Course Syllabus

CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I

Course Description

This course is designed to teach chemical theory and principles as they are applied to present day chemistry. Topics covered in this course include atomic theory, gas laws, thermochemistry, molecular bonding, reaction chemistry, etc. This course is for students majoring in programs such as chemistry, physics, geology, biology, engineering, and pre-medical areas who will take additional chemistry courses.

Justification

This is a standard freshman chemistry course that is required for majors in most natural science, engineering, or premedical areas. This course prepares students to understand basic chemical processes from distillation in oil refining, to molecular orbitals in bonding theory. Other medical and science related fields use chemistry as a background for understanding courses in biochemistry, biology, geology, or physics. The basic problem-solving skills learned in this course are valuable in many areas and are vital life skills. This course is numbered as and equivalent to CHEM 1210 across USHE institutions.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will be required to apply the concepts that are covered in class to real world problems and situations in society. They are asked to solve computations relating to these applications and explain phenomena in everyday life based on the laws covered in lecture. Some of these problems involve environmental protection, cost analysis, air and water quality, energy consumption and generation, modern medications and side effects, computer function, and space exploration. A student will demonstrate their knowledge and ability on homework, tests, and/or quizzes.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Throughout the course students will be asked to assimilate data in various forms via reading in textbooks, journal investigations and internet searches. They will also be asked to relate what they have learned via essays, calculations, and problem solving on reports, tests, and homework assignments, and/or in class discussions.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will be required to use writing and mathematics skills throughout the course. Connections will be made between chemistry and the other sciences. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and ability on homework, tests, and/or quizzes.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. This course is very math intensive. Students will be required to use a calculator on most homework assignments and tests. Most of these computational problems are story problems and require students to interpret the data in the problem via derived mathematical equations and will demonstrate this ability on homework and/or tests.
5. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason quantitatively.  Most problems in CHEM 1210 are application problems that require not only an understanding of the step-by-step process required to solve the problem, but also an overall understanding of chemical principles being applied. Each chapter presents new concepts that require different computational skills to solve problems. These types of problems help to build logic and critical thinking skills required for future trouble shooting and problem-solving skills in all aspects of life. A student will demonstrate their ability to reason on homework, tests, and/or quizzes.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will be given opportunities in homework and exam questions, quizzes, and/or projects to use their newfound understanding of chemical principles to explain phenomena that they observe in the physical world. Students will be given opportunities in homework and exam questions, quizzes, and/or projects to use their newfound understanding of chemical principles to explain phenomena that they observe in the physical world.
2. Demonstrate understanding of forces in the physical world. Homework, quiz, and/or exam questions will assess student comprehension of forces and relationships between forces within the atom, between atoms, and between molecules. Student understanding of the ways in which these forces manifest in macroscopic systems will also be assessed.
3. Discuss the flow of matter and energy through systems (in large and small scales). Homework, quiz, and exam questions will assess student ability to explain how matter and/or energy move or change in a chemical system. Student understanding of the flow of matter in micro- and macroscopic systems will be assessed.
4. Develop evidence-based arguments regarding the effect of human activity on the Earth. Using recent publications whenever possible, instructors will model this outcome by showing and explaining scientifically valid evidence of the consequences of human activities on the natural world through the lens of chemistry. Students will be given opportunities to recall and restate these examples and to generate appropriate conclusions from evidence provided to them in homework or exam questions or writing assignments.
5. Describe how the Physical Sciences have shaped and been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts. Homework questions or writing assignments will be used to prompt student exploration of and probe student understanding of the historical development of significant theories/models in chemistry and how ethical and social milieus affected those scientific advances.By affording students opportunities to learn of and recognize the value in the scientific contributions of scientists from historically marginalized populations, they can understand that while scientists have not been immune to the discriminatory practices of society, the scientific method’s innate characteristic of self-correction ensures that such important contributions are recognized and valued.

Course Content

This course will focus on the following topics: 1. Matter, measurements, the scientific method, and problem solving. 2. The laws of nature that led to modern atomic theory. 3. Basic chemical nomenclature for inorganic, and organic molecules. 4. Chemical equation stoichiometry and types of chemical reactions. 5. Properties of gases and gas laws. 6. Introduction to thermodynamics and enthalpies of reaction. 7. Introduction to quantum mechanics and modern atomic theory. 8. Trends and properties of the periodic table. 9. Basic bonding theory and an introduction into modern molecular orbital theory. 10. Properties of solids and liquids, intermolecular forces, phase diagrams and crystal packing.Throughout the course real-world examples of chemical topics will be given with discussion as to how they apply to all, including populations. Differences in the classroom is a strength and we are committed to an accepting environment that celebrates the variety of the members of the classroom community. The instructor will strive to reach, support, and show respect to every person and it is expected that all members of the classroom community do the same. Our goal is to help each student be successful in learning the content of the course in an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, exploitation, and/or intimidation.