Introductory Chemistry I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CHEM-1305-004 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, 5^th Edition.

Pearson Modified Mastering Chemistry system for homework (comes bundled with new text; can also be purchased separately).

Supplies

\ Pen, Pencil, Paper, Scientific Calculator

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Student Performance

\ Objectives and Goals of Course

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\ 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

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

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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. Gain fundamental knowledge of chemical nomenclature.

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\ 4. Understand simple atomic structure and the periodic table.

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

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

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

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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.  Set cell phones to silent mode and do not send text messages during lecture.  Any use of electronic devices should be related to the course material currently being discussed.  If you need to be "on call" for family or other reasons, please notify the instructor; in that case, set phone to vibrate and quietly step outside if you need to take a call.  Pay attention in class.  Do not be disruptive.  If you are causing a disruption in class, you may be asked to leave.  Avoid listening to personal music players or other obvious "multitasking" behaviors.

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If there is any evidence of cheating on any examination or assignment, you will receive a zero for that item and cannot make it up or replace it and it cannot be dropped.

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Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for further information.

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Grading Criteria

REQUIRED EXAMS/GRADING CRITERIA: There will be four regular exams; tentative test dates are given on the student course calendar.  Any changes to this schedule will be announced in advance in class. Work must be legible and the final answer must be clearly indicated to receive credit; students may be required to show all work on problem solving questions to obtain full credit.  If you need special accommodations, please notify the instructor in advance.  You may not leave the room during a test. During tests, there are no cell phones, graphing calculators, or other electronic devices allowed except for a regular scientific calculator.  You must use the periodic tables supplied by the department. There will be a comprehensive final exam which is required for everyone. 

Most regular exams will be given outside of class time in the Science Testing Center, Warren 112.  These will be announced ahead of time in class, as well as the range of days on which students can take the test.  Students must bring an Amarillo College ID to test during the hours that the Science Testing Center is open; no tests will be given out later than an hour and a half prior to closing.  The final exam will be given in the classroom.

Homework assignments and quizzes will also be part of your grade.  The lowest exam score (NOT the final) will be dropped when the test average is calculated.  The lowest quiz score and the lowest homework score will also be dropped. If a test is missed, that test is the drop grade.  If you know in advance that you have a time conflict with an exam, notify the instructor BEFORE the exam is given.  Any rescheduled tests must normally be completed before the next class meeting.  The final grade in this class will be determined from the average of test grades (60%), quizzes (5%), homework (5%), participation (5%), in-class presentations (5%), and final exam (20%). The final grades are based on 90 = A, 80 = B, 70 = C, 60 = D, and less than 60 is failing.  Final averages will be rounded to the nearest whole number to determine grades.  There will be no exceptions; e.g. a 79.4 is still a C.

All tests will be comprehensive and may contain true/false, multiple choice, matching, completion, and short answer questions, as well as problem solving.  No graphing calculators or cell phones 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. 

Any student scoring less than 70 on any of the first three regular exams will be required to obtain tutoring, either at the Science Enrichment Center (SEC) or with any AC chemistry instructor.  The student must get the exam signed or stamped by the tutor or instructor and show this to the course instructor before being allowed to take the next exam.

The final exam is comprehensive, and there are no exemptions from taking the final.  The final exam will be given on Thursday, December 11, 2014, from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  There will be a quiz on most Thursdays that are not exam days.  Homework assignments will be due as assigned, normally on Tuesdays (or, if online, Monday nights).

HOMEWORK GUIDELINES: Homework assignments may be given online using the Pearson Modified Mastering Chemistry system.  This is required for all students, and will be integrated with Blackboard.  No late work will be accepted.  If any written assignments are given, all calculations should be shown and answers circled. 

PARTICIPATION GRADES:  These are assigned roughly every two weeks based on answering questions in class.  Names will be drawn at random from cards.  Students who are present in class to answer (or have an excused absence) will receive full credit for that participation grade; answers do not have to be correct.  This is to increase student involvement and make the course experience more interactive.  There may be other methods of participation grades, to be announced in class, such as written answers to questions in class or on the course forum in Blackboard.

PRESENTATIONS:  Students will do ~10-minute presentations, in groups of two or three, in front of the class on a chemistry-related topic of their choice.  Time slots will be available for this throughout the semester.  Topics must be approved in advance by the instructor.  Presentations should involve a visual aid such as Powerpoint, Prezi, or a live demonstration (must be approved for safety by the instructor).  All team members are required to present and participate equally.  Any presentations done later than their assigned day, or not presented in front of the class, will not receive full credit.

 

 

 

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY: All students are expected to attend class regularly.  Lack of attendance will affect your grade because of missed lecture material and missed quizzes.  Any student coming in late when a test or quiz is being given will not be allowed to take the test or quiz if other students have already turned theirs in. Quizzes and tests cannot normally be made up; the exceptions are illness and other emergencies (documentation is required such as a doctor's note) or if the student has made prior arrangements with the instructor.

Students who attend class regularly tend to have much higher grades and are much more likely to pass the course.  Homework not turned in at the beginning of class will be counted late and have points deducted unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. 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 18, 2014.

 

 

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.

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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 a week of having the paper returned or there will be no change to the grade.

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EMAIL:  Every student has an account in Blackboard.  You need to check this several times a week. Announcements, course notes, and grades will be posted this way. 

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***This syllabus is subject to change. You will be informed of any changes to the syllabus in class or Blackboard***

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