CHEM 1211L – Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory
Course Syllabus - Fall 2006

| Course description | Objectives | Outcomes | Term | Instructor information | Class meetings |
| Text | Assessments | Make-Up/Late Work | Lecture Requirements | Evaluation |
| Grading | Mid-term Progress Report | Helpful Information | Course schedule | Course policies | 

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Administration Building Room 23, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

CHEM 1211L (CRN 85384, 85385, 85386)
Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory

Credit Hours:

Chemistry 1211L is a one hour credit science laboratory course associated with Chemistry 1211.

Catalog Description:

Laboratory accompanying CHEM 1211.

Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites:

Co-requisite: CHEM 1211  (CRN  85382 or 85383), Principles of Chemistry I

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.   My campus e-mail address is jimbraun@clayton.edu.  This course has a web page which can be accessed through my home page at http://a-s.clayton.edu/braun/default.html.  Once you have accessed the course web page, you may wish to "bookmark" this site as you will refer to it often during the semester.  

The course web page offers you many instructional aides:  safety rules, waiver of liability, tips for final laboratory report, etc.  It is your responsibility to become familiar with these materials.   

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system.
• Able to use a the Microsoft Word^TM word processing program including forms.
• Able to use Microsoft Excel^TM spread sheet program including graphing.
• Able to send and receive e-mail using the Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM program
• Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email.
• Able to use a Web browser.
• Able to download files from a web site to your computer.

Your instructor may have access to more font sets than your computer currently holds.  Therefore, there may be some differences in the appearance of symbols when viewing old exams and exercise sheets.  If this is a problem, consult the instructor.  

You should develop the habit of checking your e-mail daily.  Because of the number of student we typically have, there may be some delay in the instructor's response to an individual's e-mail.  Do not send time-sensitive information via e-mail--use the old system of the telephone.  A delivered e-mail does not relieve you of the responsibility of informing the instructor about some concern.  On the other hand, the instructor may send e-mails with information vital to your success in the course.  Check your e-mail often, at least once a day.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will be used occasionally in the classroom for this course. A laboratory session will be held to offer instruction/review of Excel^TM and the completion of a spread sheet containing data important to the laboratory.  Participation in this session is expected and the student is required to complete the spread sheet and graph.  Computers will also be required to access a data base containing information about chemical compounds.  Computers will also be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Course Objectives:

• To learn basic chemical laboratory techniques including titration as well as basic measurement techniques.

• To learn how to use the scientific process in a laboratory situation and be able to communicate experimental results through a formal laboratory report.

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 2, 3, 4 and 5  of the biology major:

• Outcome 2.    Mastery of a broad range of basic lab skills applicable to biology.
• Outcome 3.    Knowledge of physical science, mathematics, and statistics required to support an understanding of biology.
• Outcome 4.    Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner.
• Outcome 5.    Ability to collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.

Term:

Fall, 2006

Instructor Information:

Instructor:

Dr. Evan Mintzer (CRN 85382)

phone: (678) 466-4559

fax: (678) 466-4899

e-mail: EvanMintzer@clayton.edu

internet:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/emintzer/

office: Arts & Sciences G-110-J

office hours: Mon: 8 -9am; M&W: 1:30-4:30pm; Thurs: 9-10am

 

Dr. James R. Braun (CRN 85383)

phone: (678) 466-4773 (Office)          (770) 389-8619  (Home)

fax: (678) 466-4899

e-mail: JimBraun@clayton.edu

internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/braun/default.html

office: Arts & Sciences G105-K

office hours: Tuesday & Thursday:  2:00pm-3:00pm;  5:00pm-6:00pm   or by appointment

Class Meetings:

Classroom and Class Times:

CRN	Instructor	Time	Day	Building	Room
85384	Mintzer	9:30am - 12:20 pm	Monday	Business & Health Science	C-54
85385	Braun	1:30pm - 4:20 pm	Monday	Business & Health Science	C-54
85386	Braun	4:30pm - 7:20 pm	Monday	Business & Health Science	C-54

Textbook & Supplies Information:

Text:

Chemistry 1211 Laboratory Manual

Supplies:

You are required to supply your own safety glasses for the laboratory.  These are available in the campus book store but may be purchased elsewhere.  Safety glasses MUST be worn in the laboratory at all times.  If necessary, the instructor will deduct points from lab reports for not wearing safety glasses while in the laboratory.   You must also have a laboratory notebook that produces carbonless copies and a pen.

