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CHEM 210 - General Chemistry 1
Lecture & Laboratory - Spring 2009

A.J. Bates • Sheila Jaswal • Chris Gribble

Announcements

Saturday, May 30

  • Course Final Grades
    • Please see links below for the final exam grades and summary of other course grades.
    • All seminar (or article) summaries received after the posting on May 27 have been incorporated into the course grade posted above.
  • I will be unavailable by email until Tuesday June 9.
    • I will be riding in the AIDS/Lifecycle from San Francisco to LA. It is 545 miles and 7 days of riding!
    • I will be happy to answer questions after that time.
  • Thank you for a rewarding and fun semester and have a great summer!

 

Thursday, May 28

 

Wednesday, May 27

  • PRE-FINAL EXAM scores postings:
    • AA Section
    • AB Section
      •
    • AE Section
      • Please contact me by Noon on Friday, May 29 if there are any discrepencies.
      • If a score is recorded improperly, please email me, and also slide the original under my office door.

 

Friday, May 22

  • REMINDERS:
    • The FINAL EXAM is next Wednesday, May 27 from 8:10am - 10:40am.
    • Please note that this is an hour earlier than our normal start time.
    • Please bring a scantron form (50 questions per side) to the exam.
  • As announced, I will hold office hours on Tuesday, May 26 from 11:30am - 2:30pm.
  • Current Grades - All Sections
    • This reflects nearly all of the scores for the class, except the FINAL EXAM.
    • There are just a few lab activity grades that will also be added.
    • I will post a complete gradesheet with all scores when I receive them.

 

Wednesday, May 20

  • Final Exam Review:

    • In LAB: In each lab section, there will be an opportunity for a Final Exam review, including an opportunity for you to ask questions. You are welcome to attend any lab section to review / ask questions. The review is in addition to other (possibly required) activities the section my be doing.
      • AB Lab Section Note: Class will start as scheduled at 2:20pm. We will check out of the lab trays at that time. Exam Review will start at 2:45 pm.

    • Office Hours:
      • I will have open office hours as regularly scheduled today from 10:10 - 10:55 and tomorrow, Thursday May 21 from 11:30 - 12:30.
  • Seminars:
    • Please turn in Seminar Summaries as soon as possible.
    • For any recent seminars prior to this week, you must submit to me by tomorrow, Thursday May 21 at 2:30 pm. You may give to me in the lab, or slide under my door. You may also email to me from your my.smccd.edu account.
    • For seminars from this week, you must submit to me by Wednesday May 27 at 8:10 am (the start of the FINAL EXAM). You may slide under my door or email to me from your my.smccd.edu account.

 

Thursday, May 14

  • Upcoming Seminars:

    • Understanding and Eliminating the Environmental
      Impacts of Every Day Products: A Case Study in Yogurt

      • Monday, May 18, 1:15 pm, Room 7-106
      • FLYER

    • Using computational homology to predict responses
      to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

      • Tuesday, May 19, 4:00 pm, Room 7-106
    • Honors Program Student Research Presentations
      • Wednesday, May 20, 2:00 pm, Room 6-202

 

Wednesday, May 13

  • See the LAB page for an old lab test.
  • The last reading assignments are posted. The sections from Chapter 11 and 15 have already been covered in lecture and lab. We will next cover material relating to Chapter 12 (12.1-12.5) and Chapter 5.

 

Tuesday, May 12

  • Seminar Assignment - the required number of sessions has been reduced to 4. You may write up an additional 3 for bonus points (this is up from 2 in the original assignment).
    • Alternative Assignment - If you are unable to meet the 4 required seminar sessions, you may do the journal article summaries described in this handout to replace them. This assignment may not be used for extra credit in any way - only as seminar replacements for the required number.

 

Thursday, May 7

 

Sunday, May 3

  • Upcoming Seminars:

    • Creating a robot mouse with Electronic Sensory Analysis
      • Tuesday, May 5, 4pm, Room 7-106
      • FLYER

    • Noctilucent Clouds & Global Warming
      • Monday, May 11, 1:15 pm, Room 7-106
      • FLYER

 

 

Friday, May 1

  • Answer Key to the Laboratory Discussion Questions on Electron Configurations, Quantum Numbers, and Periodic Properties.
  • AB lab section - please note that we will begin at 1:45 on Tuesday, May 5 in order to give you the opportunity to attend the seminar at 4pm. Please note that your Electron Configuration Labortory Workshop (all 4 pages) is due Tuesday as well.
  • Please see the LECTURE page for an old Exam #4. A Topic List will be posted over the weekend.

