CHEM 1210 – General Chemistry I: Syllabus and Course Structure Study Guide

Course Overview

Introduction to General Chemistry I

This syllabus outlines the structure, policies, and resources for CHEM 1210 – General Chemistry I, a foundational course in college-level chemistry. The course aims to provide students with essential concepts and skills for further study in science and related fields.

• Course Title: CHEM 1210 – General Chemistry I

• Credits: 5 credit hours

• Lecture Schedule: Three sessions per week, 1 hour 15 minutes each

• Location: Agricultural Administration Building, Room 0043

• Instructional Team: Lecturer, TAs, Lab Supervisors, Course Coordinator, Office Contact

Required Materials

Textbook and Homework Software

• Textbook: Chemistry: The Central Science, 15th edition, by Brown et al.

• Access: Provided electronically via Carmenbooks; hard copy optional

• Homework Platform: MasteringChemistry (integrated with Carmen)

Technology and Calculator Requirements

• Tablet or Laptop: Required for exams (LockDown Browser)

• Approved Calculators: Only specific TI models permitted (TI-30XIIS, TI-30Xa, TI-83, TI-84, Plus/Plus CE)

Laboratory Materials

• See Lab Syllabus for details

Course Components and Grading

Lecture

• Three sessions per week

• 20% of final grade (10% In-Class Activities, 10% Out-of-Class Activities)

• Homework via MasteringChemistry

Laboratory

• One session per week (2 hours 55 minutes)

• 20% of final grade

• Minimum 50% lab points required to pass course

Exams

• Four midterms (10% each), one final (20%)

• All exams in-person, using LockDown Browser

Grading Breakdown

Assignment Group	Weight (%)
In-Class Activities	10%
Out-of-Class Activities	10%
Exam 1	10%
Exam 2	10%
Exam 3	10%
Exam 4	10%
Final Exam	20%
Laboratory	20%

Letter Grade Assignment

Total Score (%)	Letter Grade
93 ≤ x < 100	A
89 ≤ x < 93	A−
85 ≤ x < 89	B+
81 ≤ x < 85	B
77 ≤ x < 81	B−
73 ≤ x < 77	C+
68 ≤ x < 73	C
64 ≤ x < 68	C−
60 ≤ x < 64	D+
55 ≤ x < 60	D
x < 55	E

Lecture Topics and Schedule

Core Chemistry Chapters

• Chapter 1: Matter and Measurement

• Chapter 2: Atoms, Molecules, and Ions

• Chapter 3: Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry

• Chapter 4: Reactions in Aqueous Solutions

• Chapter 5: Thermochemistry

• Chapter 6: Electronic Structure of Atoms

• Chapter 7: Periodic Properties of the Elements

• Chapter 8: Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding

• Chapter 9: Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories

• Chapter 10: Gases

• Chapter 11: Liquids and Intermolecular Forces

• Chapter 12: Solids and Modern Materials

Sample Lecture Schedule

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Thursday
Jan 12–16	Intro the Course	1.1, 1.4, 2.1-2.3	2.4-2.5
Jan 19–23	No Classes	2.6-2.8	1.2-1.3, 1.6
Jan 26–30	1.5, 1.7	3.3-3.5	Exam 1 Review
Feb 2–6	Exam 1	3.6	3.7
Feb 9–13	3.1-3.2	4.4	4.1, 4.3
Feb 16–20	4.2-4.3	4.5	Exam 2 Review
Feb 23–27	Exam 2	5.1-5.3	5.4-5.6
March 2–6	5.7-5.8	6.8-6.9	6.1-6.4
March 9–13	6.5-6.6	Exam 3 Review	Exam 3
March 23–27	7.1-7.3	7.4, 8.2	8.3, 9.4-9.6
Mar 30–Apr 3	8.1, 8.5	8.6-8.8	8.4, 9.1-9.3
April 6–10	9.7-9.8	11.1-11.2	Exam 4 Review
April 13–17	Exam 4	12.1-12.2, 11.3	10.1-10.2, 10.5
April 20–24	10.3-10.4	10.6-10.7	11.4-11.6
Apr 27–May 1	Final Exam Review	Reading Day	Finals Week

Exam Schedule

Exam	Date	Coverage
Exam 1	Monday, February 2	Ch 1 and Ch 2
Exam 2	Monday, February 23	Ch 3 and Ch 4
Exam 3	Thursday, March 12	Ch 5.1−5.7 and Ch 6
Exam 4	Monday, April 13	Ch 5.8, 7.1−7.4, 8, and 9
Final Exam	Friday, May 1, 10:00am−11:45am	Exams 1−4, Ch 10, Ch 11.1–11.6, Ch 12.1–12.2

Course Policies and Academic Conduct

Attendance and Absence Policies

• Attendance tracked via Academic Misconduct Quiz (COAM Quiz)

• Absence procedures differ for lecture, lab, and exams

• Faith-related absences allowed (up to three days), must be requested in writing

• University short-term closing: alternative instruction methods provided

Academic Misconduct

• Strict policies against cheating, plagiarism, falsifying data, and unauthorized collaboration

• Examples include: using unapproved calculators, copying lab reports, using notes during exams

• Mandatory Academic Misconduct Quiz must be completed with 100% score by deadline

Artificial Intelligence Policy

• AI tools may be used only as specified by instructor

• Unauthorized use of AI is considered academic misconduct

• AI-generated content must be cited appropriately

Resources for Academic Success

Supplemental Lecture Videos

• Short videos available via Carmen for review and clarification

General Chemistry Success Centers

• Learning Resource Center (LRC) for lecture support (Celeste Lab 170)

• Lab support in Celeste Lab 205

• Hours and staffing schedules available in Carmen

Additional Campus Resources

• Links for academic, mental health, financial, and extracurricular support available in Carmen

Disability Services

• Accommodations available through Student Life Disability Services (SLDS)

• Multi-step process for requesting and using accommodations

• Contact Holly Wheaton for assistance

Mental Health Resources

• Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) available for students

• 24/7 emergency help via 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Learning Goals and Outcomes

• Explain basic facts, principles, theories, and methods of modern natural sciences

• Describe and analyze the process of scientific inquiry

• Identify key events in the development of science

• Employ scientific processes through exploration, discovery, and collaboration

• Analyze interdependence and impacts of scientific and technological developments

• Evaluate social and ethical implications of scientific discoveries

• Critically evaluate and responsibly use information from the natural sciences

Summary of Key Chemistry Topics (as covered in CHEM 1210)

• Intro to General Chemistry: Matter, measurement, scientific inquiry

• Atoms & Elements: Atomic theory, structure, periodic table

• Chemical Reactions: Equations, stoichiometry, limiting reactants

• Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions: Solution chemistry, concentrations, types of reactions

• Gases: Gas laws, kinetic theory, real vs. ideal gases

• Thermochemistry: Energy, enthalpy, calorimetry, Hess's Law

• Quantum Mechanics: Electronic structure, orbitals, quantum numbers

• Periodic Properties: Atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity

• Bonding & Molecular Structure: Lewis structures, ionic/covalent bonds, resonance

• Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory: VSEPR, hybridization, molecular orbitals

• Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces: Properties, phase changes, diagrams

• Solutions: Types, properties, concentration units

Additional info: This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the course structure, policies, and resources, but does not include detailed content explanations or formulas. For in-depth study notes on each chemistry topic, refer to the textbook and lecture materials.