Syllabus for CHE-111

GENERAL CHEMISTRY I


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Chemistry is a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and with the transformations that they undergo. It is the "study of change." In this course, the first of a two-semester general chemistry sequence, students explore the structure of the atom, the molecules that form from atoms, and the basic concepts of chemical reactivity, including the relations between amounts of materials undergoing reactions and the energetics of those reactions. At the atomic and molecular level, chemistry is a very abstract subject, but the study of atoms and molecules is fundamental to understanding life itself, since all matter is made up of atoms and molecules. Through practical examples and applications, the course aims to explain not only the abstract concepts of chemistry, but also how those concepts are understood in real-life contexts.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

  1. Perform calculations using dimensional analysis (factor-label method).
  2. Accurately use basic chemical nomenclature.
  3. Relate basic atomic theory to the trends in the periodic table.
  4. Correlate chemical equations and stoichiometry.
  5. Recognize and solve reactions occurring in aqueous solution
  6. Describe the relationships between gases and reactions involving gases.
  7. Relate the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions to the first law of thermodynamics.
  8. Identify the different types of chemical bonds including the shapes of molecules and their effect on polarity.
  9. Differentiate nuclear reactions and solve problems based on the concept of half-life.
  10. Solve problems in chemistry using critical thinking skills.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbook

COURSE STRUCTURE

General Chemistry I is a three-credit online course consisting of ten modules. Modules include an overview, list of topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Outlined below are the module titles along with the course objectives covered and module topics.

Topics:

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Topics:

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete written assignments, take unproctored module quizzes, and take two proctored online examinations: a midterm exam and a final exam. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this document.

Discussion Forums

You are required to participate in four  graded discussion forums, worth 10 percent of your course grade,  as well as an ungraded Introductions Forum. The online discussions are on a variety of self-selected topics associated with the course modules.

Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and subsequent comments on classmates' responses. Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful

For posting guidelines and help with discussion forums, please see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course Web site.

Written Assignments

General Chemistry I has ten written assignments, worth 40 percent of your course grade. The written assignments draw mostly on odd-numbered questions and problems from the textbook. Answer all assigned questions and problems, and show all work. 

Assignment sheets, with all questions typed out in advance for you, are provided. Be sure to include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name and code and the semester and year in which you are enrolled. To receive full credit for your answers, you must show all work and include complete solutions.

For help regarding preparing and submitting activities, see the Student Handbook located within the General Information page of the course Web site.

Quizzes

You are required to take ten module quizzes, worth 10 percent of your course grade. Each quiz consists of multiple-choice questions based on your textbook and lab manual reading and problems. Quizzes are open book but time restricted (30 minutes). You may take them multiple times both during and after the quiz period but will be graded only on attempts made by the due date (consult the Course Calendar), at which time your last recorded score will become your grade on the quiz.

A quiz link is available within each module of the course Web site. While the quiz is active, you will not be able to ask for help on specific quiz questions; however, after the due date and after you have received your quiz grade, you may address private questions to the mentor.

To prepare for the quiz, be sure to complete the written assignments, laboratory assignments, and readings in your textbook and lab manual and to review all study materials listed in the Study Materials section.

Examinations

Exam Study Guide(s)

For a list of key concepts that may appear on your exams, refer to the study guides available in the Examinations section of the course Web site.

You are required to take two proctored online examinations: a midterm exam and a final exam. Both exams require that you use the University's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the "Examinations and Proctors" section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course Web site) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.

Online exams are administered through the course Web site. Consult the Course Calendar for the official dates of exam weeks.

Midterm Examination

The midterm exam is a closed-book exam, worth 20 percent of your course grade. It is three hours long and covers all topics and material from Modules 1–5 of the course. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions like those on the module quizzes.

A periodic table, formula bank, list of conversion factors, and tables of common polyatomic ions, common acids and bases, and solubility rules for common ionic compounds in water at 25o will be provided with the exam. But check the "Study Notes" in each module to see which formulas you need to know and which ones will be provided.

Note: You are permitted to use a calculator (scientific, graphing, or financial) but may not use a calculator on a phone, PDA, or any similar device.

Final Examination

The final exam is a closed-book exam, worth 20 percent of your course grade. It is three hours long and primarily covers all topics and material from Modules 6–10 of the course, while also drawing on cumulative knowledge gained from earlier modules. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions like those on the module quizzes.

A periodic table, formula bank, list of conversion factors, and tables of common polyatomic ions, common acids and bases, and solubility rules for common ionic compounds in water at 25o will be provided with the exam. But check the "Study Notes" in each module to see which formulas you need to know and which ones will be provided.

Note: You are permitted to use a calculator (scientific, graphing, or financial) but may not use a calculator on a phone, PDA, or any similar device.

Statement about Cheating

You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:

If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A

=

93–100

C+

=

78–79

A–

=

90–92

C

=

73–77

B+

=

88–89

C–

=

70–72

B

=

83–87

D

=

60–69

B–

=

80–82

F

=

Below 60

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings, etc.).

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

 

For more, see:

 

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