 

Thursday, April 30

  • Additional Book Problems for Exam 4 - related material are posted on the LECTURE page.
    • I strongly recommend the Follow-up Problems in each chapter to help you understand the basic concepts. I also recommend that you pay special attention to the following End-of-Chapter Problems: Chapter 6 - #'s 79,81,92 and those in Chapters 10 & 11.

 

Wednesday, April 29

  • My office hours tomorrow - Thursday, April 30 - will be from 1-2 pm (instead of the regular time).
  • Reminder: the last day to withdraw from a semester-length course is April 30.
  • Next Seminar:
    • Tuesday, May 5, 4pm, Room 7-106
    • FLYER
  • Seminar Assignment Handout (previously provided in lecture and as PDF download).
    • Please review the assignment document above.
    • Attendance / summaries for the specified number of seminars is required.
    • After the number of required seminars is reached, additional seminars are for Bonus points (7 maximum for points - 5 required + 2 bonus)
    • Alternatives to the Science Seminar Series:
      • EYH participation as a student volunteer or presenter (counted as 2 seminars for full day participation).
      • Attendance at science/math/technology/engineering/medical - related lectures/seminars/workshops at other institutions and summary paper.
      • Participation in an academic or professional conferences with summary papers for sessions attended (counted as 2 seminars for full day participation).
      • Attendance at other lectures/seminars/workshops (may be non-science related) at Skyline College and summary paper.
      • Research Paper - Handout will be available soon. The research paper will be accepted to bring you to the maximum number of required seminars - may not be used for bonus points.

 

Tuesday, April 28

  • Seminar Today
    • Time: 4 pm
    • Room: 7-106
    • FLYER

 

Monday, April 20

  • PS #10 is posted. It is due next Monday.
  • The ASPIRIN experiment will NOT have a separate handout. Please follow the General Laboratory Report Guidelines from the lab manual. Data Analysis, Discussion Questions, and Conclusions Requirements are all included in the experiment in the lab manual.

 

Saturday, April 18

  • Thermochemistry 3 extra practice worksheet is now posted.
  • Please begin reading Chapters 7 & 8. Work the follow-up problems at the end of each section - all are relevant.
  • End-of-chapter book problems and a new problem set will be posted soon.
  • Please print the new notes for Monday.

 

Thursday, April 16

  • Aspirin Experiment - Please do a standard prelab for the next lab session (Monday / Tuesday).
  • Section AB - Lab Data - Neutralization Reactions

 

Wednesday, April 15

 

Monday, April 6

  • Thermochemistry practice worksheets and various answer keys are posted on the LECTURE page.
  • Redox questions from the lab manual - Answer Key

 

Friday, April 3

  • There is NO science seminar scheduled for the week following Spring Break.
  • The next science seminar will likely be on Tuesday, April 21 at 4 pm in 7-106.
  • PS #9 is posted. It will be due Wednesday, April 15.
  • Additional information and practice problems will be posted over SPRING BREAK. Please check back!

 

Saturday, March 28

  • As announced in lecture yesterday, Exam #3 is tentatively rescheduled to Friday, April 17. Please note this important change in the date!
    • Please let me know by Wednesday, April 1 (before lecture) if you have a specific conflict with this schedule change.
  • PS #8 is posted. It is due Friday, April 3.
  • Chapter 6 Problems are posted.

 

Friday, March 27

  • PS #8 will be posted later today.
  • Exam #3 is tentatively rescheduled to Friday, April 17.

 

Wednesday, March 25

  • The website issues seem to be fixed. However, I recommend you continue to check your my.smccd.edu email accounts!
  • There will be a Science Seminar next week. A flyer will be posted once it is available.
    • Date: Tuesday, March 31
    • Time: 4-5 pm
    • Room: 7-106

 

Monday, March 23

  • Science Seminar on TUESDAY: Titles are posted on the flyer outside my office.
    • Date: Tuesday, March 24
    • Time: 4-5 pm
    • Room: 7-106
  • AB Lab will open at 1:30 pm for those of you who want to finish early in order to attend the lecture at 4pm.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: After discussing with the other lab instructors and a number of students, I have decided to postpone the Lab Test #1 to next Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 in lab.
  • The lab and lecture page updates that I thought were posted yesterday did not upload properly. I have now resolved the issue and the correct pages are now posted. Please visit the LECTURE page for multiple updates.
  • Problem Set #7 will still be due Friday. However, I reduced the number of problems on the assignment significantly because it is being posted late.
  • Problem Set #7 (Book Problems only) - Due: Friday, March 28
         Chapter 3 problems: 74,80,91
         Chapter 4 problems: 52,69,73a

