NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: Introductory Chemistry I

Course prefix, number, and section number: CHEM 1406.0400

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2025

Semester start and end dates: Aug 25, 2025 – Dec 13, 2025

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times: Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00 am – 12:20 am in COR Room 315

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Wednesdays 12:30 – 3:00 pm in COR room 363

Semester credit hours: 4 (48 hrs. lecture, 48 hrs. lab)

Course description: Survey course introducing chemistry. Topics may include inorganic, organic biochemistry, food/physiological chemistry, and environmental/consumer chemistry. Designed for allied health students and for students who are not science majors.

Course prerequisites: none

Required course materials:

• Textbook & Homework Access: Basic Chemistry (6th Edition) by Timberlake & Timberlake (ISBN: 0-13-487811-6, Pearson). You are required to purchase both the textbook and Pearson’s Homework access for this course.
  
  
• Where to Purchase: Available directly through Access Pearson tab in Canvas, or the NCTC Bookstore.
  
  
• Format Options: Hardcover, paperback, or eText.
  
  
• Accessing Homework: Always log in through the Access Pearson tab in Canvas (do not access directly from Pearson’s website, as this will not sync with our course and homework credit may not be recorded).
  
  
• Setup: When prompted, sign in with your existing Pearson account or create a new one. Have this set up by the end of Week 1.
  
  
• Scientific Calculator: A basic (non-graphing) scientific calculator is required.
  
  
• Technology: Reliable internet, and a computer or tablet for homework and online tests (check with your instructor for alternative options). Ensure Java and Adobe Flash Player are installed if required.

Name of instructor: Dr. Pooja Ahuja

Office location: COR 333

Telephone number: 940-668-6232

E-mail address: pahuja@nctc.edu

Office hours for students:

Monday 12:20 – 3:20 pm (on campus, COR Rm 333)

Tuesday 12:30 – 2:30 pm (virtual through Webex, appointment required)

Wednesday 5:30 – 7:30 pm (virtual through Webex, appointment required)

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:  4 Major Exams                    40%

                                                Lab Reports                             20%

                                                Homework and Quizzes        20%

                                                Final Exam                               20%

Final grade scale:  A = 90-100%          B = 80-89%      C = 70-79%      D = 60–69%     F = <60%

CHECK CANVAS FOR WEEKLY LECTURE AND LAB SCHEDULE, COURSE ORIENTATION, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, OTHER RELATED MATERIAL AND POLICIES.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance Policy:

• Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.  You are expected to attend class regularly and punctually.  Students who are tardy or absent in chemistry class usually find it very difficult to keep up.  Do not fall behind.   If you miss class, it is your responsibility to catch up.
• All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. 

• Excessive absences may result in a student being dropped from the course with no credit awarded.  Excessive absences will be defined as more than 2 consecutive weeks.
• A student who enrolls in this course and fails to attend must drop the course to avoid receiving an “F”.  Students may or may not be dropped automatically.

Exams and Quizzes Policy: Scheduled assessments will begin promptly on the scheduled dates per ‘Lecture and Lab schedule’ posted in canvas, in the beginning of the assigned class time. 

• Quizzes and exams may be administered either on paper or online. For online, you will complete them in class using your device, such as a tablet or laptop with ‘Respondus Lockdown Browser’ installed. Click here for  install instructions
• Alternatively, an online exam or quiz can be taken at the testing center or on paper (must be discussed at least 2 weeks prior to scheduled exam)
• Complete the practice quiz in canvas at least one week before EVERY exam to ensure Lockdown Browser works properly on your testing device. This gives you time to resolve any issues with IT/eLearning before the actual exam.
• Scheduled exams will begin promptly the beginning of the assigned class time.  While there may be instances when being late is unavoidable, no over-time can or will be permitted for test-taking. Often times, there is a class after us.
• You will not be allowed to leave the room during an exam.  
• No cell phones are allowed during exams or quizzes.  If yours rings during an exam, your paper will be taken up immediately and your grade will suffer accordingly.
• Make-up exams are generally not allowed. In rare, extenuating circumstances, you may be eligible for a make-up exam only if you contact me no later than 2 hours before the scheduled exam start time (for example, if your exam is at 2:00 PM, you must notify me by 12:00 PM). Documentation will be required to verify extenuating circumstances, such as emergency hospitalizations. Please note that issues like car troubles, traffic delays, routine doctor visits, and travel do not qualify as valid reasons for missing or requesting an extension or make-up exam.
• If the student is approved for the make-up, it must be completed within 2 days of the original exam date
• You are responsible for scheduling the make-up exam at the NCTC testing center and inform me of your appointment at least 24 hours prior, so I can complete the required paperwork and make the exam available for you. Space is limited; so, don’t wait!  If you are not able to make an appointment, you must take a zero for a missed exam
• The makeup exam may be in a different format from the original exam. No more than one exam can be made-up during the course.  If it is not possible to make up the exam, then a zero will be recorded.
• Quizzes are typically graded and returned on the same day they are administered and cannot be made up
• To allow for unexpected situations, your lowest lab grade and lowest homework grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
• OSD TESTING: You will have at least 5 days’ notice before an exam to schedule extended time in the testing center.  Your exam should be taken on the same day and around the same time as the rest of the class, or EARLIER.  Be sure to keep in mind lab times if your exam falls on lab day.  If this occurs, you must start early in order to take advantage of extended testing time and avoid missing lab (zero).   Make your appointment ASAP to avoid conflicts and get the appointment time you need.  YOU MUST EMAIL ME at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled exam to get approval for your exam time. 
• The final exam is a required exam for the completion of this course and is COMPREHENSIVE (covering all material in this course). The final exam grade cannot be replaced or dropped and is NOT optional

