Chapter quizzes and four lab reports. All scores will be added
together at the end of the semester, and the percentage of the total possible points will determine
the grade.
Extra credit opportunities are not available.
Grades will be based on the following divisions:
A
95-100%
A-
90-94%
B+
87-89%
B
84-86%
B-
80-83%
C+
77-79%
C
74-76%
C-
70-73%
D+
67-69%
D
64-66%
D-
60-63%
F
<59%
A student may receive a “W” grade only if withdrawal occurs before the end of the thirteenth week
of the semester. To withdraw, the student must inform the instructor verbally or in writing why the
withdrawal is taking place, and must formally withdraw through student services. Anyone who
does not formally withdraw and does not complete the course will receive an ‘F’ grade. ‘I’ grades
for ‘incomplete’ will be given only under the most extenuating circumstances, and only with the
prior approval of the instructor.
Attendance Policy:
It is important to log into the class frequently to stay up to date with reading, assignments and
exams.
It is the student’s responsibility to complete quizzes and turn in labs on
time.
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Hints for Success:

In order to pass this course you MUST actively participate in your
education and study!

Keep up to date on reading.

Although not required, be sure to complete all of the ‘Your Turn’ questions
throughout the chapter. These question s will help you prepare for the
‘End of Chapter’ Questions and quizzes.

Although not required, take the recommended ‘End of Chapter’ Questions
seriously; they will help you prepare for exams!

ASK questions if you are confused. Your professor wants to HELP you!
Additional Course Information:

The instructor will reply to WebCampus emails during posted office hours.
If you have an urgent question requiring a timely response during school
hours, call the instructor directly at 775-753-2204.

In case your book hasn’t arrived by the start of semester, the first two
chapters on the schedule are available via WebCampus.

If you are unable to secure a book by the end of the third week of class,
the instructor recommends withdrawing from the course and taking it
another semester.

Technical problems with WebCampus need to be addressed to the GBC
Helpdesk.

Extra credit opportunities are NOT available.
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Student Conduct Policy:
Students are expected to follow the Student Conduct Policy for students in the Nevada System of
Higher Education (NSHE) outlined in the GBC Catalog. Students will specifically be held
accountable for behaving in a civil and respectful manner toward other students and the
professor in all communications.
The college catalog states, “Messages, attitudes, or any other form of communication deemed to
be outside the bounds of common decency/civility as judged by common standards of classroom
behavior (determined, as they would be in a regular classroom, by the instructor) will not be
tolerated” (29).
Pay particular attention to those last four words. Any student who behaves rudely to another
student or to the instructor will be dropped immediately.
Academic Honesty:
Academic dishonesty, in any form, such as, cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated by the
instructor AND Great Basin College. Academic dishonesty can result in failing the class, academic
suspension, or expulsion. All tests, quizzes, laboratories, and other assignments must be the
student’s OWN work. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s word, ideas or data as one’s own.
When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that
information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references; and if
verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest
writing or speaking, the students will acknowledge the source whenever:



Another person’s actual words are quoted
Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in
the student’s own words
Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is
common knowledge
Students with Disabilities:
The college catalog states, “Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational
opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and
regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The ADA
Officer, located in Berg Hall, will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate
and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For more information or further
assistance, please call 775.753.2271” (36).
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CHEM 100 Course Schedule for Fall 2010:
Not a contract: This document does not in any way constitute a contract. It is only a summary of how the
professor expects the course to proceed. In may be changed by the professor.
Week
Topics and Important Dates
1 –Aug 29
Chapter 1: The Air We Breathe
2 – Sept 5
Chapter 1: The Air We Breathe
3 – Sept 13
Chapter 2: Protecting the Ozone Layer
4 – Sept 19
5 – Sept 26
Chapter Quizzes and
Important Dates
Ch. 1 Quiz available
Tuesday Sept 7-Sunday Sept 12
Ch. 2 Quiz available
Tuesday Sept 14-Sunday Sept 19
Chapters 3: The Chemistry of Global
Ch. 3 Quiz available
Warming
Tuesday Sept 21-Sunday Sept 26
Chapter 4: Energy, Chemistry, and
Lab #1 Due Thursday, September 30
Society
Ch. 4 Quiz available
Tuesday Sept 28-Sunday Oct 3
6 – Oct 3
7 – Oct 10
8 – Oct 17
9 – Oct 24
10 – Oct 31
11 - Nov 7
12 - Nov 14
Chapter 5: The Water We Drink
Ch. 5 Quiz available
Tuesday Oct 5-Sunday Oct 10
Chapter 6: Neutralizing the Threat of
Ch. 6 Quiz available
Acid Rain
Tuesday Oct 12-Sunday Oct 17
Ch. 7 Quiz available
Chapter 7: The Fires of Nuclear Fission
Tuesday Oct 19-Sunday Oct 24
Chapter 8: Energy from Electron
Lab #2 Due Thursday, October 28
Transfer
Chapter 8: Energy from Electron
Ch. 8 Quiz available
Transfer
Tuesday Nov 2-Sunday Nov 7
Chapter 9: The World of Plastics and
Ch. 9 Quiz available
Polymers
Tuesday Nov 9-Sunday Nov 14
Chapter 10: Manipulating Molecules
Lab #3 Due Thursday, November 18
and Designing Drugs
Ch. 10 Quiz available
Tuesday Nov 16-Sunday Nov 21
Course Drop Deadline
13 – Nov 21
Chapter 11: Nutrition: Food for Thought
November 26
Ch. 11 Quiz available
Tuesday Nov 23-Sunday Nov 28
14 – Nov 28
15-Dec 5
Chapter 12: Genetic Engineering
Lab #4 Due Thursday, December 2
Chapter 12: Genetic Engineering
Final Quiz on Chapter 12
16-Dec 12
Different DATES!!
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Tuesday Dec 7-Tues Dec 14
Substantiation of the Incorporation
of the General Education Objectives into Chemistry 100
Communication Skills (strong component): Four complete lab write-ups on quantitative
investigations (following the format of scientific investigation) are required. Students are
encouraged to communicate via email or other means with other students and the instructor to
discuss concepts covered in reading material and labs.
Critical Thinking (strong component):
Quantitative Ability (significant): Laboratories specifically require measurement,
mathematic manipulation of the data, and the creation of graphs. Labs and quizzes will include
dimensional analysis which requires mathematic manipulation.
Reasoning and Independent Thought (significant): All lab exercises require reasoning and
independent thought based on the interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative information.
Students will be required to formulate conclusions in written laboratory reports using the scientific
method. Many quiz questions require reasoning taken from the understanding and application of
chemistry, not just the memorization of terms.
Scientific Understanding (significant): All principles taught in this course are based on
scientific reasoning. Interpretations are based on facts. The lab introduces the use of the scientific
method and the use of both observational and quantifiable facts in its application.
Personal and Cultural Awareness (moderate component):
Sense of the Individual in Society (some degree): This objective is also reflected under the
“Sense of Accountability” objective below. Different social attitudes toward the use of chemicals in
different cultures and industry are reviewed. Quizzes will require students to demonstrate how
consumer choices impact the chemistry of environmental problems.
Sense of the Past (moderate): The nature of the atom has been of interest to scientists
since the 1800s. This class will examine various models of the atom developed from the late 1800s
through the present. Lectures will review notable experiments and people involved with the
development of chemistry as a science.
Sense of Accountability (significant): A common theme throughout much of this course is
the interaction between humans and nature, and the personal and social consequences of these
interactions. We discuss ethical and societal issues and needs relating to the use of industrial
chemicals and the environment. Quizzes will require students to demonstrate how consumer
choices impact the chemistry of environmental problems.
Appreciation of Fine Arts (some degree): The use of chemicals in art restoration is a hot
topic. For example, during the 1980’s and 1990’s, the cleaning and restoration of The Sistine
Chapel created controversy in the art community because many art historians believed that the
cleaning destroyed and/or distorted Michelangelo’s original work. The chapter 6 quiz will require
students to demonstrate their knowledge of acid rain degradation to sculptures.
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Personal Wellness (significant):
Personal safety is considered in the discussion of laboratory safety and chemical hazards. Many of
the environmental issues discussed in lecture, such as the chemistry of the ozone layer, the
chemistry of water, and the chemistry of air, directly impact personal wellness. Quizzes will require
students to demonstrate their knowledge of how the chemistry of environmental problems may
impact their health.
Technological Understanding (moderate):
Laboratory reports and homework assignments will be produced using appropriate word
processing and spreadsheet software. Students will use WebCampus to access class materials.
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