CHEM 101 – APPLYING CHEMISTRY TO SOCIETY

Spring 2017

Instructor: Dr. Gregg McIntosh

Office: Sims 109F

E-mail: mcintoshg@winthrop.edu

Phone: 323-4917

Office Hours: T & Th 2:00-3:00 pm
Course Credit Hours: 3

Lectures:
section 001: TR 12:30 :PM – 1:45 PM / Sims 113C
section 002: TR 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM / Sims 112

Textbook:

Chemistry in Context, 7^th or 8^th edition by The American Chemical Society

Calculator

A basic scientific calculator or graphing calculators (one with exponential notation, logarithms, and orders of operation) is necessary for all quizzes and exams.
No sharing of calculators is allowed.
Cell phones/PDAs may not be used as calculators and are strictly prohibited during tests and quizzes.

Course Goals:

• Establish an understanding of basic chemistry principles

• Relate how these principles apply to the world around us

• Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills

Course Outline:

The following topics will be covered during the course of the semester:

• Matter, compounds and mixtures

• Chemical reactions

• Atomic structure

• Chemical bonding

• Organics

  • Fossil Fuels

  • Polymers

  • Functional groups

• Environmental aspects

• Water, acids and bases

• Redox reactions

• Pollution

• Ozone layer

• Greenhouse gasses

• Nuclear chemistry

Class Preparation:

You will get more from a lecture if you spend time preparing ahead of time. Therefore, before class, you should:

• read the related textbook material (see syllabus for assignments)

• review previous lecture material

• do the assigned homework problems after each lecture

• develop good study habits

Exams and Grading:

• There will be four exams worth 100 points each.  No make-up exams will be given.  Exams missed with a valid excuse will be replaced by your scaled final exam grade.

• There will be a comprehensive final exam worth 200 points. You must take the final exam to pass the course.

  • Final for section 001 will be on Thursday, April 27 at 11:30 AM in Sims 113C

  • Final for section 002 will be on Friday, April 28 at 11:30 AM in Sims 112

• Quizzes will be given throughout the semester, both in class and on Blackboard. Blackboard quizzes will be announced either in class or via email. You will be given at least three days to complete any Blackboard assignment, and most of the Blackboard quizzes will allow multiple attempts, so no extensions will be given due to computer/internet issues. In class quizzes will not be announced in advance. The quiz percentages will be averaged and scaled to 100 points. There will be no make-up quizzes.  The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.  If a quiz is missed, that grade will be one of the dropped scores.

• There will be a written project assigned during the semester that will count for 50 points, and will be due on the date of the final exam.

• Letter grades will be assigned as follows: A 90 - 100%; B 80 -89%; C 70 - 80%; D 60 - 70%

• You should carefully read the Winthrop University Student Conduct Code printed in the Winthrop University Student Handbook:As noted in the Student Conduct Code. “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” This policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/studentconduct/StudentHandbook.pdf

General Education Requirements

Chem 101 fulfills three hours of general education requirement for natural sciences. Listed below are the seven fundamental student learning outcomes for natural science courses as well as examples of how they will be fulfilled in Chem 101.

Students should be:

1. Conversant with a few fundamental concepts from among the three main areas of natural science, including earth, life, and physical sciences. (e.g., chemical reactions, global warming, nuclear power,...)

2. Able to apply the scientific methodologies of inquiry. (e.g., Problem solving exercises)

3. Able to discuss the strengths and limitations of science. (e.g., discussion of scientific methodology)

4. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery. (e.g., The development of the periodic table and discovery of subatomic particles)

5. Able to discuss the social and ethical contexts within which science operates. (e.g., global warming, fossil fuels, nuclear power...).

6. Able to communicate about scientific subjects including the defense of conclusions based on one’s own observations. (e.g., homework assignments and analytic exam questions)

7. Able to discuss the application of scientific knowledge to the social sciences and to non-scientific disciplines. (e.g., research paper on current scientific topic in the news)

Attendance:
You are expected to attend all class meetings. You are responsible for all material covered in class and in the assigned reading/homework, as well as for all announcements made in class. This includes changes in the exam or quiz schedule.  Absence or lateness does not excuse you from this responsibility.

Homework:

You are expected to complete each reading assignment and assigned homework problems, as listed in the syllabus. Homework problems will not be picked for grading, but the selected problems cover content needed for the course exams.

Communication:
Information may also be sent via the Class List Servers. If you added the course late or are not receiving emails, go to http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081 to add yourself.
Blackboard assignments will either be announced in class or via the list server, so you should check your Blackboard account daily to insure you are aware of any assignments.
If you have any questions, call, e-mail, or see me before/after class to set up an appointment.

Course Withdrawal:
March 8 is the last day to drop a Spring Semester course.   (Automatic N grade is issued.)  Students may not withdraw from a course after this date without documented extenuating circumstances.

Students with Disabilities/Need of Accommodations for Access:

Winthrop University is committed to providing access to education.  If you have a condition which may adversely impact your ability to access academics and/or campus life, and you require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Accessibility (OA) at 803-323-3290, or,accessibility@winthrop.edu. Please inform me as early as possible, once you have your official notice of accommodations from the Office of Accessibility.

***This document may be adjusted as needed during the semester. The student is responsible for being aware of any changes and so should check the department website, chem.winthrop.edu, prior to every class for changes to this syllabus.

This is a tentative schedule and will be updated as needed.