adranasinghe@actx.edu
806-371-5334
Warren Hall 101B
M, T, W, R, 8.30-9.30am and by appointment
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
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 .
CHEM-1406-001 General Organic & Biological Chemistry
Prerequisites: MATH 0302-minimum grade of C, Accuplacer score of 63, THEA score of 230 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
A survey course including topics in measurements, density, solutions, basic organic molecules and functional groups, reactions, carbohydrates and proteins.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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.
(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)
On Campus Course
REQUIRED: Text book: Knewton Alta General Organic and Biochemistry (ISBN 978-1-63545-055-2)
Once the book is purchased the codes will be sent in 24 hours to set up an online account for Homework and Quizzes related to the book.
REQUIRED -Lab sections related to the class will be provided/included in pdf format or ppt, once the text book is purchased and the online accounts have been set up
OPTIONAL Reading- From any reliable resource approved by the Instructor/Professor
Lecture Materials:
Lab Materials:
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF COURSE:
The primary objectives of this course are to provide a basic understanding of chemistry as related to the life sciences and allied health areas of study and to help students develop good problem solving skills.
Lecture: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department.
1. Use the metric system for measurements and calculations related to chemistry.
2. Understand density and specific gravity.
3. Be able to define the different states of matter, their characteristics, and how these states are related to energy.
4. Understand elementary atomic theory.
5. Understand the relationship between the Periodic Law and the Periodic table.
6. Differentiate terms such as atom, molecule, pure substance, compound, element, and mixtures
7. Learn how electrons are involved in covalent and ionic bonding.
8. Identify and classify simple reaction types.
9. Write and balance simple equations.
10. Know the factors affecting reaction rates.
11. Understand solutions and their properties, such as solubility, concentrations, conductivity.
12. Know the difference between osmosis and dialysis.
13. Recognize an acid or base and know the reaction for neutralization.
14. Understand the pH scale and how it relates to the strength of acids and bases.
15. Explain what a buffer is and what effect it has on the human system.
16. Learn the importance of chemical structures in organic chemistry and the idea of isomers.
17. Learn the classification of organic compounds by functional group.
18. Be able to write structural formulas.
19. Be able to name the first straight chain alkanes and groups through the butyl group.
20. Be able to recognize alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and arenes.
21. Know a characteristic reaction of each of the hydrocarbon families.
22. Be able recognize alcohols, phenols, ethers and amines from a structure or a name.
23. Be able to classify alcohols and amines and understand basic reactions of these groups.
24. Know how aldehydes and ketones form acetals and hemiacetals and how this is important in carbohydrates.
25. Learn what is meant by chirality.
26. Recognize a reducing and non-reducing sugar.
27. Recognize glucose in either a Fisher or a Haworth formula.
28. Know the structure of three disaccharides: sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
29. Know the difference between cellulose and starch and how this relates to alpha and beta glucopyranose.
30. Learn how to recognize carboxylic acids and their amide, ester, and salt derivatives.
31. Relate esters to the structures of glycerides and amides to the structures of proteins.
32. Know what amino acids are and how they form peptide linkages.
33. Learn the meaning of the terms primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary as applied to proteins.
The lab student objectives are:
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.
The lab course objectives are:
1. To develop fundamental laboratory skills.
2. To study laboratory reactions and their relation to lecture material.
3. To develop problem solving skills.
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".
Lecture:
Absolutely no call or text (or electronic communication) shall be taken during a quiz or exam, and cell phones will be required to be turned off prior to all exams and quizzes. Cell phones are not physically allowed to be on the student or on the desk of the student during exam or quiz time. Noncompliance with these rules will automatically result in a grade of zero on that exam and potentially the class (up to discretion of professor).
If you are in an emergency situation and it is essential that you use your cell phone during class, please notify professor before class and step outside the classroom to complete the call. If the instructor for any reason should feel that any electronic devices are disruptive to the classroom, she reserves the right to ask you to turn them off or to leave the class while they are on.
