Introduction to Chemistry: Foundations for GOB Chemistry (CH107)

Class Information and Course Overview

Instructor and Course Logistics

• Instructor: Ray Bakhtiar (BS, MS, PhD, Post-doctoral in biological, physical, and analytical chemistry)

• Course: CH107 - General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry (GOB Chemistry)

• Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–11:30 AM, Dooling Hall Auditorium

• Textbook: Timberlake, "Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry" (13th or 14th Edition)

Grading Components

• Exams (multiple, including a final)

• Laboratory Component: 20%

• Quizzes: 10%

Class Format

• Interactive, student-instructor centered discussions

• Low-stakes practice for mastery (end-of-chapter problems)

• Real-world application of concepts

• Clear, methodical structure and timely feedback

Why Study General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry?

Importance and Applications

• Explains molecular-level processes in the human body

• Essential for understanding drug dosing, metabolism, side effects, and interactions

• Supports safe medication administration and patient monitoring

• Connects chemistry to physiology, pharmacology, and patient outcomes

• Relevant to manufacturing, hospitals, pharmacies, energy, agriculture, food processing, and more

• Vital for pre-med, pre-health, environmental science, engineering, and many tech jobs

Chemistry in Action

Real-World Relevance

• FDA novel drug approvals highlight the role of chemistry in developing new therapies

• Therapeutic areas include oncology, hematology, cardiology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, and more

Chapter 1: Chemistry in Our Lives

What is Chemistry?

• Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter

• Chemical reactions occur all around us daily (e.g., antacid tablets in water)

What is a Chemical?

• A chemical is a substance with a consistent composition and properties, regardless of its source

Chemistry and Matter

• Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space (volume)

• Examples: antacid tablets, water, glass, air

The Scientific Method

Role of Scientists

• Chemists, biochemists, and biologists use scientific methods to solve problems and answer questions

• The scientific method involves observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and theory development

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Observe

2. Question

3. Research

4. Hypothesize

5. Experiment

6. Test Hypothesis

7. Draw Conclusions

8. Report

Example Application

• Problem-solving in daily life (e.g., determining why an alarm did not go off)

Classification of Scientific Statements

• Observation: Recording data or events (e.g., running 25 minutes on a treadmill)

• Theory: Broad explanation supported by evidence (e.g., exercise lowers blood pressure)

• Hypothesis: Testable explanation for an observation (e.g., weight loss due to increased exercise)

Essential Math Skills for Chemistry

Overview

• Focus on simple algebra, dimensional analysis, ratios, proportions, and solving for variables

• Critical for medication dosage, unit conversions, and interpreting clinical data

Identifying Place Values

• Each digit in a number has a specific place value (ones, tens, hundreds, tenths, hundredths, etc.)

Digit	Place Value
2	thousands
5	hundreds
1	tens
8	ones

Calculations with Positive and Negative Numbers

• Used in clinical settings (e.g., fluid balance: $\text{Fluid balance} = \text{total input (mL)} - \text{total output (mL)}$)

• Important for tracking patient intake/output, electrolyte balance, and more

Operations on Positive and Negative Numbers

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division rules for positive and negative values

Solving Simple Equations

• An equation is a mathematical statement showing two expressions are equal

• Steps to solve:

  1. Place all like items on one side

  2. Isolate the variable

  3. Check your answer

• Example: $2x + 8 = 14$ $2x = 6$ $x = 3$

Applications in Health Care

• Medication dosage calculation (ratios and proportions)

• IV drip rates (fluid volume per hour, drops per minute)

• Weight and volume conversions (pounds to kilograms, mL to ounces)

• Equipment monitoring (interpreting clinical device data)

• Fluid and electrolyte balance (intake/output management)

Charts and Plots in Chemistry and Medicine

Purpose and Interpretation

• Visualize data, highlight trends, and support decision-making

• Essential for summarizing large datasets, identifying errors, and communicating results

General Steps for Interpreting Graphs

• Label axes, choose appropriate units, plot data points, and include error bars if applicable

• Example: Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit $F = 1.8(C) + 32$

Percentages

Definition and Use

• "Percent" means "per 100"

• Used in medication concentrations, clinical assessments, and calculations

Conversions

• Percent to fraction: $36\% = \frac{36}{100} = \frac{9}{25}$

• Percent to decimal: $6\% = \frac{6}{100} = 0.06$

• Decimal to percent: $0.4 = 0.4 \times 100\% = 40\%$

Scientific Notation

Purpose

• Expresses very large or very small numbers concisely

• Ensures correct reporting of significant digits

Rules for Writing Scientific Notation

• Two parts: a coefficient and a power of 10

• Move the decimal to create a coefficient between 1 and 10

• Count the number of places moved to determine the exponent

Examples

• Numbers ≥ 10: $5400 = 5.4 \times 10^3$

• Numbers < 1: $0.00086 = 8.6 \times 10^{-4}$

Practice Problems

• Convert 0.07882 to scientific notation: $7.882 \times 10^{-2}$

• Convert 118000 to scientific notation: $1.18 \times 10^5$

Study Tips and Best Practices

• Read textbook chapters and lecture slides before class

• Practice problems regularly

• Use office hours for additional help

• Summarize notes and use flashcards for key terms and math skills

Summary Table: Key Math Skills and Conversions

Skill	Example
Dimensional Analysis	Converting mg to g: $1000\,mg = 1\,g$
Ratio & Proportion	Dosage calculation: $\frac{15\,mg}{5\,mL}$
Solving for Variables	$2x + 8 = 14 \rightarrow x = 3$
Scientific Notation	$0.00086 = 8.6 \times 10^{-4}$

Additional info: These notes are based on the CH107 course syllabus and introductory lecture slides, covering foundational concepts and essential math skills for success in General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry.