CHEM410-002 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CRN 21305) Spring 2022
Synchronous Instruction TW 2-4:50, Hybrid Lab Contact W 2-4:50 (1 credit hour)
Instructor
Professor Maria C.
Gelabert Artiles
803-323-4939
(voice messages go to e-mail)
Office/Phone: 314A Sims Science Building/803-323-4939
Office Hours – M 12:30-1:30 (Sims 305 or Zoom), F 3:30-4:30 (Zoom), or by appointment
Slack Invitation to Pchem
Lab (use Winthrop email
address)
Course Synopsis and Goals
In this laboratory course, experiments are completed that connect with
the CHEM408 lecture material. Besides laboratory skills, techniques in data
collection, error estimation and propagation, calculations, data presentation
and scientific writing are practiced. Important corollary skills include
keeping a clear, well-organized lab notebook and synthesizing all material into
a comprehensive lab report.
Learning Outcomes and Products
Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate their
mastery with the following:
·
Clear
pre-lab notes, experimental description and raw data;
·
Effective
manipulation of data;
·
Appropriate
assignment of errors and propagation of those errors;
·
Comparison
of experimental results with accepted values and reference citation;
·
Reports
that are clearly written, organized, with correct calculations and appropriate
citations.
Lab Schedule (page 7)
Required Materials
Spartan Student Edition, v. 8 ($25 with coupon code WINTHROP25)
Non-spiral composition book, 80-100 pp, lined or quadrille
safety goggles
University Competencies
Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. You will practice various levels of problem-solving, thoroughly analyze data, and use outside sources for further analysis.
Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible. You will practice standard chemical hygiene and safety protocols, signatures of scientific responsibility.
Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live. You will connect with other scientists with the understanding that good communication translates into effective science communication to the broader community.
Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively. You will practice communication: data is recorded, analyzed, and written up into a report that contains numerical and written information.
Student Conduct Code
As noted in the Student Conduct Code: ''Responsibility for good
conduct rests with students as adult individuals.'' The policy on student
academic misconduct is outlined in Section V of the Student Conduct Code in the online Student
Handbook.
COVID-19 Statement
During this
pandemic period each student is expected to act in the best interest of the WU
community by behaving responsibly to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
All students, faculty, and staff must wear masks inside buildings and
classrooms, unless alone in a private office. All members of the campus
community must follow campus guidance on masking. Please do not attend class if
you have fever or any signs of the COVID virus; do not attend class if your
roommate or someone you have close contact with acquires the virus and be
respectful of others’ desire to remain COVID-free. Students who violate WU
guidelines will be asked to comply. Continued failure to comply may result in
referral to the Dean of Students Office as a student conduct violation. Please
familiarize yourself with Winthrop’s Return to Learn protocols.
Let’s do all we can to keep each other, and surrounding community, healthy!
COVID-Related Absence
Students should contact Health
Services regarding a positive test, close contact, or enhanced COVID-like
symptoms. Any student who has either tested positive, has COVID-like symptoms,
or has close contact with someone who has COVID, must contact Health Services.
Students should log in to the Medicat
Patient Portal to schedule
a TELEPHONE TRIAGE Appointment w/ COVID as
the reason and upload the positive test result if applicable. Health Services
will communicate with the student on what steps to take next, and if need be,
the Dean of Students Office will get absence verification for required
isolation and quarantine. Students who verify their absences through the Dean of
Students Office often minimize any academic impact caused by missed class time.
Health Services will only provide dates of absence, not medical information.
Please note, residential students who test positive or are a close contact
are expected to follow their personal COVID Quarantine and Isolation Plan.
Students with Disabilities/Need of Accommodations for Access
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If
you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this
course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290 or accessibility@winthrop.edu. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office
of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
Copyright Notice
The materials in this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course and for purposes associated with this course. These materials may not be retained or further disseminated.
Syllabus Change Policy
I reserve the right to update and edit this syllabus as necessary, including assignments, the calendar, and policies. You will be notified immediately of any such changes.
Campus Resources for Online Learners
Students who are enrolled in hybrid/online courses are
entitled to the same campus resources available to on-campus students. These
resources included admissions counseling, library, student services, and recreational
facilities. A list of these resources is provided in the Blackboard
Tutorials & Campus Resources, found in Blackboard.
Course Communication
1. Plan to be “present” in the course by logging in at least 3-4 times weekly and completing all assignments by their due dates.
2. For email, it is essential that you use your Winthrop account; Bb and Slack use only your WU credentials. Approximate response times: Bb few days, email one day, Slack most immediate. On weekends, expect longer response times, up to ≈48 hours.
