Course Syllabus and Schedule - Las Positas College

CHEMISTRY 31 – INTRO TO COLLEGE CHEMISTRY Sec V01 and VO2 CRN: 30403 and 30614
A. Flores LAS POSITAS COLLEGE SPRING 2013 COURSE SYLLABUS Page 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Chem 31 teaches elementary concepts of chemistry with an emphasis on
mathematical calculations. You will learn basic lab skills and safety procedures. This course is designed to
prepare you as a science or engineering major to be successful in College Chemistry. Topics include
dimensional analysis, nomenclature, atomic theory, chemical equations, stoichiometry, gas laws, bonding, and
elementary acid-base theory.
INSTRUCTOR: Adeliza Flores Room 4225 (925) 424-1334 aflores@laspositascollege.edu
HELP/TUTORIAL HOURS (aka Office Hours): You are strongly encouraged to visit me during the times
below for extra one-on-one help or questions. You can also make an appointment with me.
TUE THU 9:30 – 11:30 Room 4225
THU TUE 9:30 – 10:30
Room 2401 Tutorial Center
10:30 – 11:30 Room 4225
FRI 8:00 – 9:00 Room 4225
MEETING TIMES
Lecture: MW 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM Room 1872
Laboratory: Section V01: TUESDAY 12:30 PM - 03:20 PM Room 1807
or Section V02: THURSDAY 12:30 PM - 03:20 PM Room 1807
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Mathematics 55 or 55B with a grade of "C" or higher, or the equivalent.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
1) Introductory Chemistry, Nivaldo Tro, Fourth Edition with Mastering Chemistry Online Homework
2) Your Safety in the Laboratory packet, by Jim Adams (available on Blackboard only)
3) Chem 31: Intro to College Chemistry, Laboratory Manual, Las Positas College (on Blackboard only)
4) Laboratory Notebook with duplicating pages
5) Safety Goggles for Chemistry: in bookstore, must seal to face for full protection.
6) Scientific Calculator (phones not allowed): non-programmable (No other types allowed on tests)
7) Nitrile gloves, physician-style, box of 50
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS:
Selected Student Solutions Manual, 4th Edition, by Nivaldo Tro
Study Guide, 4th Edition, by Nivaldo Tro
IMPORTANT DATES: See the Spring 2013 Class Schedule for a more complete academic calendar.
Feb 8/Feb 10: Last day to drop “NGR” (no grade of record) in person/online
Apr 12/14: Last day to withdraw with an automatic “W” grade in person/online
Final Exam: FRI, May 24, 11:30 AM – 1:20 PM
E-MAIL COMMUNICATION: Please use your zonemail if you would like to communicate with me by e-mail.
USE OF THE BLACKBOARD LEARNING SYSTEM (http://clpccd.blackboard.com/)
The homework problems, the lab manual, and other supplementary materials are posted on Blackboard. You
need to be able to access Blackboard with some regularity in order to access required material. Please let Ms.
Flores know if you are unable to log into Blackboard. In the event of instructor’s absence, please check
Blackboard for any announcements.
ATTENDANCE: You are expected to attend all lectures and labs. You may be dropped or failed by an
instructor at any time for an absence of four consecutive hours or six cumulative hours of instruction
(i.e., if you miss half a week or any two labs). No make-up exams or quizzes are given. If you miss a class, it
is your responsibility to find out any new assignment and due dates. It is also your responsibility to make sure
that work is submitted in a timely manner, even if you miss class on the day work is due. Only serious, verifiable
emergencies will be considered. Therefore, you should inform your instructor immediately by phone or email of
any illness or situation that will require you to miss two consecutive class sessions. Note however that it is
possible to attend all class sessions and still fail the course.
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CHEMISTRY 31 – INTRO TO COLLEGE CHEMISTRY Sec V01 and VO2 CRN: 30403 and 30614
A. Flores LAS POSITAS COLLEGE SPRING 2013 COURSE SYLLABUS Page 2
Note on Recording of Lectures: Lectures require your presence and active participation. They may not be
recorded in video form. If it is helpful for you to record the lecture in audio form for your own personal use,
please ask me first. No recording of any kind may be distributed or posted online without the instructor’s
permission.
LEARNING ACCOMODATIONS: Any student who has a learning disability that affects their learning should
speak to the instructor to discuss accommodations.
GRADING - Letter Grades and Grading factors
A 90% or higher B 80 - 89% C 67 - 79% D 55 - 66% F less than 55%
5% Homework 15% Quizzes 25% Laboratory 35% Tests 20% Final Exam
Your overall grade is a weighted average of your grade in the various categories; your percentage score is what counts. It
is my policy to discuss grades only in person and not by e-mail.
