Introductory Chemistry I Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

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 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

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, 5^th Edition.

Supplies

\ Pen, Pencil, Paper, 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

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

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.

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.

Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for further information.

Grading Criteria

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor at any time.  Material included is intended to provide an outline of the course and rules that the instructor will adhere to in evaluating the student’s progress.  Students are expected to read the textbook before and after the material is presented in lecture.

 

REQUIRED EXAMS/GRADING CRITERIA: There will be five 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. Students may be assigned to different seats for exams.  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.  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.  You may be able to arrange to take your test in the Testing Center, at the instructor's discretion.  These tests must normally be completed before the next class meeting. 

GRADING

The final grade in this class will be determined from the average of test grades (60%), quizzes (5%), homework (5%), group presentation (5%), participation (5%), and final exam (20%). The final 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.  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.  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 make corrections and review them with me.  The student must get the exam signed by the instructor and bring it back to the 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 10, 2015, from 5:30-7:30 P.M.  There will be a chapter quiz provided at the completion of each chapter.  These will be administered in AC CONNECT and will be time limited.  You are expected to complete the quiz while it is available and within the time limits.  Homework assignments will be due as assigned, usually the class period following the assignment date.

HOMEWORK GUIDELINES: The due date for each assignment will be announced in class; expect to have one due every week unless we have just taken a test. Homework will be due at the beginning of class on the due date. Homework must be neat and legible.   If I can’t read it, no credit is given!   All work must be shown to receive full credit; do not just write down the answer when calculations are necessary. Answers should be circled or otherwise clearly indicated.  I try to  return all papers within a week.  Work may be done in either pen or pencil.  PLEASE DO NOT USE RED INK. Failure to comply by these rules, as well as any work turned in late, will receive a deduction in points. Selected problems from each homework assignment will be graded for accuracy, and the rest for completion. 

COMMUNICATION: Small groups of students will be allowed to choose a topic that is related to chemistry in some way that will be approved by the instructor.  The students will then prepare a report over the chosen topic.

TEAMWORK: Small groups of students will choose a chemistry topic to present to their classmates, using visual aids such as Powerpoint/Prezi presentations or live demonstrations.

EMPIRICAL and QUANTITATIVE Skills: Students will be given an assignment at the end of each unit of material that synthesizes the information from the previous units.  This assignment will require students to carry forward their previous knowledge to solve problems.

CRITICAL THINKING: The student will be given problems related to the applications listed in the course objectives that require them to correctly analyze how changes to variables and data affect the outcome of the problem.  

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 17, 2015.

 

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

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. 

INCLEMENT 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 the next class meeting.  Cancelations will be announced on the radio by 6:30 AM or by 3:00 PM for evening classes.  You may also check the AC website.

 

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