Approved by University Studies Sub-Committee. A2C2 action pending.

University Studies Course Approval

Chemistry 425 Analytical Chemistry I (Lecture and Lab - 4 s.h.)

A sequence of courses [including Chem 426] stressing modern analytical chemistry. A study of the theory and practice of the quantitative examination of chemical systems. CHEM 425 covers volumetric and fundamental visible spectrophotometric methods. Prerequisite for 425, one year of chemistry. Offered yearly.

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

a. evaluate the validity and reliability of information;

Requirements: Students generate reams of data in the laboratory portion of this course some of which may not be representative of the system they are studying. Students also gather a lot of data and other information from the internet for statistical and other analysis.

Activities: Data collected in lab is analyzed for its accuracy by comparison to known quantities when possible. Students are taught statistical tools for making such comparisons. The validity of unexpected results is tested with statistical tests such as the q test. Students are taught to evaluate the sponsors of internet sites and to use such evaluation to assess the validity of the information on the site.

b. analyze modes of thought, expressive works, arguments, explanations, or theories;

Requirements: Students are introduced to the literature of chemists. Well-designed experiments in the literature are critically analyzed for their content. Students are expected to emulate the well-designed experiments.

Activities: In-class group discussions analyze research papers for their experimental approach. Included in the discussion are things usually not mentioned in the paper such as quality control and future experiments. The purpose of this exercise is to get students to think like scientists.

c. recognize possible inadequacies or biases in the evidence given to support arguments or conclusions

Requirements: Students are required to participate in lab exercises, the purpose of which is to gather data to demonstrate a chemical principle.

Activities: In their lab report, statistically analyzed data is presented and students make conclusions about what their data say with regard to a chemical principle. For example, in a lab investigating the effect of acid rain on statues, while students may expect more damage under the most acidic conditions, their data may or may not support this assumption. In their report students state what their data said and give possible reasons the data may or may not be consistent with previously held chemical principles.

Instructor: Dr. Jeanne L. Franz (PA 312F) Phone: (457)-5297 email:jfranz@winona.edu

Course Web Page: http://course1.winona.edu/jfranz/Chem425_home.htm

Lecture: T Th 9:30-10:50

Lab: Pasteur 303 Tuesday 2:00-5:00 Laptop section,

Office hours: M 10-4, T 11:30-1:30, Th, 11:30-1:30, or by appointment

Required text: Quantitative Chemical Analysis 5th Edition, 1998, Harris

Required materials: Bound notebook & 2 Permanent Markers for lab  This is a laptop course, you will occasionally need to bring your laptops to lecture or lab. Everyone in the class should have access to a computer with networking capabilities and a spreadsheet program such as EXCEL.

General Information: Chemistry 425 is the first of two advanced courses focusing on modern Analytical Chemistry. It stresses the theory and practice of quantitative examination of chemical systems. There is a heavy emphasis on lab for this course. Prerequisite: 1 year of chemistry.

Grading:

Timeliness Policy: All lab reports (except as noted) will be due one week after completion of the experiment.  Late assignments will have 1% of the value deducted per day including weekends and holidays.  Plan ahead!  See lab part of the course web page for guidelines on how to prepare reports.

Exams: There will be 3, in class hour exams, plus a comprehensive ACS final exam. Makeup exams will be allowed only with a valid written excuse. Examples of excused absences are illness documented by a physician or serious illness or death in the family. Concepts presented in lab, lecture, discussed in the assigned chapters, or resource information from the web will be the basis for exam material.

Laboratory Safety: Approved safety goggles are required at all times in the laboratory. Students who wear contact lenses are strongly urged not to wear them during labs.

a. evaluate the validity and reliability of information;

b. analyze modes of thought, expressive works, arguments, explanations, or theories;

c. recognize possible inadequacies or biases in the evidence given to support arguments or conclusions

d. advance and support claims