General Chemistry

Chemistry 1A Course Syllabus

Fall  2009

 

Professor:  Dr. William Michael Daniel, mdaniel@bakersfieldcollege.edu, please put chem 1A in the email subject so your email is not erased!

            661-395-4325, Office: SE 28, URL www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/mdaniel

 

Required Materials:

1.      Chemistry Structure and Dynamics, by Spencer, Bodner, and Rickard, 4th Edition (ISBN 978-0-470-12928-9) and Chemistry: A Guided Inquiry, 4th Edition ISBN 978-0-470-129265).  (Note this is a change from previous semesters)

2.      Lab Notebook – This notebook should have copy paper in it, so copies of what you write in lab can be given to the instructor.

3.            Scientific Calculator:  This needs to be a TI 30X calculator or one with similar properties. Programmable calculators are not acceptable. If you want to use a different calculator on tests, you need to show me it before the test. The calculator should be a basic scientific calculator with exponential notation (EE or EXP on most calculators,) natural and common logarithms (LOG and LN on most calculators), and yx for calculating a number to a given power.

4.            UVEX goggles. The goggles must completely enclose the area around the eyes with no direct access to the eyes.  Safety Glasses are not accepted.

5.            USERID to use BC’s personal computer labs or access to internet at home. The BC userid can be acquired in the BC Library Commons. From a BC campus PC, student can login initially as “student” without a password and then go to https://intranet.kccd.edu/aacms/ to apply for their login ID.

6.            Two packs of fifteen 815E Scantrons. These need to be turned in during the lab period at the beginning of the second week (8/31/2009).

7.            Stapler, three-hole punch, and a three ring binder. I will take off 1 point on any assignment over 1 page not stapled.  The punch and binder are not required, but they are good to have to organize your work for future study or if there is a question about the grade I recorded for your work.   

8.            You are required to use ALEKS.COM for homework assignments. This is free this semester but will cost next semester. Please use the following course codes

Monday-Wednesday (CRN 71238) Lab Students will use course code

3XC9N-W6HV3.

Tuesday-Thursday (CRN 71239) morning Lab Students will use course code

9EQGC-EMECN.

Tuesday-Thursday (CRN 71240) afternoon Lab Students will use course code PYDNY-AVQQ9

 

Lab Clothing: For the laboratory portion of course; safety goggles that completely enclose the eyes are required. You will also need to wear closed-toe shoes. If you do not have safety goggles and closed toe shoes, you cannot work in the lab and you will get a zero for that days work. Clothing that covers your shoulders to your knees are recommended. Aprons or lab coats are recommended; expensive clothes are not.  You will need to store your safety goggles and apron/lab coat in your assigned drawer.

  

Chem. 1A Description:  Basic principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, reaction energy, chemical bonding, periodic relationships of the elements, states and properties of matter, solutions, introduction to acids and bases, a brief introduction to descriptive chemistry of the elements, and other topics as appropriate. The laboratory emphasizes quantitative methods.

 

Prerequisite: Reading Level 5 or 6; CHEM B2a with a grade of “C” or higher or high school chemistry; MATH BD (Intermediate Algebra) with a “C” or higher or 2 years of high school algebra. Recommended: Math prerequisite accomplished within previous 2 years.

 

Special Needs:  Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services (661-395-4334), FACE 16, as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. This should be done during the first week of class if you need accommodations for the first test.

Clinical Counseling Services – New this semester, short term confidential, counseling services at the Student Health Center

 

Schedule – Chem. 1A

 

Room

Days

Time

Lecture

SE 51

MW

9:35 – 11 am

71238 Lab

SE 27

MW

1 – 4:10 pm

71239 Lab

TR

7:45 – 10:55 am

7124036 Lab

"

TR

1 – 4:10 pm (Dr. Cooper’s Lab)

Office Hours: M T W Th 11:15 am – 12:15 pm, F 9 – 10 am

 

Success in Chemistry 1A: A 5 unit course requires a great deal of effort and self-discipline to complete successfully.  A rule of thumb is that one hour of lecture or one lab requires 2 to 3 hours of outside study.  Many students need to repeat this class because they did not put in enough effort their first time.  Take advantage of the resources available to you such as fellow students in study groups, the free on-campus tutoring and study skills classes, your textbook and most importantly…your instructor.  I want you to be successful so please use my office hours as needed. If you cannot make my office hours, please contact me to see if we can schedule a different time. 

 

Attendance:  Students are expected to be punctual and attend classes regularly.  It is in your interest for success in this course to attend all lectures and labs.  Daily quizzes start at the beginning of class and are completed in the first 3-5 minutes, so if you are late you will miss the quiz. If you are absent a total of 2 weeks of class (4 lecture and 4 laboratory absences) you may be dropped.  If you drop you still need to go through the withdrawal process (see below). If you need to attend a different lab session, please ask before you come.  You are responsible for material missed or assignments given during absences.