            

Sunday, March 22

  • Problem Set #7 is posted. It is due Friday.
  • Additional Readings, Book Problems, Notes, and Extra Practice Worksheets are posted.
  • Thank you to everyone who participated in EYH on Saturday! Your hard work is appreciated. You helped to make the event a success!
  • Next Science Seminar: Titles are posted on the flyer outside my office.
    • Date: Tuesday, March 24
    • Time: 4-5 pm
    • Room: 7-106

 

Friday, March 20

  • Additional practice worksheets are posted. I highly recommend working these problems.

 

Wednesday, March 18

  • On Thursday, my office hours will be from Noon - 1pm in my office.
  • Exams will be returned Friday or Monday in lecture.
  • REMINDER - EYH this Saturday.
    • On Friday, there is an orientation meeting at 2pm. This is an important meeting and is required.
    • Please email me today if you cannot make it to the meeting because of an unchangeable conflict.

 

Monday, March 16

  • On Tuesday, March 17, the AB lab section will start at 1:30 in order to give us adequate time to complete the experiment in time to attend the afternoon lecture.
  • Pleas download new notes for Wednesday's lecture.

 

Saturday, March 14

  • Check the lecture page for 2 additional Stoichiometry extra practice worksheets.

 

Friday, March 13

  • Next Seminar: X-ray Fluorescence
    • Date: Tuesday, March 17
    • Time: 4-5 pm
    • Room: 7-106
 

Tuesday, March 10

  • Additional answer keys are posted.
  • M/W (AE) Lab Section:
    • Your problem sets are graded and will be in an envelope on the bulletin next to my office (7-326A) after 9 am today.
    • Reminder: You are welcome to attend either exam review session on Thursday - 9:30-10:20am or 2:20-3:10 pm.

 

Monday, March 9

  • Exam #2 Review Sheet & Topics are posted on the lecture page.

  • If you attended last week's science seminar, please turn in your summary no later than 1pm Friday. No attendance form was provided; however, I received a copy of the sign-in sheet.
  • The next Science Seminar will be next Tuesday, March 17 at 4 pm in 7-106.

 

Friday, March 6

  • Please check the LECTURE page for multiple updates. An exam topics sheet will be posted over the weekend.

 

Wednesday, March 4

  • On Thursday of this week, my office hours will be from Noon-1pm.
  • Please see the RESOURCES page for a new course schedule update.
  • AA Lab Section - Lab will start at 9:30 am on Thursday, March 5.
  • Be an Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Volunteer!
    • One-day Conference in science and technology for middle school and high school-aged young women.
    • Date: Saturday, March 21
    • Time: 7 am - 4 pm
    • Place: Skyline (most of the campus)
    • Orientation meeting will also be held on Friday, March 20 from 2-3pm (required - but if you cannot make the meeting, we can arrange to discuss the program in small groups.
    • Participation for the full day on Saturday, March 21 will count as two of the Science Seminar Series for CHEM 210.

 

Saturday, February 28

  • PS #5 is posted. It is due Friday, March 6.
  • Extra practice Reactions worksheets are posted. These are highly recommended - please print and bring to your lab sections this week.
  • New notes outlines on Stoichiometry are posted. Please print for Monday lecture (although we may not start these until Wednesday).
  • New reading & book problem assignments are posted.

 

Friday, February 27

  • New reference handouts and extra practice worksheets are posted on the lecture page (and are now properly linked).
  • New animations are also posted on the lecture page.

 

Tuesday, February 24

 

Monday, February 23

 

Wednesday, February 18

  • Instructor assistance and tutoring help is available - make use of the many options!

    • Office hours - Please see the syllabus for my office hours and the office hours for the other two instructors in the course. All of us are avaiable to help students in all sections for the class. If you cannot meet me during my regualr office hours, we can schedule an alternative time.

    • MESA Center - Room 7-309 (across from my office) - Tutors for CHEM 210 and other courses are available. This is also an excellent location to study - individually or in groups. Computers and printing are also available. All Skyline students may join and use the center and services. The tutoring schedule is posted in the display case next to the center entrance.
    • The Learning Center - Building 5 - First Floor (just inside the main doors) - Tutors for CHEM 210 and other courses are available. Click here for the tutor schedule.
  • PS #4 is now posted. It will be due next Friday (Feb. 27) in lecture.
  • Additional book problems for current and upcoming units are now posted.

