Chemistry 101 Principles of Chemistry

Course information and Syllabus, 2006

Faculty contact information

            When you have questions or problems with assignments, questions about your grades or other things to discuss, please come and see me during my office hours which are below.  If those times don’t work for you, call or email me and we will make other arrangements.  If an emergency arises and you need to get in touch with me right away, the best way to do that is to call me.  I am here to help you get the most out of this course.

Dr. Rachel Jameton                                      rajameton@lcsc.edu                        

792-2268                                                       Office: MLH 311

Office hours: MWF noon – 2 pm; Tuesday 1 pm – 3 pm and by appointment

Matthew A. Johnston                                                majohnston@lcsc.edu                     

Phone: 792-2410                                                      Office: MLH 321                               

Office hours: MW 8:00 to 9:00 AM; TTh 9:00 to 10:00 AM

            Your laboratory instructor is Rollie Hallen.  His contact information is:

            Rollie Hallen                                                               rwhallen@lcsc.edu

            Phone: 792-2341                                                      Office: MLH B51

Introduction

Welcome to Chemistry 101, an introduction to the materials and reactions that govern our life and environment.  This semester, we will explore how atoms interact with each other in and around us, and how those interactions connect to physical behavior that we observe every day.  Because most students in this course are pursuing a career in an allied health field, we will focus on applications of chemistry to human health, nutrition and medicine.

Pre-requisites

This is an entry-level course and so you are not expected to have any prior knowledge of chemistry.  However, MATH 025 (basic algebra), or its equivalent, is a prerequisite.  While we will review the concepts that you learned in that course, it is assumed that you have seen the math material before.

Course objectives

(1)   You will be able to measure, convert between units and have a sense of the size of standard units of measurement.

(2)   You will be able to connect issues in human health, nutrition and medicine with atomic and molecular structure.

(3)   You will gain an understanding of the connections between the physical and chemical properties of matter and the atomic nature of matter. 

(4)   You will recognize the relevance of chemistry in your future profession.

(5)   You will gain confidence and ability in problem solving and critical thinking.

E-mail contact

            Your WarriorWeb e-mail account is the official method of communication between the college and yourself and so you should check your account daily.  If you have trouble accessing your account, make sure you work out the problems as soon as you can by calling or stopping by the computer help desk (located at SGC B102 or phone 792-2231).

            Our class does have a website (http://www.lcsc.edu/rjameton/chem10106/ chem10106.htm).  At the website, you can find this syllabus and handouts, as well as links to sites that you might find interesting or helpful. 

Evaluation

            Your grade will be calculated based upon 1 personal statement/photo, 12 cards, 5 quizzes, 4 examinations, 12 laboratories and optional online homework, as outlined in the following table.  More details about these assignments, as well as the grading scale, are below. While there is no extra credit, you can replace your lowest test score with your online homework score if you choose.

            Your assignments will be returned to you in class, typically a week after the assignment is due.  If you do not pick them up during class, they will be placed in a box on the second floor of MLH for you to pick up at your convenience.

            Personal statement/photo

This is a large class.  To facilitate getting to know who you are, I will ask you to fill out a card about your goals and also provide a photo of yourself.  The photo can be any old snapshot, but make sure you are recognizable.  If there are several people in the photo, please circle yourself.

            Cards

Every so often in class, I will stop lecturing and ask you to work a problem on an index card.  I will collect the cards and mark down that you handed them in as a way of keeping attendance and also make sure that the class is keeping up with the lecture material.  You will be given about an opportunity a week to hand in a card at 5 points each, and you can earn up to 60 points from the cards. 

Because you fill out the cards with a partner, I will not hand them back to you.  Instead, I will hold on to the cards for the semester.  You are always welcome to look through my stacks of cards if you are unsure whether or not you handed one in

.

            Homework and online homework

Odd numbered problems from your text will be assigned weekly.  While the answers to these problems are in your text, remember that is more helpful to think through the problems for a bit yourself before consulting the answers.  It is up to you to complete your homework by the assigned date and to seek help when you need it.  Help on your homework is available from your faculty, peers and the math and science tutoring center located on the first floor of MLH. There is no way to learn the material in this course without practicing. 

If you choose to, you can also do the online homework at www.webassign.com.  Doing the online homework has several benefits.  First, the homework has a definite, monitored due date, so you have incentive to finish it in a timely manner.  Second, you will receive immediate feedback on how you did on your homework (and you can ask me questions through the program if a problem is giving you trouble). Third, this is an opportunity to practice more problems.  Finally, you can replace your lowest test grade with your online homework score.  

Quizzes

Quizzes will be composed of multiple choice questions, similar to those questions that you will find on the tests. Each will take about 20 minutes and contain 15-20 questions.  While you will have seven opportunities to take quizzes, only the top five of your scores will be counted. 

Examinations

Tests, like quizzes, will be composed of multiple choice questions.  Tests are scheduled for an entire class period.

            Laboratories

            The goals of the laboratory part of this class are:

(1)   To provide hands-on experience with in-class material.

(2)   To problem solve using concepts introduced in class.

(3)   To connect in-class material to practical application.

(4)   To meet your classmates and have fun.

You will meet once per week with your laboratory group.  Handouts for each lab will be available in class about a week before the lab, and on the website.  You are expected to read the handout and complete the pre-lab questions before coming to lab, so you have some idea of where to start when you get here.  Your top twelve scoring out of the thirteen offered labs will be counted (this means that you can miss one without penalty).

All of your labs will be carried out with a partner.  You and your partner will work together and you can hand in a single set of pre-lab and post-lab questions.

Safety is of utmost importance in our lab.  You must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes to lab, and wear safety glasses (available at the bookstore).   We will have a complete safety orientation during lab.

Grading scale

Getting help

            It is important to stay caught up in this course.  If you get stuck on a subject or problem, do not hesitate to get help.  One excellent resource is your classmates.  Sometimes talking through problems can help clarify topics and teaching others is an effective way to learn.  The Math and Science Tutoring Center is another vital resource.  It is located on the first floor of MLH, down the hallway next to the stairs.  There, students who have taken this or similar classes are available to help.  Your text also offers a CD and an online “chemistry place” that include practice quizzes, math reviews, flashcards and other resources.  Of course, I am here to help you too.  My office hours are on the front page of this syllabus.

Special needs

            If you have any special needs such as a documented learning disability or other situation that limits your access or ability to participate in class or lab, please discuss the situation with me as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements.  Assistance with accommodations can also be found at the Office of Student Life, room 111 Reid Centennial Hall.

Special arrangements (such as incompletes, drops and making up quizzes, exams and labs)

            Because two quiz grades will be dropped and you can miss one lab without penalty, there will not be quiz or lab make-ups.  If you must miss an exam, discuss your situation with me before the exam to make alternate arrangements.  It may not be possible to arrange an exam time if you do not notify me before the exam.  No student will be allowed to make-up more than one exam. 

            There will be no incompletes awarded for students with less than an 80% average at the time of the incomplete.  The course cannot be dropped after November 4. 

Plagiarism policy

The vast majority of students are honest. However, in the rare instance that plagiarism (or cheating, fabrication or collusion) is apparent, it will be dealt with in accordance with college policy. 

Text and other supplies

• Karen Timberlake Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry 9^th Edition Benjamin-Cummings (2006).

• Model kit

• A scientific calculator

• Goggles

Timeline

Date: 8/15/06

Contact: rajameton@lcsc.edu

Back to LCSC's main page