Course Syllabus
Clover Park Technical College – Fall 2023
CHEM& 121 Intro to Chemistry
5 credits
Instructor: Eric Stokes
Office: Building 15- Lab
Office Hours: By Appointment
E-mail: eric.stokes@cptc.edu or by Canvas Messaging
(Canvas Messaging preferred)
Course Description
(For non-science and non-engineering majors.) Survey of the fundamental principles of chemistry using minimal mathematics. Course utilizes themes such as food, the environment, and the global economy. Course covers measurement, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and applications of chemistry to everyday life. Laboratory included.
Prerequisite: ENGL/ 095 with a minimum grade of C; and either MATH 090 or MATH 093 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent assessment in these areas.
Required Materials
Textbooks & Supplemental Materials
Suggested: Introductory Chemistry - 1st Canadian Edition, "Introductory Chemistry – 1st Canadian Edition " by Jessie A. Key and David W. Ball, licensed under CC BY NC SA (Links to an external site.) here for free https://open.bccampus.ca/browse-our-collection/find-open-textbooks/?uuid=c7025f6b-f32b-4d0a-865e-f473d9f98fb6&contributor&keyword&subject=Chemistry
Required: Basic scientific calculator with log and exponential functions. Cellphones/iphones/smartphones calculators are UNACCEPTABLE.
Canvas will be used to administer weekly quizzes, post announcements and lectures, as well as to track your grades during the term. Make sure to check it frequently!
Attendance
Attending all lectures and labs is mandatory. A portion of your grade will reflect your participation in group problem solving and activities conducted during class time. Labs are designed to reinforce lecture concepts through experimentation and are critical to your success in this course.
Course Work
A worksheet will be posted to the course website each week that contains practice problems concerning the material covered in lecture during the week. End-of-chapter problems from the book will also be posted on the course website after each chapter covered in lecture. These will not be graded, but should be treated as essential to succeeding in this course. I will be more than happy to discuss any of the assigned problems in office hours or by e-mail.
Learning Checks
8 Learning Checks worth 10 points each will be given throughout the quarter during discussion sections, testing the material covered in the previous week’s classes. There will not be a learning check on the week of an exam. The lowest learning check score will be dropped. Make-up learning checks will not be given for any reason.
Exams
Two exams will be given during the quarter in addition to a final, cumulative exam. Exam dates can be found in the class calendar along with the in-class review sessions that will be given prior to each exam.
Labs
Lab Assignments: Each experiment will require pre-lab questions due at the beginning of the lab and post-lab questions due at the beginning of your next lab session the following week. These assignments will provide you the opportunity to analyze your data and apply it to the concepts we are learning in class.
Late Assignments
Pre-labs and quizzes will not be accepted late. Late post-lab reports will
automatically lose 10% of the possible points, and then an additional 10% for each day late. Make-up exams will not be given, except in cases of absence due to an unforeseen emergency, or serious illness, with a documented excuse (e.g. a doctor’s note).
Grades
30 points Participation, Attendance, Lab safety
~60 points Online Homework
70 points Learning Checks (best 7 of 8)
~40 points Pre-lab Questions
~90 points Lab Assignments
50 points Exam 1
50 points Exam 2
50 points Exam 3
100 points Final Exam (cumulative)
Percent to GPA conversion
|
PERCENTAGE |
GRADE POINT |
GRADE |
|
93-100 |
4.0 |
A |
|
90-92.9 |
3.8 |
A- |
|
88-89.9 |
3.3 |
B+ |
|
83-87.9 |
3.0 |
B |
|
80-82.9 |
2.7 |
B- |
|
78-79.9 |
2.3 |
C+ |
|
73-77.9 |
2.0 |
C |
|
70-72.9 |
1.7 |
C- |
|
66 -69.9 |
1.0 |
D |
|
65.9 and below |
0.0 |
F |
How to Succeed In This Course
This course will cover a great deal of material in a short period of time. Class time will provide the opportunity to learn visually, through discussion, and by practicing problems with your peers. It is important to engage actively with class discussions and practice problems to assess your understanding of the material, and to identify areas that need improvement. In addition to attending and participating in class, to internalize new chemical concepts, you should study your text, complete practice problems, make flashcards, and seek help when you have questions. I highly recommend study groups, both to solidify topics with which you are already comfortable, and to learn from your peers when you have questions. I will be available during my office hours and by e-mail to help you with questions, difficult concepts, or to just discuss chemistry in more depth.
