CHEM 1211L - Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I
Course Syllabus - Fall 2009

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center Room 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

Chemistry 1211L (CRN 87188, 87189, and 87190)
Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I

Credit Hours:

1.0 semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

Laboratory accompanying CHEM 1211.

CHEM 1211L is a one-hour credit science laboratory course, associated with Chemistry 1211, for Area D1 of the Core Curriculum of Clayton State University.

Course Co-requisite:

CHEM 1211

Note: Due to the co-requisite nature of CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L, students dropping one of the two courses must also drop the other.

Notebook Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skills Prerequisites:

• Able to use the computer’s operation system (Windows®)
• Able to access and send E-mail (Outlook® or Outlook Express®)
• Able to use a Web browser and Search Engine (Internet Explorer®)
• Able to download files from a web site to your computer
• Able to use a word processor system (Word®) including use of forms
• Able to use a spread sheet system (Excel®) including graphing

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will be used ONCE in the lab room during this course. Computers will be used to access course materials, prepare weekly laboratory report sheets and to communicate with your instructor.

Course Objectives:

• To learn the basic principles of chemistry and how to apply them.

• To learn how to use the scientific process and gain facility with experimental techniques.

Student Learning Outcomes:

General education outcomes:

The following links provide tabular descriptions of the communications outcome and the critical thinking outcome components  (see CHEM 1211L in the tables):

• Communications outcomes components
• Critical thinking outcomes components

Biology outcomes:

CHEM 1211L supports outcomes 3, 4 and 5 of the biology major:

• Outcome 3.  Apply knowledge of physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics to biological concepts.
• Outcome 4.  Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
• Outcome 5.  Demonstrate the ability to collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.

Term:

        Fall Semester 2009 

Instructor Information:

Class Meetings:

Lab Materials Information:

CSU General Chemistry Laboratory Manual for Principles of Chemistry 1211

Laboratory Safety Glasses
Bound Carbonless Copy Laboratory Notebook

Evaluation:

Your evaluation in CHEM 1211L will be based upon the following component:

You will be evaluated on weekly experiment worksheets as well as on formal written reports detailing specified parts of certain experiments. All data is to be kept in a carbonless copy laboratory notebook. Copies of the lab work will be turned in at the end of each lab period.  Graded reports will be handed back in a timely fashion (typically at the next laboratory session). The report must be typed, double-spaced on white paper, and be written in standard English in paragraph form. Scoring will be based on content, accuracy, completeness, grammar and format.

Grading:

The grade you receive in Chemistry 1211 will be based upon the following scale:

Mid-term Progress Report

Due to the relatively small number of laboratory reports that will have been returned by mid-term, mid-term grade may not be reported for this course.  Students making unsatisfactory progress will be contacted individually by the instructor before mid-term.  If the instructor feels that enough lab reports have been completed by the deadline for mid-term grades, they may issue a mid-term grade report.  If issued the mid-term grade in this course will be issued on or about October 6, reflects only a portion of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on October 9, 2009.        

Laboratory Schedule:

Course Policies:

General Policy:
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

University Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students' ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserve the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy:
Attendance is required in lab until you have completed the experimental portion of this course. You will be institutionally withdrawn from the laboratory course if you have a total of FOUR excused or unexcused laboratory absences.

Students will lose safety points for tardiness

Academic Dishonesty:  
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct.  The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated.  Consequences may include a zero grade on the assessment instrument, or possible action by the College Judicial Board of Review.   Judicial procedures are described at
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Disruption of the learning Environment:
Behavior which disrupts the teaching-learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane and or threatening behavior. A students who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation , a students may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Other Policies:

Participation in laboratory activities involves an inherent risk of injury. In the event of injury, the student should immediately inform the instructor or laboratory technician who will file an accident report. The injured party will be given first aid through the Campus Public Safety Officer and be referred to the appropriate medical facility for follow-up.

Safety glasses must be worn at all times in the laboratory. Students will lose safety points each time they are seen without safety glasses.

Clothing above knee level and open-toed shoes are not accepted. Students will not be allowed into the lab and will lose safety points for not wearing the appropriate clothing or shoes to the lab.

As a courtesy to your classmates:

• Arrive to lab on time and stay until the exercise is complete.
• No children or visitors are allowed in the laboratory.
• Turn off beepers, phones, radios and other electronic devices.
• No eating, smoking or drinking in the laboratory. No food is allowed in the laboratory.
• Be aware of all policies and procedures.

No extra credit work will be assigned

It is the students’ responsibility to complete the Student Survey and Course/Instructor Evaluation for each course and each instructor every semester. If this is not done during the allotted time period, the student will be restricted from seeing their final course grade until approximately one week after final exams have ended. Instructors are not allowed to give course grades to those who did not complete these evaluations. Also, I am not allowed to give out grades over the telephone or via email due to federal privacy laws.

Reports are due on the dates indicated in the schedule. There is a 10% per working day penalty for late labs. Under no circumstances will reports be accepted after the last day of classes as printed in the College schedule.

Last update: August 11, 2009