Welcome to the Home Page of CHEM 204: General
Chemistry Lab
Welcome
to Chemistry 204, General Chemistry Laboratory. Chemistry is an important
science involved in many areas, as chemists seek means to improve the quality of
life. From the food we eat, to the clothes we wear, to energy, our health and
the environment, chemistry plays a central role. Scientists studying the
mysteries of the human body, the future health of our planet, and the farthest
reaches of the universe need an understanding of basic chemical principles. It
is important to note that our understanding of chemistry has largely been
developed through centuries of rigorous laboratory experimentation.
The goals of this
course align with the University Level Competency #1- ″Winthrop
graduates think critically and solve problems″ and University Level
Competency #4- ″Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.″
Students completing this course successfully will:
-Gain
experience in solving scientific problems by having to plan, execute, evaluate,
and present experiments designed in a group setting
-Be introduced
to the communication methods scientists use, including the scientific notebook,
the scientific paper and oral presentation
-Be introduced to some laboratory and instrumental techniques that scientists
use in solving problems
You will complete
six labs this semester. You will not be graded on how close you come to an
answer, but how you plan, execute, evaluate, and present your experimental
data.
University-Level
Competencies: Competency 1: Winthrop
graduates think critically and solve problems.
Winthrop University graduates
reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems. They seek out
and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned
conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of
their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process,
including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments. Throughout this
course, students will work on developing their critical thinking and problem
solving skills. Students will use their chemistry knowledge to investigate how
chemistry is involved in our daily lives.
University-Level
Competencies: Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.
Winthrop
University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject,
occasion, and audience. They create texts -including
but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations-that convey content
effectively. Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication,
Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas.
Finally,
this page provides valuable information. Be sure to review all the information.
Your success in this lab will depend on your preparation. Read the background
material associated with each cooperative lab project before coming to lab. If
you have specific questions, see your lab instructor before coming to lab. You
will want to spend your lab time completing the assignment, not deciding what
to do!