Online Homework Policy:

• All homework must be completed through the ‘Access Pearson’ tab found on the left navigation panel in Canvas course page shown below.
• Please use your full name when enrolling in the course homework for grades to sync with canvas correctly.
• Homework (HW) assignments will be available for at least 5 days and must be completed by the due date to avoid 5%-point penalty per day for late submission. NO EXTENSION OR MAKEUP will be given so plan accordingly.
• Any assignments due during the last week of class (the week before finals) must be submitted by the specified due date. Late submission will not be accepted during finals week, so be sure to complete these assignments on time.
• The hints feature in Pearson HW is free to use. You ARE penalized a very small amount for multiple attempts on one question, so don’t just keep guessing.
• Homework assignments are available for several days - manage your time wisely and leave enough time to deal with any computer problems that might arise and keep you from submitting your work in time.  Submitting early is the best rule of thumb.  Be aware that during peak times, the Mastering Chemistry website may run slowly so do not wait until the last minute

Extra Credit Policy: There will be some extra credit questions on the quizzes and exams, no other extra credit opportunities exist in this class

Late Work Policy: Assignments are expected to be turned in on the due date as stated on Canvas or in class. After that time, no late work will be accepted nor credit given for.

Grades Policy: It is your responsibility to check your grades in Canvas weekly to ensure they are posted correctly. Any discrepancies should be reported immediately —do not wait until the end of the semester, so they can be addressed promptly. Late grade discrepancies or disputes will not be entertained, so it is crucial that you check your grades regularly and report any discrepancies as soon as they arise.

The averages calculated on Canvas may or may not reflect your actual grade.  Until an actual grade is recorded for each type of assignment, the average calculated will be incorrect.  Refer to the syllabus above for the percentages for calculating your grade.

Lab Policy: Labs are worth 100 points (30 prelab, 40 lab report, 30 post-lab). Your one lowest lab grade will be dropped. No make-up possible. Student must pass the lab component of the course to receive a passing grade (D or higher) in the overall course. Refer to lab syllabus for details

Cell phones and technology Policy:

• These devices must be turned off or silent during class. If you must take a call during class for emergency reasons, quietly excuse yourself and step out of the classroom before taking the call.
• Use of any electronic device to access the internet during class is not recommended. Use of electronic devices are permitted for the purposes of taking notes and completing assignments only. If any distracting or disrespectful use by these devices or the student is suspected, you may be asked to leave for the remainder of the class session.

Other Student Responsibilities:

1. Students are required to have access to a computer. A cell phone only, will not allow you to meet the requirements of this course.  If you do not have a computer, you will need to go to an NCTC campus or local library as required to complete assignments etc.
2. Log in Early each week and begin completing weekly assignments/requirements.
3. Ask questions if you have them--Meet with me during office hours or Set up a WebEx meeting.
4. Seek tutoring if needed. Tutoring is free to NCTC students and the schedule will be posted in course canvas, as soon its available
5. Drop the course if you do not wish to or cannot complete the course
6. Announcements: It is very important that students read all announcements in full.  Students are encouraged to set the notifications to receive announcements as they are posted. 
7. To ensure a response from me, students should email me through Canvas ‘Message me’.  I give priority to Canvas email over regular NCTC email as I know only students are emailing me in Canvas.

1. Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account.  Students can be removed from the course immediately up violating this rule.  Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.
2.  

Academic Integrity Policy: Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. 

Honesty in completing assignments is essential.  Cheating, plagiarism, or any other kind of academic dishonesty on any assignment will not be tolerated and will result in appropriate sanctions that may include failing an assignment or exam, failing the class, or suspension or expulsion.  A report WILL be filed with the college. Consequences for academic dishonesty include that a grade of zero (“0”) on any assignment that might otherwise be eligible to be dropped (lowest lab or homework grade, etc) shall forfeit the right to said privilege. The zero shall stand and will count as part of the grade calculation. This includes an exam grade or final exam grade as well.

If cheating or collusion is suspected, a conference between the suspected parties, the instructor, and the appropriate dean will be scheduled and notation made in the student’s file.

Artificial Intelligence Policy: This course assumes that all work submitted by students will be generated by the students themselves, working individually or in groups. Students should not have another person/entity do the writing of any substantive portion of an assignment for them, which includes hiring a person or a company to write assignments and using artificial intelligence tools.

The instructor also retains the right to dismiss any student who exhibits verbal or nonverbal behavior that is distracting or disruptive to the learning environment.

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: Nov 3, 2025

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the basic concepts of matter and energy including properties and changes.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of units and use measurements in problem solving.
3. Use the periodic table to explain atomic structure.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of covalent and ionic compounds and their nomenclature.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of chemical bonding and molecular structure.
6. Understand, write, and balance chemical equations.
7. Use the mole concept to determine the number of atoms, moles, grams, and solve elementary stoichiometry-based calculations.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of gas laws to predict the behavior of gases.
9. Understand the principles of solutions and solve associated problems.
10. Understand and apply the principles of acids and bases
11. Understand and apply the fundamental concepts of organic chemistry
12. Relate the concepts covered to everyday life including human physiological processes.

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Empirical and Quantitative Analysis

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS