CHEM 107: Chemistry of Life – Structured Study Guide and Syllabus Overview

Course Overview

Introduction

CHEM 107: Chemistry of Life is an introductory college-level course that covers the foundational principles of general, organic, and biological chemistry. The course is designed for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of chemical concepts as they apply to living systems, with a focus on atoms, molecules, states of matter, energy, solutions, acids and bases, organic molecules, and biomolecules.

Course Structure and Requirements

Modality and Schedule

• Hybrid Format: Lectures are delivered online asynchronously; laboratory sessions are held in-person weekly.

• Duration: August 10, 2026 – December 4, 2026 (Lab); August 10, 2026 – December 11, 2026 (Lecture)

• Location: Menifee Valley Campus, MVC STEM Building 6217

• Lab Time: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 3:50 PM

Required Materials

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

• Lab Manual: Chemistry of Life: Chem 107 Lab Manual (Custom)

• Calculator: Scientific calculator (e.g., TI-30XA, Casio fx-300MS)

• Lab Coat: Knee-length, buttoned at all times

• Safety Equipment: Safety glasses, closed-toe shoes, and appropriate attire

Course Topics and Weekly Outline

General Chemistry Topics

• Atoms and Elements: Structure of the atom, periodic table organization

• Molecules and Compounds: Ionic and covalent bonding, chemical formulas

• Matter and Energy: States of matter, energy changes, exothermic and endothermic reactions

• Measurement and Problem Solving: Metric units, conversions, significant figures

• Chemical Reactions: Types of reactions, balancing equations, stoichiometry

• Gases, Liquids, and Solutions: Properties, gas laws, solubility, concentration calculations

• Acids, Bases, and Buffers: pH, acid-base reactions, buffer systems

Organic and Biological Chemistry Topics

• Organic Molecules: Hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, amides

• Biomolecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

• Metabolism: Metabolic pathways, ATP production

• Functional Groups: Identification and properties, IUPAC nomenclature

Weekly Lecture Topics (Sample)

Week	Topics
Aug 10	Chapter 1 & 2: Chemistry and Measurements
Aug 17	Chapter 3: Matter and Energy; Chapter 4: Atoms and Elements
Aug 24	Chapter 4 & 6: Ionic and Molecular Compounds
Aug 31	Chapter 6 Review; Chapter 7: Chemical Quantities and Reactions
Sept 7	Exam 1; Chapter 7 & 8: Gases
Sept 14	Chapter 8 & 9: Solutions
Sept 21	Chapter 10: Acids, Bases, and Equilibrium
Sept 28	Chapter 10 Review; Chapter 11: Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Oct 5	Exam 2; Chapter 11 & 12: Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones
Oct 12	Chapter 12 & 14: Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, Amides
Oct 19	Chapter 14 & 13: Carbohydrates
Oct 26	Chapter 13 & 15: Lipids; Review for Exam 3
Nov 2	Exam 3; Chapter 15 & 16: Amino Acids, Proteins, Enzymes
Nov 9	Chapter 16 & 17: Nucleic Acids, Protein Synthesis
Nov 16	Chapter 17 & 18: Metabolic Pathways, ATP Production
Nov 23	Chapter 18; Review for Final
Dec 7	Final Exam

Key Learning Objectives

• Explain atomic structure and periodic table arrangement

• Compare ionic and covalent compounds and their bonding

• Distinguish states of matter and associated energy changes

• Describe solution properties, solubility, and perform stoichiometric calculations

