ACHEM 101 Introduction to Chemistry
4 Credit Hours
Spring 2007
Dr.
Home phone: 279-3962 Office phone: 641-3561
Office Hours: M
W
Thur
or by appointment
Lecture: T, Thur
Recitation/Laboratory:
Section 001, T
(laboratory)
Section 002,
Thur
(laboratory) taught
by Dr.
Course Materials
Text: Introductory Chemistry for Today, Spencer. L. Seager and Michael R. Slabaugh, 5th ed., Study Guide and solutions Manual, Jennifer P. Harris 5th ed., Laboratory manual by USCA Chemistry Faculty, 2006 ed. (do not buy a used lab. manual).
You will also need a scientific calculator which must be able to do square root, scientific notation, logs and inverse logs.
Grading
Four hour exams and the final exam each exam is 12% of the course grade ------- 60 %
The comprehensive final exam for this class is Tue, May. 8 at
Lecture quizzes after completion of each chapter -----------------------------------------15 %
Laboratory 11 experiments and quizzes -----------------------------------------------------25%
Of the 25 % in lab, quizzes are 10 % and lab sheets are 15 %
To calculate your % in each of the above categories, divide your points by the total possible points and multiply the total by 100. For example, if you have had 4 quizzes and your point are 12 out of 22, 18 out of 20, 15 out of 23 and 17 out of 25, your quiz % is .6888 x 100 or 68.9 %. Now multiply each % by the weighting factor for that category. 0.6 for exams, 0.15 for quizzes and 0.25 for lab. Add those three numbers up to get your number grade for the course at any time during the semester. For example, if you have a 78 % after two tests, a 72 % after 7 quizzes and a 93 % after 7 labs, your number grade is (78 x 0.6) + (72 x 0.15) + (93 x .25) = 80.9
Letter grades equivalent to number grades may be obtained by comparing your number grade to the following scale:
85 and up --------------------A
75 84.99 -------------------B
65 74.99 -------------------C
55 64.99 -------------------D
below 55 ----------------------F
The cut off points may be lowered at the end of the semester after all grades are in and the distribution and natural breaks for the class can be assessed.
Attendance
The Department of Chemistry Attendance Policy for 100 level classes states that students must attend 75 % of all classes. A maximum of four absences may be unexcused. A student who has more than four unexcused absences or who misses more than 25 % of all classes for any reason will incur a minimum penalty of the loss of a letter grade of the final course grade.
You are expected to attend all classes and laboratories and to arrive on time. If you miss a lecture, make arrangements to get the notes, announcements and other pertinent information from someone in the class. You are responsible for all information that is presented in classes including announcements and assignments. If you must be absent for several classes, contact the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements to make up the work.
You are responsible for informing the course instructor of emergencies that require an excused absence either before class or as soon after class as possible. A telephone call or message on the answering machine is sufficient. If you leave a message, please leave a number where you can be reached so that I may return your call if necessary.
In the event of an excused absence on an exam day, the exam may be made up before the next scheduled class period provided that you (or someone on your behalf) have called.
You must attend lab during your assigned time. There will be no excused laboratory absences except by prior arrangement or by documented illness or emergency. If you anticipate a conflict for a legitimate reason, see the lab instructor in advance to make arrangements to make up the lab.
There will be no credit given for unexcused missed exams, quizzes or labs.
Disabled Student Assistance
If you have a physical, psychological and/or learning disability which might affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services 126A B&E (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Course Objectives
Pre-requisite: Completion of, placement beyond, or co-enrollment in AMATH 108. It is very important that you have adequate skills in basic algebra to be successful in this course. If it has been several years since you last studied mathematics, consult with the Math Lab. A number of math review materials are available to help you brush-up your skills To assist you in assessing your math skills, a 10 point algebra skills quiz will be given in class during the first week of class.
ACHM 101 is a one semester course for students who are typically pursuing careers in the health sciences, or have selected this course to fulfill a General Education requirement in science, but are not science or engineering majors. This course provides students with opportunity to explore and understand the qualitative and quantitative fundamentals of chemistry which include:
The nature and states of mater
Nomenclature of compounds
Chemical reactions
The calculations associated with various chemical measurements
The properties of acids and bases.
Study Habits
Unless you are Nobel Prize winning material and have a photographic memory, you will need to put many hours of study time in to succeed in chemistry. Here are some of the things that will be helpful.
1. Read the chapters in the text before class. After class, go over your notes. If you have and make a list of any questions you have on the material.
2. Take thorough notes in class DO NOT RELY ON YOUR MEMORY OF WHAT WAS SAID IN CLASS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO LEARN AND KNOW A TOPIC.
3.Do the suggested problems at the end of each chapter (they are listed later in this syllabus along with the lecture schedule). Even numbered problems are suggested. The answers to the odd numbered problems are given at the end of the text in Appendix D. If you have trouble with an even numbered problem, do an odd numbered problem like it for which the answer is given. Frequently, working backwards from the answer or seeing the answer will help you solve the problem. Do more than just the suggested problems especially if you are struggling with the material. Practice is essential for mastery of the material.
4. Find one or two others students in the class and study together with them by asking each other questions about the material or problems at the end of the chapters. Take the time to explain concepts and problems to each other. If you can explain a concept to someone, you discover if you really understand it.
5. Use the office hours. Come see me about concepts and problems you do not understand. If you can not make one of the office hours, see me after class and we will set a time that works for you.
Lecture Schedule
Test
I
Test II
Test III
Test IV Ch. 9,6,11,12,7.8 7.10
Final comprehensive exam: Mon. May 8, at
Suggested Problems at end of Chapters
87, 89, 90, 93, 99
101, 107, 112, 113
Laboratory Schedule
Jan 23 - 25 Check In Lab Safety Calculators
Jan 30 Feb 1 Exp. 1 Weight and Density
Feb 6 8 Exp. 2 Separating a Mixture
Feb 13 - 15 Exp. 3 Law of Definite Proportions
Feb 20 22 Exp. 4 Molecular Models
Feb 27 Mar. 1 Exp. 5 Chemical Reactions
Mar 6 8 Exp. 7 Redox Titrations
Mar 13 15 No labs Spring Break
Mar 20 22 Exp. 6 Properties of Solutions
Mar 27 29 Exp. 8 Acid-Base Titration
April 3 5 Exp. 9 pH of Solutions and Buffers
April 10 - 12 Exp. 10 Boyles Law and Charles Law
April 17 19 Exp. 11 Sols and Gels and Colligative Properties Check
Out