CHEM121

Ronald L. Drisko, Ph.D.
Office: F512 Phone: (443) 840-1478
Email: Rdrisko@ccbcmd.edu

Includes the study of atomic structure, nomenclature, chemical reactions & equations, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, chemical bonds & structures; typically taken by science, health professional & engineering majors. 3 lecture hours & 1 recitation hour per week. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 122 highly recommended. Credit by exam is available.

Prerequisites: 1) Minimum grades of C in CHEM 107 and 108 or a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Test; 2) (ENGL 051 or ESOL 051) and (RDNG 052 or ESOL 054) and MATH 083.. This course may be used to fulfill 3 credits of General Education requirements in Physical and Biological Sciences.

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Describe the process of science including the scientific method.
2. Make conversions within the metric system as well as to and from the English system of measurement.
3. Give the names or formulas of common inorganic compounds and ions.
4. Apply knowledge of formulas and nomenclature to construct and balance chemical equations and make quantitative mass to mass conversions.
5. Apply the mole concept to solve problems involving stoichiometry.
6. Apply what has been learned to solve problems involving concentration and dilution of aqueous solutions and concerning precipitation, acid/base and redox reactions.
7. Apply what has been learned to solve problems associated with the first law of thermodynamics, Hess's Law, and enthalpies of formation and reaction.
8. Describe the electronic structure of atoms and the organization of the periodic table.
9. Determine the structure of simple covalent molecules and polyatomic ions using Lewis structures
10. Apply VSEPR theory to determine molecular geometry
11. Describe the physical behavior of gases, gas laws and the kinetic molecular theory of gases.
12. Describe the many ways that chemistry has an impact on the individual, society, and the biotic and abiotic environment using specific examples.

Matter and Energy
Measurement
Nomenclature
Stoichiometry
Reactions in solution
Oxidation and Reduction reactions
Thermochemistry
Atoms and Atomic Structure
Electronic Structure and the Periodic Table

CHEM 121 (along with its laboratory component, CHEM 122) is a first semester course in a two-semester sequence for students who intend to major in chemistry or a field of study that requires a minimum of one year of chemistry. It is designed to provide the background and understanding necessary to pursue higher-level chemistry courses that are required for careers in fields such as chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine, and biology.

Three(3) Hour Tests will be given. In addition, a portion of the final grade will be for homework, and a comprehensive final exam will be given during the final exam period (see tentative syllabus).

Every student is expected to prepare for and take all Hour Tests. Students who miss a scheduled test must contact the instructor on the day of the test to be considered for make-up. No make-up Hour Tests will be given after the exam has been graded and returned to the class (usually the class period after the test is given). If, in the opinion of the instructor, a student has missed a test due to dire circumstances and is unable to make-up the test during the allotted period, an alternate test may be prepared. The giving of an alternate exam occurs only rarely and only in extremly extenuating instances. In most cases alternate exams tend to be more challenging than the original exam.

Students are also advised that the college operates a free tutoring program. The schedule of chemistry tutors is not yet available but students who feel that tutoring might be needed should contact the tutoring office in the Student Success Center. The time to seek tutoring is before one gets in trouble in the course not after doing poorly on the first exam!

Each student is expected to attend class regularly. Students who miss lectures are responsible for obtaining notes and/or other information from classmates or from the instructor. It should be noted that attendance will be regularly taken during the first 3 weeks of the semester.

Habitual lateness for lecture or laboratory sessions reveals a lack of respect for the instructor and fellow students as well. All students are expected to be present in the classroom when the lecture is expected to start. Students who arrive late for lecture interrupt the teaching/learning process of the classroom. If you must be late for lecture due to an unavoidable circumstance, please enter the classroom quietly and sit at the nearest available desk.

Cell phones and other electronic noise-making devices must be turned off or set to vibrate during all class periods. Students are not permitted to use cell phones or to text message in the classroom. Failure to heed these rules may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the College's policies concerning disruptive behavior. Notebook computers may be used in class only for the taking of class notes. The instructor reserves the right to request the student to show him the file containg the class notes taken at any particular time in the class period.

