WACO, TEXAS

COURSE SYLLABUS
AND
INSTRUCTOR PLAN

GENERAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I

CHEM - 1411 - 50

Dr. Vanessa Castleberry

Spring 2012
 General Inorganic Chemistry I

1411-50

Course Description:
Covers the fundamental laws, theories, and concepts of chemistry, methods of writing chemical
formulas and equations, structure of the atom and matter, periodic classification related to the
properties of typical elements and compounds, and electrolytic dissociation and solutions. This
course serves as the prerequisite requirement for engineering, medicine, and advanced work in
chemistry and other fields of science. Semester Hours (3 lec/4 lab)

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites:

This course requires that the student have credit for, or be concurrently enrolled in, MATH 1314
or equivalent, or consent of division director.

Course Notes and Instructor Recommendations:

Successful completion of this course will require that the student be comfortable with
mathematical expressions of scientific concepts. Laboratory work will require the student to
prepare in advance of the lab meeting by reading the lab assignment and turning in a lab report
of data gathered during that lab session.

It is strongly recommended that the student take adequate notes and study outside of class.
The suggested problem sets will assist in understanding the concepts covered in each lecture.
Also, a problem from the set will appear on the exam, so prior effort will pay off. If any
material is unclear to the student, it is highly recommended to consult with the instructor as
soon as possible. Do not wait until the last minute to request help.

Instructor Information:
Instructor Name: Dr. Vanessa Castleberry
MCC E-mail: vcastleberry@mclennan.edu
Office Phone Number: 254-299-8186
Office Location: SB 345
Office/Teacher Conference Hours: Wednesday evenings, 6 - 7
Other Instruction Information:

Required Text & Materials:

Title: General Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis
Author: Robinson, Odom, & Holtzclaw
Edition: 10th
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0-669-35482-1

Title: Laboratory Manual (CHEM 1411 & 1412)

Author: Zajicek
Publisher: MCC Shop

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MCC Bookstore Website:

http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-
1&storeId=10200&demoKey=d&catalogId=10001

Methods of Teaching and Learning:

The course consists of lecture and laboratory. The lecture will be a mix of power point
presentations, problems worked on the whiteboard, discussion, and occasional group work.
The laboratory portion offers hands on experience in laboratory experimentation. The student’s
review of the written explanation of the lab experiment will enhance the learning experience.
Students may be required to work individually or in groups. Lab reports will be handed in at
the beginning of the next lab meeting.

Course Objectives and/or Competencies:

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.
14. Use basic apparatus and apply experimental methodologies used in the chemistry
laboratory.
15. Demonstrate safe and proper handling of laboratory equipment and chemicals.
16. Conduct basic laboratory experiments with proper laboratory techniques.
17. Make careful and accurate experimental observations.
18. Relate physical observations and measurements to theoretical principles.
19. Interpret laboratory results and experimental data, and reach logical conclusions.
20. Record experimental work completely and accurately in laboratory notebooks and
communicate experimental results clearly in written reports.
21. Design fundamental experiments involving principles of chemistry.
22. Identify appropriate sources of information for conducting laboratory experiments
involving principles of chemistry.

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Course Outline or Schedule:

The following is an approximate schedule of the text chapters covered in this course and the
exam dates. Reading the chapters prior to lecture is highly recommended. Except for the final
exam, the dates in this schedule are subject to change.

