Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 101) Syllabus and Course Structure

Course Overview

Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 101) is an introductory course covering the foundational concepts of inorganic, organic, and biological chemistry. The course is designed for non-science majors and emphasizes the application of chemical principles to everyday life and healthcare contexts.

Course Description

• Introduction to fundamental principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, and acid-base reactions.

• Covers properties and reactivity of major classes of organic compounds and biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

• Focus on real-world applications, especially in healthcare.

• Not intended for science majors or as a prerequisite for advanced chemistry courses.

Course Objectives

• Understand basic concepts of inorganic, organic, and biological chemistry.

• Apply chemical concepts to solve common healthcare problems.

• Develop chemical and scientific literacy.

Required Materials

• Textbook: Chemistry, An Introduction to General, Organic and Biological Chemistry by Karen A. Timberlake, 13th Edition.

• Supplemental: Scientific calculator.

Course Structure and Topics

The course is organized into weekly modules, each focusing on a specific area of chemistry. The following outline aligns with the chapters and topics relevant to a general, organic, and biological chemistry (GOB) curriculum:

Week	Topic	Relevant Chapter(s)
1	Introduction and Chemistry and Measurements	Ch. 1, 2
2	Chemistry and Measurements (continued)	Ch. 2
3	Matter and Energy	Ch. 3
4	Atoms and Elements	Ch. 4
5	Ionic and Molecular Compounds	Ch. 6
6-7	Chemical Quantities and Reactions	Ch. 7
9	Solutions	Ch. 9
10-11	Acids and Bases	Ch. 10
12-13	Introduction to Organic Chemistry	Ch. 11

Assessment and Grading

Student performance is evaluated through a combination of assignments, quizzes, discussions, and exams. The grading scale and assessment breakdown are as follows:

Assessment Type	Percentage of Final Grade
Chapter Assignments	25%
Quizzes	20%
Discussions	5%
Exams	50%

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	95–100%
A-	90–94%
B+	87–89%
B	83–86%
B-	80–82%
C+	77–79%
C	73–76%
C-	70–72%
D+	67–69%
D	63–66%
D-	60–62%
F	0–59%

Course Policies and Support

• Attendance: Active participation is required. Students must confirm enrollment and attend the first week or risk being dropped.

• Make-Up Work: Permitted for documented emergencies only; limited to one exam and one quiz per trimester.

• Late Assignments: 10% penalty per day late; no credit after graded work is returned.

• Tutoring: Weekly tutoring is available through the University Tutoring Center.

• Academic Integrity: All students must adhere to the university's standards for academic honesty.

• Accommodations: Students requiring accommodations should contact the Disabilities Coordinator.

• Title IX: The university is committed to a safe, respectful environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Weekly Time Commitment

• For a 3-credit, 14-week course: ~9 hours per week (including lectures, assignments, and study time).

• For a 3-credit, 7-week course: ~18 hours per week.

Key Topics by Chapter (from Syllabus Outline)

• Ch. 1: Chemistry in Our Lives

• Ch. 2: Chemistry and Measurements

• Ch. 3: Matter and Energy

• Ch. 4: Atoms and Elements

• Ch. 6: Ionic and Molecular Compounds

• Ch. 7: Chemical Quantities and Reactions

• Ch. 9: Solutions

• Ch. 10: Acids and Bases and Equilibrium

• Ch. 11: Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons

• Additional chapters (e.g., Ch. 5, Ch. 12–18) may be referenced in the textbook but are not explicitly listed in the weekly outline.

Learning Support and Communication

• Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and seek help early.

• Contact information for the instructor and tutoring center is provided for academic support.

• APA citation style is required for all written assignments.

Summary

This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the CHEM 101 course, including its objectives, weekly topics, assessment methods, and support resources. The course content aligns closely with the standard GOB chemistry curriculum, covering essential topics in general, organic, and biological chemistry relevant for non-science majors.