Students should conduct themselves professionally and refrain from side conversations while the instructor is talking to the class, or while quizzes are being taken. Avoid listening to personal music players during class. "Multitasking" is strongly discouraged. Personal needs should be taken care of before class. If the instructor feels that a student(s) is/are disturbing the class in any manner, she has the right to dismiss student(s) from class.
Laboratory:
Students need to use caution at all times in the laboratory, never leave an open flame unattended, and clean up their work area and any spills made in the common area. No noise (including drawers/glassware) or cell phone use in lab while the instructor is giving the prelab talk.
Students must provide the instructor with the prelab at the beginning of the lab when instructed to turn it in. There will be no tolerance of unfinished prelabs or working on them while the instructor is giving daily instructions. If the prelab is not ready when asked for it, the student will be forced to take a zero for the day and forfeit her or his right to stay and perform the lab.
No equipment 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.
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, unless you have a lab coat. 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. Clothing should not have holes.
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.
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.
Lecture will consist of a series of Tests, quizzes, homework and a comprehensive laboratory final. The lecture will account for 85% of your overall course grade.
Testing:
Students are required to read all test directions before testing and abide by all test rules. Grades will be posted on Blackboard online once graded and can be checked at any time thereafter.
Students are expected to show up to class on time. If a student does not show up on time, the instructor reserves the right to not allow the student to take that quiz or exam according to her discretion.
If you make less than a 70% on lecture test(s) 1-4, you will be required to obtain 30 minutes of tutoring from the STSC prior to taking the next test. You will not be allowed to take the next major test until you have received this tutoring. You must inform the STSC staff upon arrival that you are there to receive tutoring (ie, you can’t show up, sit at a desk with no tutoring and expect that effort to count).
*Legibility: Your handwritten work must be legible by the instructor and the final answer must be clearly indicated by circling or highlighting to receive full credit.
*If special accommodations are necessary, arrangements must be made at least 48 hours PRIOR to exam date.
* NO MAKE-UP tests or labs for ANY reason. You must use the periodic tables, scratch paper and calculators supplied by the department for quizzes and exams unless specified otherwise by the professor.
*All tests, excluding the Final Exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center (STC) and may be taken during normal Science Testing Center hours. It is the responsibility of the student to know the hours of the Science Testing Center. The instructor will not take an excuse revolving around confusion about Science Testing Center hours to be an excuse for not taking an exam. Bear in mind, NO MAKE-UP tests for ANY reason. You must use the periodic tables, scratch paper and calculators supplied by the department in the testing center.
5 major unit exams can consist of a comprehensive mixture of multiple choice, matching, true/false, completion, problem solving and short answer questions. The 3 BEST exam scores and the presentation will be used and account for 40% of your overall grade.
Presentation:
You will be working on a presentation on any topic related to science. It could be individual or group and not more than 10 minutes long with Q&As. The topic will be graded with a rubric and also required to submit a 1 page paper summary of the topic online under the common assessment tab. Presentations are done in class in April (we should be picking a date). Presentation is considered as a midterm and will have a good impact on your overall midterm grades.
Quizzes:
There will be lecture quizzes throughout the semester. The lowest score will be dropped and it accounts for 5% of your overall grade.
Assignments:
There will be a total around 25 lecture assignments throughout the semester via online on Knewton. In order to attain access to online assignments, students need to purchase a Knewton Alta Access Code. Due dates are pending and it is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to due dates when they are announced verbally in class or they can be checked on the Mastering Chemistry homepage. You can keep working on these assignments even after the due date but it comes with a penalty with a few points off. Working on these assignments is highly encouraged as it is adaptive based learning and also it will account for 20% of the overall grade.
Final Exam: The lecture final exam is comprehensive and will account for 20% of your overall grade.
Lab:
Lab will consist of a series of lab reports, prelabs and a comprehensive laboratory final. The lab will account for 15% of your overall course grade.
