CHEM101 Chemistry A
Department of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics: Chemistry
- I. Course Number and Title
- CHEM101 Chemistry A
- II. Number of Credits
- 4 credits
- III. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester
- 3750 minutes
- IV. Prerequisites
- MATH095 (C or better) or Math Placement Test score of 5
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- Three-hour lecture and two-hour laboratory per week. Safety glasses or goggles required.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This lecture and laboratory course examines basic principles of general and organic chemistry. Topics include nature of matter, measurement, dimensional analysis, atomic structure, bonding, properties of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions, chemical reactions, acids and bases, hydrocarbons, functional groups, radiochemistry, and nomenclature. Knowledge of arithmetic and basic algebra is essential.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
Science and chemistry are important in the education of non-science majors. Scientific and chemical literacy are needed for people to function effectively as responsible citizens and productive performers in many fields. Chemistry 101 is designed to serve as a basic course in general and organic chemistry for the non-science major. Completion of this course will help nursing, allied health, and liberal arts students to better understand science in general, and chemistry in particular. Science majors can benefit from it as an introductory course in which the laws of nature and chemical principles are discussed.
Chemistry, as one of the Natural Sciences, has evolved out of careful observation and experimentation; as technology evolves, so does the body of chemical knowledge. This course integrates relevant technological advances with chemical principles and their applications. Furthermore, the laboratory component of the course helps to illustrate and apply some of these technological advances. The impact of these chemical principles on medicine, the environment, and society is also discussed.
- Course Learning Goals
- demonstrate qualitative knowledge and understanding of the basic laws of nature upon which all chemical principles are based, such as the law of conservation of mass and energy, the periodic law, and the gas laws;
- describe and distinguish among the following terms: pure substance, mixture, element, compound, atom, and molecule. Write the names and symbols for selected elements and ions, the formulas and names of ionic compounds and of selected covalent compounds (binary, hydrocarbons, acids), and identify functional groups;
- solve operations involving dimensional analysis for unit conversion, stoichiometry problems, and concentration of solutions;
- discuss matter and transformations of matter, including states of matter, chemical reactions, balancing chemical equations, chemical bonding, intermolecular forces, acids and bases and nuclear chemistry; and
- demonstrate basic laboratory skills as they pertain to: safety, significant figures in measurement, the metric system of measurement, management of both qualitative and quantitative work, and ability to draw conclusions from experiments.
- Core Learning Goals (if applicable)
- accurately translate descriptive problems into mathematical formulas and solve them (1);
- apply the scientific method by explaining and identifying its components in a variety of situations (2); and
- evaluate and graph data (1).
- use methods, concepts and theories in new situations (Application skills);
- integrate and combine knowledge from multiple sources to create new knowledge (Synthesis); and
- reason from what they know to form new knowledge, draw conclusions, solve problems, explain, decide, and/or predict. (Inductive and/or Deductive Reasoning Skills)
- practice effective small group communication skills; and
- resolve conflicts and make decisions effectively.
- identify the effects of a person's actions on the community.
Students will be able to
Core Learning Objectives: Category I: Mathematics or Science
The students will be able to:
Core Learning Objectives: Category III: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
The students will be able to:
Core Learning Objectives: Category III: Collaboration
The students will be able to:
Core Learning Objectives: Category III: Responsible Citizenship
The students will be able to:
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:Course Outline:
- INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
- Types of Matter
- States of Matter
- Physical/Chemical Properties
- Units of Measurement
- The Metric System
- Dimensional Analysis
- ATOMIC STRUCTURE
- Atomic Theory
- Subatomic Particles
- Atoms, Isotopes, and Ions
- Atomic Number, Atomic Mass
- THE PERIODIC TABLE
- Electron Configuration and Periodicity
- Periodic Properties
- CHEMICAL BONDS
- Ionic Compounds
- Formula writing
- Polyatomic Ions
- Properties of Ionic Compounds
- Molecular Compounds
- Lewis Formulas
- VSEPR Theory
- Properties of Covalent Compounds
- ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- General Properties of Organic Compounds
- Structural Formulas
- Functional Groups
- CHEMICAL EQUATIONS AND STOICHIOMETRY
- Writing Chemical Equations
- Balancing Chemical Equations
- Mass and Moles of Substances
- Simple Stoichiometry
- GASES, LIQUIDS, AND SOLIDS
- Characteristics of Gases
- Gas Laws (qualitative study)
- Intermolecular Forces
- Properties of Liquids
- Properties of Solids
- Concentration Expressions
- Water as a Solvent
- Colligative Properties
- ACIDS AND BASES
- Reactions of Acids and Bases
- NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
- Types of Radiation
- Properties and Uses of Radiation
While specific laboratory experiments vary depending on the instructor and the semester, the following list is representative of the experiments that are used:
- Safety Practices in the Chemistry Laboratory: safety equipment in the laboratory, safe handling of chemicals, responding to emergencies, as well as benefits and responsibilities when working in groups.
- Measurement and The Metric System
- Composition and Effect on Density
- Separation and Analysis
- Periodic Table (Videotape)
- Physical Properties
- Ionic/Covalent Compounds
- Paper Chromatography
- The Preparation and Properties of Soap
- An Introduction to Chemical Reactions
- The Synthesis of Aspirin
- Acids, Bases, and the pH Scale
- Titrating Vinegar
- Molecular Models
Learning Activities: Instruction aims to enable the student to:
- describe the origin of scientific knowledge and the importance of experimental evidence in developing such knowledge;
- distinguish between facts, laws, hypotheses, and theories;
- explain major evidence for atomic structure, including the role of new technology to allow researchers to propose and test models;
- state the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons found in one atom, for any specified element. Draw electronic configurations in sub levels, and identify valence electrons;
- describe and distinguish between the following terms: pure substance, mixture, element, compound, atom, and molecule;
- write the names and symbols for selected elements and ions, and the formulas and names of compounds;
- state the periodic law and discuss trends (for example, size, ionic charge, metallic character) among elements of the periodic table. Describe the octet rule and the rule of two;
- explain how bonding occurs to form ionic and molecular compounds, and identify the elements most likely to form each type of compound;
- compare the structure of ionic compounds with that of molecular compounds, and explain how the physical properties of each are related to (or explained by) their structure;
- name the three intermolecular forces and state their relative strengths;
- write and balance a chemical equation, given either a written description or a laboratory observation of the reaction;
- explain the meaning of a chemical equation. Explain the role of a catalyst. Solve simple mole-to-mole stoichiometry problems;
- explain, for a solution of a given concentration (molarity or percent), what the concentration means in terms of mass of solute and volume of the solution. Calculate concentrations of solutions given mass and volume data. Explain how solutes interact with solvents;
- define pH, and relate it to the properties of solutions and the possible hazards to individuals and the environment;
- define acid and base, and relate these terms to hydrogen ion concentrations and the pH scale;
- name simple organic compounds;
- compare the structure and properties of the major types of functional groups (alcohols, esters, acids, amines, amides, aldehydes and ketones);
- explain what happens to the nucleus of an atom during a nuclear reaction, such as α, β, or γ emission. Indicate the impact of such as such a reaction on a living organism. Describe the uses and environmental effects of nuclear reactions;
- explain specifically how the concepts taught in the course relate to medicine, industry, and to environmental problems to their solutions;
- carry out basic laboratory procedures such as determining metric measurements, simple separation of mixtures, determining properties of ionic and covalent compounds, carrying out some simple chemical reactions, determining pH, and using molecular models; and
- work safely, accurately, and cooperatively in the laboratory.
Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:
- Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
- Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals (if applicable)
- Category I. Mathematics or Science
- Category III. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
Category III. Collaboration
- Category III. Responsible Citizenship
Course learning goals will be continuously assessed by: periodic written examinations, class exercises, laboratory preparation, laboratory results, laboratory reports, and assigned work.
Written examinations, classroom exercises, and laboratory modules will be used to assess the ability of the student to accurately translate descriptive problems into mathematical formulas and solve them. For example, students will be asked to calculate the density of different types of matter by experimentally determining the mass and the volume of such matter.
Students will apply the scientific method in the classroom and in the laboratory and will be required to discuss observations, and give a reasonable explanation to any changes or deviations from the expected results. For example, students will apply the �Law of Conservation of Mass� to the balancing of chemical equations, and will use stoichiometry to prove the validity of such a Law.
Students will be asked to obtain experimental data and use it to build a graph and then evaluate its meaning, for example in the determination of density from a series of sucrose solutions of varied concentrations, students will study the relationship between density and concentration based on the graph profile.
Critical thinking and problem solving will be assessed using written examinations, classroom exercises, and use of laboratory modules. The laboratory exercises contain pre-laboratory and post-laboratory components aimed at evaluating application of skills, integration of knowledge to explain phenomena, and reasoning exercises. For example, students will be asked to design identification experiments for different types of matter based on their knowledge of determination of physical properties-like solubility, conductivity, changes of state, chromatography.
Students will work in groups during the laboratory exercises. The outcome of the experiments will depend on the effective collaboration of the students within the groups. For example, students participate in obtaining data points for the analysis of a series of sucrose solutions. The average data from all the students is then used to build a graph representing the relationship between the density of the solution and its concentration. Lack of effective collaboration will result on the inability of the groups to complete the laboratory experiment and therefore fail the exercise. In addition, students will be required to interact and collaborate on classroom exercises. Both collaboration and the classroom exercises will be considered toward their final grade.
Students� actions, particularly during laboratory exercises, assess their understanding of the effect of a person�s actions on the community. The issues of pollution and contamination will be addressed within the laboratory activities. Students will have to apply these concepts as they relate to chemical disposal and management of waste. Students must be able to distinguish chemical waste from paper, glass, and other materials to determine the proper methods of disposal. Students will be taught how to handle these issues and will be assessed weekly on their progress regarding laboratory practices. Classroom activities will further emphasize the effects of chemicals and chemical reactions in the environment.
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:Students will use approved text, laboratory modules and handouts, laboratory and demonstration equipment, library, science learning center, and computer programs. Please refer to the course format for specific information.
- VIII. Teaching Methods Employed
- The lecture portion is presented in a lecture/discussion format. Laboratory and lectures are arranged in such a way as to reinforce the topics covered in the course. Both lecture and laboratory are taught by the same instructor.
Review/Approval Date - 11/04; Core Goals/Objectives added 5/04; Revised 6/08