Approved by Faculty Senate

Chemistry 108: Introductory General Chemistry (Lecture and Lab - 3 s.h.)

Intended to introduce the students to chemistry. Two lecture and one two-hour laboratory/discussion period per week. Meets the Natural Science requirement under the Arts & Sciences Core of the University Studies program. Also can be a first course in chemistry for students who have not had high school chemistry and wish to prepare for entrance into other chemistry courses. Students completing the course may later elect CHEM 212 for credit or with the department’s permission, they may go directly into CHEM 213. Offered yearly.

This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to...

a. understand how scientists approach and solve problems in the natural sciences;

Requirements: Students are taught the scientific method. Many different real world problems are
                        presented and students are expected to learn how to apply the scientific method and
                        the principles of chemistry to solving and understanding chemistry-related
                        phenomena.

Activities:       Students are provided with many opportunities to apply the chemistry concepts.
                       Activities include in-class/out-of-class problem solving sessions, one-on-one tutorials,
                       instructor-led and group discussions, and laboratory exercises. A particular example
                       is the determination of densities of various materials by measuring mass and volume of
                       known solids and liquids, and then applying the techniques in identifying an unknown                          salt solution by investigating the relationship between density and concentration.

b. apply those methods to solve problems that arise in the natural sciences;

Requirements: Students are expected to apply the methods and the techniques of problem solving in                           many varieties of science and chemistry phenomena.

Activities:        Students apply various techniques, such as pattern recognition and trend analysis, to                           solve many problems during laboratories and class assignments.

c. use inductive reasoning, mathematics, or statistics to solve problems in natural science;

Requirements: Students are expected to work in pairs to collect several experimental data sets.                           Although they are encouraged to discuss data analysis and interpretation in a                           collaborative manner, students are required to hand in reports that are written in an                           independent manner.

Activities:        Students work in pairs in data collection. Analysis can be done collaboratively while                           laboratory reports must be written individually. Some lecture activities include group                          discussions on conceptual applications to real world problems in natural science.

e. identify, find, and use the tools of information science as it relates to natural science;

Requirements: Students are required to employ many tools of information science, such as searching                           scientific/chemistry journals/references in both non-electronic and electronic formats,                           to elucidate, decipher and solve problems in natural science.

Activities:       Many laboratory exercises require students to search for relevant information on                          physical and chemical properties before, during and after the experiments. Usage of                          such tools of information science enhances the students’ ability in investigative                          techniques in different areas of natural science.

f. critically evaluate both source and content of scientific information; and

Requirements: Laboratory experiments and lecture assignments are designed for critical evaluation                           by students. Chemical concepts are tested against experimental data collected by                           students.

Activities:       Included with laboratory exercises and class assignments, students are assessed                          based on their performance on quizzes, tests, and laboratory reports. These activities                          are designed to allow students the opportunity to critically evaluate both source and                          content of chemical information.

g. recognize and correct scientific misconceptions.

Requirements:  Many chemical concepts (such as electronic and molecular structures) are                          difficult and abstract. Students are taught to recognize misconceptions in
                       chemical concepts and how to revise and correct with proper perspectives.

Activities:       Laboratory experiments such as determination of atomic and molecular spectra give                          students the opportunities to critically evaluate and demystify chemical misconceptions                          in atomic and molecular structures.

This course also satisfies the laboratory requirement in the Natural Sciences and will additionally provide students with the opportunity to practice scientific inquiry through hands-on investigations and to analyze and report the results of those investigations.

Requirements:  Chemistry is a laboratory science that requires active learning. As such, students are                           required to perform and complete weekly laboratory exercises. This laboratory
                        requirement will give students practical and hands-on experience of basic chemical
                        analysis, application of chemistry concepts, and the general understanding of the                           scientific method.

Activities:        The weekly laboratory exercises include hands-on activities such as: pre-lab                          studies/preparations(reviewing and searching of relevant concept/information before                          doing the actual experiments), learning/practicing/performing experimental           
                        techniques, collecting data with modern instrumentation, analyzing results,
                        interpreting/discussing data (relative to models), making conclusions, and
                        complementing these activities with the writing of a laboratory report. These
                        hands-on investigations will give students an enhanced appreciation and
                        understanding of the chemical universe.

Webpage: http://course1.winona.edu/wng/

Course Purpose: The purpose of this introductory chemistry course is to provide students with the
                                knowledge to understand our world/universe from the viewpoint of fundamental
                                chemistry principles and with the tools to apply the methods of scientific inquiry
                                (along with the chemistry knowledge) toward an enhanced understanding of the
                                natural world. The studies of chemistry involve the study of matter and the
                                transformations it undergoes. The applications of these studies will provide students
                                with an enhanced understanding of such phenomena as the myriad chemical reactions
                                in the living cell, the transmission of energy by superconductors, the working of
                                transistors, and even the operation of the oven and drain cleaners we use in our homes.
                               Successful completion of this course will satisfy the Natural Science requirement under
                               the Arts & Sciences Core of the University Studies program.

Intended to introduce the students to chemistry. Two lecture and one two-hour laboratory/discussion
period per week. Meets the Natural Science requirement under the Arts & Sciences Core of the
University Studies program. Also can be a first course in chemistry for students who have not had
high school chemistry and wish to prepare for entrance into other chemistry courses. Students
completing the course may later elect CHEM 212 for credit or with the department’s permission,
they may go directly into CHEM 213. No prerequisite. Offered yearly.

a. to understand how scientists approach and solve problems in the natural sciences;
b. to apply those methods to solve problems that arise in the natural sciences;
c. to use inductive reasoning, mathematics, or statistics to solve problems in natural science;
d. to engage in independent and collaborative learning;
e. to identify, find, and use the tools of information science as it relates to natural science;
f. to critically evaluate both source and content of scientific information; and
g. to recognize and correct scientific misconceptions.

Also this course satisfies the laboratory requirement in the Natural Sciences and will additionally provide you
the opportunity to practice scientific inquiry through hands-on investigations and to analyze and report the
results of those investigations.

In order to do well or pass the course, the students are expected to:

1. attend and participate in lecture-discussion-tutorial sessions, [Outcomes a, b, c, g]

2. complete and turn in assigned laboratory studies/reports,
[Outcomes a, b, c, d, e, f, g]

3. read assigned chapters and attempt text problems,
[Outcomes a, b, c, d]

4. prepare for experiments by completing pre-lab exercises using       
        relevant information from scientific literature both in the library
        and in electronic media,
[Outcome e, f, g] and

5. pass, in general, quizzes and tests.
[Outcomes a, b, c, d].

The two-hour final exam will cover the whole course, the two one-hour tests will cover only certain chapters and/or sections, and the two short quizzes will cover certain selected topic(s). Most experiments are to be done in pairs, but lab-reports must be individually written. Lab-reports are generally due the following lab period. Laboratory experiments can only be excused with official medical notification or with appropriate official WSU sanctioned events. There will not be any test/quiz make-ups.

Grading Scale:
A (  80%) ,
B (70-79%),
C (50-70%),
D (45-50%),
E (<45%).

The studies of these chemistry concepts involve purposeful readings of your textbook, your attendance and
participation in lecture-discussion-tutorial sessions, and completion of homework assignments. The lecture
material is also complemented by in-class chemical demonstrations/simulations, video media, computer
visualizations (molecular modeling and graphical interpretations), and web/internet supplements. Furthermore,
these chemistry concepts are supplemented with hands-on laboratory exercises. Successful
completion of studies of these lecture topics will promote your ability to achieve Outcomes a to g.

SAFETY GOGGLES ARE MANDATORY IN THE LABORATORY

Chemistry is a laboratory science that requires active learning. As such, students are required to perform and
complete weekly laboratory exercises. These laboratory studies will teach you the various standard
echniques used by chemists and most other scientists. For example, pipettes are used in many biological,
health, and engineering disciplines when a precisely measured volume of liquid is needed. This laboratory
requirement is designed to give you practical and hands-on experience of basic chemical analysis, application
of chemistry concepts, and the general understanding of the scientific method. The weekly laboratory
exercises include hands-on activities such as: pre-lab studies/preparations(reviewing and searching of
relevant concept/information before doing the actual experiments), learning/practicing/performing
experimental techniques, collecting data with modern instrumentation, analyzing results,
interpreting/discussing data (relative to models), making conclusions, and complementing these activities
with the writing of a laboratory report. These hands-on investigations will give you an enhanced
appreciation and understanding of the chemical universe. Therefore, the completion of these laboratory
studies will promote your ability to achieve Outcomes a to g.

http://course1.winona.edu/wng/