SYLLABUS
General Chemistry (CHEM 121)
I. Instructor: Dr. John P. DiVincenzo, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Telephone: Office: 904-8251; Home: 848-1648
Office: 100A Wiser-Patten Science (WPS)
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30 – 5:00; Monday, 9:00 – 11:00
E-mail: jdivince@mtsu.edu
II. Objectives/Description:
A. To familiarize students with fundamental concepts in chemistry including: chemical bonds and reactions, and properties of atoms and molecules.
B. To understand how to write chemical equations and perform mathematical calculations.
C. To familiarize students with the presence and importance of chemistry in everyday life.
III. Course Format:
A. The student is responsible for all materials presented in class, for assigned reading material, and for all other class assignments (e.g., problem sets).
B. Lectures: There are two formal lectures per week at 9:30-10:45 PM on Tuesday and Thursday in DSB 106.
C. There is also a required LABORATORY which accompanies the lecture. To receive credit for the course you must enroll in the 121L lab in the same semester as the lecture. It will meet in 110 WPS. The maximum number of points possible in the lab is 160.
IV. Reading Material: The textbook for the course is Chemistry: The Central Science (Prentice Hall, eighth edition) by Brown, LeMay, and Burnsten.
V. Drop Dates: September 18 - last day to drop or withdraw without a grade.
October 16 - last day to drop or withdraw with a grade of "W".
VI. Grading System:
A. The student will be given approximately one weeks notice prior to the formal examination date. NO make-up examinations will be given. There will be four exams during the semester worth 100 points each. One test will be dropped. Any missed exam will be the grade dropped. NO EXCEPTIONS! You will also have 5 quizzes worth 25 points each. Your lowest quiz will be dropped.
B. Approximate breakdown for grading is given below:
Grade %
Exams 300 A 90-100
Quizzes 100 B 80-89
Lab 160 C 68-79
Final Exam 200 D 55-67
Total 760 F <55
Your score in the course will be computed using the formula ((640/600)x(Lecture Total) + (Lab Total))/8. This formula ensures the lecture counts for 80% and lab counts for 20%.
VII. General Comments: You are encouraged to participate in class and to speak with me at any time concerning questions about any portion of the course work or about other problems dealing with the course. If you wish to see me you may come to my office or make an appointment.
VIII. Tentative Class Schedule:
TOPIC LECTURES CHAPTERS
Matter & Measurement 2 1
Atoms and Elements 3 2 Exam 1
Stoichiometry 2 3
Solution Chemistry 3 4 Exam 2
Thermochemistry 3 5
Atomic Structure 3 6 Exam 3
Periodic Properties 2 7
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Geometry 4 8-9 Exam 4
Gases 3 10
Final Examination: A comprehensive final exam will be given on Thursday, December 14, from 8:00-10:00 AM in DSB 106.
IX. Looking Ahead: If you intend on taking CHEM 122 you should be aware that the final exam is a standardized American Chemical Society exam. It is comprehensive covering a full year of General Chemistry.
X. Students with Disabilities: Disabled students must contact the Office of Disabled Student Services at 898-2783. Special arrangements can then be made with the instructor.
XI. Academic Honesty: CHEATING will not be tolerated. Anyone cheating or appearing to cheat on any assignments will receive a zero for that assignment with the possibility of further action at the instructor’s discretion.