Eileen Clifford

Introduction

I will be teaching Chem30A for spring semester 2016.

Choosing Your Chemistry Class at COA

Chem 1A is a first semester course in college chemistry. Topics include atomic theory, the mole concept, stoichiometry, introductory quantum theory, electronic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, thermochemistry, solution chemistry, intermolecular forces, equilibrium, and acid-base chemistry.

Chemistry class will take a time commitment of approximately 15 hours outside class time for homework.

Please make sure that you are taking the correct chemistry class since many programs like nursing will accept Chem30A, while other programs want Chem1A. Freshman chemistry classes across the nation have high failure rates due to unprepared students. Math skills are needed, and a recent chemistry class is recommended.

Chem1A requires the ability to use algebra and assumes that you have taken a previous chemistry class. If you have not taken chemistry classes recently or you did not attend a chemistry course in high school it is highly recommended to take Chem 50 or Chem30a before enrolling in Chem1A.  Chem 1A is the first required chemistry course for any science major (i.e. biology, chemistry engineering, etc.) and is a prerequisite for subsequent courses Chem 1B, Chem 12A, and Chem 12B.

Chem 50 covers the same topics as Chem 1A but at a slower pace and using less in depth material. This course does not require previous chemistry knowledge and will allow you to be fully prepared for and highly successful when you will take Chem 1A.  It is recommended for students who do not need chemistry for a program or major.  College of Alameda offers this class as a late start class, so that students who find they need a stronger background for Chem1A can pick up the class as well.

Chem30A covers what Chem1A covers, with several additional topics.  It is intended to cover general chemistry, and can be followed by Chem30B, which covers organic and biochemistry.  Chem30A is recommended for nursing programs, and several other programs require it as well.  It can also be used as a refresher for Chem1A.

General Chemistry 1A Course Outline Spring 2012

Instructor Dr. Eileen Clifford

Room 150 at 860 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda

E-mail: eileen_chem1a@yahoo.com or eclifford@peralta.edu

Web page: https://private.alameda.edu/eileen_chem1a

Class Meetings Lecture: T/Th 2:00-4:50 PM; Room 150

Lab: Tuesday 6:00 – 8:50 PM; Room 110

Office Hours Tuesday 11-12:00 PM Adjunct Office

Online hour Monday 9-10 PM on moodle

Prerequisite MATH 203 or 211D, Intermediate Algebra

Previous chemistry course

Course Description Chemistry 1A is a five-unit course in general chemistry, which is the science of atomic theory, chemical nomenclature, chemical composition, stoichiometry, reactions in aqueous solution, thermochemistry, electron configurations, periodic properties, chemical bonding, gases, liquids, solids, and solutions.

Required Materials

1. Chemistry, 11th Edition, Theodore Brown, Eugene LeMay, Bruce, Bursten.

2. Chemistry 1A Laboratory Manual.

3. A scientific calculator that has at least log and exponential functions is required. Graphing capabilities are not necessary.

4. 8.5 by 11 permanently bound laboratory notebook with carbon copies.

5. OSHA approved laboratory safety goggles. Other types of goggles will not be permitted.

6. 3 by 5 inch note-cards.

Course Objectives

1. Solve quantitative chemistry problems demonstrating clear reasoning, integrating multiple ideas in the problem solving process, and checking results to make sure they are physically reasonable.

2. Describe and explain chemical concepts plus trends qualitatively. Use molecular scale models/descriptions to qualitatively explain laboratory scale physical and chemical properties.

3. Safely carry out chemistry experiments in the lab, learning common lab techniques, accurately recording observations and data in a laboratory notebook. Clearly report interpretations, analysis of results in laboratory reports.

Homework

(Extra-credit)

Homework will be assigned in class and collected approximately once a week. Since detailed solutions to the problems are available in the solution manual, and the odd numbered problems in the back of the text, it will be graded mainly on completeness. Students needing help with homework assignments should visit the instructor during regular office hours.

Homework assignments are designed to guide the student in his/her study of the material. Collaboration with your fellow students on homework is encouraged. It is up to the student to work as many problems as needed to clarify his/her understanding of a topic. The importance of working problems cannot be overemphasized!

Testing

Exams

The exams will be based on the material covered in the course and the homework, but will be different in content or style from what has been demonstrated. Students will be tested on their understanding of the general concepts of chemistry and will be required to apply these concepts to problems that chemists may need to solve.

