Introductory Chemistry I Syllabus for 2025-2026
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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 Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

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.

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-1405-001 Introductory Chemistry I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Survey course introducing chemistry. Topics may include inorganic, organic, biochemistry, food/physiological chemistry, and environmental/consumer chemistry. Designed for non-science and allied health students.

Student Resources Student 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

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, 6th Edition.

Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, 5th Edition.

Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, 4th Edition.

Text is not required but does provide more detail than what can be covered during lectures.  Any of the three editions listed should be sufficient and older editions will be significantly cheaper.

Lab

Introductory Chemistry Laboratory, by Mary Graff (paperback) required

Supplies

Lecture

Pen

Pencil

Paper for notes

Graphing or Scientific Calculator

Lab

1. Introductory Chemistry Laboratory, by Mary Graff (paperback)
2. All students are required to purchase safety goggles with side-shields and a plastic apron or lab coat (If you are going on to other chemistry courses, I recommend buying a lab coat as opposed to the plastic apron.  If you want to know of local and/or online sources for lab coats, let me know and I will help you find one at a relatively decent cost). If you believe you have safety gear that will work as a substitute to the items listed above, bring the item to show me and I will decide if it is a proper substitute or not.
3. A graphing or scientific calculator
4. Pen (blue or black ink), non erasable
5. Pencil/eraser

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 1411.

Performance/Learning Objectives

Lecture

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. 

Lab

1. Perform basic calculations and conversions using the proper use of significant figures
2. Demonstration of safe and effective use of laboratory equipment and chemical reagents
3. Perform laboratory techniques using safe procedures (safety for yourself and others in the lab is the most important student performance here)
4. Explanation of basic chemical reactions and physical changes from an experimental basis
5. Development of “laboratory etiquette” (leaving the lab space clean after use for the other people who use the lab, proper labeling of stored solutions, etc.)

Students 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 (Lecture):  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.

Lab

Whenever you are in the laboratory, safety equipment must be worn.

This includes:

• long pants/skirt (coming to at least mid-calf)
• apron or lab coat
• long hair tied back
• safety goggles
• if necessary, gloves (will be specified; gloves are provided in lab). 

Students cannot wear the following to the laboratory:

• open-toed shoes
• shoes with holes in them
• shoes that leave the top of the foot exposed
• pants with holes in them
• hats
• shorts
• short skirts
• tops that do not cover the back and middle of the body.

In the laboratory, no food, drinks, tobacco, or gum are allowed.

Students should move carefully in lab, use caution with open flames, and clean their work spaces before leaving. Violations of safety rules will lead to point deductions; for repeated violations of safety rules, a student will be asked to leave the laboratory. Safety is the MOST important part of lab.

You are welcome to discuss lab work and homework with your neighbors, but lab data SHOULD NOT be copied from others; you can only report what happened in your own experiment. Violations of this rule will lead to zeroes for that portion of the lab.

You must clean up your area of the lab. It is not the instructor’s or laboratory supervisor's job to clean up after you. Points will be deducted from the lab if your lab area must be cleaned up for you. Leave common areas neat and always replace bottle caps and stoppers. Wipe up spills. Sinks and benches should be left like you found them. Glassware, and your bench top, need to be washed at the end of the experiment.

Efficient Use of Time in Lab:  Please be aware that labs are scheduled for three hours.  This is generally more than enough time to finish most labs, but expect to be in class for the duration of the scheduled time. In many cases, being well prepared will allow you to finish the experiment early.

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. 

REQUIRED EXAMS/GRADING CRITERIA: There will be four regular exams; tentative test dates are given below.  Any changes to this schedule will be announced in advance in class. Regular exams will be given online through Blackboard. The lowest regular exam score will be dropped. If you have a time conflict with an exam, notify the instructor in advance. If you miss an exam, that will be the dropped exam.

There will be a comprehensive lecture + lab final exam which is required for everyone.  This is mandatory and cannot be the drop grade.

Homework assignments will be given for each chapter. You are given multiple attempts to complete the homework.  You may complete it as many times as you wish. These must be completed by the due date; any exceptions need to be requested in advance. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.