Chemistry: Matter and It's Changes , Fifth Edition by Brady & Senese
WileyPLUS Access Card ( May be purchased online at http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/secure/index.uni)
Electronic Calculator (with exp or Yx functions)

All students are invited to avail themselves of the opportunity of meeting with the instructor during office hours. No appointment is necessary to confer with the instructor during these times. It must be stressed that some questions asked by a student during lecture may not be appropriately dealt with at that time as the time required to deal with a matter which is particular to only one student is time which is not available to the other members of the class. If the instructor asks a student to confer with him about a particular matter after class or during office hours, the student should not feel put-off but should take advantage of the chance to work with the instructor one on one.

Note: A number of videos have been placed on my web page (http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/~rdrisko1/index.htm) which will allow students to review concepts from the basic chemsitry background assumed in CHEM 121. As we spend the first two weeks briefly reviewing these concepts, students are encourage to use these videos as needed to get "up to speed". Additional videos will be added as we progress to new topics in the CHEM 121 course.

Last day to drop with 50% refund -----February 19

Spring Break (College Closed) ----March 27- April 5

Last day to drop -----April 12

Last day of classes -----May 15

Reading assignments for each chapter covered this semester are presented in the tentative syllabus. It is expected that students will read this material prior to the instructor’s going over it in lecture. This provides an opportunity for the student to anticipate which sections of a chapter may be troublesome and, hopefully, will stimulate questions as the material is presented in class. It should also be noted that the textbook provides complete solutions to many types of exercises assigned in the homework sets within the reading assignments. Such information provides an excellent resource and model for set-up and solution of the “classic” types of problems encountered in this course.

The homework assignments will be completed online using the WileyPlus interactive system. (A specific URL for access to this course and section in WileyPlus will be given in the first class. The assignments are listed above with tentative due dates. These online Questions & Problems sets must be completed by the deadlines which will be set and will constiute 20% of the final grade. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that the homework constitutes the nucleus of material that the student is expected to know in this course. It is logical, therefore, that exam questions will be structured similarly to homework problems. In some situations items placed upon quizzes and exams are taken directly from the homework!!

Course Drop/Audit Policy
The deadline for withdrawing from a course or changing to an audit for the Spring 2010 semester is Monday, April 12 before 7:00 pm. NOTE: The SIMON online system is unavailable after the first day of classes and as such an official change of schedule form must be completed and processed in person by the Records and Registration office for any schedule changes. Failure to officially withdraw from a class you have stopped attending may result in an "F" grade.

Course Repeat Policy
Policy on Repeated Courses, as stated on the 2007-2008 CCBC online catalog states, “Students who have already received two grades (including W, AU, I, and R) in any course are prohibited from registering for the course for the third or subsequent time without the written permission of an academic dean or his/her designee. (Note: If the course is developmental, the recommendation of a support team [including at least one individual selected by the Senior Director of Developmental Education and at least one individual selected by the academic unit] must be included in the decision making process of the academic dean or his/her designee.) ” Please note: The instructor does not have the authority to grant permission to register for a third attempt at the course.

Services for Students with Disabilities
CCBC is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all students by arranging support services and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. A student with a disability may contact the appropriate campus office for an appointment to discuss reasonable accommodations. An appointment must be scheduled within a time period which allows staff adequate time to respond to the special needs of the student. The student must provide the appropriate office with proper documentation supporting the need for reasonable accommodations.
For more information, contact:

CCBC Catonsville
443-840-5246 or
443-840-4553 (TTY)

CCBC Dundalk
443-840-3774 or
443-840-3529 (TTY)

CCBC Essex
443-840-1741 or
443-840-1601 (TTY)

Code of Academic Integrity
For the College to make its maximum contribution as an institution of high learning, the entire college community must uphold high standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior. In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Each student has a responsibility to submit work that is uniquely his or her own, or to provide clear and complete acknowledgement of the use of work attributable to others. To these ends, the following actions are expected of students:

Complete all work on exams without assistance.
Follow the professor’s instructions when completing all class assignments.
Ask for clarification when instructions are not clear.
Report to the instructor any unauthorized information related to an exam.
Provide proper credit when quoting or paraphrasing.
Submit only one’s own work.

Students who do not accept responsibility for the integrity of their own work will experience sanctions, including a written reprimand, failure of the assignment, failure of the course, and/or dismissal from the program. For repeat and extreme offenses, the College reserves the right to suspend or expel students.