 

Sunday, February 15

  • Exam #1 Results
    • Scores (ordered by the last 4 digits of your G00#)
    • Statistics
    • Notes:
      • The exam will not be curved, as announced in the syllabus. The dropping of one exam grade functions as a curve for each individual at the end of the semester.
      • The average - low 1/5 is the best estimate of the "true" exam avarage, as each student will drop the lowest exam score or half the final exam score.
      • I will be available on Tuesday, February 17 in my office from Noon - 2pm to discuss grades if you have questions. I will also check email on Monday and on Tuesday.
      • I recommend anyone who scored below a 60% on the exam to drop by my office Tuesday to discuss.
      • Please discuss with me if you are considering dropping the course before you make your final decision.
  • I recommend beginning the reading and book problem assignments that are already posted for the upcoming topics.
  • PS #3 will be posted soon.

 

Tuesday, February 10

  • The answer key to problem set #3 is now posted. As announced in lecture, problem set #3 will not be collected or graded.

 

Saturday, February 7

  • REMINDER: Exam #1 is on Wednesday, February 11 in lecture.
    • There will be some conceptual questions on the exam that relate to the background notes and the reading.
    • The majority of questions on the exam will ask you to solve problems applying the methods we have been reviewing.
    • The assigned book problems and the extra practice worksheets will be good practice for many of the exam questions.
    • Bring an approved scientific or graphing calculator.
    • Please arrive BEFORE 9:10 am to ensure that we can start the test on time and you will have the full time to take the exam. If you arrive after 9:10, you may have to wait a few minutes to be seated and start the exam.
    • The exam may not be made up. If you arrive late, you must still turn in the exam with the rest of the class.
  • Exam #1 will cover:
    • Assigned reading (Chapter 1 & the specific sections of Chapters 2 & 3 indicated on the lecture page.)
    • Assigned Book problems, problem set, and extra practice problem.
    • Lecture material up to the start of Empirical and Molecular Formulas (to be presented Monday).
    • Concepts discussed in the animation tutorials under Topic 1 on the lecture page.
  • Problem Set #3 is posted.
  • Problem Set #1 & #2 answer keys are posted.
  • Chapter 2 & 3 end-of-chapter problems are posted.

 

Monday, February 2

  • Problem Set #2 is posted. It is due Friday in lecture.
  • Skyline Gay-Straight Alliance Spring Kickoff
    • Thursday, February 5
    • Building 6, Room 6-205
    • Open House: 11am - 1 pm
    • Meeting: 1 - 2 pm
    • All are welcome! Refreshments will be served.

 

Saturday, January 31

  • Please check the LECTURE page for new powerpoint lecture outline notes for Monday's lecture and multiple other updates.
  • Please check the LABORATORY page for multiple updates.
  • Additional updates will be posted tomorrow or Monday.

 

Saturday, January 24

  • Please check the LABORATORY page for updates!
  • Problem Set #1 will be due on Monday, February 2.
  • IMPORTANT Note: ALL students must continue to attend lab sections in order to maintain your enrollment in the course or your waitlist priority.
  • Registration Notes for Waitlisted Students:
    • The TR morning and the TR afternoon lab sections are currently FULL. I do not anticipate more than one or two spots becoming available in either section.
    • The MW evening section will likely still have a number of spots available. If you would like to add this section, please attend on Monday evening, Jan 26 at 6:30 pm in room 7-333.
    • In order to maintain waitlist priority, you MUST attend one of the three LAB sections on Monday, January 26 or Tuesday, January 27.
    • On Wednesday, January 28, I will update and possibly finalize enrollment in LECTURE. If you have not received an add code for a section before that time, you MUST attend the lecture, or contact me by email before 8:30 am on that day in order to maintain your waitlist priority.
    • Once you enroll in a section, it will not be possible to switch to another.