Reading and Quizzes: The chapters from the text that will be covered in the course are listed in the schedule.
Homework includes reading the assigned chapters and taking notes before coming to class. The lectures may not cover
everything presented in the book and will mostly focus on topics that are most challenging. You will, however, be
responsible for all of the material in the reading as well as lecture material. Quizzes, announced or unannounced, will
be given periodically during class and assume you have done the reading for the day. The lowest quiz score (or a
missed quiz) will be dropped.
Homework: You may think that you understand a concept, but you do not understand it sufficiently until you can explain it
verbally and in writing. We will be using Mastering Chemistry Online homework. Homework gives you a chance to test
your understanding of chemistry concepts in a variety of situations and problems. No late homework will be accepted,
period. Additional problems may be assigned periodically. Each homework problem set will be collected at the beginning
of class on the day that it is due. The due dates will be announced in class. The lowest homework score will not be
counted. Any homework that is not turned in on time because you were late for class or you did not attend class will count
as a zero.
Note on Mastering Chemistry: To accommodate any technical problems encountered using Mastering Chemistry
online, your percentage score for Mastering Chemistry may be adjusted when calculating your final homework grade.
Laboratory: The laboratory is an important part of the course – it is worth 25% of your grade! See the section at the end
about the laboratory component for more detailed information about the laboratory part of the course. Students who do
not satisfactorily pass the laboratory portion may receive a failing grade for the course.
Midterm Exams: There will be 4 one-hour tests. See the tentative class schedule. The tests will include problems, short
answer questions, multiple-choice and short explanations. There will be no make-up tests. Missed tests will receive a
grade of zero. The lowest test score (or a missed exam) will be dropped when final grades are prepared. Questions about
laboratory experiments may be included on tests.
Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive; that is, it will cover the entire course. The final exam will neither be
given early, nor will it be given late.
GRADE NOTIFICATION: Quizzes, tests, and lab reports will be returned with grade indicated. Quizzes and tests will be
returned promptly. Lab reports will frequently be delayed. Any corrections regarding the grading of quizzes, exams, lab
reports, or homework have to be brought to the instructor’s attention no later than the next meeting day (lab or lecture)
after the grade was received. Final exams are not returned, but they are retained by the instructor for one year during
which they are available for your review. All other work not picked up will be recycled at the end of the semester.
DEADLINES: Please check the LPC website or the Class Schedule for important add/drop and withdrawal deadlines and
the final exam schedule.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are the results or evidence of student learning.
They demonstrate the extent to which student performance meets expectations of learning. Students will be assessed
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CHEMISTRY 31 – INTRO TO COLLEGE CHEMISTRY Sec V01 and VO2 CRN: 30403 and 30614
A. Flores LAS POSITAS COLLEGE SPRING 2013 COURSE SYLLABUS Page 3
during the semester to determine how well these outcomes are achieved. To see the course SLO, please go to
http://www.laspositascollege.edu/slo/lists/slo_list.pdf. I will notify you if there any changes to the course SLO.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Honesty and integrity are highly cherished and very necessary attributes in scientific endeavors
and in life. You are expected to do your own work and report your data honestly. Plagiarism (copying another person’s
work) or falsifying data or dishonest work will be dealt with harshly. Punitive response may include assigning a failing
grade for the work or for the entire course or expulsion from the college. A note can also be made on your permanent
academic transcript.
During an exam or a quiz the only things you are allowed to have on your desk are a non-programmable scientific
calculator and a pencil or pen. All other items are forbidden, including but not limited to:
1.) Cell phones and other electronic devices - If a cell phone is seen or heard during an exam or quiz without specific
permission, you will be asked to leave and will receive a zero on the quiz or exam.
2.) Dictionaries, textbooks, notes or references of any kind.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: Chemistry 31 is a college-level course. It transfers to a number of universities for full
college credit. I expect you to treat everyone in the class with respect, both me and other students. This means
► cell phones and other personal electronic devices for non-school related use are put away and turned off
► arriving on time for class (allow enough time for traffic jams and to find parking)
► remembering to bring pens, goggles, calculators, etc with you
► not leaving class unless you have a personal emergency
► not disturbing others during class
► not bringing children or visitors to class.
► behaving with safety in mind during lab.
ADVICE FOR SUCCESS IN THE COURSE: Ms. Flores’ primary goal is to guide and help you in learning the material for
this course. I will help in any way that I can, though I cannot learn for you. If you are willing to work hard, and to seek help
when you don’t understand ideas or when the lecture goes too fast, then you will succeed. Please use my office hour or e-
mail to communicate.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of reading the assigned chapters, taking notes, and doing the homework
problems, preferably before we even start lecture on it. Keep up with the schedule for the class. The best way to become
proficient in doing the problems (with real understanding and not just following an example) is by doing many different
kinds of problems. Spend time to think about how to answer each question. Review examples from the text or lecture
notes. Understanding and reasoning are more important than memorizing facts or figures. BE PATIENT – it takes time to
work out problems. When you have difficulty understanding a concept, get help: ask your instructor, the tutors, or
classmates to explain ideas. Often students find it helpful to set-up study groups.
CHEMISTRY 31 LABORATORY INFORMATION – A. Flores
Chemistry is a lab science. The laboratory is an important learning tool where you will experience chemistry first hand.
Sometimes, even if you follow all directions diligently, experiments don’t go as expected. This is not uncommon. Use
these occasions to wonder and analyze why things happened as they did. Some of the greatest discoveries were made
this way. In addition, some lectures may be done during lab times.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory and no make-up labs are given. Please do not be tardy because if you arrive
late and do not hear my presentation on the safety issues and use of equipment, you may not be permitted to do the
experiment. Points may be taken off due to tardiness. You cannot pass the course if you miss more than two labs. In the
event of illness or emergency, you should notify the instructor as soon as possible at the phone number or e-mail address
listed in the course syllabus.
Students who have specific health conditions (e.g., pregnancy, allergies, skin sensitivities, etc.) should consult
their physicians for recommendations on working with chemicals in the laboratory.
SAFETY FIRST: The responsibility for lab safety rests with every student in the laboratory. You must use
common sense and work carefully to avoid chemical spills, broken glassware, and fires. This ensures not only
your own safety, but that of your lab mates. Know the hazards of each chemical so that you will know what level
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CHEMISTRY 31 – INTRO TO COLLEGE CHEMISTRY Sec V01 and VO2 CRN: 30403 and 30614
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of caution to use when handling it. Lab grades may be penalized for careless or unsafe activities. You will not be
permitted to work in the laboratory at all unless you are wearing appropriate shoes (close-toed and close-heeled)
and clothing and approved safety goggles. Absolutely no food or drink in the laboratory.
LOCKERS: Each student will be assigned a locker containing lab equipment and supplies necessary for the experiments.
Students will be responsible for the locker contents and the key.
LAB PREPARATION: Before coming to lab,
1) Read each lab carefully and complete the assigned pre-lab form (found in the lab manual, usually at the end of the
assigned experiment).
2) The objectives, procedure, and data tables should be written in your lab notebook. I will collect duplicates from your
notebook promptly at the start of the lab session. For safety reasons, I will not allow you to do the lab if you do
not turn in a pre-written procedure in your notebook before the pre-lab discussion.
GRADING (25% OF OVERALL GRADE): Your grade will be based on (1) your performance and conduct in lab including
compliance with safety rules, (2) the cleanliness of your work area, the sinks, the balance room, and the surrounding
counters, (3) your written lab reports (you will turn in the original from your lab notebook), and (4) lab quizzes (opennotebook)/practicals.
Students who do not satisfactorily pass the laboratory portion may receive a failing grade for the
course. The grading on each lab report will be based upon
1. Description of experimental procedures
2. Completeness of data collected
3. Quality of data collected
4. Computational precision and accuracy
5. Accuracy and precision of experimental laboratory results
6. Proper use of symbolic notation
7. Quality of analysis of scientific principles explored
8. Quality of narrative explanations and reasoning
9. Representation of data in tables or diagrams
More details are provided in the handout “GUIDE TO LABORATORY PERFORMANCE AND WRITING REPORTS”.
DUE DATES: Laboratory reports are usually due at the beginning of the lab a week after completion of the experiment.
Late lab write-ups may be turned in but scores will be reduced by 10% if the report is turned in later that day and 25% per
day thereafter. Lab reports received later than 4 days will not be graded. You will not receive any points for a laboratory
if you do not turn in a lab report even if you did the experiment. You may be asked to turn in a formal, journal-style (wordprocessed)
report.
PERFORMANCE IN THE LABORATORY: Some rules which may affect your grade for the lab include the following.
1) In order for you to be successful and safe in the laboratory, pre-lab write-ups in your notebook are required. Please
remember that if you do not have the procedure pre-written in your lab notebook before you come in to lab, you will
not be allowed to do the lab and will lose points for that lab.
