CHEM 104 – Chemistry and Problem-Solving Fundamentals

Fall 2020

Required Materials:

●    Text: OpenStax Chemistry digital text. https://openstax.org/details/books/chemistry-atoms-first-2e

●    A scientific calculator with logarithms and exponential functions (cell phones may NOT be used).

●    A computer with internet access and a webcam (used for online exams).

Course Goals:

●   Gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of chemistry.
●    Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
●    Build a foundation of good study habits and knowledge for more advanced scientific studies.
●    Better understand how science and chemistry relate to the world around us.

University Level Competencies: 

●   Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. 
●   Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible. 
●   Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live. 
●   Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively

 Course Outline:

• This is a fully online course. Lecture materials are presented online via videos. Exams and quizzes will be administered via Blackboard

• This is an intense problem solving course that will develop a solid foundation in chemistry and critical thinking skills.

In this course, we will examine the following topics:

●   Unit Systems and Dimensional Analysis
●    Basic Concepts of Matter
●    Subatomic Particles, Isotopes and Nuclear Chemistry
●    Electronic Structure and Chemical Periodicity
●    Chemical Bonds
●    Chemical Nomenclature
●    Chemical Calculations: The Mole Concept and Chemical Formulas
●    Chemical Calculations Involving Chemical Equations
●    States of Matter
●    Gas Laws
●    Solutions
●    Acids, Bases and Salts
●    Chemical Equations: Net Ionic and oxidation-Reduction

Preparation: You will get more from each weekly meeting if you spend time preparing ahead of time. Therefore, you should:

● Watch the video lectures which are linked in the online assignments prior to attempting each assignment, and complete Blackboard assignments on time. 

● Check Blackboard daily for important announcements, and pay close attention to the instructions for assessments (quizzes and exams), as well as due dates. 

● You are responsible for any announcements made via Blackboard, or by email. Ensure that Blackboard is set to send announcements to your email address, and check your email daily.

● Devote time to study each day.  This is a rigorous course that requires daily preparation.  Work homework/practice problems daily.

● Take good notes and develop good study habits. Many students with good work ethics often still need to change how they approach studying for this course. Working problems independently is necessary to improve your comprehension and problem solving skills. Supplemental work with tutors or fellow students can also be advantageous. 

● Work out all problems on paper, whether for exams, quizzes, or practice, and make sure to keep track of units and significant figures. This develops better problem solving skills, aids you in catching careless mistakes, and helps me or your tutors in troubleshooting your work. In addition, parts of some quizzes and exams will require you to show your work in order to receive credit.

● Use your time wisely. Online quizzes typically have at least a three day window to complete and have multiple attempts (with different questions every time). Start your attempts early rather than waiting until the deadline. Review previous attempts so that you may learn from your mistakes before taking the quiz again. This also gives you time to ask me for assistance between attempts.

Exams and Grading:

• There will be five exams worth 100 points each. No make-up exams will be given.  Tentative exam dates are noted on the course schedule.  If you miss an exam with a valid excuse, the missed exam grade will be replaced with your final exam grade scaled to 100 points.

• There will be a comprehensive final exam, worth 200 points.  You must take the final exam in order to pass the course.

  • The final exam for section 007 will be assigned via Blackboard on Saturday, December 5, and you will have 4 days to complete the exam.

• Quizzes and objective assignments will be given throughout the semester via Blackboard. Normally there will be two blackboard quizzes per week. You will be given at least three days to complete each quiz, so missed quizzes due to computer/internet issues is not a valid excuse and you will receive a zero for that grade. There will be no make-up quizzes.  The lowest three quiz grades will be dropped.  If a quiz is missed, that grade will be one of the dropped scores.

• You are expected to complete each reading/video assignment prior to beginning each online quiz/exam. Video links are included in the instructions for each assessement, and are also available from this syllabus. This is necessary to complete the Blackboard quizzes and text homework assignments.

• You have one week from the time a graded assignment is returned/posted on Blackboard to ask questions about the grading.  After a week, I will not change a grade.

• Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

• A: 88 - 100%;

• B: 76 - 87%;

• C: 66 - 75%;

• D: 56 - 65

• F: 0 – 55%

• CR: 56 – 100%

• UN: 0 – 55%

• You should carefully read the Winthrop University Student Conduct Code printed in the Winthrop University Student Handbook.  As noted in the Student Conduct Code:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” This policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/studentconduct/StudentHandbook.pdf

Exams and Quizzes: You will need a scientific calculator (one with exponential notation, logarithms, and orders of operation) for exams and quizzes. 
Use of cell phones and sharing of calculators are both strictly prohibited during exams and quizzes. You will also need a computer with internet access and a web camera for exams (and for a ‘quiz’ to test your equipment).2

Course Withdraw: August 28 is the last day to withdraw from a full semester course with an automatic N grade issued.  Students may not withdraw from a course after this date without documented extenuating circumstances as determined by the University.

Requirements for Communicating Through Email: You are required to use your Winthrop University email address when communicating with classmates or me through email. All communications about this course will be sent by me to your Winthrop email address and you are required to use your Winthrop email address when sending emails to me. When sending me an email, please use “CHEM 104” in the subject line. If you use another email account, it is possible that your email will go to my junk folder. If you added the course late or are not receiving emails, go to http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081 to add yourself.

Attendance/participation:  You are expected to actively participate in the course, and keep up with all announcements made in Blackboard or sent via email. Participation includes replying to emails requesting a response, completing online assignments, and contacting the instructor with any questions or concerns. Absences include not responding to instructor requests and failure to complete online assignments.

Online learning: Any student enrolled in courses at Winthrop regardless of modality (traditional in-person, online, hybrid, ...) is entitled access to all campus resources. These resources include, but are not limited to, admissions counseling, recreational facilities, and health, library, and academic services. Questions regarding access to these resources should be directed to the assigned academic advisor.

Masking Expectations: Winthrop requires that all students adhere to safety practices that will minimize the transmission of COVID-19 within the campus community. Accordingly, students are expected to engage in social distancing and wear a cloth face mask while on campus. Failure to comply with this requirement in the classroom will result in dismissal from the current class meeting. Repeated violations will be reported to the Dean of Students as a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Students with conditions that prohibit the wearing of a face mask should discuss this with their instructor and/or contact the Office of Accessibility to arrange appropriate accommodations.

Students with Disabilities/Need of Accommodations for Access:

Winthrop University is committed to providing access to education.  If you have a condition which may adversely impact your ability to access academics and/or campus life, and you require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290, or, accessibility@winthrop.edu,as early as possible to discuss your concerns.

Academic Success Center: Winthrop's Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically.  The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), and group/individual study spaces.  The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106.  Tutoring for this specific course is offered through the office.  If you wish to request a tutor, you must attend ONE Tutee Seminar, offered every Friday until mid-semester. Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu if you have any questions.  For more information on ASC services, please visit www.winthrop.edu/success.

***This document may be adjusted as needed during the semester. The student is responsible for being aware of any changes and so should check the department website, chem.winthrop.edu, prior to every class for changes to this syllabus.

This is a tentative schedule and will be revised as needed.