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Syllabus
for CHM-130: Fundamental Chemistry
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Textbook: "Foundations of College Chemistry" Authors: Hein and Arena Three editions to choose from. The 13th Edition is in bookstore and the 11th and 12th Editions are found online and usually much cheaper. Instructor will email you details on where to purchase the 11th and 12th Editions. |
(#12914/Fall 2010) |
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chm130@chemistryland.com 480 202-2993 (cellphone #) |
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11th Edition |
Alternate 12th Edition |
Alternate 13th Edition |
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Evolution of Chemistry The images shown above represent the evolution of chemistry. For example, on the left the four imagined elements were fire, air, earth, and water. We now recognize 118 elements. The other images represent other milestones that will get covered in the class. |
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Chemistry is a vast subject that encompasses... The mysteries of the universe... The products you buy ... Things too far away to see... In other words, chemistry is more than you or I could
ever know, but fortunately learning the fundamentals of chemistry is
possible. But don't let the word, "fundamental" fool you.
In this course you will learn that the world is very different than
you thought it was. In some ways stranger than Hollywood’s virtual
world called the Matrix. After learning chemistry you will look at the
world differently just as Neo did in the movie. |
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Things
you should expect to get out of this course
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| 1. Gain an appreciation of chemistry: its value to society, its role in history, the effort to get this far, the modern marvels. |
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2. Learn how to approach a chemistry topic as a blend
of bluilding blocks, force & energy, and mathematics. Chemistry
can seem like a long list of separate concepts but this approach ties
them together. Also, dividing a chemistry topic into three areas of
focus makes it easier to understand. Chapters in the textbook and tutorials are some blend of these three focus areas. |
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| 3. Become
a smart consumer of chemical products: Better understanding of labels,
smarter at reading past the hype or paranoia, and better at recognizing
pseudoscience. |
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4. Be better prepared to move on to other levels of chemistry or other fields in science. This preparation involves solidifying the fundamental concepts of chemistry. Remember chemistry is not an abstract science. It is you and everything around you. Don't let it become a bunch of symbols like those on the Periodic Table. The other preparation is the ability to measure and
calculate the quantities needed. So math fundamentals are just as important. |
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COURSE COMPETENCIES
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The official course competencies are
listed on this district Web page: I will cover these competencies in the course but weave them into the topics listed on home page. I don't list them here because they are a little overwhelming to see all together. Also, a list of competencies makes chemistry seems boring, which it isn't. I have also added a few more competencies that will help you be a smarter consumer and smarter chemistry student. |
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| As you might guess, giving or taking tests in distance learning classes is always more difficult than in traditional classes. In some distance learning classes, students take tests online. In other distance learning classes, students are required to come to the college testing center for testing. I believe that a distance learning class should be done all at a distance if the student so desires. However, many instructors are concerned that if a student takes tests only over the Internet, there's no checking to see if that student is doing the test by him or herself or getting help from their chemistry-smart friend. At some point in the future where we all have Web cameras and a fingerprint input device, then these fears will go away. |  |
| For now I would like to give tests in a two ways to better guarantee a student's progress and reduce or eliminate any traveling a student may have to do. One way is online; the other is orally (on the phone). I like to test comprehension frequently rather than waiting for a major test. Some tutorials will have a quiz that immediately follows it. Quizzes not only test what was learned but have some extra activities to test your ability to learn more. There are several quizzes and assignments plus two finals. One is written and one is oral. All quizzes are done online except for the oral final, which is done over the phone. The quizzes and assignments count for 80% of your grade. The oral and written finals total 20%. |  |
| I always offer students chances to redo questions or assignments. My goal is that you learn the material. If you restudy and do problems over again, I'm happy to regrade it. Let's say you get 70% on a quiz. If you redo the 30% missed and get them all correct, I will give you 75% of your second score. So 75% of 30% is 22.5%. So your final score will now be 70%+22.5%=92.5%. The exception is if you give a far-fetched answer. In other words, an answer where you didn't seem to take time to visualize what was going on (Like calculating a volume 100 time larger than is possible). When you correct these really wrong answers, you will only get 1/2 credit when you correct that answer. For example, you miss 3 out of 10 questions and get 70%. 1 of your wrong answers was way off (like 100 times off). You redo the missed 3 and get correct answers. So you get 1/2 credit for the 1 that were originally very wrong (1/2x1=.5 and 75% of the two that were simply wrong (0.75x2=1.5). So you recovered 2.5 of the 3 missed ones. So you end with 9.5 correct out of 10, or 95%. So going from 70% to 95% is still worth redoing missed questions even if you are penalized somewhat for missing them in the first place. My goal is that you check your answers before turning them in and especially consider if they even seem reasonable. |  |
| CHECKING PROGRESS: On the home page you will see a link to "CHECK PROGRESS". The progress page is a table (like one below) where you can see what assignments I have received and if there's any questions that need to be redone. If I say "Sent 3/22" that means you sent it on March 22nd, but I haven't graded it yet. If I write "Done," then it means you got 100%. If a question is missed, I will say "Redo" followed by the question number. Also, instead of your name listed on the progress sheet, I will give you a code name using the name of an element. The Progress Sheet (progress page) has all the links you need to access the tutorials, quizzes, and tests for the class. So you should bookmark the Progress Sheet page. | |
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| DEADLINES VS. TARGET DATES: Even though I do not have strict due dates, I do have target dates that give you a pacing that spreads out the learning. I like the course to be flexible to accomodate unforeseen circumstances or irregular schedules. However, if you get too far behind, I will prod you to catch up. If you do not communicate with me and are far behind, I have to drop you from the course. On the 45th day of class, I am required to drop any student who is not making significant progress in the class. | |
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All Maricopa Community College students are expected
to be familiar with the Student Guide that explains the policies, procedures,
and resources for students. A link to the home page for the Student
Guides is below. |
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| In
summary, I think this class is very valuable and enjoyable at the same
time. It's important to be aware of what the world is made of, and at
the same time, this awareness is like traveling to new places and seeing
things you didn't know existed.
Welcome to Fundamental Chemistry. Now, dive in and see what's there. |
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