Principles of Chemistry I Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Course

CHEM-1311-002 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 for majors in the sciences, health sciences and engineering; topics include measurements, fundamental properties of matter, states of matter, chemical reactions, chemical stoichiometry, periodicity of elemental properties, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, solutions, properties of gases, and an introduction to thermodynamics and descriptive chemistry.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Chemistry:  A Molecular Approach, 4th Edition, by Tro

either electronic or paper form

(electronic access is included in the code packages sold at the bookstore)

Supplies

Modified Mastering Chemistry Access 

The course will be linked to Mastering Chemistry through Blackboard.

Bring a scientific calculator (non-graphing)

 

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

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

Please be respectful of the other students in class.  Pay attention in class. If you are causing a disruption in class, you may be asked to leave. Avoid listening to personal music players, using phones/devices for things unrelated to class, and any obvious “multitasking”.

If there is any evidence of cheating on any homework, quiz, test, or final, you will receive a zero for that item and cannot replace or drop that zero.

Please see Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for further information.

 

Grading Criteria

The final average will be derived from the following weighted grades: Reading Quizzes - 10%, Daily Quizzes - 10%, Tests - 50%, Homework - 10%, Final Exam - 20%.  Grades are based on 90 and up = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59 and lower = F.  Grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number.  Final grades will not be curved.

Tests: There will be 5 regular exams; tentative test dates are listed on the calendar below.  These dates are subject to change.  The lowest exam 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 you have a conflict with the exam dates, let the instructor know in advance.  Exams will be taken in the Science Testing Center. You may not leave the room during a test. During tests, there are no cell phones, graphing calculators or other electronic devices allowed.  You must use the periodic tables, scratch paper, and calculators supplied by the department. You need to bring a pencil and your student ID. Please note:  No tests will be given out less than one and a half hours before the Science Testing Center closes. 

If you have a test grade below 70%, mandatory tutoring is required before you take the next exam.  You can get this from the STSC or a chemistry instructor.   Please do this as soon as possible; chemistry is a comprehensive subject that builds on itself.  It is hard to catch up if you get behind! 

 

Cheating will not be tolerated in any Chemistry course at Amarillo College. You will be required to sign and date a Course Contract. Included in the contract is the following statement: "I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat, on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, cell phones*, copying or leaving the Science Testing Center with a test or questions from a test. Cheating also includes helping, or attempting to help, other students to cheat on a test."
You will not be allowed to take your tests until this contract is signed and on file in the Science Testing Center.
*Please Note: NO CELL PHONES in the Testing Room. If they see your cell phone out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, YOU WILL RECEIVE an "F" for the course!

There may be optional study sessions, before exams or at other times, given by the instructor or by SEC tutors. These study sessions are there to allow students to review material and practice questions with one another and to ask any follow up questions. Come prepared with questions and study material beforehand.

Reading Quizzes: The quizzes will be assigned to ensure that students are keeping up with reading the text. Quizzes will be assigned online through Mastering Chemistry.  Reading quizzes may be due before the first day covering that chapter.  Due dates will be visible on your Mastering page.  The lowest grade will be dropped.

In-Class Quizzes:  We will do small quizzes on most lecture days. If you find yourself scoring 60% or lower on these quizzes, this is a “red flag” that you need to see the instructor or the tutors and review the material.  If you miss a class, you will get a zero on any quiz given that day; you will also get behind on material. Please make arrangements to cover the material you missed. If you know about an unavoidable absence in advance, let the instructor know before the class meeting time. At the instructor’s discretion, you might be allowed to make up quizzes if this is done before the next class meeting. The lowest three quiz grades will be dropped.

Homework Problems: Problems will be assigned for each chapter.  The homework will be online through Mastering Chemistry.  Doing the homework improves the understanding of the subject matter.  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. 

Extra Credit: Occasional extra credit assignments might be given that will count toward your homework, quiz, or test grade depending on the assignment. 

Final Exam: This will be a comprehensive, multiple-choice exam.  Special rules for the final will be discussed in class.  This will be taken during the scheduled final exam time in the CLASSROOM, not the testing center.  If you have a conflict with the time, you may take the final at another time, but you need to obtain instructor approval in advance.

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 one week of the grade being posted or there will be no change to the grade.

Attendance

Attendance in class is expected.  Any student wishing to withdraw from the course needs to contact the instructor to initiate the process.  Failure to officially withdraw will result in a grade of F. The last day to withdraw from this course is November 20, 2018.

According to Amarillo College policy, any student who has not attended class by the 12^th class day will be automatically dropped and will not be allowed to re-enroll.

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.  There is a lot of information covered in this class, and it will move quickly.  You are responsible for the information presented in the text even if it is not covered in lecture.

Resources Available:  Copies of lectures will be available on Blackboard, under “Content".  Practice problems may be posted there or in the STSC.  Exam review checklists and practice sheets will be posted on Blackboard.  Please be aware of the “Study Area” as a resource within Mastering Chemistry.

Email:  Every student has an account in Blackboard.  You need to check this daily. Grades will be posted on Blackboard; if I need to contact you, I will normally use your Amarillo College email.  Please check that account daily also.

INFORMATION SHEET/SIGNATURE:  You must fill out and return the information sheet for this class.  You must also sign it to signify that you have read and understand the syllabus.  

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