 

Performance Objectives:  Lists of performance objectives will be provided at my web site (www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/mdaniel).  The purpose of these objectives is to let you know what you are expected to learn to be successful in this course.  They will be helpful in preparing for tests and quizzes.  I also publish a weekly news letter on my web site that gives information such as assignments, due dates, upcoming test or quiz dates etc.

 

Cheating:  Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain, or aiding another to obtain, academic credit for work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive means.  The most common examples of cheating I find in Chemistry are when I find identical sentences in lab reports.  This would result in zero grades for all of the people with the copied work.  Although you are working together in class and lab, your individual work must be evident.  Very similar versions of the same assignment will not be graded.  Cheating also includes talking during the daily quiz or test.

 

            An instructor has the responsibility and authority for dealing with such instances of cheating and plagiarism as may occur in class.  An instructor who determines that a student has cheated or plagiarized has a range of many options which may be as severe as giving the student a failing grade for the assignment.  Furthermore, the student may face other penalties as stated in the college’s Student Conduct Policy.  Finally, it must be understood that a student who knowingly aids in another student’s cheating or plagiarism... is as guilty as the other.  Cheating will be reported to the Director of Student Services for disciplinary action.

 

Pagers and Cell phones: These are very rude distractions.  Please turn off the sound of your cell phones and pagers during lecture and lab. 

 

Class/Lab Behavior: Any bigoted, racist, or sexist comments may result in the student being expelled from Chemistry 1A.

 

Assignments: Lab reports will be given regularly and are due at the start of lab on the due date before I start talking.  After I start talking the work will be accepted with a 20% penalty until the end of lab discussion.  After lab discussion is over I will not accept the assignment and you will have earned a zero for that work.  Staple multiple page assignments in the upper left corner.  The following information is required on assignments in the upper right corner.  Missing information will result in a loss of points.

            Full Printed Name

            Due Date

            Chem. 1A/Daniel

            Lab Section (either MW, Tram or TRpm)

            Lab Partners full name (for labs only)

 

Online homework and assessment – Online you will be using www.aleks.com (free this semester). The first assignment is due by 11:59 pm Tuesday night, 8/25. The online homework often takes more than one hour so do not wait till the last night to start homework. Aleks.com assesses you knowledge and so if you are doing poorly it will take you longer to complete the work because it will give you additional exercises to help you learn the concepts.

To register as an ALEKS user: Go to the ALEKS web site at http://www.aleks.com.
• Click on the link marked "SIGN UP NOW" (upper left corner of the screen).
• On the next screen you will be asked to provide the following course code for your section of General Chemistry

            Monday-Wednesday (CRN 71238) course code 3XC9N-W6HV3.

Tuesday-Thursday (CRN 71239) a.m. course code 9EQGC-EMECN.

Tuesday-Thursday (CRN 71240) pm course code PYDNY-AVQQ9.

Aleks will want to install a plug-in on your computer. If you are using a computer where you cannot install the plug-in, use www.aleks.com/plugin.

Additional homework may be assigned beyond ALEKS.COM in case I think you need work beyond what it covers.

 

Evaluation:   Points will be given for quizzes, tests, homework, lab reports, etc.  Quality counts in all written work.  Spelling, neatness, and grammar will be considered in all work.  If I cannot read your work it must be wrong.

 

            All quizzes and in-lab test will be taken individually. For test, students will have assigned seats. The seating chart will be posted on the course website. Please know the location of your seat before coming to class.

 

Daily quizzes: At the start of each lecture there will be a 5 point multiple choice quiz over the material covered in the previous class period. You are given a Scantron to fill out. This quiz will be done in the first 3-5 minutes of class so please be on time. Your lowest two daily quizzes (from absence, tardiness, or poor score) will be dropped.

 

Group Take Home Test: The 1st test will be completed collectively by your group.

·         The Home Test Groups are the same as your in-class group.

·         You should work with your group members, and may consult with the instructor for clarification of questions.

·         You may use any published resource (e.g., your textbook or workbook but not the notes of a person outside of your group.)

·         You may NOT consult with or receive aid from any other person outside of your group.

·         If one of more students do not participate in working on the test, then the other group members should notify the instructor by email. That student will need to email the instructor to request a copy of the test for them to complete if they do not want a zero for the test.

 

Test: We will have 2 additional individual tests and a comprehensive final exam.  The final exam must be taken to pass the course. There are no makeup exams for any reason. In the event of an unavoidable absence, you must notify the instructor, preferable in advance. The procedure to follow is

1.    Personally report your absence within 72 hours of the test.

2.    Bring proof of you unavoidable cause such as a doctor’s note, an accident report, a memorial folder, or similar documentation. The documentation must include a contact name, telephone number, and an email address.

