Principles of Chemistry I Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

CHEM-1311-003 Principles of Chemistry I

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: CHEM 1305-minimum grade of C or high school chemistry; MATH 1314; RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills
Corequisite: CHEM 1111

Course Description

Fundamental principles of chemistry including stoichiometry, atoms and molecules and their structures, state and properties of matter, gas laws, solutions, enthalpy, reactions and acid/base chemistry. For students who plan careers in the physical sciences or related science, medical or engineering fields.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Chemistry:  The Central Science, 12th Edition, by Brown, LeMay, Bursten (if you are continuing on to 1312; silver hard-back book)

\ OR

\ Chemistry:  The Central Science, Custom Edition for AC, by Brown, LeMay, Bursten (1311 only; tan soft-cover book)

Supplies

Mastering Chemistry Access (www.masteringchemistry.com; Green2012)

Student Performance

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

\ 1. Define the fundamental properties of matter.
\ 2. Classify matter, compounds, and chemical reactions.
\ 3. Determine the basic nuclear and electronic structure of atoms.
\ 4. Identify trends in chemical and physical properties of the elements using the Periodic Table.
\ 5. Describe the bonding in and the shape of simple molecules and ions.
\ 6. Solve stoichiometric problems.
\ 7. Write chemical formulas.
\ 8. Write and balance equations.
\ 9. Use the rules of nomenclature to name chemical compounds.
\ 10. Define the types and characteristics of chemical reactions.
\ 11. Use the gas laws and basics of the Kinetic Molecular Theory to solve gas problems.
\ 12. Determine the role of energy in physical changes and chemical reactions.
\ 13. Convert units of measure and demonstrate dimensional analysis skills.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

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 be respectful of the other students in class.  Turn off cell phones/pagers.  Pay attention in class.  Do not be disruptive.  If you arrive late, do not try to go to your accustomed seat, but quietly take a chair close to the door.  If you are causing a disruption in class, you may be asked to leave. 

\ If there is any evidence of cheating on any homework, quiz, test, or final, you will receive a zero for that item and cannot make it up or replace it and it cannot be dropped.

\ Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for further information.

Grading Criteria

The final average will be derived from the following weighted grades: Quizzes - 10%, Tests - 65%, Homework - 10%, Final Exam - 15%.  Grades are based on 90.00+ = A, 80.00-89.99 = B, 70.00-79.99 = C, 60.00-69.99 = D, and 59.99 and lower = F.

Tests: There will be a test approximately every two chapters covered (i.e. 4-5 tests).  The test date will be announced at least a week in advance.  The lowest grade will be dropped. If a test is missed it will automatically count as a zero, but can still be the dropped grade.  There are NO makeup exams.  Work must be legible and the final answer must be clearly indicated to receive credit.  If special accommodations become necessary, arrangements must be made BEFORE (at least 24 hours prior) the exam date and you must have written approval from the instructor in order to take the exam at a different time than your section of CHEM 1311.  You may not leave the room during a test.  No tests will be handed out once someone has left the room.  During tests, there are no cell phones, graphing calculators or other electronics devices allowed.  You must use the periodic tables, scratch paper, and calculators supplied by the department.

Quizzes: Quizzes may be given each lecture period during the first ten minutes of class throughout the semester.  Quizzes cannot be made-up, but the lowest grade will be dropped.  Typically, there will be a quiz on the first day that we begin class discussing that chapter.  You may not leave the room during a quiz.  If you are not in the classroom when quizzes are passed out, you cannot take the quiz for that chapter.  Do not arrive tardy for class.

Homework Problems: Problems will be assigned for each chapter.  Doing the homework improves the understanding of the subject matter.  Assignments will generally consist of 15-20 questions and due dates will be posted on the Mastering Chemistry website.  Assignments are due at 11:59 pm and NO late homework will be accepted.  Do not leave homework until the last minute as you may have trouble connecting to the internet.  Homework assignments cannot be made up, but one assignment can be dropped.  The homework will be online through www.masteringchemistry.com.  The course ID is Green2012.
 

Extra Credit: Rare extra credit assignments might be given in class that will count toward either your final homework grade or test grade depending on the assignment.  There is always the option to submit questions for any quiz or test with the correct answers.  Please label papers with the assignment for which you are turning in questions. These must be submitted by 5:30 pm the evening before the quiz or test to receive any credit.  In addition to the EC, the question may well appear on the assignment.  The “better” the question and the sooner I receive it, the more likely it is to be included.

Final Exam: The final exam will be given on Wednesday, May 9, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  This will be a comprehensive, multiple-choice exam produced by the American Chemical Society.  Special rules for the final will be posted beforehand.   As with normal tests, you may, if necessary, take the final at another time, but you must inform me at least 24 hours before your section’s scheduled time, have a valid reason, and have written approval from me in order to switch when you will take the final.

Overall Grade:  It is the students’ responsibility to keep track of their overall grade based on Quizzes - 10%, Tests - 65%, Homework - 10%, Final Exam - 15%.  The lowest quiz, test, and homework grade will all be dropped and the average for that type of assignment will be based on one less than the total.  If you have trouble calculating your grade, you may come to my office to see your overall grade.

Grade Disputes:  While I encourage you to come to me with questions about answers on assignments anytime, if you wish to dispute a grade or have a grade changed, you must contact me about it within two weeks of the grade being posted in AC Online or there will be no change to the grade.

Attendance

\ Attendance in class is expected.  Dropping the course is the sole responsibility of the student.  Failure to officially withdraw will result in a grade of F. 

\ Last day to withdraw from courses without written permission is April 19.

Calendar

Additional Information

Reading the Text:  It is vital that you read the text BEFORE the lecture on that chapter.  This will greatly improve your understanding of the topic and therefore your grade.  As there is a large amount of information to cover in this class, not all of it can be covered in the time allotted for class.  You are responsible for the information presented in the text even if it is not covered in lecture.

Resources Available:  In addition to copies of lecture slides available on both the 2^nd (CD) and 4^th (print-outs) floors of the library, there are numerous additional resources available to you.  Additional helpful books are available on reserve on the 4^th floor of the library.   Mastering Chemsitry:  Please be aware of the Study Area as a resource within Mastering Chemistry.

Email:  Every student has an account in AC Online.  You need to check this daily. Handouts, extra credit assignments, grades, and contact will all be made through email on AC Online.

Class Evaluation:  At the end of each class period, you may be asked to fill out a short form including any questions you might have about the subject, whether that day’s lecture or a previous topic.  In addition to keeping roll, these questionnaires are intended to assist both you and me in addressing problem areas and WILL NOT affect your grade.

INFORMATION SHEET/SIGNATURE:  You must fill out and return the information sheet for this class (handed out and posted in AC Online).  You must also sign it to signify that you have read and understand the syllabus.  You will receive grades of zero in AC Online for all assignments and no graded assignments will be returned to you until the signed information sheet is turned in.

***This syllabus is subject to change.  You will be informed of any changes to the syllabus in class, email, and posting in AC Online.***