• Define pH and relate it to acids, bases, and buffers

• Identify and name organic molecules using IUPAC rules

• Diagram and explain the structure and function of biological macromolecules

• Differentiate metric units for volume, mass, and length

• Compare elements and compounds based on chemical and physical properties

• Compare exothermic and endothermic reactions

• Calculate and use molar concentrations in solution analysis

• Interpret structures of organic functional groups and compounds

• Analyze biological molecules using qualitative analysis

• Evaluate and quantify caloric content of foods using calorimetry

Laboratory Component

Lab Safety and Procedures

• Lab coat, safety glasses, and closed-toe shoes are mandatory

• Arrive on time; late arrivals may not participate

• Lab partners may share data but must submit individual reports

• Missing more than two labs may result in being dropped or failing

Sample Laboratory Experiments

Week	Lab #	Experiment
1	-	Lab Safety/Introduction/Syllabus
2	1, 2	Locker Check-in; Chemistry and Measurement; Conversion Factors and Problem Solving
3	3	Density and Specific Gravity
4	5, 6	Atoms and Elements; Electron Configuration and Periodic Properties
5	7, 4	Compounds and Their Bonds; Exam 1
6	8	Chemical Reactions and Equations
7	-	Moles & Stoichiometry
8	10	Testing for Cations and Anions
9	11	Exam 2 (Dry Lab)
10	12	Acids, Bases, pH, and Buffers
11	13	Acid-Base Titration
12	14	Organic Compounds: Alkanes
13	-	Exam 3; Molecular Modeling
14	16	Tests for Carbohydrates
15	17	Lipids
16	18	Peptides and Proteins
17	-	Locker Check-out

Assessment and Grading

• Exams: 3 midterms (300 pts), 1 cumulative final (200 pts)

• Homework: 170 pts (assigned by chapter)

• Laboratory: 180 pts (attendance and reports required)

• Grading Scale:

  • A: 90–100%

  • B: 80–89%

  • C: 70–79%

  • D: 60–69%

  • F: 0–59%

• Late Work: Accepted at 50% reduction, must be submitted before the final exam

• Make-up Policy: No make-up exams without a doctor's note; no reworking of submitted assignments

Academic Integrity and Support

• Academic Honesty: Cheating or plagiarism results in a zero and possible disciplinary action

• AI Policy: Use of AI-generated content is not permitted for assignments

• Support Services: Tutoring, writing center, counseling, disability services, and online resources are available

Key Chemistry Concepts (Expanded)

Atoms and Elements

• Atom: The smallest unit of an element, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons

• Periodic Table: Organizes elements by atomic number and properties

• Example: Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O) are essential elements in biological systems

Molecules and Compounds

• Molecule: Two or more atoms bonded together (e.g., $\mathrm{H_2O}$)

• Compound: Substance formed from two or more elements in fixed proportions

• Ionic Bond: Transfer of electrons between atoms (e.g., $\mathrm{NaCl}$)

• Covalent Bond: Sharing of electrons between atoms (e.g., $\mathrm{CO_2}$)

States of Matter and Energy

• States: Solid, liquid, gas

• Energy Changes: Melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation

• Exothermic Reaction: Releases energy ($\Delta H < 0$)

• Endothermic Reaction: Absorbs energy ($\Delta H > 0$)

Measurement and Problem Solving

• Metric Units: Meter (m), gram (g), liter (L)

• Significant Figures: Digits that carry meaning in measurements

• Conversion Factors: Used to convert between units (e.g., $1\ \mathrm{kg} = 1000\ \mathrm{g}$)

Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry

• Balancing Equations: Ensures mass and charge are conserved

• Stoichiometry: Calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions

• Limiting Reactant: The reactant that determines the amount of product formed

• Example Equation: $\mathrm{2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O}$

Solutions, Acids, and Bases

• Solution: Homogeneous mixture of solute and solvent

• Concentration: Amount of solute per volume of solution (e.g., molarity $M = \frac{\text{moles solute}}{\text{liters solution}}$)

• pH: Measure of acidity ($\mathrm{pH} = -\log[\mathrm{H}^+]$)

• Buffer: Solution that resists changes in pH

Organic and Biological Molecules

• Functional Groups: Specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine chemical properties (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino)

• Macromolecules: Large molecules essential for life (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids)

• IUPAC Nomenclature: Systematic naming of organic compounds

Additional Information

• Students are encouraged to use online resources such as Khan Academy, Crash Course Chemistry, and Mastering Chemistry for supplemental learning.

• Support services are available for students with disabilities, financial need, or academic challenges.