3.    If you absence is excused, then the percent of the final test will be increased by what was missed with the test. If you are not excused, then you have earned a zero for that missed test.

 

            Test are about 40% multiple choice questions, with the remainder essay questions, fill in the blank or calculations where you show all of your work and all units. The final exam is all multiple choice and is comprehensive.

 

            Regrades: Request for re-grades must be submitted no later than one week from the day a test or assignment is returned. Your request should include a paper with your name and lab section, the page number and problem number you wish regarded. The entire test will be re-graded and you may lost points if the final score is lower than the original score. A percentage of all test/assignments are photocopied prior to being returned to you and any alterations will result in the work being given a zero.

 


Group Work in class:

  • Most time in lecture will be spent actively thinking and discussing questions from your workbook or other material in a group of 3 to 4 students.
  • Group wok will not be graded. The purpose of group work is to learn the material, dispel misconceptions, and ask questions. Your attendance and participation are graded.

 

Group Membership and Team Management

  • The instructor will assign group membership for the first week, then reshuffle group membership for the 2nd week. The reshuffled groups will be posted on my web site.  
  • At the end of week 2 you will be asked for form your own groups, and choose a block of 3-4 seats in the classroom. You will notify me of your request by email. Final group membership and seat location will be decided by the instructor. These seats/groups will remain for the rest of the semester. (If you have a conflict or lose members due to drops, I will help you resolve the problem.) The more active you are in the process of choosing a group that fits your needs, the more likely you are to be satisfied with your group and have a positive experience in this course.
  • .

Grading:  Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade based on the percentage of total number of points you attain.

 

                        A  90% and above

                        B  80 ‑ < 90 %

                        C  70 ‑ < 80 %

                        D  60 ‑ < 70 %

                        F  <60 %

 

Point Distribution

 

Percent

Online Homework

20

Daily Quizzes

3

Lab

30

Daily Guided Inquiry Participation

2

Take Home Test 1

5

Test 2 and 3

20

Final

20

Total

100

                       

Laboratory Policies

 

Lab directions will be found online at a place to be determined. You will need to print the lab procedure before coming to lab.

 

Laboratory sessions may consist of experimental labs (both wet & dry labs), lab report completion, problem sets, homework review, internet & library assignments, lecture topics, quizzes, exams and anything else I can think of.  Therefore, be prepared for anything!  Bring your lecture notebook and calculator in addition to the lab book. May things covered in lab will be covered on test.

 

Experimental work will usually be completed with one lab partner.  You will have rotating partner.  Complete the lab work together and help each other out.  After completing an experiment get my initials.  Do this before you tear down your equipment and clean up since I will occasionally ask you to redo something to acquire better results.  You may then complete the calculations and questions.  If time allows, you can then get a head start on your homework until the lab period is over.  Be sure to ask me questions since I will be right there in the lab with you!

 

Most Lab reports will have a value of 20 points each.

You will usually get a weekend to work on your lab report. The report will be due the first lab period after the weekend. Lab reports are due at the beginning of a lab period (see assignments above). No late work is accepted.  Reports will be graded with the following criteria:

·         Reports evaluated will be assessed for completeness, observations and correct answers.

·         Reports not evaluated will be checked to insure all questions are answered.  If the report is complete the report will receive your average lab grade.  If incomplete you will be given half credit or less.

 

Lab Absence - If you want to attend lab at a different time, please talk to me ahead of time for permission.  If you cannot attend lab at a normal scheduled lab time, you must notify me via email or phone, and schedule a time during my office hours to make up the lab.  Make up labs must be completed within one week of the missed lab.

 

Your safety is of the utmost importance in the chemistry lab!  You must be properly dressed and wear safety goggles at all times.  Fires and burns are a major safety hazard and you will be using the Bunsen burner regularly.  Five points will be deducted from your 20 point report if you leave your Bunsen burner lit and unattended!  There will be other department safety rules also.