College Policies:
The college policies can be found in the college catalog and Student Handbook. Both documents are available online at: College Website http://www.cptc.edu; CPTC Catalog http://catalog.cptc.edu/; Student Handbook http://www.cptc.edu/sites/default/files/student-involvement/2019_20_Handbook_Accessible_Version.pdf
Course Policies:
In order to meet the course outcomes, students will be expected to attend lectures, participate in discussions and problem-solving sessions, read the assigned chapters and complete chapter problems, complete on-line quizzes, complete homework assignments, and participate in laboratory activities.
Learning Outcomes
Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:
- Utilize various forms of scientific measurement in calculations including scientific notation, the metric system of units, dimensional analysis for unit conversions, and significant figures.
- Evaluate atomic structure and the relationship to the periodic table of elements.
- Describe the types of radiation and apply it to nuclear reactions.
- Evaluate models of chemical bonding and the relationship to the periodic table of elements and to the chemical and physical properties of compounds associated with different types of bonding.
- Name and predict formulas for simple ionic and covalent compounds.
- Relate observable macroscopic properties and changes among solid, liquid, and gaseous states of matter to underlying microscopic principles.
- Perform simple stoichiometric calculations utilizing mole ratios and molar masses.
- Describe how heat is involved in chemical and physical changes.
- Describe the relationship of pressure, volume, temperature, and moles in a gaseous sample.
- Relates observable macroscopic properties of solutions and calculate concentrations of solutions.
- Describe the concepts of equilibrium and reaction rates.
- Describe the concepts of acidity, basicity and pH.
- Utilize laboratory techniques to collect and accurately record experimental data.
- Practice safe laboratory procedures, such as identifying and managing laboratory hazards and using appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Use appropriate scientific concepts to analyze data and draw conclusions.
Program Outcomes
- Use appropriate symbolic reasoning or quantitative methods to evaluate problems, make decisions and formulate solutions.
- Effectively use laboratory tools and/or equipment to collect data, analyze it and draw reasonable scientific conclusions.
College-wide Outcomes
- Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning - Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate in today's technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and extends to problem solving.
Course Revisions
This syllabus may be modified as needed to meet the academic needs of the students and
the course learning outcomes.
OTHER INFORMATION
Student Absence for Reasons of Faith or Conscience
Students who will be absent from course activities due to reasons of faith or conscience may seek reasonable accommodations so that grades are not impacted. Such requests must be made within the first two weeks of the quarter and should follow the procedures listed on the policy webpage: http://www.cptc.edu/policies/student-absence-for-reasons-of-faith-or-conscience
Disability Statement
CPTC values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation for all students. My goal is to create a learning environment that is equitable, useable, inclusive, and welcoming.
In order to ensure that the accommodations provided are reasonable and appropriate, all disability-related accommodation requests are processed through our Disability Resources for Students (DRS) Office. If you have, or think you may have, a disability that may affect your work in this class and feel you need accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Coordinator to schedule an appointment and initiate a conversation about reasonable accommodations. The DRS Office is located in Bldg. 17, Room 103, 253-589-5534, disabilityresources@cptc.edu, http://www.cptc.edu/disability.
If you have already documented a disability or other condition through the CPTC DRS Office, qualified for services and would like to receive accommodations in my class, please contact DRS and request that your Letter of Accommodations be sent to me so that I will know which accommodations are necessary to support you while in my class.
Library/Resource Center
Building 15, 253-589-5544, Computer Lab: 253-589-5820, Library Services http://www.cptc.edu/library/library-services
Student Code of Conduct
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|