Syllabus Fall 2009
NEWS
Click here to access student chromatography spectra.
Course description
This course will introduce you to common techniques of the chemistry laboratory.Location and times
Report for pre-lab to the room listed in the table below. Note that labs WILL meet the first week, 8/31-9/4.
| Section | Time | Pre-lab | Instructor | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Mon 1:15p | Pays 306 | Ford | Sci 167 |
| 12 | Mon 5:35p | Pays 306 | Turner | Sci 161 |
| 21 | Tue 9:15 | Pays 303 | Hausman | Sci 161 |
| 18 | Tue 1:15p | Pays 306 | Mikulka | Sci 161 |
| 20 | Tue 5:35p | Pays 306 | Benedict | Sci 161 |
| 19 | Wed 1:15p | Pays 306 | Lynch | Sci 161 |
| 13 | Wed 6:00p | Pays 306 | Bernier | Sci 161 |
| 16 | Thu 9:15 | Pays 211 | Schwieterman | Sci 366 |
| 15 | Thu 1:15p | Pays 306 | Mikulka | Sci 161 |
Required materials
- Safety goggles
- A bound notebook dedicated to this course
- Your general chemistry text
- A calculator
Course learning objectives
This course is your hands-on introduction to chemistry. By the end of the semester, you will be able to
- work safely in a laboratory environment
- prepare samples using an analystical balance and appropriate volumetric glassware
- separate and identify compounds using chromatography and spectroscopy
- carry out basic "wet lab" techniques such as precipitation and filtration, gravimetric analysis, titration, thermochemistry
- construct calibration curves
- analyze data and discuss the significance of your results
- present your results in a clear format
- keep a well-organized laborator notebook
Evaluation
Read the grading policies carefully to ensure that you get full credit for your work. Your course grade will be based on the following components. Note that the weights assigned to each component below are guidelines, not promises. Your instructor may tweak the values.
- Overall Performance (10%)
- You are expected to arrive prepared for lab, having read any assignments and attempted any pre-laboratory exercises. In the lab, you will work in a careful manner, mindful of all safety considerations. Before leaving the lab, you will clean up your area and any common areas.
- Laboratory notebook (40%)
- You are expected to keep accurate records of your activities in lab. Your notes should be a complete record of your activities and observations. See the guidelines for laboratory notebooks for details. Your notebook will be graded on clarity and completeness; a grading rubric is available for your perusal.
- Quizzes, Planning and Reflection Sheets (30%)
- Planning sheets (part of the online materials for some of the experiments) help you prepare for labs. They should be completed and passed in at the beginning of your pre-lab session. Reflection questions, if provided, should be completed after you finish the lab, and turned in at the beginning of the next pre-lab session. These assignments, plus any quizzes, total 30% of your grade.
- Reports and/or Presentation (20%)
- You will prepare an individual written report at the end of the Alien World module, and you will work in small groups to prepare an oral presentation at the end of the Water Quality module. See the reports and presentations guidelines for details.
Academic integrity
Collaboration is an important part of research, and this course will develop your ability to work as a productive member of a team. You are encouraged to discuss procedures, results, and interpretation of those results with your teammates and classmates. However, all written reports must be your own individual work.
Support for students
- If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please inform your instructor during the first week of the semester, after consulting with the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, 242 Luther Bonney (780-4706).
- For problems with writing or study skills, make an appointment at the Learning Center, 253 Luther Bonney (780-4228.
- Help is also available from the Counseling Center, 106 Payson Smith (780-4050.
- The Chemistry Department keeps a list of students willing to provide tutoring in chemistry. Check with your instructor or in the department office.
- Students experience difficulty in courses for a variety of reasons. If you are having trouble with this course or feel that you could be performing at a higher level, do not wait. Consult your instructor as soon as possible.
Last update: 09 Nov 09