2) For most of the labs, each student will independently carry out the procedure to completion and collect his or her own
data. A student may not work with a partner without the instructor’s permission.
3) Experiments and lab discussions require your full attention. Please do not bring any work or use any personal devices
that will distract you from safely performing the lab and paying attention to the discussion of important lab issues.
4) Safety in the laboratory is of primary importance. At the minimum, lab grades may be penalized for careless or unsafe
activities. You may be asked to leave the lab (and lose points) if you do not comply with safety instructions. You will
not be permitted to enter the laboratory at all unless you are wearing appropriate shoes (close-toed and close-heeled)
and clothing. You will not be allowed to do the experiment if you do not have your own goggles.
5) Each student is responsible for washing their work area with water and detergent before and after doing a lab.
6) The whole class is responsible for keeping the floor, sinks, counters, and balance room clean. Everyone will be
penalized if these community areas are left dirty and disorganized (chemical spills, equipment and glassware not
properly replaced, floor spills, sink clogs, trash, etc.)
7) For most cases, you will need to collect all the data and do all the necessary calculations for the experiment before
leaving the lab. It is your responsibility to make sure that I initial your data and calculations before leaving the lab.
8) The use of cellphones, smartphones, and other personal electronic devices for non-school related purposes is not
allowed in the laboratory. If an emergency arises that requires you to use your phone, please step outside of the lab
to do so.
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CHEMISTRY 31 – INTRO TO COLLEGE CHEMISTRY Sec V01 and VO2 CRN: 30403 and 30614
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Chem 31 Spring 2013 Tentative Lecture and Laboratory Schedule
The schedule below will give you an idea of the topics that we will cover and the pace of the class. Please note that this
schedule is tentative and the class may not necessarily follow it exactly as it appears below.
WK DATE MON WED TUE/THU (LAB)
1
Jan 21-
Intro
Introduction to the Lab
NO CLASS
25
Chapter 1
“Your Safety in the Lab” (blackboard)
2
Jan 28 – Ch 2: Measurements/
3101 Measurement Skills,
Ch 2: Measurements/ Prob. Solving
Feb 1 Prob. Solving
Locker Check-in
3 Feb 4 – 8 Ch 2: Cont. Prob. Solving Ch 3: Matter and Energy
Measurement/Units Worksheets
Graphing Exercise
Review of lab notebook writing*
4
Feb 11 -
3102 Physical and Chemical
Ch 3: Matter and Energy Ch 4: Atoms and Elements
15
Properties (Chemical Sleuth)
5
Feb 18 -
22
NO CLASS Exam 1 3103 Separation of a Mixture
6
Feb 25 –
Ch 4: Atoms and Elements Ch 5: Molecules and Compounds
Mar 1
3107 Nomenclature Worksheets*
7
Mar 4 – Ch 5: Molecules and
3104 Elements, Compounds and
Ch 6: Chemical Composition
Mar 8 Compounds
the Mole*
8
Mar 11 - Ch 6: Chemical
3105 Empirical Formula of a
Ch 7: Chemical Reactions
15 Composition
Compound
9
Mar 18 -
22
Ch 7: Chemical Reactions Exam 2 3115 Net Ionic Equations*
10
Mar 25 - Ch. 8: Quantities in Ch. 8: Quantities in Chemical
29 Chemical Reactions
Reactions
3108 Reaction Stoichiometry
11
Apr 1 –
Apr 5
SPRING BREAK
12
Apr 8 - Ch. 9: Electrons in Ch. 9: Electrons in Atoms/Periodic
12 Atoms/Periodic Table
Table
3109 Limiting Reagents
13
Apr 15 -
19
Ch. 10: Chemical Bonding Exam 3 3110 Molecular Geometry*
14
Apr 22 -
26
Ch. 10: Chemical Bonding Ch. 11: Gases 3111 Experiment with Gases
15
Apr 29 –
May 3
Ch. 11: Gases Ch. 12: Liquids/Solids/Forces 3112 Solutions and Concentrations
16
May 6-
Ch. 12:
3113 Titration Techniques,
Exam 4
10 Liquids/Solids/Forces
3114 An Acid-Base Titration
17
May 13 -
17
Ch. 13: Solutions Ch. 13: Solutions 3114 An Acid-Base Titration
18
May 20 -
Review
Ch. 14: Acids and Bases Ch. 14: Acids and Bases
24
Locker Check out
18 May 24
Final Exam: FRI, May 24
11:30 AM – 1:20 PM
* indicates that the activity will be done on worksheets and not in the lab notebook.
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