Of this 25%: Lab reports will be worth 75% of your lab grade (17.5% of your overall grade), a lab safety and equipment quiz will be worth 5% of your lab grade (1.25% of your overall grade each), prelabs will be worth 10% of your lab grade (2.5% of your overall grade) and the comprehensive laboratory final will be worth 10% of your lab grade (2.5% of your overall grade) and cannot be dropped. The lowest grades of two lab reports and two prelabs will be dropped.
Grading:
Final grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number, and will not be curved, nor are extra credit assignments allowed / given, for ANY REASON.
90-100 % = A
80 - 89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
59% or less = F
MAKE UP POLICY:
If you MISS, COME IN LATE or LEAVE EARLY to any test or quiz for any reason or MISS the DUE DATE and TIME for any homework assignment, the grade of a zero will be assigned for that test, quiz or homework assignment for the semester.
**NO MAKE UPS or LATE WORK will be allowed FOR ANY REASON on any test, quiz or homework assignment, so PLEASE DO NOT ASK. **
Grade Disputes: While I encourage you to come to me with questions, if you wish to dispute a grade, you must contact me within a week of the grade being posted or there will be no change to the disputed grade.
Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Attendance will be taken every day at the beginning of class. There will be quizzes at the beginning of most class meetings, so do not be late! Allow time to find parking. If you come in after the students have started turning in their quizzes, you will not be allowed to take that quiz.
If a student does not attend class or contact the instructor by the 12th class day of the semester, the student will automatically be dropped from the course and will not be allowed to re-enroll in this class.
If you miss class for any reason, it is YOUR responsibility to read over the material you missed and fill out your notes accordingly. Also, it must be understood that even though you miss a day, it is your responsibility to catch yourself up well enough to be able to potentially (more than likely) take a quiz over that information the next class period. You are encouraged to get contact information of a few classmates in order to get any notes you miss.
Important Dates:
Monday, January 14 – Classes Begin
Monday, January 21 – MLK Day (Campus Holiday - No Class or Lab)
January 30 – Census Day (16 Week Classes)
March 11-17 – SPRING BREAK
April 17 – Last day to Withdraw (16 Week Classes)
Friday, April 19- Sunday, April 21 - Campus Closed (Easter)
LECTURE FINAL: TBA. (Either Monday May 6 or Wednesday May 8, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) BE ON TIME. Finals are taken in the regularly assigned classroom. If you do not arrive on time, you will not get extra time to finish.
Course Calendar (TBA and subject to change)
Lecture Calendar:
Unit 1: Chapter 1 (Chemistry) and Chapter 2 (Atoms and Radioactivity)
Unit 2: Chapter 3 (Compounds) and Chapter 4 (Introduction to Organic Compounds)
Unit 3: Chapter 5 (Chemical Reactions) and Chapter 6 (Carbohydrates)
Unit 4: Chapter 7 (What’s the Attraction: Intermolecular forces) and Chapter 8 (Solution Chemistry)
Unit 5: Chapter 9 (Acids, Bases and Buffers in the Body) and Chapter 10 (Proteins)
Unit 6 (Tentative): Chapter 11 (Nucleic Acids) and Chapter 12 (Food as Fuel)
Laboratory Calendar:
Week 1: Safety Film and Quiz
Week 2: Density or Introduction to measurements
Week 3: Measuring calories
Week 4: Building hydrocarbons lab (dry lab)
Week 5: Hydrocarbons
Week 6: Soap
Week 7: Carbohydrates
Week 8: Esters
Week 9: Hand Cream
Week 10: Aspirin
Week 11: Diffusion Lab
Week 12: Nylon
Week 13: Lab Final (1 hour maximum-written only) and Check out
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, please keep an eye on Blackboard Announcements where the instructor will discuss any adjustments to the schedule. All attendance policies will be be enforced, unless Amarillo College officially cancels classes, NO EXCEPTIONS. Cancellations will be announced on the radio by 6:30 AM or by 3:00 PM for evening classes. Also check the AC website.
01/01/19 8:47 AM
01/17/19 8:47 AM