Course Syllabus
Course: CHEM 1115
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Chemistry
Title: Elementary Chemistry Laboratory
Semester Approved: Summer 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Spring 2027
End Semester: Spring 2028
Catalog Description: This is a general inorganic and organic chemistry laboratory which reinforces the fundamental facts, theories and laws of chemistry through laboratory experiences. (It is designed for students in home economics, nursing, physical therapy, some areas of biology, forestry and agriculture, as well as other related health sciences.) Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1110 is required. A lab fee is required for non-online sections.
General Education Requirements: Physical Science Lab (LB)
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 0; Lab: 2
Prerequisites: MATH 0850, 1010 or equivalent
Corequisites: CHEM 1110
Justification: This course is offered by chemistry departments at most institutions in the state and may transfer to them. It is a service course for allied health sciences, forestry, agriculture, etc. as required by their major departments. This laboratory course may also fulfill part of the Physical Science General Education Option. Science is the systematic inquiry into natural phenomena, organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to: 1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; 2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.)
General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the concepts of the scientific method, chemical stoichiometry, gas laws and solution chemistry to draw conclusions related to their laboratory projects. These laboratory projects relate to topics such as: how soap functions, distillation, and combustion. Students will be evaluated through written lab reports and the lab final. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the concepts of the scientific method, chemical stoichiometry, gas laws and solution chemistry to draw conclusions related to their laboratory projects. These laboratory projects relate to topics such as: how soap functions, distillation, and combustion. Students will be evaluated through written lab reports and the lab final.
Content:
Chemistry 1115 is an introduction to General Chemistry and an introduction to Organic Chemistry Laboratory that includes the following major laboratory experiments: Safety in the Chemical Laboratory, Measurements, Density, Chemical Changes, Double Displacement Reactions, Gas Laws, Chemical Equilibrium, Acid/Base and pH, Organic Models, Melting Points, Alkene Reactions, and Alcohol Reactions. Course content will be conveyed through the lab manual, hands-on lab experience, and written lab reports to provide an application of the course material in the co-requisite lecture course.
Scientists from any background may be highlighted as to their role in these historical experiments. Including the diverse perspectives of historical and modern scientists as well as from the students in this course are invaluable in aiding accessibility for all students to understand the chemical context of everyday life.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students will be assessed on a weekly basis through in-laboratory assignments and occasional quizzes. Homework will be assigned on a regular basis to give students the opportunity to check their own progress
Labs (about 12) 80 to 100%
Quizzes (occasional, as needed) 0 to 15%
Written or practical lab final (final counts as two labs) 0 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Most laboratory experiments will be written in-house. A copy of each laboratory experiment will be available on the class Website.
A lab kit or materials may be required for the online version of the course.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course is taught through hands-on experiences in chemistry that demonstrate and investigate the properties and reactions that matter undergoes in the world around us. These experiential learning experiences demonstrate the best possible high impact practice in accelerating student learning.
Students processes their understanding and experiences in written lab write-ups that allow for calculation, understanding of the data, and reflection.
Instructional Mediums:
Lab
Online
Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 16
