Introductory Chemistry I Laboratory Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

CHEM-1105-001 Introductory Chemistry I Laboratory

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: CHEM 1305 or concurrent enrollment

Course Description

Experiments to complement lecture material. Experience in use of standard laboratory equipment and techniques, such as filtration, density measurements, qualitative and quantitative analysis.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(1 sem hrs; 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introductory Chemistry Laboratory, Mary Graff.

Supplies

All students are required to purchase safety goggles (NOT glasses) and a plastic apron. 

A non-graphing, non-programmable scientific calculator.

Student Performance

1. Make and perform basic calculations using the metric system of measurements.

2. Demonstrate good laboratory practices.

3. Perform laboratory operations using safe procedures.

4. Explain basic reactions from an experimental basis.

 

Course Objectives

1. To develop fundamental laboratory skills.

2. To study laboratory reactions and their relation to lecture materials.

3. To develop problem solving skills.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

No cell phone usage will be tolerated in the laboratory. 

 

No glassware is to be touched before the instructor gives students permission. Refusal to adhere to this rule will be causation for the instructor to dismiss the student from lab and the student will get a zero for that lab. 

 

Anyone acting in an unsafe manner will be warned once.  If seen without safety equipment or acting improperly a second time, they will be asked to leave the laboratory and receive a zero for that lab.

 

Use of previous semester’s work, from whatever source, is considered cheating. If a student is seen to be using any other student’s work, past or present, they will receive a zero grade for that assignment and it cannot be dropped.

 

You must clean up your area of the lab and be given permission before leaving the laboratory. Failure to do so will result in a zero of that lab and cannot be made up. 

 

All students are required to wear goggles at all times in the laboratory. There are absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS!! Plastic aprons are also required to be worn in the laboratory. No shorts, no sandals or other open type shoes.

Pants or skirts must come to at least mid-calf.

Your feet must be covered at all times with closed shoes.

Shirts that do not completely cover the back and torso are strongly discouraged.

Hats, including baseball caps, are not allowed in the laboratory.

No food, beverages, tobacco, or gum are allowed in the laboratory at any time.

 

These rules are for your safety as you learn to work in the laboratory. Failure to comply with safety regulations will result in dismissal from class and a zero for that lab. 

Grading Criteria

The first day of lab, a safety quiz will be issued to students. A grade of 80% or higher must be earned in order to participate in laboratory for the rest of the semester. The safety quiz will account for 5% of your final grade. 

 

Prelabs must be turned in at the beginning of lab. A zero will be recorded otherwise. Prelabs will account for 10% of your final grade. 

 

Pre-lab quizzes will be given at the beginning of the lab period. Students who arrive late or do not pass the pre-lab quiz will not be allowed to perform that day’s lab and will get a zero for that lab report. Prelab quizzes will account for 5% of your final grade. 

 

Lab reports are due the same day they are performed. In rare instances and only with the instructors permission will it be allowed for students to finish the calculations at home. Lab Reports will account for 50% of your final grade. 

 

Postlabs are due at the beginning of the next lab period. Failure to turn in post-labs will result in a zero for that grade. Postlabs will account for 10% of your grade.

 

There will be a comprehensive midterm and lab final. The midterm will account for 5% of your final grade and the comprehensive final exam will account for 15% of your final grade. 

 

The lowest prelab, prelab quiz, lab results and postlab grade will be dropped. The Lab safety quiz, midterm and final cannot be dropped. 

Attendance

It is important that you do not miss a lab.

There are no make-up labs, no exceptions. 

Your lowest lab report grade will be dropped when calculating the final grades.  If you miss a lab, that will count as your drop grade.  (Do not miss the lab midterm - this counts separately and cannot be dropped.) 

You must arrive on time in order to receive laboratory instructions; students arriving after the others have started their experiment will be asked to leave since the student must be present when the experiment is being performed. 

Calendar

Additional Information

It is your responsibility to turn in your lab drawer key to the instructor on the day of the drawer check out or prior to withdrawing from the class. Students who fail to do so can be subject to consequences deemed appropriate by Amarillo College. 

Cheating Policy: There is a no tolerance cheating policy in this course. If the instructor suspects or catches a student(s) cheating, an "F" will be issued to that student(s) for the course. The instructor also reserves the right to issue an "F" without confronting the student especially if it is finals week.

 

WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date.

 

FINAL GRADE CHANGES: The final grade turned into the registrar's office will not be changed unless approved by all full time chemistry faculty committee. Request must be submitted in writing.

 

BAD WEATHER: 
If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, you are responsible for reading and learning the material that would have been covered. If an exam was scheduled and classes are canceled, the exam will be given the next class meeting. (BE PREPARED). If class is canceled the last day of class and an exam was scheduled, then the exam will be added to the Final Exam and the questions will count as the exam and as the final exam. All attendance policies will be be enforced, unless Amarillo College officially cancels classes, NO EXCEPTIONS. Cancelations will be announced on the radio by 6:30 AM or by 3:00 PM for evening classes. Also check the AC website.