CHEM 104 – Chemistry and Problem-Solving Fundamentals

Section 001

Spring 2011

Instructor: Dr. Snyder                                                                                                                                  
E-mail Address:
snyderk@winthrop.edu
Office: 109B Sims
Office Hours:  WF 10:00-11:00 or by appointment
Course Credit Hours: 3
Lecture:
MW 2:00-3:15 Sims 105

Required Materials:

●    Introduction to Chemical Principles, H. Stephen Stoker, 10th Edition

·         Scientific calculator (a programmable calculator is not necessary)

Course Goals:

●    This course will cover some basic concepts of chemistry.   Some of these concepts will be expanded upon in lab and will serve as a foundation for future chemistry courses.
●    Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles presented in each of the following chapters.
●    Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills

 

 Course Outline:

This is an intense college-level course that focuses upon the fundamentals of chemistry and problem-solving.  Chemistry is a problem solving discipline that requires a firm foundation in quantitative thinking. The class will provide a broad overview of chemistry and will focus on problem solving strategies that are critical to success in subsequent math and science courses. The development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills that is the central focus of CHEM104 is also the first of Winthrop's four University-wide student-learning objectives.

 

In the first semester of general chemistry, we will examine the following topics as time permits:

●    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

Class Preparation: You will get more from a class period if you spend time preparing ahead of time. Therefore, you should:

●    Read assignments before class.  This will give you a better understanding of the topics being discussed and you will be able to take better notes. 

●    Attend class.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain lecture notes from another student in the class. 

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

●    Take good notes.  I highly recommend rewriting your notes as soon as possible after class. 

 

Exams and Grading:

1.      There will be three exams worth 100 points each covering 3-4 chapters. 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. 

 

2.       There will be a comprehensive final exam, worth 200 points.  You must take the final exam and make at least a 50% on the final in order to pass the course.

 

3.       There will be 6 quizzes given throughout the semester worth 20 points each.  See schedule for tentative quiz dates.  Quizzes will be given in the last 15 minutes of class.  No make-up quizzes or time extensions will be given.  Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped before calculating final grades.  If you miss a quiz for any reason, the missed quiz will be the quiz grade that is dropped.  This is a tentative quiz schedule.  The maximum point total for quizzes will not exceed 100 points.  If for some reason we miss a quiz, the point total for quizzes will be adjusted accordingly.

 

4.       There will be approximately 6 In-Class Exercises throughout the semester.   Each one will be worth 10 pts and your lowest grade for the in-class exercises will be dropped prior to calculating final grades.  If you miss an in-class exercise, you will receive a zero for the missed assignment.  The maximum point total for the in-class assignments will not exceed 50 points. If for some reason we miss an in-class exercise, the point total for homework will be adjusted accordingly.

5.      There will be various homework assignments due throughout the semester.  See the course schedule for tentative homework dates.  We will have approximately 6 homework assignments worth 10 points each.  The homework assignment will be posted in Blackboard.  The date the homework is due is given in the schedule below and will be clearly stated once the assignment is posted in Blackboard.   One homework grade will be dropped prior to calculating final grades. The maximum point total for homework assignments will not exceed 60 points. If for some reason we miss a homework assignment, the point total for homework will be adjusted accordingly.

Homework Assignment Requirements:

o    The requirements for each assignment will be given at the time the assignment is posted in Blackboard.

o  The assignment must be neat and clearly written or typed is required.

o    You must show your work

o    No partial credit will be given.

o    If you turn in a homework assignment, it must be complete.  Incomplete assignments will result in a zero grade.

o    Be sure to include your name and the homework assignment number on all assignments turned in.

o    All numerical values must have units if appropriate. 

o    All homework assignments must be turned in on time; no late assignments will be accepted. 

6.       You have one week from the time a graded assignment is returned to ask questions about the way it was graded.  After a week, I will not change a grade.

7.       Letter grades will be assigned as follows: A 100-90%; B+ 89-86%; B 85-77%; C+ 76-74%; C 73-66%; D 65-56%

 

8.      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://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf

 

 

 

Total Possible Points

Exams                                                   300

Final                                                      200

Quizzes                                                 100

In-Class Exercises                                     50

Homework Assignments                        50

Total possible points (max)*                700

*The total number of points for the course may be lower than 700 depending on the number of quizzes and homework assignments.

 

Blackboard:  We will be using Blackboard this semester.  Homework assignments will be posted in Blackboard and announcements may be made through Blackboard.  Some lectures will be PowerPoint presentations and the PowerPoint presentations for these lectures will be posted in Blackboard.  The web address to log into Blackboard is online.winthrop.edu.  Login instructions and Blackboard tutorials can be found at http://www2.winthrop.edu/webct/Blackboard_Training_Tutorials.html

Grades:  I will not discuss grades through e-mail.   If you have a question about your grade, please stop by my office.

Recommend class materials:  I recommend that you bring your textbook, notes, completed homework problems and a calculator to every class. 

Exams and Quizzes: You will need a calculator for exams and quizzes.  Cell phones and pagers are strictly prohibited during exams and quizzes.  You cannot use a cell phone as a calculator during exams and quizzes.

Course Withdraw: March 21th is the last day to withdraw from a full fall 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.

Communication: If you have any questions, please stop by and see me during office hours. If these hours are not convenient, see me in class or e-mail me to set up an appointment.

Attendance: You are expected to attend all class meetings. You are responsible for all announcements made in class. Absence or lateness does not excuse you from this responsibility.

Practice Problems: You are expected to complete each reading assignment and all assigned practice problems.  End of chapter practice problems from the textbook will not be collected or graded.

Students with Disabilities:  Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first exam.

 

This is a tentative schedule.  It will change as necessary.

Date

Graded Exercises

(tentative dates)

Chapter Sections

Practice Problems (Odd problems only unless otherwise indicated)

M, 1/10

No Class- Snow Day

W, 1/12

No class- Snow Day

M, 1/17

No Class

W, 1/19

In-Class Exercise

3.1-3.11

Chapter 3:  39-49, 53, 55, 61, 63-79, 83-95, 113, 117, 121

M, 1/24

Quiz 1

HW 1

Chapter 4

Chapter 4:  17, 31, 37, 51, 53, 65, 67, 71, 73, 77, 81, 83, 105, 109, 111

W, 1/26

5.1-5.4

Chapter 5:  1-31, 39, 41-49, 69-75, 79, 89, 91, 95, 99, 109-127, 135-139, 143, 145, 181, 183

M, 1/31

Quiz 2

HW 2

5.5-5.13

Nuclear Power

W, 2/2

In-Class Exercise

6.1-6.6

Chapter 6:  5, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 27, 33-59, 71, 77, 79, 87, 117, 147, 149, 151, 153

M, 2/7

6.7-6.12

W, 2/9

Exam 1

M, 2/14

7.1-7.10

Chapter 7:  1, 3, 9, 13, 21-27, 37, 39, 41, 47-63, 77, 79, 81, 97-105, 109-115, 121, 125-137, 145-149, 185, 187

W, 2/16

7.10-7.16

M, 2/21

Quiz 3

HW 3

7.17-7.20

W, 2/23

8.1-8.7

Chapter 8:  1, 3, 7-13, 27-49, 61-65, 69, 73, 75, 79, 81, 83, 89-105, 133, 137, 139

M, 2/28

Quiz 4

HW 4

9.1-9.10

Chapter 9:  1, 9, 11-21, 35-53, 57, 61, 63, 69, 71, 73, 75, 79-91, 95, 181, 185, 187, 189, 193

W, 3/2

In-Class Exercise

Review for Exam

M, 3/7

Exam 2

W, 3/9

Withdraw Deadline

10.1-10.6, 13.1, 13.4, 15.1-15.3

Chapter 10:  1-7, 15-43, 53, 55,57, 59, 65-79, 85-97, 101-121, 127-133, 137, 141, 143, 145, 151, 153, 157  Chapter 13:  5, 9, 21, 23, 29, 31

Chapter 15:  1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 17, 19


 

3/14-16

Spring Break

M, 3/21

10.7-10.12

W, 3/23

In-Class Exercise

10.7-10.12

M, 3/28

Quiz 5

HW 5

11.1-11.15

Chapter 11:  5, 9, 17, 23-45, 51-55, 59-63, 69-99, 113, 115, 119, 121, 123

W, 3/30

11.16-11.17

M, 4/4

In-Class Exercise

13.1-13.11

Chapter 13:  9, 17, 21, 23, 27-33, 37, 41-47, 51-57, 61-65, 71-93, 103-115, 119-129, 155-161

Chapter 15:  91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 123

W, 4/6

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: 5, 7. 9, 11, 35, 45, 49, 51, 53, 55, 83, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 107, 109, 161, 163, 165

M, 4/11

Quiz 6

HW 6

Chapter 14

W, 4/13

In-Class Exercise

Chapter 15

Chapter 15:  15, 17, 19, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 123

M, 4/18

Exam 3

W, 4/20

Review for Final

M, 4/25

Review for Final

T, 5/3

Final Exam

11:30 am in Sims 105