3. If you have a general question that might be asked by other students, please use the “Ask the Instructor” Bb forum or Slack channel. Questions specific to a particular lab assignment, technique or analysis should be directed to the appropriate Slack channel.
4. In the spirit of a learning community, students are encouraged to help each other by responding to questions from other students.
5. When interacting with your fellow students online, in Bb forums, Slack or email, remember to communicate with the same level of clarity, professionalism and respect that you would practice in face to face communication.
6. If you are participating in a live video conference, present yourself in a professional manner, with attention to your voice clarity, sound quality, lighting and film environment.
7. For backup purposes, compose messages and posts in a word processor, then copy and paste the message into the discussion or message.
8. For private messages to the instructor or another student, only use Winthrop email.
Student Responsibilities in an Online Course
Many students find that
responsibilities for online courses differ significantly from traditional
courses. The following statements outline some of your basic responsibilities
for this course. If you believe you will have difficulty meeting these
responsibilities, it is essential that we find a way to maximize your learning
experience. Please be in contact with me about any challenges, and pledge the
following:
1. I will ask questions immediately if I don't understand instructions or due dates for assignments.
2. I will organize my time in order to complete assignments in a thoughtful and on-time manner.
3. I understand that failure of technology is not an excuse for turning assignments in late.
4. I
will review the technical support information in the Blackboard Tutorials &
Campus Resources and Introduction modules, contacting support services
as needed.
5. I understand that there are other sources of technology for me to use if my primary source fails, such as libraries, campus labs, or friends' computers.
6. I will participate fully in assignments by following the instructions, responding to my lab partners respectfully and completing my contributions on time.
7. I will log in to class at least 3 times per week and spend an appropriate amount of time each week completing course materials.
Course Meeting Logistics
The pandemic
response includes physical distancing. Before each lab meeting, you are
expected to go through introductory materials (written or video) and complete
the Pre-lab Assignment or Quiz. Allow at least an hour for
completing pre-lab activities. Anyone missing the respective quiz deadline
receives an absence for any experiential portion, or about 1% against total
course grade. Please ensure maximized safety with over-the-top clarity
about experimental procedures.
Attendance
This course is defined by experiential
learning. In order to receive a passing
grade in course, you must not miss more than one experiment. If you miss a lab for any reason, you
MUST contact me no later than 24 hours after your session; only under those
circumstances may a makeup lab be scheduled. With the global pandemic and
potential quarantines/isolation, makeup labs might be done remotely. To
preserve the integrity of this experiential lab course, please ensure outstanding
experimental clarity, in the event of remote makeup labs or mandated
conversion to an online course.
Safety Rules
Safety goggles are required in the lab at all times, with gloves
during lab work. Ensure that gloved hands never touch your face, and use only
clean gloves (especially after handling chemicals) for computer keyboards or
instrument surfaces. Face masks are required everywhere in Sims, and disposable
face masks for the lab will be provided.
Sims 305: Maintaining Low Entropy
Entrance and Exit Doors
For maximized physical distancing, the entry door is on the north
side, with locked exit door on the south side. As possible for each experiment,
a specific traffic direction will be established.
Documenting Waste
In this lab course, students are expected to dispose of waste. Does it
belong in aqueous waste or organic waste? If you’re not sure, review
general/organic/hygiene chemistry as needed and ASK before you use the wrong waste
bottle. Estimate amounts and write down information on the sheets provided.
Maintaining the Lab
Pretend this is a job (actually, it is). Clean up any area you use. If
you see anyone act irresponsibly, feel free to let me know confidentially. If I
hear you’re a slacker independently from two people, we will be having a
conversation.
Washing Glassware
Clean glassware is happy glassware – the people who use it next will also appreciate it. Wash well with hot, soapy water, rinse with distilled water and allow to dry. On the same theme, when you pick up a piece of glassware, don’t assume it’s clean.
Grading
The 100‑point lab grade consists of the pieces outlined below, further
described in subsequent sections.
5% Slack and Blackboard Participation
5% F2F/Zoom attendance, lab preparation, safety, competence and
respect for others
15% Pre-lab
Assignment/Quizzes: completed
by 2:00 pm on lab day - required for attendance credit
10 % Notebook Pages: due by 4:50 on the day of completed work
20 % Post-lab: first draft due 24 hours after completed
work
35 % Formal
Lab Reports: normally due
one week after completing experimental work
10% Final Exam (Thursday, April
28; see Schedule)
–1 % Per incident involving
lack of safety glasses/mask, dangerous lack of preparation, or any unsafe, preventable
incidentg
Pre-lab Assignment/Quiz
Allow at least an hour for completing pre-lab activities that include any of these: reading, video and Pre-lab Assignment/Quiz. This Assignment/Quiz ensures that you understand the handout well enough to begin lab work. This covers basic content and experimental lab procedures.
