C. Course Outline/ Objectives / Topics:

Student Learning Objectives (SLOs): The overarching Chem 108 course objective is to provide a learning environment that encourages and enables each student to devleop a personal foundational literacy, “knowledge, skills, and fluency”, within the chemistry domain as outlined in the National Academy of Sciences publication, Science Literacy: Concepts, Contexts, and Consequences (2016). https://doi.org/10.17226/23595
More specifically, students will be able to:

Lecture

    1. Define introductory chemical terms and give examples of how they are used.
    2. Apply the chemical knowledge gained by solving mathematical word problems pertaining to a variety of chemical situations.
    3. Distinguish between various states of matter, elements, ions, and molecules by physical and chemical properties.
    4. Construct chemical equations, balance them, and calculate product yields utilizing chemical stoichiometry and other knowledge gained in the course.
    5. Calculate solution concentrations, assess the chemical species present in solutions, and evaluate the physical properties of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions

Laboratory

    1. Perform a variety of chemical experiments and techniques.
    2. Record data and observations.
    3. Apply lecture objectives using data to analyze laboratory results.

Content:

Lecture

    1. Introduction to experimental science of chemistry
      1. The Scientific Method
      2. Metric system, unit conversions, density and temperature
      3. Significant figures and scientific notation
    2. The composition of matter
      1. Physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases
      2. Atoms, molecules, and ionic compounds
      3. Chemical formulas and nomenclature
    3. Atomic theory and the Periodic Table
    4. Chemical reactions and stoichiometry
      1. Prediction of products and balancing equations
      2. Moles, molar mass, percent composition, chemical yields
      3. Types of chemical reactions
      4. Chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle
    5. Gas laws
    6. Solutions
      1. Solubility rules
      2. Expressions of concentration i.e. molarity and percent composition
    7. Acid and base theory
      1. Strong versus weak acids and bases
      2. pH scale
      3. Titrations
      4. Buffers
    8. Nuclear chemistry
      1. Radioactivity and radioisotopes
      2. Half-lives and radioactive decay pathways
      3. Uses of radioactivity: medical applications and power generation

Laboratory

    1. Observe chemical reactions and write balanced equations
    2. Record data and perform calculations with appropriate significant figures
    3. Develop laboratory skills such as pipetting, titrations, measuring volume and mass, and qualitative analysis of an unknown
    4. Draw conclusions by applying lecture topics and vocabulary

F.  Attendance & Absences:
On-time attendance at all scheduled class and lab meetings and remaining for the entire duration of the session are unconditionally expected. If you arrive late for class or lab, you may not be allowed into the classroom & will not be given credit for participating in that session. Two late arrivals will be excused provided that you advise Dr. R. immediately after the class or lab as to the circumstances. If you are to leave class or lab early, you are to advise Dr. R. before the beginning of that session to receive participation credit. If you are to miss a class, quiz, exam or lab due to illness or other legitimate reason, you must advise Dr. R. prior to, or on the day that it is scheduled. If you do not do so, there will be no possibility of making up any missed work or of being excused from assignments, activities or the material presented. Notifying Dr. R. can be done by calling: (925) 969-4216 or sending an e-mail to Dr. R. If you miss a cumulative total of 8 laboratories and/or lectures regardless of the reasons, you may be dropped from the course. [College policy provides for a student being dropped from a course if a student misses a cumulative total of two weeks of class/lab meetings.]

G.  Laboratory:
The laboratory component of the course is skill based and absolutely essential to the overall course. A failing grade in the lab portion will result in a failing grade for the course. The laboratory curriculum will consist of a set of experiments and activities relating to the class topics. The lab grade constitutes 25% of the final grade.

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H. Safety:
Laboratory safety is of the utmost importance to your well being and to your lab mates. Chemical exposure must be minimized through good lab practices. All wastes must be properly disposed of, eye protection must be worn at all times. No one can work in the lab without an instructor being present. Only scheduled experiments are allowed. Bare feet, food, drink, eating, and conduct which places anyone at risk are unacceptable. Violation of safety standards can result in being dropped from the course.

I. Internet and LibreTexts/ChemWiki use and related: