NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Chemistry I

Course prefix, number, and section number: CHEM 1411.0402

Semester/Year of course: Spring 2024

Semester start and end dates: June 3, 2024 – Jul 3, 2024

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

Class meeting location, days, and times: Monday through Thursday 9:30 am – 11:50 am in COR Room 364

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Monday through Thursday 12:20 pm – 2:40 pm in COR Room 363

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

Course description: Fundamental principles of chemistry for majors in the sciences, health sciences, and engineering; topics include measurements, fundamental properties of matter, states of matter, chemical reactions, chemical stoichiometry, periodicity of elemental properties, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, solutions, properties of gases, and an introduction to thermodynamics and descriptive chemistry.

Basic laboratory experiments supporting theoretical principles presented in lecture; introduction of the scientific method, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of laboratory reports.

Course prerequisites: MATH 1314 (College Algebra)

Required course materials:

Chemistry:  A Molecular Approach 6^th Edition by Nivaldo J. Tro. Pearson. Hard copy or e-text may be selected by the student.

Modified Mastering Chemistry Access code for Chemistry: A Molecular Approach. This is available via NCTC bookstore or online through Canvas link. This is required and must be purchased by the student by the end of the first week of classes. 

Scientific calculator (You do NOT need a graphing calculator.)

Computer access with reliable Internet access to complete online homework and a laptop or tablet to take online tests in class (please check with your instructor for alternative option)

Name of instructor: Dr. Pooja Ahuja

Office location: Corinth Room 333

Telephone number: 940-668-6232

E-mail address: pahuja@nctc.edu

Office hours for students:

T-Th 11:50 am – 12:20 pm (on campus, room 333)

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 in Canvas.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:   3 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%

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  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.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College.

• Class Attendance:  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class after which you’ll be counted absent. Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually.  Students who are tardy or absent in this class usually find it very difficult to keep up. Do not fall behind.   If you miss class, it is your responsibility to catch up.  

• 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 or 12 hours of class time. A student who enrolls in this course and fails to attend must withdraw from the course by the withdraw deadline to avoid receiving an “F”.  Students may or may not be dropped automatically.

Exams and Quizzes Policy: 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.

• Please refer to class lecture and lab schedule to familiarize yourself of the testing weeks and plan accordingly.

• Quizzes and Exams may be given on paper or online. An online exam will be taken in class, on a working device (tablet or laptop). If you do not have a device to bring to the class, you must inform me at least ONE WEEK prior to the scheduled exam to offer alternative options.

• For an online exam, you will need to install ‘Respondus Lockdown Browser’ on your testing device. Click here for  install instructions
• You will not be allowed to leave the room during an exam.  
• No cell phones are allowed during exams or quizzes.  If yours rings or vibrates, etc., during an exam, your paper will be taken up immediately and your grade will suffer accordingly.
• Your ONE lowest exam score will be replaced by final exam score, if you did better on final. The final exam score cannot be replaced
• Under normal circumstances, no make-up exam is given but you MAY be able to make up an exam in the light of an extenuating circumstance. In that case, you MUST contact me before the exam (if possible), or by 5pm the day of the day of exam, in order to determine IF the absence constitutes an extenuating circumstance, such as emergency hospitalizations, and documentation can be provided. Car troubles, traffic delays, doctor visits, travel or similar do not count as VALID REASONS.
• If the student is approved for the make-up, it must be completed within 2 days of the original exam or prior to the next class period, whichever comes first.
• You are responsible for scheduling the make-up at the NCTC testing center and inform me of your appointment at least 24 hours prior, so I can complete the required paperwork. 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 generally graded and returned the same day and therefore cannot be made-up
• 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 at the same time as the rest of the class, or EARLIER; no exceptions.  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. 

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.

• Click on ‘Access Pearson’ then click ‘MyLab and Mastering’, to register and create student account with Pearson with a personal login name and password.
• You will need to purchase an access code, either from the bookstore or directly from the website using credit card or PayPal. Please use your full name when enrolling in the course homework.
• 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 for up to a MAX of 3 days. NO EXTENSION OR MAKEUP PAST THIS will be given so plan accordingly.
• Any assignment due on the term end date must be completed on time. NO WORK will be accepted past this last day of class.
• The hints feature is available for you to use without penalty. You ARE penalized a very small amount for multiple attempts, so don’t just keep guessing.
• Your one lowest HW score gets dropped to account for any missed work due to unforeseen situations
• Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete the assignments.  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, besides, there are no other extra credit opportunities in the class

Grades Policy: You are responsible for checking to see that your grades are posted correctly in Canvas.  If there is a discrepancy, please bring it to my attention right away.  Do not wait until the end of the semester. 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. 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.

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.

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: June 25, 2024

Student Learning Outcomes:

Lecture Learning Outcomes

1. Define the fundamental properties of matter.
2. Classify matter, compounds, and chemical reactions.
3. Determine the basic nuclear and electronic structure of atoms.
4. Identify trends in chemical and physical properties of the elements using the Periodic Table.
5. Describe the bonding in and the shape of simple molecules and ions.
6. Solve stoichiometric problems.
7. Write chemical formulas.
8. Write and balance equations.
9. Use the rules of nomenclature to name chemical compounds.
10. Define the types and characteristics of chemical reactions.
11. Use the gas laws and basics of the Kinetic Molecular Theory to solve gas problems.
12. Determine the role of energy in physical changes and chemical reactions.
13. Convert units of measure and demonstrate dimensional analysis skills.

Lab Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Use basic apparatus and apply experimental methodologies used in the chemistry laboratory.
2. Demonstrate safe and proper handling of laboratory equipment and chemicals.
3. Conduct basic laboratory experiments with proper laboratory techniques.
4. Make careful and accurate experimental observations.
5. Relate physical observations and measurements to theoretical principles.
6. Interpret laboratory results and experimental data, and reach logical conclusions.
7. Record experimental work completely and accurately in laboratory notebooks and communicate experimental results clearly in written reports.
8. Design fundamental experiments involving principles of chemistry and chemical instrumentation.
9. Identify appropriate sources of information for conducting laboratory experiments involving principles of chemistry.

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