Assessments:

The grade in the course will be the result of the grade attained on ten laboratory data & report sheets.  These are included as part of the actual experiment in the laboratory manual but also as a computer file on the laboratory web site as a  Word^TM document.  You should download the files, complete them, and print a computer copy to be submitted.  No handwritten reports will be accepted.   A report must be graded as acceptable for completion of the lab.  There will be a penalty for late lab reports of 10% per day of the week.   Be sure to keep a back-up copy.  Tables, subscripts, superscripts, etc. will be expected as part of the report.  Reports may not be submitted by e-mail.  All data is to be kept in a laboratory notebook that produces a carbonless copy.  This copy of the data sheet must be submitted each laboratory day at the end of lab.  Scoring of reports will be based upon content, accuracy, completeness, grammar and format.  Each individual report attempts to teach the student about one aspect of a professional laboratory report.  At the end of the semester, one formal, typed, lab report will be submitted utilizing all the components taught during the semester.

Make-ups / Late Work:

Because of the tight schedule of the laboratories involving the preparation of chemicals and storing of equipment, the instructor cannot guarantee any make-up lab.  Therefore, missed labs will either be counted as a zero or other arrangements will be made by the instructor.  Points will be deducted for late laboratory reports at the rate of 10% per day of the week.

Lecture Requirement:

The student should note that the lecture is a co- or prerequisite for this course.  If you are currently enrolled in the lecture, you should take special note that if you withdraw from either the lecture course or the laboratory, you must withdraw from the other.  

Evaluation:

Completion of Safety forms	100
Ten (10) Laboratory Reports	100 @
Final written laboratory report	100
TOTAL	1200

Grading:

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.  If a mid-term grade is submitted, on or about October 10, it will reflect approximately 25% of the entire course grade.  Based upon 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, October 13th.    Please note that if you withdraw from the laboratory, you must also withdraw from the lecture course.  Students making unsatisfactory progress will be contacted individually by the instructor before mid-term.

Helpful Information:

Homework:  Your laboratory experiments should be prepared.  This includes having a working knowledge of the procedure, the calculations and the problems pertaining to your experiment.  If there are specific problems, both examples and exercises, in the laboratory manual pertaining to each experiment, it is your responsibility to study and attempt these problems.  

Notebooks:  You are required to have a carbonless copy laboratory notebook.  You will not be able to work in the laboratory without your notebook.  Any scrap paper or paper towels with data will be confiscated and destroyed at the discretion of the instructor.
The notebook should include such things as initial and final readings, tabulated data, observations, and calculations in a clear, legible manner.  All entries in the notebook should be made in ink.  Units should be included with each number.  Errors may be crossed out once, i.e.  1.0000 g, but there should be no erasures or block-outs.  Neatness and good organization are desired, but legibility, proper labeling and completeness are absolute necessities.  You should submit the copy of the data collect each laboratory period at the end of that laboratory period.

Risk:  Participation in laboratory activities involves an inherent risk of injury.  In the event of injury, the student should immediately inform the instructor who will contact the Campus Public Safety Officer.  The officer will file an accident report and administer first aid or contact appropriate medical help.

Note:  The instructor reserves the right to alter the laboratory schedule as he sees fit.  Students must participate in the laboratory in order to successfully complete the course.

Academic Irregularity:  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.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.  

Course Schedule:

The preparation and set-up of the chemistry laboratories is not an easy chore.  There are multitudes of sections and courses that use the same laboratory.  It is critical that you attend the laboratory during your scheduled time period.    T

                                    Tentative Topic Schedule  

If reports are placed in my mailbox, please ask the secretary to initial and place date and time on the report.  Late reports incur a 10% per day of the week penalty.

PLEASE CAREFULLY NOTE THE DATES & TIME!!!

Course Policies:

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

Class roll will be taken and students are expected to attend their assigned laboratory.  Because of the difficulty in staging laboratories, the instructor cannot guarantee any make-up labs.

Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending or visiting the laboratory without the permission of the instructor.

Electronic calculators will be needed for laboratory calculations.   The battery and working of your calculator will be your responsibility.  You will find it useful to have your calculator in the laboratory.

As a courtesy to your classmates:

1. Arrive to lab on time, and stay until the exercise is complete.
2. No children or visitors are allowed in the laboratory.
3. Turn off beepers, phones, radios and other electronic devices.  Pacemakers are allowed.
4. Replace all chemicals to the shelves with lids firmly attached.
5. Clean all spills that occur on and around the balances.
6. Be sure all glassware is cleaned with soap, rinsed and hung to dry;  return all equipment to its proper place.  No glassware should be left in the sink.
7. Be very careful with thermometers.--Expensive!!
8. No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.
9. Be aware of all safety rules, policies and procedures.   Abide by the safety rules while in the laboratory.
10. Wear your safety glasses (This is a must)  at all times in the laboratory.  If necessary, the instructor will deduct points from lab reports for not wearing safety glasses while in the laboratory.
11. The lab technicians have been authorized to perform surprise drawer checks.

The instructor reserves the right to take any steps he deems necessary in order to produce satisfactory results in the laboratory.

Last update: August 29, 2006