Writing Policy
The College recognizes that clear, correct, and concise use of language is characteristic of an educated person. Therefore, whenever possible, faculty members in all disciplines should require written assignments in their courses in order to encourage effective writing by their students. Also, instructors should consider the quality of writing in determining a grade for a written assignment. Poor writing can be a sufficient cause for a failing grade on a paper and, in extreme cases, a failing grade in a course.

Inclement Weather/Emergency Closing Policy
In the event that the college (or a specific campus) opens late due to weather-related or other emergency conditions, classes will commence at the announced opening time and resume the normal schedule thereafter for the remainder of the day. Faculty, students, and classified staff should report to wherever they would normally have been at the announced opening time. **

Students and faculty engaged in field placement programs (such as internships, clinical placements, etc.) should discuss the handling of emergency situations at the beginning of the placement period. Both the requirements of the program and the safety of persons involved should be considered in planning a course of action in those cases where students are expected to report to off-campus locations.

** For example, if you had a class that began at 9:35 and the college opened at 10:00 because of snow, you would report to your 9:35 class at 10:00.

When the college closes because of severe weather or emergency conditions, announcements of class cancellations are made on local radio and television stations and the college website (www.ccbcmd.edu). Closings and delays will also be recorded on the campus weather lines:

Catonsville	443-840-1711
Dundalk	443-840-1711
Essex	443-840-1711

Tutoring Services
Students are encouraged to seek help from their instructors whenever they encounter academic difficulty (either during scheduled office hours or by appointment). In addition, each campus offers free academic support services. For more information, contact:

Campus:	Office:	Room:	Phone:
Catonsville	Tutoring Services	K-205	443-840-4420
Dundalk	Tutoring Services	CAR-530	443-840-3377
Essex	Student Success Center	A-307	443-840-1820

CIVILITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING EXPECTATIONS
Creating a Culture of CARE©
(Compassion, Appreciation, Respect, Empowerment)

As members of the CCBC community of learners, we are expected to act with respect, honesty, responsibility and accountability. Each of us is expected to be aware of the impact our behavior has on the community. CCBC wishes to each learner to commit to the following actions:

                        •   Become an active and engaged learner
                        •   Celebrate the richness of our diversity
                        •   Respect the campus and its code of conduct
                        •   Practice empathy and compassion
                        •   Promote the empowerment of others

Major Religious Holiday Policy
Students not attending class because they are observing major religious holidays shall be given the opportunity, to the maximum extent possible, to make up, within a reasonable amount of time, any academic work or tests they miss. Arrangements between the student and the faculty member(s) for the student to make up missed assignments or tests must be made in advance of the religious holiday, at the initiation of the student.

Student E-Mail Accounts
CCBC has joined the ranks of the very few community colleges in Maryland who provide email accounts to all credit students. Each student who is registered in credit classes now has an email account and up to 5 Mb of storage in their mail box. This account will not be deleted even if the student graduates or leaves CCBC for any reason.

For information about the system and how students can determine their email address, go the CCBC Home Page and click on “Student Email”. From here students can find their email address, get to an on-line user manual and access instructions on how to forward the CCBC email to the system of choice (AOL, Comcast, Hot Mail, etc.)

Chapter	Reading (page #)	Homework Problems
1	2-28	Chapter 1 Questions & Problems, due Feb 8
2	35-78	Chapter 2 Questions & Problems, due Feb 11
3	86-116	Chapter 3 Questions & Problems, due Feb 16
Exam 1 Feb 18	Chapters 1, 2, 3
4	128-166	Chapter 4 Questions & Problems, due Feb 28
5	176-199	Chapter 5 Questions & Problems, due Mar 14
6	208-239	Chapter 6 Questions & Problems, due Mar 25
Exam 2 , Apr 8	Chapters 4,5,6
Mar 27 - Apr 5	Spring Break (College Closed)
7	251-291	Chapter 7 Questions & Problems, due Apr 15
8	299-330	Chapter 8 Questions & Problems, due Apr 22
9	339-380	Chapter 9 Questions & Problems, due May 2
10	390-424	Chapter 10 Questions & Problems, due May 9
Exam 3 , May 11	Chapters 7,8,9,10
Final Exam, May 20 12 -2