 

If you drop the class you must also check out of lab.  Failure to check out may result in a fee for having the stockroom personnel do it for you.
Tentative Schedule

Week

Topics (Guided Inquiry #)

Spenser et al

1

8-24

8-26

 

The Nuclear Atom (1),

Ions, Ionic Formulas and Nomenclature[1], Math and Unit Conversions[2],Periodic Table, Atomic Number and Atomic Mass (2),

 

Chapter 1

2

8-31

 

9-2

 

The Mole (28), Empirical Formula (31),

Balanced Chemical Equations (29), Limiting Reagent (30)

 

1

 

2

3

9-7

9-9

 

Labor Day Holiday

Solutions and Concentration (32), Coulomb’s Law (3),

 

 

2

3

4

9-14

 

9-15

 

Electromagnetic Radiation (7),The Shell Model for H, He…(4)

The Shell Model and the Periodic Table (5,6), Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES) and the Shell Model (8,9)

 

3

 

 

Take-Home Test

5

9-21

 

9-23

 

PES and Electronic Configurations (10), Electronic Config. and the Periodic Table (11)

Atomic Size (6), Average Valence Electron Energies (20)

 

3

6

9-28

 

9-30

 

Lewis Structures (13), Bond Length and Bond Strength (14)

Lewis Structures and Resonance Hybrids (15), Formal Charge (16)

 

4

7

10-5

10-7

 

Octet Exceptions (17), Molecular Shapes (18)

Partial Charge (21), Valence Bond Theory and Hybrid Orbitals (19)

 

4

8

10-12

10-14

 

Polar, Nonpolar, and Ionic Bonds (22)

Dipole Moment (23)

 

4

2nd Test – In Lab

9

10-19

 

10-21

 

The Ionic Bond (24),Metals (25), The Bond-Type Triangle (26)

Oxidation Numbers (49)

 

5

 

 

10

10-26

10-28

 

 

The Ideal Gas Law(33)

Kinetic Molecular Theory (OSU exercise)

 

6

 

 

11

11-2

11-4

 

Enthalpy of Atom Combination (34)

Enthalpy Changes in Chemical Reactions (35)

 

7

12

11-9

 

 

11-11

 

Intermolecular Forces (IMF), (27), Melting Point, Boiling Point

Solutions

Veteran’s Day Holiday

 

8

 

 

3rd Test – In Lab

13

11-16

11-18

 

Solutions

Solids 9.1-5

 

 

9.1-5

14

11-23

11-25

11-26 TH

 

Solids

 

Thanksgiving Holiday

 

9.1-5

15

11-30

12-2

 

 

 

12-7 M

Final Exam 10-11:50 am

 

 

Anticipated Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing chemistry 1A students will be able to;

 

1. Design experiments and interpret data according to the scientific method. This includes the ability to: (a) define and follow the general scientific method; (b) formulate questions in order to evaluate a hypothesis; (c) design and conduct experiments to answer their questions; (d) record, manipulate and evaluate the experimental data to reach conclusions; and (e) correlate experimental results with the appropriate theory.

2. Demonstrate proficiency in solving mathematical problems that require identifying key data (from lists, tables, experiments or graphs) and constructing correct formulas for unit conversions, ratios, and stoichiometry. Be able to recognize which in a set of data is important.

3. Connect knowledge of the atomic and kinetic theories of matter to how atomic and molecular properties are responsible for chemical and physical behavior observed at the macroscopic level.

4. Compare and contrast the details of ionic, covalent and intermolecular bonding, and describe how energy changes are related to temperature, motion at the atomic level, and changes in chemical bonding.

5. Practice safe and effective general laboratory skills, including the ability to: recognize the limitations of physical measurements and application of appropriate rules for significant figures; complete measurements in an accurate and precise manner; and effectively work with peers in a collegial environment.


 

 

      My Chemistry Course Has A Syllabus??

 

Name________________________        Due Date_____________________

Chemistry 1A / Daniel

Circle Lab Section     MW   TRam TRpm

Knowing what’s in a syllabus is often the key to survival in a course.  See if you can answer these questions with complete sentences by looking at the syllabus for your Chemistry Course.  (Write N/A for any item that is not relevant.) Due in lab Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 and 27. 6 Lab Points

 

  1. Does your instructor include a reading schedule for the semester?

 

 

 

  1. Does the instructor intend to follow the chapters in order?

 

 

 

 

  1. Are there any chapters in the textbook that will not be covered?

 

 

 

  1. How many tests will there be?

 

 

 

  1. What are the dates of the tests? Check the syllabus of your other classes and write down if any of these classes have test or term paper due the same week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What kind of items will be on the test (essay, multiple choice, T-F)?

 

 

 

 

  1. Does the instructor allow late work?  Make-up exams?

 

 

 

  1. Is the final exam comprehensive?

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Are there papers/projects?  If yes, what are the topics, deadlines?  Are the requirements and guidelines included in the syllabus, or is that information to be provided by the instructor?

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Are there extra credit opportunities?  If so, what are they?

 

 

 

 

  1. Does the instructor grade on a curve or use a standard grading system?

 

 

 

 

  1. What are your responsibilities if you are absent?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adapted from the SAIL Program, CSUSB

FN: syllabus_Questions_v2.doc

 



[1] formulas_nomenclature.docx by W.M. Daniel

[2] unit_conversions.doc by Robin