Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or CHEM1030 with a grade of C or better and two years of high school algebra and an acceptable placement score, or DSPM 0850.

General Information: General College Chemistry is a transferable college level sequence which is required in many science programs including pre medical, pre dentistry, pre engineering, pre pharmacy, and pre veterinary medicine. As such, it is a comprehensive introduction to the entire field of chemistry with considerable stress placed on mathematical applications and problem solving. One of the most frequent difficulties in chemistry is an inability to perform simple arithmetic and algebraic operations. Therefore, a knowledge of basic algebra is a must if the student is to succeed in general chemistry.

• A scientific calculator is essential, the simpler the better.  'Solar' powered is a plus.
  
• A student solution manual, and study guide can be purchased from the Bookstore or viewed at the Reference desk in the Library. 
  
• A 250 MB or larger flash drive to store electronic lab reports.
• A digital camera or cell phone to take photographs of your lab experiments in progress.

General Education Goal: The general education goal of this course is to provide Scientific information and instruction in the thought processes involved in the scientific method of inquiry.

General Education Outcomes: As a result of completing this course successfully, students will have demonstrated an acceptable level of mastery of designated scientific facts, concepts, and principles and demonstrated an understanding of and ability to apply the scientific method of inquiry. Mastery of course contents will have indicated the acquisition of a foundation suitable for pursuing further course work in chemistry.

Other Goals: This course also seeks to provide opportunities to apply problem solving skills and to acquire critical skills for the assessment and evaluation of values. Additionally, this course will require effective communication skills in both receiving and giving information.

Outcome Statement: Upon completion of this course the student will have demonstrated the ability to (see Leaning Objectives for more detail): 

1. Understand the basic foundations of Chemistry including a historical perspective of early scientific thought, the scientific process, measurement, the metric system and dimensional analysis.
2. Description of matter and energy including the three states of matter; understanding the differences between elements, compounds, and mixtures; and the difference between atoms, molecules and ions.
3. Understand the concept of Stoichiometry as it applies to balancing chemical equations, including: the concept of conservation of mass; limiting reagent; theoreticl yield; and sequential reactions.
4. Understand the five types of chemical reactions, including: combination, decomposition, single-displacement, double-displacement (Metatheis) and oxidation-reduction.
5. Development of the modern electron theory of atomic structure, including: the nature of radiant energy; modern quantum theory; Bohr's atomic model; shapes of atomic orbitals; orbital filling rules; and electron shells in atoms.
6. Understanding the periodic nature of the modern Periodic Table, including: ionization energy, the size of atoms versus ions; electron affinity; and electronegativity.
7. Understand the difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of molecules and how these impact reactivity, including: basic concept of bonding; the octet rule; Lewis structures; bond polarity; geometry of molecules; VSEPR; Valence Bond Theory; Molecular Orbital Theory; multiple bonds; and resonance.
8. Carry out calculations involving aqueous solutions, including: acids; bases; salts; molarity; normality; titrations; and oxidation-reduction.
9. Modern understanding of gases (both ideal and real), and the Kinetic-Molecular Theory.

The expected outcomes for the course will be assessed at frequent intervals by various pedagogical techniques including homework assignments, weekly laboratory reports, major unit tests and a comprehensive final examination. The laboratory activities afford the opportunity to assess manual, theoretical, and written communication skills. The student will also be encouraged to improve verbal communication skills. Unit tests will be balanced with computational skills and factual material, and the final examination will require that the student be able to assimilate and integrate information from various units. Multiple choices and other objective forms may be used to identify and define terms, ideas and concepts.

Grades:  The grades in all chemistry courses are based on the following scale: 

One requirement of the course is that every student take the final examination.  Failure to take the final examination will result in a grade of F for the course. In the case where a final examination is missed and the instructor has been notified in advance, it may be possible (at the discretion of the instructor) for the student to receive a grade of I. However, a grade of I must be converted to another letter grade by completing work prior to the end of the seventh week of the succeeding semester, otherwise the I will be automatically converted to a grade of F.  Students will not be allowed to register for chemistry courses on an Audit basis.

Attendance:  Attendance at all lecture and laboratory meetings is expected. Persistent unexcused absences exceeding 30% of the lecture meetings may result upon approval of the instructor and with approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs in the Administrative Withdrawal of the student from that class. See the College Catalog for the last day to withdraw from the course or the College without penalty, and for a further explanation of the Administrative Withdrawal Policy.  If you are receiving Title IV financial assistance (Pell Grant, Student Loan or SEOG Grant), you must regularly attend class (a minimum of the first full week) or be subject to repay PART or ALL of the Federal Financial Aid you received for the semester.

Make-up Exams:   There are no makeup exams.  However, you will have the opportunity to drop your lowest exam score.  Any other missed exams will result in a grade of zero (0) for that exam.

Make-up Labs:  There are no makeup labs.  However, you will have the opportunity to drop your lowest lab score.  You can use this to drop your lowest grade or to replace a lab you were not able to attend.  Any other missed labs will result in a grade of zero (0) for that lab.

Deficiencies: A student who has an average of D or F on work completed and evaluated up to mid semester will receive a deficiency slip by mail indicating the need for improvement if a course grade of C or better is to be achieved. If a student receives a deficiency slip, he/she should explore with the instructor the wisdom of dropping or continuing in the course.

Cheating: Cheating on a test or exam will incur a grade of zero (0) on that test or exam.

Recommended Problems: These problems and exercises may be handed in for grading upon the direction of your instructor. It is not unusual for questions or problems similar to those assigned to appear on tests or examinations.

Other Regulations: A student is bound by all rules and regulations appearing in the Student Handbook.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Educational Institution.  No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap.  The College also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended and with the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974.  The commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of the recruitment, employment and education of individuals at all levels throughout the College.

(Updated 8/8/09, C.R. Snelling)