January 2009

  • Welcome to CHEM 210 - General Chemistry 1 for Science Majors!
  • I am looking forward to a productive and enjoyable semester!
  • Check out all of the links to the left. Updates will be posted often.
  • Problem Set #1 is posted. It will be due next Friday (Jan. 30) in lecture.
  • The course will start with lecture on Wednesday, January 21 at 9:10 am in room 7-106.    
  • The laboratory sections will have their first meetings on Wednesday, January 21 and Thursday, January 22 at their regularly scheduled times.  Be sure to attend your registered or waitlisted section on those days to maintain your enrollment or waitlist priority. More detailed information is below.  Please note that labs will not meet on Tuesday, January 20.
  • Familiarize yourself with the location of the lab well before your scheduled lab time. The first lab session is a full session and a lot of information will be covered. You must attend this full lab session and its safety discussions to participate in the laboratory portion of the course.
  • Please begin reading Chapters 1-3 in the text. I also recommend that you begin working the "follow-up problems" at the end of the reading sections. See the LECTURE page for details. The assigned readings cover material that will be on the first exam. It should be review of material you have studied in previous math and science courses.
  • Please download & print powerpoint slide handouts from the LECTURE page for the first day of class.
  • Be sure to scroll down on this page to read registration, prerequisite, and academic honesty information.
  • My regular office hours will begin Wednesday, January 21 (following lecture) in 7-326A.
  • Special Note: You can watch the Inauguration in the Skyline Auditorium in Building 1 on Tuesday, January 20.

 

Important Registration Notes

  • Continue to follow standard WEBSMART registration procedures up to the first day of class - Wednesday, January 21.

  • Starting with the first day of classes:

    • If you are enrolled in the course section you wish to attend:
      • You are ready to go! Please be sure to attend your scheduled lab classes during the first two weeks, or you risk being dropped from the course to make room for waitlisted students.

    • If you are waitlisted for a course section (whether you are enrolled in another section or not):
      • You are required to attend one of the three scheduled labs on Wednesday, January 21, or Thursday, January 22 in order to maintain your waitlist priority.
      • You need only attend one of the three sections on those two days - I recommend attending your prefered section.
      • If you are enrolled in one course section, but are waitlisted for another, you may attend any section of the of lab on Wednesday, January 21 or Thursday, January 22. As long as you attend one of the labs, you will maintain your place in your enrolled section until you register in another.
      • On Friday, January 23 in lecture, and/or Monday & Tuesday, January 26 & 27 in lab, registration codes will be distributed to students based on available lab section registration slots and waitlist priority. You MUST attend these lab and lecture sections to maintain waitlist priority.

    • If you are not enrolled in a course section or on the waitlist on Wednesday, January 21:
      • Add your name to the waitlist sheets for the course section(s) you wish to add to.
        • Your priority will be after all those who waitlisted prior to the first day of classes.
        • Your priority will be the same as all those students added to the waitlist during the first lecture or on Wednesday, January 21 or Thursday, January 22.
        • If necessary, a lottery will determine relative priorites of students added to the waitlist at that time.
      • Follow the same procedures (above) as all students waitlisted for the course.

 

Academic Integrity

  • Academic integrity is a signficant issue in all academic settings, and will be taken very seriously by the instructors of this course, and the college generally.

  • The lecture and laboratory instructors will address the importance of academic honesty, and will discuss specific issues relating to academic integrity throughout the semester.

  • We recognize that most students conduct themselves with honesty and integrity. We also recognize that the actions of a few students, and the impact of those actions on other students, the course, and the college necessitate a frank and ongoing discussion of this issue.

  • Please review the student handbook information on academic integrity at the following link: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skyline/sts/handbook/acapol2.html

 

Prerequisites

  • The prerequisite for CHEM 210 is:
    • Successful completion (C or better) of MATH 120 (intermediate algebra) or equivalent, or placement at a higher level of math by Skyline College math placement exam.

  • A recommendation for CHEM 210 is:
    • Successful completion (C or better) of CHEM 192 (Introductory Chemistry) or equivalent. Many full-year high school chemistry courses intended for college preparation are appropriate preparation for CHEM 210.
    • This is a STRONG RECOMMENDATION. If you have not completed CHEM 192 or an equivalent course, please contact me to discuss whether or not CHEM 210 is right for you.

  • In order to ensure that students are prepared to succeed in General Chemistry 1, a prerequisite check will be made for the course. A form to facilitate this process will be distributed in the lab section. Please read carefully, complete, and return to your lab instructor.

  • If you have not met the course prerequisites, you MUST file a petition to challenge the course prerequisites. You can find the process and forms at the following link: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skyline/sts/matriculation4.html
    • As documentation, please provide a written statement detailing your academic background or experience that has prepared you for the course. Include related science and math courses taken and grades in those courses. Letter of recommendations or official transcripts are not required at this point, but may be reqested by the dean.
    • Please turn in to the SMT division dean, in the office of the lobby of the Science Annex - Building 7A.

  • Please speak with me if you have any questions regarding your preparation for the course, or to if you wish to discuss whether another course is better suited to your academic preparation or goals. Please also ask if you have questions about prerequisites or the petition process.