Introductory Chemistry I Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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
Corequ

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 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

REQUIRED: Online Homework system, Knewton alta. Need an access code. Follow link from your Blackboard to set up. 

An open source electronic textbook will be linked to your Blackboard. 

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 homework, quiz, test, or final, 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

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. 

Testing Rules:  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.  Personal belongings must be placed elsewhere in the room; this includes cell phones and smart watches. You must use the periodic tables supplied by the department. There will be a comprehensive final exam which is required for everyone. 

There is a possibility that some tests will be given outside of class time in the Science Testing Center, Warren 112.  Any of these will be announced ahead of time in class, as well as dates and times during which the test can be taken.  The Science Testing Center can be used for taking exams at an alternate time if a student has a conflict.  (These situations will need to be approved in advance by the instructor.)  An Amarillo College ID is required to test in the Science Testing Center.

Grading: 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 obtain instructor permission in advance and make up a test in the testing center later, that test might not be the same form that is given to your classmates. The final grade in this class will be determined from the average of test grades (55%), quizzes and homework (20%), and final exam (25%). 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; please make sure to bring a non-graphing scientific calculator. 

Any student scoring less than 70 on any of the first three regular exams will be required to obtain tutoring, either at the STSC or with any AC chemistry instructor.  This needs to be completed in order 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 Wednesday, August 8, 2019, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  See the course calendar for quiz dates and homework due dates; any changes will be announced in class. 

HOMEWORK GUIDELINES: Homework is done online through the Knewton alta system. This is required of all students. No late work will be accepted. (If an emergency situation arises, please contact the instructor as soon as possible; do not wait until the next class meeting.)  There will be a total of 9 homework grades; most of these will consist of multiple Knewton modules. Assignments are due at 11:59 p.m. 

 

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.  It is important not to get behind. Students who are struggling are encouraged to contact the instructor or the STSC as soon as possible. If a student finds it necessary to drop this class, it is his/her responsibility to contact the instructor and initiate the drop process. The last day to drop this class is June 19, 2019.

 

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 (AC Connect).  You need to check this several times a week. Announcements, course notes, and grades will be posted this way. 

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