General Chemistry I (Chemistry 1310) – Syllabus and Course Structure Study Guide

Course Overview

This study guide summarizes the structure, policies, and content coverage for Chemistry 1310 – General Chemistry I, as outlined in the course syllabus. The course is designed to introduce foundational concepts in chemistry, including matter, atomic structure, chemical reactions, and physical properties, and to develop problem-solving skills essential for further study in chemistry and related fields.

Course Structure and Learning Outcomes

Main Units and Modules

• Unit 1: Measurement and Atomic Basis

  • Module 1: Fundamentals of Matter and Scientific Approaches

  • Module 2: Chemistry is Elemental

  • Module 3: Quantum Mechanical Atoms

  • Module 4: The Periodic Table is Trending

• Unit 2: Basic Chemistry Principles and Reactions

  • Module 5: Naming, Bonding, and Composition Basics

  • Module 6: What is “Stoichiometry”?

  • Module 7: Solutions and Aqueous Chemistry

  • Module 8: Gas Laws and Properties

• Unit 3: Physical Chemistry and Materials

  • Module 9: Thermochemistry

  • Module 10: Lewis Structures and the Octet Rule

  • Module 11: VSEPR and Molecular Structure

  • Module 12: Intermolecular Forces and Phase Relationships

Key Learning Outcomes by Topic

Unit 1: Measurement and Atomic Basis

• Matter and Properties: Define matter, chemical and physical properties, and density.

• Scientific Method: Understand the process of scientific inquiry and hypothesis testing.

• Measurement: Use units, prefixes, significant figures, and dimensional analysis in calculations.

• Atomic Structure: Identify subatomic particles, atomic models, isotopes, and calculate atomic masses.

• The Mole: Define and use the mole concept for atoms and molecules.

• Quantum Mechanics: Describe properties of light, the electromagnetic spectrum, and quantum mechanical models of the atom.

• Periodic Table: Write electron configurations and predict properties using periodic trends (e.g., ionization energy, electron affinity).

Unit 2: Basic Chemistry Principles and Reactions

• Chemical Bonding: Identify types of bonds (ionic, covalent), write chemical formulas, and name compounds.

• Stoichiometry: Balance chemical equations, identify limiting reagents, and calculate theoretical and percent yields.

• Types of Reactions: Recognize and predict products for combustion, alkali metal, and halogen reactions.

• Solutions: Define aqueous solutions, calculate concentrations (molarity), and write molecular, ionic, and net ionic equations.

• Reaction Types in Solution: Predict acid-base, gas-evolution, and redox reactions.

• Gas Laws: Apply Boyle’s, Charles’s, and Avogadro’s laws, and the Ideal Gas Law. Understand partial pressures and kinetic molecular theory.

Unit 3: Physical Chemistry and Materials

• Thermochemistry: Apply the First Law of Thermodynamics, calculate enthalpy changes, and use Hess’s Law.

• Lewis Structures: Draw Lewis structures, resonance forms, and assign formal charges. Understand the octet rule and exceptions.

• Molecular Geometry: Use VSEPR theory to predict molecular shapes, understand hybridization, and apply molecular orbital theory.

• Intermolecular Forces: Identify types of intermolecular forces and relate them to physical properties (e.g., boiling point, viscosity).

• Phase Changes: Interpret phase diagrams and understand vapor pressure and boiling points.

Course Policies and Grading

Grading Breakdown

Assignment Type	Points Each	Total Points	Percentage of Grade
Homework (Top 10 of 12)	20	200	20%
Recitation Assignments (Top 10 of 11)	20	200	20%
Exams (Top 3 of 4)	200	600	60%

Grade Scale:

Grade	Minimum Points
A	900
B	800
C	700
D	600

Course Policies

• Attendance: Mandatory; tracked via Canvas. Non-engagement for 3 weeks may result in being dropped.

• Makeup Policy: No makeup assignments or exams; lowest scores are dropped as specified.

• Academic Integrity: Strictly enforced. Academic dishonesty results in a zero for the assignment and reporting as per university policy.

• Use of Generative AI: No use of GAI is acceptable for any graded class activity. Use may result in a zero for the assignment.

Course Schedule (Selected Chapters and Topics)

Week/Module	Topic	Relevant Chapters
Jan 20–27	Fundamentals of Matter and Scientific Approaches	Ch. 1
Jan 28–Feb 3	Chemistry is Elemental	Ch. 2
Feb 4–10	Quantum Mechanical Atoms	Ch. 8
Feb 11–17	The Periodic Table is Trending	Ch. 9
Feb 18–Mar 1	Naming, Bonding, and Composition Basics	Ch. 3
Mar 2–15	Stoichiometry	Ch. 4
Mar 16–31	Solutions and Aqueous Chemistry	Ch. 5
Apr 1–7	Gases	Ch. 6
Apr 8–21	Thermochemistry	Ch. 7
Apr 22–28	Lewis Structures and the Octet Rule	Ch. 10
Apr 29–May 5	VSEPR and Molecular Structure	Ch. 11
May 6–10	Liquids, Solids, and Intermolecular Forces	Ch. 12

Support Resources

• Canvas, MyLab and Mastering, TopHat for course materials and assessments

• Office hours and recitation sections for additional help

• Student Success Center, Writing and Communication Center, University Libraries, and other campus resources for academic and personal support

Additional info:

• This syllabus covers all foundational topics in a standard general chemistry sequence, including matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, gases, thermochemistry, molecular structure, and intermolecular forces.

• Students are expected to use scientific calculators, follow academic integrity policies, and engage with all course modules and assignments as scheduled.