Course Dates
Week Text
Topics
Starting Chapter
January 16th 1 Some Fundamental Concepts

January 23rd 2&5 The Language of Chemistry & Atoms

January 30th 5 Atoms: Their Structure, Spectra, and Properties
February 5th Exam #1

February 13th 6 Chemical Bonding

February 20th 7 Molecular Structures and Models of Covalent Bonds

February 27th 4 Thermochemistry
March 5th Exam #2

March 12th SPRING BREAK

March 19th 3 Chemical Stoichiometry

Chemical Stoichiometry & Chemical Reactions and the Periodic
March 26th 3&8
Table
April 2nd 8 Chemical Reactions and the Periodic Table
April 9th Exam #3

April 16th 10 Gases

April 23rd 11 Intermolecular Forces, Liquids and Solids

April 30th 12 Solutions and Colloids

May 8th 6PM Exam #5 (final) – in SB 315

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Laboratory Dates
Evening of: Lab # Experiment Description
January 24 th CHECK IN Introduction, safety in the laboratory and regulations
January 31th 1 Development of Laboratory Skills and Errors in Measurement
February 7th 2 Identification of a Substance Based on Physical Properties
February 14 th 3 Study of Physical and Chemical Changes
February 21 st 4 Determining an Empirical Formula
February 28 th 5 Percentage of Water of Hydration
March 6 th 6 Purity of Sodium Bicarbonate
March 13 th 7 Atomic Mass by Calorimetry
March 20th 8 Chemical Activity of Metals
March 27 th 9 Physical Behavior of Gases
April 3 rd 10 Molar Mass of a Substance (Vapor Density Method)
April 10 th 11 A Study of Solutions and Solubility
April 17 th 12 Acid – Base Titrations
April 24 th CHECK OUT Clean up

Course Grading Information:

Exams (4) will count equally for 75% of the course grade. No exam grade will be dropped. The
laboratory portion will make up the last 25%. Your course letter grade will be based on the
following scale: 90% or more is an A; 80% or more is a B; 70% or more is a C; 60% or more is a
D; below 60% of the total results in an F.

Late Work, Attendance, and Make Up Work Policies:

Lab worksheets are due at the start of the next lab. Make up labs are NOT offered, although the
lowest two lab grades are dropped. One make up exam will be offered at the end of the term. It
will be comprehensive in the scope of the course.

Student Behavioral Expectations or Conduct Policy:

Students are encouraged to visit with the instructor if topics covered in the course are not
understood. Often, one on one tutoring will help the student grasp the subject matter. Students
are encouraged to read the lecture chapter material prior to attending class. Questions on the
subject matter during class are welcomed and encouraged. Students are expected to be punctual
for lecture and lab classes. Once roll is taken any student coming into the class will be
considered to be absent for purposes of attendance. Students are expected to observe all safety
rules and clothing requirements in the laboratory and maintain a clean workspace in the lab.
Horseplay and unsafe habits in the laboratory will be grounds for ejection from the lab.
Repeated offenses will result in the student being dropped from the course.

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MCC Academic Integrity Statement:

The Center for Academic Integrity, of which McLennan Community College is a member,
defines academic integrity as “a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental
values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. From these values flow principles of
behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action…” Individual faculty
members determine their class policies and behavioral expectations for students. Students who
commit violations of academic integrity should expect serious consequences. For further
information about student responsibilities and rights, please consult the McLennan website and
your Highlander Student Guide.

Academic Integrity Statement:

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. The student is expected to adhere to the
academic integrity policy as outlined in the MCC handbook.

MCC Attendance Policy:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students, and each instructor will maintain a
complete record of attendance for the entire length of each course, including online and hybrid
courses. Students will be counted absent from class meetings missed, beginning with the first
official day of classes. Students, whether present or absent, are responsible for all material
presented or assigned for a course and will be held accountable for such materials in the
determination of course grades. For this class, the student cannot miss more than 7 classes.

Please refer to the Highlander Guide for the complete policy.

ADA Statement:
In accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the
regulations published by the United States Department of Justice 28 C.F.R. 35.107(a), MCC’s
designated ADA co-coordinators, Mr. Gene Gooch - Vice President, Finance and
Administration and Dr. Santos Martinez – Vice President, Student Services shall be responsible
for coordinating the College’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under
ADA. Students with disabilities requiring physical, classroom, or testing accommodations
should contact Ms. Rene Jacinto, Disabilities Specialist, at 299-8122 or rrjacinto@mclennan.edu