GENERAL CHEMISTRY

Lecture Syllabus

Spring 2010

Section 001 Tu/Th 9:00 – 10:15   ENT 80

CHEM 211 is the first semester of a two semester General Chemistry sequence for students majoring in science and mathematics, or preparing for entry into health professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary science. CHEM 211 will provide a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, properties of gases, liquids and solids, reaction stoichiometry of chemical change and thermochemistry. Emphasis will be placed on quantitative aspects, particularly when discussing gas laws and chemical change. The importance of developing critical thinking and problem solving skills will be stressed throughout the course. 

Student Preparation. Success in General Chemistry is determined largely by the amount of time that a student puts into the course outside of the classroom. A number of learning aids are available (lecture notes, textbook, study guide, homework and a Textbook web site learning center). Different approaches to learning will work for different students. Some will learn mostly from the textbook, while others will be stimulated by an animated/interactive web site. The most important thing is to spend a minimum of several hours a week working on the course material using the learning method or methods that work best for you. Since numerical chemical calculations constitute a large part of many chapters (and of scheduled tests and quizzes), practicing numerical problems should constitute a large part of your preparation. 

Make Up Exam Policy.  An absence from an exam will be excused ONLY if adequate  documentation is provided. (e.g.  an official  note from a physician, preferably ahead of the exam date). For an excused absence, the mid-term exam% for the course will  be determined from the mean of the other two mid-terms (i.e. the point values of the other two exams will be increased proportionately   to cover the missed exam). Only one missed mid-term exam will be permitted (a second missed  exam will result in a zero score for the exam). All students must take the Final Exam to pass the course.  

Grading Policies.  Grades will not be based on a 100% scale ( A equates to 90+%,  B to 80+%, etc) but  relative to the rest of the class.  The class average will be equated to a middle -high C, and the rest of the grades will be determined relative to this norm.

Laboratory Course. To complete the CHEM 211 course, each student must also enroll and obtain a passing grade in a CHEM 211 lab class. If a student is repeating the course and has previously obtained a passing grade in the lab (at GMU or elsewhere) he/she can be exempt from the lab. To achieve this, the student must provide evidence of their prior lab grade and fill out a Lab waiver form in the chemistry office (ST 343). They must also notify the lecture instructor of their lab exempt status.