Introductory Chemistry I Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CHEM-1305-002 Introductory Chemistry I

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: MATH 0303-minimum grade of C, Accuplacer score of 75, THEA score of 270 or an equivalent score on a state-approved test; RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills
Corequ

Course Description

Survey of introductory chemistry principles including measurement, quantitative problem solving, energy, atoms, elements and atomic structure, reactions and equations. This course is a preparatory course for CHEM 1311.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, 4th Edition.

Supplies

Non-graphing, non-programmable scientific calculator.

Student Performance

Objectives and Goals of Course

The primary objectives of this class are:

1. To gain a basic understanding of general inorganic chemistry and its application.

2. To learn fundamental theories, concepts, terms and skills to master basic inorganic chemistry.

3. To develop an understanding of basic applications of chemistry in everyday living.

4. To develop a healthy understanding and respect for general chemistry.

5. To provide a physical science elective for students not majoring in science, engineering, or related fields that would require CHEM 1311.

Performance/Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to do the following:

1. Have a basic understanding of chemistry and its everyday applications.

2. Explain the relation between atoms and molecules.

3. Gain fundamental knowledge of chemical nomenclature.

4. Understand simple atomic structure and the periodic table.

5. Have a basic understanding of the different types of chemical reactions.

6. Perform simple calculations related to the topics covered in the class, such as density, heat, stoichiometry, solutions, and gases.

7. Write and balance chemical equations and use the equations for basic calculations of chemical quantities.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Please turn off your cell phones and pagers before class begins.  If it is necessary to have a phone or pager on, please see me about it during the first week of class.

Cheating – If a student is caught cheating on a quiz or an exam in this class, the quiz or exam will be taken up and a grade of zero will be assigned for that item.  The grade assigned for cheating may NOT be the grade dropped!

Tobacco and Tobacco Products Use – According to the Student Rights and Responsibilities document, tobacco and tobacco use is prohibited inside college buildings.  This includes smokeless products (i.e. chewing tobacco) as well as cigarettes, pipes, and cigars.

Grading Criteria

The final grade in this class will be determined from the average of exam grades (70%), daily quizzes (7%), homework (8%), and final exam (15%).

Grades will be assigned as follows: 90.0 = A, 80.0 = B, 70.0 = C, 60.0 = D, and less than 60.0 is failing.

At the completion of each unit there will be an exam – there will be 5 exams.  The lowest exam score will be dropped when the exam average is calculated.  If an exam is missed, that exam will be the grade dropped.  There are no make-up exams.  There will also be a comprehensive final.  Homework assignments and daily pop quizzes will also be part of your grade.

Attendance

All students are expected to attend class regularly.  Lack of attendance will affect your grade because of missed lecture material and missed quizzes.  A missed quiz is recorded as a zero and may NOT be made up.  It has been shown that students who attend class regularly have a higher success rate (read this as PASSING) than those who choose not to attend class.  If a student finds it necessary to drop this class, it is his/her responsibility to complete and submit the necessary paperwork.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE INSTRUCTOR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING A STUDENT FROM THE CLASS!  The last day to drop this class is November 16th­­­­­­­­.

Calendar

Additional Information

Assignments will be given for reading material in preparation for lecture and for homework assignments.  There will be five hour exams.  These exams will be comprehensive and may contain true/false, matching, completion, and short answer questions, as well as problem solving when applicable.  No graphing calculators will be allowed on exams.  The department will provide basic scientific calculators for the exam if you need one.  Class time will be used to be sure everyone knows how to use this calculator.  Under no circumstances may you use the calculator on your phone.  The final exam is comprehensive and will contain no new material.  There are no exemptions from taking the final.  The quizzes will be unannounced.  Homework assignments will be due on the day of the unit exam.

Homework Guidelines:  Homework must be neat and legible.  It may be done by hand or on the computer.  If I can’t read it, no credit is given!  Your homework will have the problem written out, followed by the answer showing all set ups and calculations.  Answers should be written in a different color from the problem, highlighted, or otherwise indicated as the answer.  Short answer questions will be written in complete sentences.  The problem number should be clearly separated from the problem itself and there should be a space between the problems.  Work may be done in either pen or pencil.