Introductory Chemistry I Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CHEM-1305-001 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 Corequisite:

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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, 4^rth Edition.

Supplies

Pen, Pencil, Scratch Paper, Notebook, Homework folder. 

Student Performance

\ OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF COURSE:

\ The primary objectives of this class are:

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1. \ To gain a basic understanding of general inorganic chemistry and its application.
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2. \ To learn fundamental theories, concepts, terms and skills to master basic inorganic chemistry.
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3. \ To develop an understanding of basic applications of chemistry in everyday living.
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4. \ To develop a healthy understanding and respect for general chemistry.
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5. \ To provide a physical science elective for students not majoring in science, engineering, or related fields that would require CHEM 1311.
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\ PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

\ Upon completion of this course the student should be able to do the following with a competency level of at least 70%.

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1. \ Have a basic understanding of chemistry and its everyday applications.
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2. \ Explain the relation between atoms and molecules.
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3. \ Understand simple atomic structure and the periodic table.
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4. \ Have a basic understanding of the different types of chemical reactions.
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5. \ Perform simple calculations related to the topics covered in the class, such as density, heat, stoichiometry, solutions, and gases.
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6. \ Write and balance chemical equations and use the equations for basic calculations of chemical quantities.
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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

\ Class Conduct:  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, replace it, and cannot be dropped.

\ Please turn off your cell phones and pagers during class.  It is disruptive and disrespectful to your classmates to have a phone ringing during class.  If it is a necessity to have a phone or pager on, please see me about it during the first week of class.

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

Grading Criteria

\ REQUIRED EXAMS/GRADING CRITERIA: There will be an exam at the completion of each unit of study (i.e. 4-5 tests). The test date will be announced at least a week in advance. 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.  You may not leave the room during a test. During tests, there are no cell phones, pagers, or graphing calculators allowed.  You must use the periodic tables, scratch paper, and calculators supplied by the department. There will be a comprehensive final exam.  The lowest exam score will be dropped when the test average is calculatedIf a test is missed, that test is the drop grade.  There are no make-up tests. 

\ The final grade in this class will be determined from the average of test grades (65%), homework (15%), and final exam (20%). The final grades are based on 90.00 = A, 80.00 = B, 70.00 = C, 60.00 = D, and less than 60.00 is failing. Grades will not be rounded. An 89.99 is considered a B , an 79.99 is considered a C, an 69.99 is considered a D, and a 59.99 is considered a F.

\ All tests will be comprehensive and may contain true/false, multiple choice, 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 if you need one for the test.  Class time will be used to be sure everyone knows how to use this calculator.  There will be no mid-term exam.  The final exam is comprehensive, and there are no exemptions from taking the final. Homework assignments will be due as assigned.

\ Test remediation is required for any student that scores 69 or below on an exam. You will be required to bring your exam to the Science Enrichment Center (SEC) and correct the questions that you missed. Once you have done this, a tutor in the SEC must sign the front page of your exam. This is to be done before the exam following it. Please let me know as soon as possible if there is a scheduling issue and you cannot make it to the SEC in the hours they are open. Other accommodations can be made if I am given notice far enough ahead of time. If remediation is not completed before the test following it is administered, you will not be able to take the exam.

\ Any student may take (optional) a 20 question post quiz after we go over the exam. Anyone wanting to take this post quiz must have the questions they missed gone over, regardless of the grade. This is voluntary and anyone may participate. This quiz will be designed to reflect your knowledge of the material. You will receive 25% of the points you improved back to your original test grade. For example, if you make a 60 on an exam and score a 100 on the post quiz you scored 40 points higher on the post quiz than on the original exam, therefore you would get 10 points (25%) added back to your original score bringing it to a 70.

\ HOMEWORK GUIDELINES: Homework problems will be posted almost every Monday before class on the AC online website under the lessons tab. The questions will cover the material for the following week and be due the following Monday unless otherwise specified.  You are advised to print the questions from the homework assignment then put your answer, but this is not required (you may simply write them out).  You must show your work on math questions or you will receive NO credit. Homework will be due at the beginning of class on the due date, and will not be accepted once class begins. Homework must be neat and legible if written.  It may be done by hand or on computer.  If I can’t read it, no credit is given!   Short answer questions will be written in complete sentences. If you use a spiral notebook for your homework, please do not rip out the pages.  The problem number should be clearly separated from the problem itself and there will be a space between problems.  Work may be done in either pen or pencil.  PLEASE DO NOT USE RED INK OR METALLIC PENS. Failure to comply by these rules will result in a zero grade for that assignment. To receive any credit all questions must be completed. For all questions (disregarding multiple choice questions) simply giving the answer will not earn credit, all work must be shown to receive credit. The lowest homework grade will be dropped. 

Attendance

\ ATTENDANCE POLICY: All students are expected to attend class regularly It has been shown that students who attend class regularly have a higher success rate (read that as PASSING) than those who chose not to attend class.  There will be no make-ups for missed homework, quizzes, or test unless prior arrangements have been made. 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 withdrawl this class is November 20th. 

Calendar

Additional Information

\ OTHER INFORMATION (GENERAL NOTES): Assignments will be given for reading material in preparation for lecture and for homework assignments.  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.  You are responsible for the information presented in the text even if it is not covered in lecture.

\ 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 assignment due date or there will be no change to the grade.

\ EMAIL:  Every student has an account in AC Online.  You need to check this several times a week. Announcements, extra credit assignments, grades, and contact will all be made through email on AC Online.

\ INFORMATION SHEET/SIGNATURE:  You must fill out and return the attached information sheet.  You must also sign it to signify that you have read and understand the syllabus.  No graded assignments will be returned to you and you will not be shown your overall grades 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 or AC Online***