Instructor: Dr. Matthew Riehl
Office: Meyer Hall 315
Office Hours: M,W,F 9:00 – 9:50,
by appointment, or any time I am
in my office
Phone: Office: 344-7343
Home: 345-5151
E-mail: mriehl@blc.edu
Lab/Stockroom Assistant: Mr. Ryan Latterman
Office Hours: T, W 4:30-5:30
Office: Meyer Hall 314
Phone: 344-7587
“Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” Albert Einstein
Text: Chemistry, Eighth Edition; Zumdahl & Zumdahl, Brooks/Cole, 2010.
Lectures: MTWThF 10:30-11:20
Lab Manual: Available in Bookstore
Lab Period: 1:30 – 4:20, Tuesday or Thursday
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible.
General Information:
1. General Chemistry: Chemistry 113 is the first half of a rigorous year long course that is designed to serve students in Chemistry, Biology, Pre-Medical, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Dental, Pre-Engineering, some Pre-Physical Therapy and other Physical Sciences. Course work deals with fundamental concepts in chemistry, such as the nature of matter, atomic theory, chemical nomenclature, stoichiometry, solution chemistry, gas laws, thermochemistry, and bonding concepts.
This course has no pre-requisites, but high school chemistry and proficiency in algebra/pre-calculus math is very helpful.
This course includes a three-hour laboratory session during which students will be introduced to common laboratory equipment and methods and will have the opportunity to observe many of the chemical phenomena being discussed in class.
2. Course Objectives: This course will
a. Introduce students to the chemical elements, common molecules and ions, their symbols, names, formulas, and reactions; students will write and balance chemical equations.
b. Introduce the concepts of molecular weights and molar quantities and provide experience calculating quantities of reactants and products in balanced chemical equations.
c. Discuss the behavior of chemicals in solution and in the gas phase and introduce students to the laws and theories that allow chemists to make quantitative measurements of species in solution and in the gas phase.
d. Introduce thermodynamics through a discussion of thermochemistry, the quantitative measurement of heat flow in a chemical process.
e. Discuss the structure of the atom and several models of bonding that occur between atoms.
f. Provide students with experience in the laboratory, using standard equipment and common methods.
3. Outcomes: upon successful completion of this course, a student should
a. Recognize the most common elements and ions by name and formula
b. Be able to balance a chemical reaction and calculate stoichiometric quantities of reactants or products
c. Be able to perform the same calculations as in (b) for chemical specie which are gases or in solution.
d. Be able to determine the amount of heat that flows in a chemical process and describe methods of measuring the heat flow.
e. Be able to describe the structure of the atoms nucleus and electron shells using the Bohr model and the quantum mechanical model and describe the bonding between atoms and the shapes of simple molecules using the ionic model, Lewis structures and VSEPR.
f. Be familiar with the common laboratory apparatus and techniques and be able to perform basic chemical manipulations with precision and accuracy.
4. Evaluation: Students may receive both formative and summative evaluations for each of the stated outcomes as follows: graded homework assignments will provide a measure of progress in each area (formative), while exams (hourly and the final) will measure the actual proficiency obtained in the course (summative). For item (f) formative evaluations will be provided by the instructor as needed, especially when poor technique is evident in the laboratory; the student’s final results will be the basis of the summative evaluation.
5. Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class day and will count toward class participation. You are responsible for all notes, handouts, and material, regardless of your excuse. Excessive absences will be reported to the Academic Vice-President.
6. Plagiarism: All work turned in for a grade must be your own work and represent your own efforts. Due to the advanced nature of this course you are encouraged to discuss problems, ideas, and concepts outside of class, however, you should be careful not to copy answers or “borrow” work from another student. Papers with identical work will be subject to review by the instructor.
7. Recitation Period: One class period each week (Thursdays) will be a recitation period devoted entirely to questions from the students or instructor. During the recitation period, no new material will be presented, but previously covered material will be elaborated on. The period may be spent working collaboratively in small groups on challenging or thought-provoking problems. These periods are not optional.
8. Time Commitment: The student should understand that a great deal of time will be required outside of class in order to master the material covered in this course. In general, at least two hours of study time should be reserved for each hour of class time. Study times should be scheduled throughout the week. In addition, memorization of basic facts, laws, and chemical names and terms will be expected.
9. Cell Phones: All students are expected to turn their cell phones off during all lectures and laboratories. Phones that ring during class or lab will be confiscated by the professor.
10. Homework and Quizzes: Homework problems will be assigned for each chapter of the textbook. It is unrealistic to assume that you can do well in this course without doing homework. Homework assignments will be collected and graded on a regular basis. Quizzes will be administered at the instructor’s discretion. Make-up quizzes will not be offered, and quizzes may be either announced in advance or “pop.”
11. Laboratories: This course includes a mandatory three-hour laboratory period that will count as ~20% of your final grade. In general, laboratories may not be made up and must be taken at the scheduled time. Additional information regarding laboratories and a lab schedule will be given during the first lab meeting.
12. Due Dates: Due dates will be set for all homework and laboratory assignments. Late assignments will not be accepted!
13. Exams: There are three one-hour exams worth 100 points each, and a comprehensive final exam worth 200 points. Exams cannot be made up without a valid excuse. An exam may be taken early if you are unable to take it at the assigned time due to an event sponsored by BLC (sport meet, field trip, concert tour, etc). The final exam is Monday, December 13th from 3:30 to 5:30.
14. Total Points: Your final grade will be based on the number of points earned out of a total possible of 800 points. Exams are worth a total of 500 points while the remaining 300 points will be based on homework, in class assignments, and quizzes (160 points), and labs (140 points).
15. Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned on a straight percentage basis as follows:
| Percentage Grade Grade Points | Percentage Grade Grade Points |
| 93% - 100% = A 4.000
90% - 93% = A- 3.667
87% - 90% = B+ 3.333
83% - 87% = B 3.000
80% - 83% = B- 2.667
77% - 80% = C+ 2.333 | 73% - 77% = C 2.000
70% - 73% = C- 1.667
67% - 70% = D+ 1.333
63% - 67% = D 1.000
60% - 63% = D- 0.667 |
Students attaining the percentages above are guaranteed at least the accompanying grade. The instructor reserves the right to lower the percentages for a given grade, if it is necessary to assure a fair grade distribution.