Quizzes are given for each chapter.  These are timed quizzes and you only have one chance to complete it.  It is strongly recommended that you complete the homework before taking the quizzes. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Total lab portion: 20% of final course grade.

• Safety quiz: 2%
• Wet lab (x8): 16%
• Dry lab (x2): 2%

The final average will be derived from the following weighted grades: Quizzes - 10%, Tests - 40%, Homework - 15%, Final Exam - 15%; Lab Reports - 20%.  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.

The final exam will be taken in person. No cell phones will be allowed during the final exam. Do not discuss any exam with other students until it has closed.

Science Tutoring and Science Testing Centers

Mandatory Tutoring: In an effort to increase retention, any student who scores below a 75 on any exam (excluding the final exam and the last regular exam) must correct the questions missed. These must be reviewed with me prior to taking the next exam.

Science Tutoring Center

WARE 4th floor - Schedule a tutoring session. 

Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00AM-8:00PM, Fri-Sat 9:00AM-6:00PM

In-person and remote sessions are available. The Science Tutoring Center can accommodate some non-mandatory tutoring walk-ins depending on which tutors are available at that time. Again, students needing mandatory tutoring must have an appointment.

The tutoring center will be closed in accordance with the AC calendar on the following dates:

· MLK Day, 1/20/2026

· Spring Break, 3/16 – 3/21/2026 (The center will be open on Sat, 3/14 to support 16 week courses).

· Easter Holiday, 4/3 – 4/4/2026

· End of semester, 5/14 - 5/25/2026

Science Testing Center

WARE 1st floor - Schedule an testing appointment.

Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00AM-9:00PM, Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM and Sat 9:00AM-6:00PM

***last test started 90 minutes before closing***

You MUST make an appointment to test AND have a photo ID. They do accept a virtual ID even if it has the student’s photo on it. Science students will need to use the door adjacent to the Oschenger mall. Math will be using the other door and there may be a line.

The Testing Center will be closed in accordance with the AC calendar on the following dates:

· MLK Day, 1/20/2026

· Spring Break, 3/16 – 3/21/2026 (The center will be open on Sat, 3/14 to support 16 week courses).

· Easter Holiday, 4/3 – 4/4/2026

· End of semester, 5/14 - 5/25/2026

The final exam is comprehensive, and there are no exemptions from taking the final.  The final exam will be given according to the AC Final Exam Schedule.

Lab

• On the first day of lab, a safety quiz will be administered to the students. A grade of 90% or higher must be earned to participate in laboratory for the rest of the semester. The safety quiz will account for 2.0% of your final course grade. If you make below an 90%, you will be required to retake the safety quiz but the first attempt’s score will be the grade you receive in the grade book.
• A pre-lab exercise will need to be turned in prior to the experiment designed for that day.  If you do not complete the pre-lab prior to entering the lab scheduled for that day, you may not participate in the lab exercise.
• Lab reports are due either the day of the experiment or the following lab period, depending on the lab performed (I will let you know at the beginning of each lab period).
• Post-lab assignments can be turned in with the lab report for the conducted experiment or turned in before the next scheduled lab.

Overall Grade Distribution:

Lecture Exams - 40% (1 drop)

Lecture Quiz - 10% (1 drop)

Lecture Homework - 15% (1 drop)

Final Exam - 15% (no drops)

Lab Safety Quiz - 2% (no drops)

Pre-labs - 4% (1 drop)

Lab Reports - 8% (1 drop)

Post-labs - 4% (1 drop)

Dry Labs - 2% (1 drop)

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY (LECTURE): Lecture attendance is not part of your final grade.  However, missing lecture is extremely discouraged as this is a relatively difficult course.

ATTENDANCE POLICY (LAB): Attendance is mandatory for labs. You must come to lab on the scheduled lab days. No make-up labs will be allowed.

Students who attend class regularly tend to have much higher grades and are much more likely to pass the course. When a student has more than one unexplained absence, a retention alert may be sent. 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 April 23, 2026. A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date.

According to Amarillo College policy, any student who has not attended class by the 12th class day (census date: February 5, 2026) will be automatically dropped and will not be allowed to re-enroll.

Calendar

Additional Information

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. 

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