Lab Notebook and Notebook Assignment
The bound, non-spiral lab notebook is the only place to keep
written class material: pre-lab notes, lab lecture notes, data collection,
experimental problems and solutions, error analysis, etc. (NO notes on gloves,
scrap paper, or disruptively calling out data to your lab partner!). Lab notes
should be clear enough to repeat your
experiment. Making thorough notes also facilitates the write-up
procedure and helps you become established as a working chemist. These practices are strongly recommended:
·
Table
of Contents and numbered pages
·
Titles/Activity:
date and title of major activity on each page, with any appropriate subtitles.
Describe what was done, along with any data/units.
·
Observations:
all relevant observations should be noted.
·
Reference
to external sources: lab writeup, lecture notes, journal article, conversing
with instructor or another lab group, etc.
·
When
in doubt, leave space.
After each experiment or procedure, the Notebook Assignment is due by 4:50 pm, with three rubrics for raw data, experimental writing, and experimental detail. This assignment is essentially a draft of your formal report Experimental section (sentence or bullet form), as well as collected data. If the experiment or procedure doesn't seem to fall into the rubrics, improvising is part of your learning. Writing must be in third person, past tense and passive voice. “This was done.” You will organize these on no more than 2 pages of the lab notebook. Handwritten, photographed notebook pages are expected to be legible.
Post-lab Assignment
After each procedure, the first Post-lab submission is due within 24 hours. Associated rubrics for Calculations, Propagation of Error, and Literature Comparison are within the Blackboard assignments. Your Post-lab might be graded multiple times: at the time of submission, and with any corrections up until the Lab Report is submitted. The final Post-lab grade is the only one counting towards the course grade.
Calculations (3): Calculations
leading to final result, including graphs and worksheets imbedded into text
file. One sample calculation for each formula or step. Submission of entire
Excel worksheets and excessive typed equations/calculations is discouraged.
Instead, include excerpts of Excel worksheets, small image files and
handwritten, scanned or photographed calculations.
Propagation of Error (3): One sample calculation of propagated error, or assignment-specific percent error.
Accepted Value/Source (3): Comparison of calculated value (with propagated error window) to accepted
value, or appropriate qualitative comparison. Literature source for comparison
is correctly cited and formatted.
Formal Lab Report and Grading Rubric
The lab report is uploaded to
Blackboard as a single pdf document. Any secondary files will not be
opened. The penalty for late reports is 1 point per day, or one subletter
letter grade per day. The elements of Post-lab (Calculations, Propagation
of Error, and Accepted Value/Source) are to be
summarized within the Lab Report (15 points), the five parts described below. Combining
those elements in an appropriate, concise, formal way is part of your learning.
Abstract (3): (3-4
sentences) A brief overview of the entire experiment,
followed by summary of theory and methods, then the final numerical results
(with propagated error) and comparison with any accepted value.
Experimental (3): (1-2
paragraphs) A description of
experimental methods and procedures, with enough detail to reproduce the
experiment. What instruments or supplies were used? Concentrations? Was
standardization performed? What data were taken? Include any data not included
in Data Presentation. Anything
unusual occur?
Data Presentation (3): Well-organized
raw data, formalized from Notebook Pages, complete enough that I can
reproduce your calculations with just the Lab Report. Besides MS-Word tables,
you may instead use images of neatly written tables from your notebook, or
excepts of Excel worksheets imbedded as images into the report. Presentation of Post-lab calculation
highlights, culminating in final calculated values with propagated error. Does one or more of the
random values contribute more to error in the final value?
Discussion and Error (3): Adapted from Post-lab, statement of
calculated value comparison with accepted value, with citation. A synopsis of systematic errors. Within specific
systematic errors, does the “direction” of error (low or high side) make sense
with respect to calculations? How would
any corrections change results?
Cited References (3): Use in-text, numerical citation-sequence system in accordance
with the ACS Style Guide. As
information is used, you are required to cite from assigned reading and any additional
sources. Cite
all sources used besides the lab handout, paraphrase appropriately and avoid
plagiarism. Do not cite a reference
you don’t use and do not use a reference you don’t cite.
Lab Schedule – Spring 2022 (subject to change)