Students will be permitted to bring one double-sided 3 by 5 inch note-card to the exams. The note-card may contain any information (eg. formulas, constants, definitions) deemed relevant by the student and will be collected with the test at the conclusion of each exam. The note-cards will be turned in with the test at the end of each exam period. Bring a calculator for exams.

The final exam covers all of the material covered in the class, and students are allowed to use a double-sided 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper for the necessary formulas and constants.

There will be no make-up exams. A missed exam will be excused for verified medical reasons (reported in advance), and the course grade will be based on the remaining course work.

In Class Quizzes

Quizzes will be given approximately every 2 weeks at the end of the lecture, and no additional time is given for late arrivals. Students who solve and understand the homework problems will be well prepared for the quizzes.

Laboratory experiments

Each lab assignment will be shown in the lab prior to performing the experiment. Except for Experiment 2: Metric Measurements and Density, and two VSEPR spread sheets, (available on line at https://private.alameda.edu/eileen_chem1a under the file named documents), all the assignments are described in the Chemistry 1A Laboratory Manual (available at the College of Alameda Bookstore).

Pre-lab Entries

A brief written summary of the lab procedure (pre-lab) along with the answers to the questions posed in the lab manual will be required to start each experiment.

The purpose of the pre-lab is to ensure that students understand the experiment and all related safety procedures. Students who do not turn in the pre-lab at the beginning of the lab period will not be allowed to attend lab until the pre-lab is completed and must complete the experiment in the remaining time. The lab period will not be extended. Guidelines for maintaining your laboratory notebook and the grading of your procedures will be given by your laboratory instructor.

During the lab period, in addition to carrying out the assigned experiments, it is strongly suggested that students use the time to complete the calculations as the instructor is available to provide help and clarification.

Post-lab Report

A lab report for each experiment (written separately and individually by each student) is due the following lab session and in same case will include answers to the post-lab questions posed in the lab.

The students are expected to do all lab experiments, and will be graded on all but one experiment. Any additional missed experiments result in a failed grade.

Code of Conduct

This course will be conducted according to the Peralta District Policies and Procedures set forth in the current College of Alameda Catalog. Both the lecture and lab are active learning environments. No disruptive behavior or inattentive activities will be tolerated either in class or lab, including CD players, iPods, MP3 players, cell phones, pagers or any other electronic devices that may disrupt the lecture or lab period. Students should make every effort not to be late for class; if you must arrive late or leave early, please take the nearest seat to the entrance of the classroom.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for understanding the Academic Regulations, Policies and Standards found in the current College of Alameda catalog. In addition, students are responsible for understanding the procedures for add/drops, academic renewal, withdrawal, etc. found in the Academic Regulations, Policies and Standards current College of Alameda catalog.

Academic Integrity

The student’s own commitment to learning, as evidenced by their enrollment at College of Alameda, and the District Policies and Procedures requires each student to be honest in all their academic course work. Actions and consequences are delineated in the Student Code of Conduct, and all Code violations will be reported to the Vice President of Student Services. The policy on academic integrity can be found in the College of Alameda catalog.

Plagiarism or cheating in any context, tests or labs, will result in disciplinary action according to the College of Alameda policy.

Special Arrangements

Students, who need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, should make an appointment or see me during office hours as soon as possible. College regulations require that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Program and Services for Students with Disabilities (DSPS) to establish a record of their disability. Information on the DSPS program may be obtained by calling (510) 748-2328 or visiting the DSPS office in Room D-117.

Grading

The final course grade will be based on the performance of each student on the following items:

1. One midterm exam (200 points)

2. One comprehensive final exam (200 points),

3. Fourteen lab assignments (50 points each lab; 15 points for the pre-lab and 35 points for the post-lab assignments).

4. Eleven in class quizzes (40 points each).

5. An additional credit up to 5% will be awarded for the homework (5 points if 50% of the homework is turned in or 10 points if the whole assignment is turned in).

6. One quiz and one lab report score may be dropped or missed. If any other quiz or lab is not turned in, the student will not pass. Please contact the instructor for any questions.

The weighting for each assignment towards the final course grade is as follows:

Midterm Exams and in class quizzes………….. 60%

Lab Assignments………………………………………. 20%

Final Exam………………………………………… 20%

Extra credit (Homework) ………………………… 5%

Total………………………………………………. 105%

Final letter grades will be assigned according to the percentage points that each student accumulates during the semester. The ranges for letter grades will be:

A =100-90% B = 89-80% C =79-70% D = 69-60%

Estimated Exam Dates

To be updated