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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Winter 2004 REVISED 1/18/04

SYLLABUS

1. Course Information

Course Title: General Inorganic Chemistry

Course Number: CHEM 131, Sections XK, 5 Credit Hours of Laboratory Science

Lecture: XK 6-8 PM, M, W.

Laboratories: Open laboratory format, schedule is on the window of the lab and in packets. All are in SCI 120

Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in high school chemistry or Chem100 AND eligibility for MATH111.

2. Instructor Information

Name: Dr. Robin Terjeson
Office Phone: (360)992-2201 (voice-mail)
Office Hours: Before or after class or as listed on my office door. Updates are posted on my Web site.
Office Location: SCI 110
e-mail address: rterjeson@clark.edu
Mail box: APH 203 Science office

3. Texts, Videos, Resources, Materials

A. Textbooks

1. required: General Chemistry by Ebbing and Gammon. Seventh Ed. Comes withCD.

2. optional: Study Guide to General Chemistry by Krannich.

3. required: Laboratory Handbook for General Chemistry by Griswold et. al

B. Videos- "World of Chemistry Videos” are available in the Library. These videos make a good introduction and a different approach to the material covered in the text..

C. Resources

1. Tutorial computer packages are available for use in the APH Computer Lab(see me).

2. Web site under construction but may be used for 131. A list of other interesting sites are on one of the pages in the Web site. http://web.clark.edu/rterjeson

3. Tutors- may be available

1. Various computer packages and CD ROM's available in the bookstore.

D. Materials Required- Scientific, non-programmable calculator, like the TI-30Xa.

Lab packet of experiments and goggles to be distributed during the first week.

4. Course Description

A. General Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM 131 is designed to give the successful student an introduction to the language and concepts of General (Inorganic) Chemistry in order to understand, appreciate and evaluate the chemical world in which we live. Successful completion of this course will give the student the necessary information and skills in problem solving to succeed in the next course of the sequence, CHEM 132. The sequence of classes is designed for the student majoring in all sciences, engineering, and pre-professional-medical fields. This course satisfies the general education requirement for a laboratory science.

B. College Wide Abilities- The College Wide Ability groups are attributes that college faculty want our graduates to develop while at Clark College. They include: Information Technology, Communication, Life-Long Learning, Effective Citizenship, Critical Thinking, and Global/Multicultural. After assessing the course material, we will focus on developing skills for Critical Thinking/Problem Solving and Communication in CHEM 131(132 and 133) in the context of material in chemistry. There will be some emphasis on developing the skills necessary for the Information/Technology and Life Long Learning abilities. Definition of critical thinking: The disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information. This information is gathered from or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning and/or communication.

5. Student Learning Objectives for Chem 131

1. Use the periodic table to explain trends in physical and chemical properties of the elements. (Communication Ability)
2. Use vocabulary, concepts, and models of chemistry correctly and be able to explain and/or recognize the basic concepts of general chemistry. Topics in this quarter include:*

• Measurements and their use in Chemistry
• Writing and balancing chemical reactions.
• Relationships between reactants and products, and calculations to find amounts of reactants used or products formed.
• Energy and its relationship to chemical reactions.
• Structure of the atom and significance of valence electrons in reactions.
• Concepts of ionic and covalent bonding.
• Molecular geometry and bonding theories
• Gas laws and Kinetic Molecular Theory.

3. Analyze information in order to solve typical chemistry problems using the methods of chemistry. (Critical Thinking Ability)
4. Safely use a variety of laboratory techniques with understanding, accuracy and precision.
5. Work collaboratively in a laboratory setting and write good lab reports. (Communication Ability)
*More specific objectives are given at the beginning of each chapter in class. All topics include problem solving and use Critical Thinking skills to answer questions.
Methods of evaluation include Exams, Homework, Quizzes and other assignments.

Criteria for grading problem solving questions is included with your homework assignment handout.

6. Course Policies: Each student is expected to observe the rules and regulations of the college.

A. Absences

1. Attendance-Attendance and punctuality are essential for success in this class as well as being a Lifelong Learning skill. Each student is expected to attend lectures and laboratories as scheduled. Periodically, in-class assignments in the form of quizzes, problems, or group work will be given in lecture. These assignments are graded and used to monitor learning in class. They may not be made-up.
2. Excused Absences: Some absences may be excused providing PRIOR arrangements have been made with the instructor. Examples of excused absences are: medical reasons with a note, field trips, and military exercises and will be allowed only at the discretion of the instructor.
3. Unexcused Absences: If a student misses more than 4 classes without justifiable cause, the student may fail or be dropped from the course.
4. Laboratory Attendance: Labs cannot be made-up. Each lab experiment is set up for tow weeks. If you miss more than 2 experiments or fail to turn in more than 2 lab reports, you will receive an incomplete for the course and be required to repeat the entire lab sequence to obtain a grade.

NOTE: Instructors may drop a registered student from a class if the student fails to attend one or more sessions during the first week of the quarter (unless prior arrangements have been made). This "No-Show" policy is one of several procedures Clark College is using to stay within a state-mandated enrollment band while meeting the needs of a maximum number of students.

B. Class Participation/Etiquette

1. It is important to maintain an optimum and safe learning environment by showing unconditional respect for others. This is accomplished by listening to each other (not talking when someone else is speaking), being attentive, taking one another seriously, and allowing humor to be a part of the class
2. Laboratory attendance is mandatory.
3. Participation in group or in-class work is important to your grade. I do not take roll, but it is to your benefit to do the in class work.
4. Turn off the cell phones when coming into class.
5. If a student is disrupting others and exhibiting rude behavior, they may be required to leave the classroom. If a student is continuously disruptive in class, they are subject to the student Code of Conduct.

C. Missed Exams, Assignments

1. If the student misses a test for a legitimate reason (a Doctor's excuse or school activity, not just a cold) the final exam score will be substituted. It is to the students advantage to take all exams because the information is cumulative from test to test and the final is comprehensive. This policy is designed is to accommodate those students who need to be out of class due to college related activities or health issues
2. Assignments in class may not be made-up but I do drop one exercise.
3. Handouts missed in lecture can be picked up during office hours, the Library or the Website. Your classmates are also good resources.

D. Course Withdrawal

If you should find yourself in the position where a withdrawal from the class is necessary, the college withdrawal policies will be in effect. (see the Clark College Catalog or Schedule). After the withdrawal deadline, the earned grade will be given. Remember, only the student can initiate a withdrawal and must do all the paperwork.

E. Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is required at all times. Anyone caught cheating or supporting cheating will receive an automatic fail for that assignment and be subject to the Student Conduct Procedures. A second offense will result in an F in the course. Copyright laws and plagiarism rules will be observed.

F. Assumptions of Students Enrolled in Chem 131.

1. The student has intermediate algebra skills as demonstrated by the Asset Test or by completion of MATH 095(093) with a “C” or better.
2. The student has college level reading, comprehension, and listening skills.
3. The student has some previous chemistry experience, (high school or a preparatory course like CHEM100).
4. The student is registered for the lecture and the laboratory.

G. Expectations of Students

1. Science laboratory classes typically require more time than students realize. Outside class time is needed to prepare for class, laboratory and solving problems. Chemistry is a college-level course. It transfers to most senior institutions as a science major chemistry class. The minimum amount of work expected is 2 hours out of class study for every hour of class. (This means you should spend a minimum of 10-14 hours a week outside of class studying Chemistry). The pace of this class is rapid. Please consider your outside commitments to determine whether you have the time to successfully complete this course.
2. Regular, on time, attendance in lecture and lab. Be courteous to others if you are late.
3. Problem solving is essential to learning Chemistry. The homework assignments represent the minimum number of problems you should be working.
4. Prepare for class by reading the chapter before the lecture. Stay up to date on your studying. LISTEN.
5. The instructor is expected to meet the course goals, keep students periodically informed of their progress, be available for conferences, maintain a safe learning environment, and return assignments in a timely fashion.

Your course grade will be based on the following: % of Total points

a. flecture exams 40.%
b. laboratory grade (based on reports and lab final) 20.%
c. final exam 25.%
d. homework and other assignments 15.%

GRADE = (0.40*exam avg.)+(0.20*lab avg.)+(0.25*final exam)+(0.15*other avg.)

Note: The laboratory final will count as about 1/2 of your lab grad or 10% of your course grade. Each experiment and report count 1.25% of your course grade.

Your course grade will be determined by your combined average percent score as follows:

B. Assessment-Homework, tests and in-class assignments will be based on your ability to demonstrate the Critical Thinking/Problem Solving skills as outlined in the College Wide Abilities. Laboratory assessment is explained in your laboratory packet.

There are three categories of “problems” found in Chemistry 131. Each type emphasizes different abilities and therefore must be assessed differently.

1. Basic Knowledge Problems-(Critical Thinking/Communication)These questions address the facts and language of Chemistry. Chemical symbols, nomenclature, physical and chemical property data, etc. Basic knowledge will be assessed by true/false and multiple choice questions gauging your ability to remember this knowledge.

2. Number “Crunching” and Formula plug-in Problems-(Critical Thinking) this type of question concerns conversions and calculations from given quantities to desired quantities. Assessment will be based on your ability to demonstrate the following.

Are you able to:

a. restate the problem identifying the desired quantity and the starting quantity
b. determine and write down any other information that is required
c. devise and write down a “path” to follow to solve the problem
d. can you follow your path to solve the problem correctly with proper units and precision

3. Explanations Problems- (Critical Thinking/Communication)These questions ask you to use your accumulated chemical knowledge to explain chemical trends and processes.

Are you able to:

a. restate the problem identifying what is desired
b. examine evidence and assumptions
c. draw reasonable conclusions based on correlational and/or cause/effect relationships
d. express your response in a coherent, descriptive, grammatically correct statement

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Updated Jan. 3, 2004. Questions or comments on this Web site should go to Robin Terjeson.