CHEM 1211L - Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory
Course Syllabus - Spring 2011


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



Course Description:

Number and Title

CHEM 1211L (CRN 24359 & 25516) Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory

Credit Hours:

1.0 semester credit hours

Course 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 Prerequisite:

Co-requisite: CHEM 1211, Principles of Chemistry I (CRN = 24357 & 24336)
 

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 Skill Prerequisites:

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers will occasionally be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will also be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.


Course Objectives

After completing the course the successful student will:


Program 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):

 

Chemistry outcomes:

CHEM 1211L supports outcomes 1-6 of the chemistry major:

After completing the B.S. in Chemistry program at Clayton State University, graduates will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of chemistry.
2. demonstrate a broad range of basic laboratory skills applicable to chemistry, and improved chemical research skills.
3. demonstrate knowledge of technology related to chemistry, including laboratory instrumentation.
4. apply knowledge of physics and mathematics to solve chemical problems.
5. communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.
6. collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in chemistry and supporting fields.

 

Biology outcomes:

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


Term:

Spring 2011


Instructor Information:

Instructor:

Dr. Patricia Todebush
Office phone: (678) 466-4788
Fax: (678) 466-4797
Office: Faculty Hall 31D
Email: patriciatodebush@clayton.edu
Internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/ptodebus/default.html

Office hours:

Monday 11AM - 1 PM
Tuesday and Thursday 11:15 AM - 2 PM
or by appointment


Class Meetings:

CRN Days Times Room
24359 W 10:00 am - 12:50 pm  LAB
25516 W 1:00 pm - 3:50 pm LAB

Textbook Information:

Text:

Chemistry 1211 Laboratory Manual
Bound Carbonless Copy Laboratory Notebook

Supplies:

Safety Glasses
List of Safety Rules (From the course web site)
Scientific Calculator
Access to a computer

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.


Lecture Requirement

The student should note that the lecture is a co- or pre-requisite for this course.


Evaluation:

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

Component Points
Laboratory Data Sheets (10 reports @ 30 points each) 300
Laboratory Formal Report 100
Yellow Notebook Pages 100
Safety 100
Written Exam 100
TOTAL 700

Grading:

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

Letter Grade Percentage Range Point Range
A 90% or greater 630 - 700
B 80% - 89% 560-629
C 70% - 79% 490-559
D 60% - 69% 420-489
F less than 60% <420

Mid-term Progress Report:

The mid-term grade in this course will not be issued due to limited grades in the course.  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 March 4, 2011.


Tentative Course Schedule:

The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule as necessary and will communicate any changes clearly to the class.

Date Topic
January 19 First Lab--Introduction to the laboratory; Computer Lab 
January 26 Density Lab
February 2 Avagadro's Number Lab
February 9 Copper Lab
February 16 Acid Base Titration Part I
February 23 Acid Base Titration Part II
March 2 Vitamin C
March 16 Spectrophotometric Determination of Cr
March 23 Solution Calorimetry Part I
March 30 Solution Calorimetry Part II
April 6 LAB EXAM
April 13 VSEPR Lab
April 20 Gas Lab
April 27 Check Out REPORT DUE

 PLEASE CAREFULLY NOTE THE DATE & TIME of EACH LAB. 

They may not appear sequentially in the lab manual!!!


Course Policies:

Homework:

The lab meets in the designated room at the designated time.  You are to complete the assigned laboratory exercise at that time.  The instructor cannot guarantee the possibility of a make-up lab.  Your laboratory experiments should be prepared.  This includes pre-lab reading and preparation, performing the experiment, collection and proper recording of data and observations, conclusions, answers to all questions and clean-up as well as the experiment write-up.  Points will be lost for late work received at the rate of 10% per day of the week.

Reports:

Reports are due at the beginning of the next laboratory period, unless announced differently by the instructor in class or through e-mail.  The report should include the data sheet and the laboratory report sheet with all questions answered.  These sheets are supplied as a computer "form" accessible from the course web page.  The forms should be typed and printed and submitted on time.  Reports will not be accepted via e-mail.  The student is expected to spend time outside of the laboratory on the report sheet.  Proper writing skills are expected.  Points will be lost for poor grammar, spelling, writing, etc.  and/or the instructor may request that the report be redone.  Points will be lost for late reports at the rate of 10% per day of the week.  Reports are considered late if not handed in at the beginning of the next laboratory period, which is within 2 minutes of the starting time for the laboratory period.  No reports will be accepted after the last scheduled day of classes. 

Group Work:

We will not normally work in small groups in the laboratory.  You are responsible for cleaning all equipment used and keeping the lab neat and clean.  Points will be deducted for failure to wear safety glasses while physically in the laboratory, for messy labs, late reports, horseplay in lab, etc., at the discretion of the instructor.
Even though we may perform the experiment in groups, and even though we encourage an exchange of ideas for comprehension of the laboratory exercise, all reports must be of an individual nature.  Written work must be original and must be the individual's expression of the results and understanding of the laboratory concepts.  Work that has been copied from another individual will result in the lowering of both scores.

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 she 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.

Other Information

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.  The instructor will not extend the laboratory schedule near the end of the semester simply for students who have missed regular laboratory days.

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. Cell phones and electrical devices have become a major distraction in the classroom.  They are to be turned completely off during the class period (not just to vibrator mode).
  4. Turn off beepers, phones, radios and other electronic devices.  Pacemakers are allowed.
  5. Replace all chemicals to the shelves with lids firmly attached.
  6. Clean all spills that occur on and around the balances.
  7. Be sure all glassware is cleaned with soap, rinsed and returned to the shelf.  No glassware should be left in the sink.
  8. Be very careful with thermometers.--Expensive!!
  9. No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.
  10. Be aware of all safety rules, policies and procedures.   Abide by the safety rules while in the laboratory.
  11. 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.

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not 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 student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student 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

Students have the responsibility to complete the Student Survey and Course/Instructor Evaluation for each course and each instructor every semester. If this in not done during the allotted time period, the student will be restricted from seeing their final course grade for a period of 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, no grades of any kind will be given out over the telephone or e-mail due to federal privacy laws.

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

Student Survey Requirement:

Students have the responsibility to complete the Student Survey and Course/Instructor Evaluation for each course and each instructor every semester. If this in not done during the allotted time period, the student will be restricted from seeing their final course grade for a period of 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, no grades of any kind will be given out over the telephone or email due to federal privacy laws.

 



Last update: January 03, 2011