Chemistry 108 (Sect. 2159) Schedule - Spring 2011

Text: Introductory Chemistry (3th Edition; older is okay) - Nivaldo J. Tro
Complete Solutions Guide: Introductory Chemistry (3th Edition) - Nivaldo J. Tro (optional)

Miscellaneous Information:

Special Needs: A student with a verified disability may be entitled to appropriate academic accommodations.  Please contact your instructor and/or the Disabled Students Program & Services Office at (760)795-6658, or the office of the ADA Coordinator at (760)795-6866.   Some lead time will be necessary, so please make arrangements as early as possible, preferably during the first two weeks of classes.

Office Hours:  Office hours are 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon in OC4502 (get to my office by going through outside door into OC4505).  Please come in if you have questions about the class lecture, laboratory, anything related to chemistry or just to chat.  You can come in unannounced during my regular office hours (if the door to OC4505 is locked, just knock).  I will be available at other times, but you will need to make an appointment.

Chemistry 108 is the preparatory chemistry course designed to prepare the science major with the skills and background necessary to succeed in Chemistry 110, General Chemistry.  The scientific method is used to teach students how theories evolve and how data that supports the theories are acquired and analyzed.  It concentrates on developing both analytical and reasoning skills, via problem-solving and establishing cause and effect.  Topics include historical development of chemistry, graphing and measurements, dimensional analysis, atomic theory, nomenclature, quantum theory, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, the Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases, bonding theory, Lewis structures, and the relationship between chemistry and society. There is no lab, but laboratory experiences will be discussed as part of lecture. Be prepared to be pushed beyond which you might feel you are comfortable. I want you to enjoy chemistry but be prepared to learn new concepts, beyond which you might already be familiar.  Do not rest on your laurels, be prepared to move at a fast pace and learn chemistry that will help you in your other science classes, be they chemistry or not.

Student Learning Outcomes: As part of the ongoing program here at MiraCosta College, Student Learning Outcomes is something that we include in every class being taught.  These outcomes are designed to measure several different key components of the course that every student is expected to master during that course.  For this Preparatory Chemistry class, the outcomes we will be assessing are:

1. Students will analyze and interpret the periodic table to predict and explain an element's physical and chemical properties, based on the concepts of atomic structure, electron configurations and periodic properties.
2. Students will construct the Lewis structure of a given molecule or polyatomic ion that obeys the octet rule, and use the Lewis structure to predict the number and types of bonds (single, double or triple) it has, and its geometry, based on the principles of covalent bonding and valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.
3. Students will analyze a given chemical reaction, including the amounts of reactants, to write its balanced equation and to calculate the theoretical yield of the products, based on the concepts of molar mass and stoichiometry.

Homework Problems: Problems from the end of each chapter should be solved, with an emphasis on the odd-numbered problems which have answers at the end of the text.  You do not need to solve all of the odd-numbered problems, but you should solve a few from each section in order to obtain an understanding of the concepts. When you feel you understand the concepts, evidenced by correctly solving problems, you should move to the next section. Homework is not graded but you are given credit for handing in on time. Home is due during the period following the period when the chapter was completed, according to the schedule given in the syllabus. Homework cannot be turned in late for credit.

Cheating: You are expected to abide by the MiraCosta College Academic Intregity Policy.  Cheating includes the copying or exchanging of information during exams or quizzes or plagiarism (copying another's work and turning it in as your own). If you are caught cheating you may be permanently removed from class, given a zero for that particular occurrence, disciplined by the Dean of Students and you may fail the course. The following is MiraCosta's policy on Academic Intregity:

"MiraCosta College highly values academic integrity.  At the core, this means an honest representation of one's own work. MiraCosta College also promotes the approach that education is best accomplished as a cooperative, collaborative enterprise in which students are encouraged to work with and learn from each other. The line between academic integrity and collaborative education is not always easy to define and may vary from one discipline to the next and from one instructor to the next. Many aspects of cheating and plagiarism are universally recognized, while others are subject to debate. This policy provides some broad, general guidelines and allows instructors to be more restrictive according to their preferences and practices."

 The Academic Integrity Policy is available online, simply click policy now. Any action, based on failure to adhere to these policies can be appealed. To view the MiraCosta College Academic Appeals Policy, click appeals now.

COURSE GRADING POLICY:

Exams (550 pts):Four exams will be given, but only three of these exams will be counted towards your final grade. If you miss an exam, that will be the exam you drop.  Missed exams cannot be made up or taken at a different time (a missed exam due to medical emergency, or other legitimate causes, may be made up at the discretion of Dr. Robertson).  If you believe the exam is missed for a legitimate reason, please contact Dr. Robertson before the exam. Dr. Robertson will be the only judge of whether the exam can be made up. Exams will include material covered in lecture. There may be times when a specific question was not covered in class, but if you learn to apply what you know from lecture, the application of this knowledge to these questions will allow you to answer these questions. If you have concerns about exam grades, please return it to me and I may re-grade it, but I have the option to re-grade the entire exam.

Quizzes (150 pts): Quizzes will usually be given during weeks when no exam is scheduled and may be unannounced, although you will usually be informed when a quiz will be given. Missed quizzes cannot be taken late or made up. At least one quiz will be dropped, and this will be the quiz with the lowest score or one that you may have missed.

Homework (50 pts): Homework problems are not graded, but you are given credit for handing in your homework. Homework is due the lecture period after the lecture for the chapter was completed. Late homework will receive no credit.

Final Exam (250 pts): Final Exam is comprehensive covering all lecture material and must be taken to pass course.

Final Grade: Your course grade will be based on the weighting described above.  Letter grades are assigned according to the percentages shown here. More information is available at this URL.

A 90% B 80% C 70% D 60% F <60%

Preparation and Study Time Required: Depending on your background, how easily you grasp the material and how effectively you listen, take notes, and study, the time you will need to spend outside the class will vary. A good estimate is to plan on at least 1-2 hours outside studying for each hour in lecture. The amount of time you need to spend depends upon how well you use your time, and your preparation. If you are struggling, you probably need more study time, and please try to attend the scheduled office hours of your instructor before you get really behind.  I look forward to teaching you. I hope you enjoy learning chemistry. I'll be glad to discuss any concerns or suggestions regarding this class, or related topics, at any time. I encourage you to set goals for yourself and stay current in the class. You should also read the assigned sections in the chapter prior to lecture.

Attendance and Drops:  I do not record attendance. If you do not attend lecture you probably will not do very well in the course.  If you decide to drop the class, it is your responsibility to officially drop the class, do not expect the instructor to do this for you.  

Online Course Information: Important class information, including grades, review information, sample quizzes and exams, and other useful chemical information is online at http://www.miracosta.edu/home/dlr/ or http://mcc.doninla.com, both will take you to my website. If you forget these URLs, you can go to the MCC Chemistry Homepage or the MiraCosta College full-time faculty directory to find my website. You can E-mail me at: DONinLA@pacbell.net or DonRobertson@miracosta.edu .

Extra Credit information: You will get credit for one quiz (50 points) when you submit your responses to an online questionnaire.  This questionnaire will be posted online after the second week of the semester is finished.  The purpose of this questionnaire is to give me information about you, and why you are taking this class. By submitting this information, I simply give you a full credit for a quiz. Your Instructor will let you know when this online form is available, and you will have up to one week to submit. In order to receive credit for this exercise, you must fill out this form (submission of a picture, however, is optional).  Thank you.

Thanks for being in the class!

Copyright © Donald L. Robertson (Modified: 04/18/2011)