Chemistry 101: Course Structure, Grading, and Study Guidelines

Course Overview

Introduction

This guide summarizes the key policies, grading criteria, and schedule for an introductory college-level Chemistry 101 course. It is designed to help students understand course expectations, assessment methods, and important deadlines.

Course Materials

Required Resources

• Textbook: Introductory Chemistry, 7th edition (Pearson, 2023).

• Course Packet: 12th edition (contains partial notes and homework sets).

• Personal Computer: For internet access and online assignments.

• Scientific Calculator: Recommended: TI-30XA or equivalent. Must be non-programmable and non-graphing for exams.

Grading and Course Policies

Exams (65% of grade)

Exams are the primary method of assessment in Chemistry 101. They test your understanding of key concepts and problem-solving skills.

• Exam Format: Exams are returned and reviewed. Missed exams require official documentation for make-up eligibility.

• Exam Security: Students must not share exam content or solutions. Violations may result in academic penalties.

• Make-up Policy: Failure to attend an exam without valid reason may result in a zero grade. A minimum of one week's notice is required for excused absences.

Homework (10% of grade)

Homework assignments reinforce lecture material and provide practice with chemical concepts and calculations.

• Submission: Homework must be submitted online before the posted due date. Late submissions are not accepted.

• Collaboration: You may discuss homework with peers, but answers must be your own. Copying is prohibited.

• Feedback: Solutions and feedback are provided after submission. Grades are posted online.

• Policy: No requests for late homework or extensions are granted except for documented emergencies.

Lab (25% of grade)

Laboratory work is essential for hands-on experience with chemical principles and techniques.

• Lab Attendance: Required for all students. Missing labs without valid excuse may result in grade penalties.

• Lab Grading: Your lab average (100-point basis) is multiplied by 2.5 to determine its contribution to the final grade.

Attendance and Participation

• Attendance: Attendance is tracked for lectures and labs. Absences may affect your understanding and performance.

• Responsibility: Students are responsible for all material presented in class, including announcements and schedule changes.

Grade Assignment

Your final course grade is based on the percentage of points earned out of 1000 possible in the course. The following table shows the grading scale:

Grade	Percent	Grade	Percent	Grade	Percent
A	90–100	B	80–89	C	70–79
D	60–69	F	0–59

Course Schedule

Homework Due Dates

Homework assignments are due on specific dates throughout the semester. The following table summarizes the schedule:

Ch.	Due Date	Ch.	Due Date	Ch.	Due Date	Ch.	Due Date
1	Sat, Aug. 27	4	Sat, Sept. 24	7	Fri, Oct. 14	10	Fri, Nov. 4
2	Fri, Sept. 2	5	Fri, Sept. 30	8	Fri, Oct. 21	11	Sat, Nov. 19
3	Fri, Sept. 9	6	Fri, Oct. 7	9	Fri, Oct. 28	12	Sat, Nov. 26

Reading Assignments and Exam Schedule

The following table outlines the reading assignments and exam dates for the semester. Students should complete readings before the associated lectures and exams.

Date	Assignment	Date	Assignment
M, Aug. 22	Ch. 1: Introduction	W, Oct. 12	Ch. 10: sections 1–6
W, Aug. 24	Ch. 1: sections 1–7	F, Oct. 14	Practice Exam III (online)
F, Aug. 26	Ch. 2: sections 1–6	M, Oct. 17	Ch. 11: sections 1–8
M, Aug. 29	Ch. 2: sections 7–8	W, Oct. 19	Ch. 11: sections 9–16
W, Aug. 31	Ch. 3: sections 1–8	F, Oct. 21	Ch. 12: sections 1–7
F, Sept. 2	Ch. 3: sections 9–16	M, Oct. 24	Ch. 12: sections 8–14
M, Sept. 5	Ch. 4: sections 1–8	W, Oct. 26	Ch. 13: sections 1–7
W, Sept. 7	Ch. 4: sections 9–16	F, Oct. 28	Ch. 13: sections 8–14
F, Sept. 9	Ch. 5: sections 1–8	M, Oct. 31	Ch. 14: sections 1–7
M, Sept. 12	Ch. 5: sections 9–16	W, Nov. 2	Ch. 14: sections 8–14
W, Sept. 14	Ch. 6: sections 1–8	F, Nov. 4	Ch. 15: sections 1–7
F, Sept. 16	Ch. 6: sections 9–16	M, Nov. 7	Ch. 15: sections 8–14
M, Sept. 19	Ch. 7: sections 1–8	W, Nov. 9	Ch. 16: sections 1–7
W, Sept. 21	Ch. 7: sections 9–16	F, Nov. 11	Ch. 16: sections 8–14
F, Sept. 23	Practice Exam I (online)	M, Nov. 14	Ch. 17: sections 1–7
M, Sept. 26	Exam I: Ch. 1–4	W, Nov. 16	Ch. 17: sections 8–14
W, Sept. 28	Ch. 8: sections 1–8	F, Nov. 18	Practice Exam V (online)
F, Sept. 30	Ch. 8: sections 9–16	M, Nov. 21	Exam V: Ch. 15–17
M, Oct. 3	Ch. 9: sections 1–8	W, Nov. 23	Ch. 18: sections 1–7
W, Oct. 5	Ch. 9: sections 9–16	F, Nov. 25	Ch. 18: sections 8–14
F, Oct. 7	Practice Exam II (online)	M, Nov. 28	Ch. 19: sections 1–7
M, Oct. 10	Exam II: Ch. 5–8	W, Nov. 30	Ch. 19: sections 8–14
W, Oct. 12	Ch. 10: sections 1–6	F, Dec. 2	Practice Exam VI (online)
M, Dec. 5	Exam VI: Ch. 18–19	W, Dec. 7	Review (online)
F, Dec. 9	Final Exam: Ch. 1–19

Key Policies and Reminders

• Academic Integrity: All work must be your own. Cheating or plagiarism will result in disciplinary action.

• Communication: Use official channels (Canvas, email) for course-related questions and announcements.

• Calculator Policy: Only approved calculators are allowed during exams.

• Grade Calculation: Your grade is based on the percentage of points earned. No extra credit is offered.

Example: Calculating Your Grade

• Suppose you earn: 600 points on exams, 80 points on homework, and 200 points on lab.

• Total points: $600 + 80 + 200 = 880$

• Percentage: $\frac{880}{1000} \times 100 = 88\%$

• Letter Grade: B (based on the grading scale above)

Additional info: This guide is based on the course syllabus and schedule for Chemistry 101. For detailed content on chemical concepts, refer to the textbook and lecture notes.