Course Syllabus for CHEM 100 – Molecules and life in the modern world – Fall 2016
Great Basin College, Pahrump Valley Campus, 551 East Calvada Blvd, Pahrump,
Nevada – 89048 – Phone: (775) 727-2000 -Fax: (775) 727-2014
Instructor:Dr. Rita Bagwe
Office:101B
Email:
Office Hours:Monday through Thursday - 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m, Tuesdays & Thursdays 4.00 p.m – 5.30 p.m, Friday – by prior appointment only.
Course title: Molecules and life in the modern world.
Course number/ section numbers: CHEM 100/ 1001 LEC/ 52617 (Web based completely)
Number of credits:3 Credits
Prerequisite:Must have completed MATH 96 or Higher or attained satisfactory score for placement into MATH 120 or ACT, SAT or placement tests.
Course description:Introduction to chemistry in its many forms and applications, physical and organic, with consideration of environment and social issues. Includes laboratory activities.
Texts:(you can choose one of the three options below)
- Timberlake, Basic Chemistry, 5/e (Hardbound)
MasteringChemistry Access Code for Timberlake, Basic Chemistry, 5/e (w/ eText)
ISBN: 0134074300
- Timberlake, Basic Chemistry, 5/e (Loose-Leaf)
MasteringChemistry Access Code for Timberlake, Basic Chemistry, 5/e (w/ eText)
ISBN: 0134270282
- MasteringChemistry Access Code for Timberlake, Basic Chemistry, 5/e (w/ eText)
ISBN: 0134177150
Mastering Chemistry Log in information(for access card) :
Course title: RITACHEM100FALL2016
Course ID: RITACHEM100FALL2016
Masteringchemistry Registration Instructions
Part 1: Redeeming your Masteringchemistry access code
1. Go to and click on “Students” under Register.
2. To the question, “Do you have an access code?” click on Yes if you’vealready purchased one from the bookstore. Click No if you need to purchaseaccess. Click Continue.
3. Read the License Agreement and click “I accept” if you agree to the policies.
4. If you’ve used a Pearson MyLab or Mastering product before(MasteringAandP or MyMathLab) , you can use your existing username andpassword. Otherwise, answer “No” to the question “Do you have a Pearson
Account.” Create your own username/password. Make sure to use ausername/password that you will remember.
5. Enter the Access Code that came with your new book or you’ve purchasedseparately. It will not be the following code but it will look similar to this:PSSMC-FONDA-UPEND-KANZU-CRUSH-TUNES.
6. Enter your personal information, school information (Great Basin College zipcode is 89048) and create a security question that you can answer if youforget your username/password. Click Next.
You are done with Part 1 and can click on “Log In” to enter your course.
Part 2: Enrolling in your professor’s course
1. After you have clicked “Log in Now” or returned to ww.Masteringchemistry.com, enter the username/password ( Username should match your name in which you have been enrolled. Don’t use nicknames, alias, fake names.) you recently created under Log In. You no longer need to register.
2. On the next page, enter the Course ID: RITACHEM100FALL2016 and click“Continue.”
3. You are now enrolled in your professor’s course! Begin working on yourrequired homework and feel free to explore the other useful resourcesavailable through MasteringBiology!
Do you need help with registration? Contact Pearson:
LiveChat at
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. / Call 877-672-6877 / 24 hours
Methods of Instruction:The student starts his or her study in this course from WebCampus, which is the platform used for online courses at Great Basin College.
Attendance Policy:It is important to log into the class frequently to stay up-to-date with reading, assignments and quizzes. There are deadlines to meet that will not be extended for any of the exams, quizzes and writing assignments.
Traditional Semester Class for Fall 2016
8/29/16 - 12/16/16 - semester
Last day to enroll - 9/2/16
100% Refund - 9/4/16
50% Refund - 9/11/16
Official drop date - 11/2/16
Grades due date - 12/20/16
Methods of Instruction:The student starts his or her study in this course from WebCampus, which is the platform used for online courses at Great Basin College.
Attendance Policy:It is important to log into the class frequently to stay up-to-date with reading, assignments and quizzes. There are deadlines to meet that will not be extended for any of the exams, quizzes and writing assignments.
Goals of this course:
Learning Outcomes and Measurements
Learner Outcomes / General Education Outcome(s) / MeasurementName and write chemical formulas using appropriate nomenclature and balance chemical equations. / Critical Thinking – Scientific Understanding / Quizzes, mastering chemistry, Exams
Discuss the states and properties of matter / Critical Thinking – Scientific Understanding / Quizzes, mastering chemistry, Exams
Describe the basic structure of atoms and ions and relate them to their location the Periodic Table, their charge, and the number of fundamental particles. / Critical Thinking – Scientific Understanding
Personal/Cultural Awareness – Sense of the Past / Quizzes, mastering chemistry, Exams
Discuss the basics of chemical bonding including polarity of diatomic molecules. / Critical Thinking – Scientific Understanding / Quizzes, mastering chemistry, Exams
Summary of the Assessment of Objectives: Learning and general education objectives will be assessed with three distinct tools. Lecture exams, quizzes and on line homework. Lecture exams and quizzes will consist of multiple choice questions that will test three types of knowledge: recall of factual information; definitions of terminology; and conceptual and integrative thinking
Use of computers in this course:WebCampus: This course will make use of WebCampus. To log in, go to webcampus.gbcnv.edu. Your WebCampus ID is your Great Basin College email address ID. If you don't have a GBC email address or don't remember your address go to swami.scsr.nevada.edu or the Technology Help Desk , or 775-753-2167. Passwords will be sent by mail to students who register for their course(s) 5 days before the semester begins. If you register after this time or did not receive a letter by mail, contact the Help Desk as soon as possible.
Assignments and Grading:
Quizzes:Students are required to complete quizzes associated with each chapter. Quiz availability will not be extended under any circumstances. Take quizzes from a computer with a speedy and reliable internet connection. Immediately contact the GBC Helpdesk if technical problems arise. Each quiz will have a specified time frame.
Discussion Board:Students are expected to be active in the Discussion Board. It is highly recommended that students make their initial posts early in each topic, and then return several times during the thread to respond to what others have said on the discussion board.
Students should be aware of two specific aspects of this part of the course. First, the Instructor will be active in the Discussion Boards. He will read posts, and will make comments as the Class Syllabus Page 5 as discussions progress during each module. All student posts should therefore be of high quality, using good grammar, spelling, and reasoning. This means that posts should be made in complete sentences, with capital letters at the beginning of sentences. Opinions should be held to a minimum, and science reasoning the rule. The instructor will provide a few topics or directions at times. These topics or questions may be the starting point for some discussions. Students can, however, post additional topics or questions that pertain to the material being learned for the module. Again, students are encouraged to use science reasoning in these discussions rather than idle opinion.
Online homework:Completion of weekly online homework is required for this course. To access the online homework system for this class section follows the directions in “more on online homework” below. Assignments will be based on the topics covered in lecture and some additional topics we did not cover in lecture. You will be required to look up the information for this additional subject matter in order to complete the assignments. The first assignment is due the first week of class. You are responsible for having access to a functioning computer and for completing and turning in of the assignments on time. Late work is not accepted.
I do not have the capacity to help you with computer-technical issues this semester. You will receive much faster and more knowledgeable assistance from the GBC Help Desk for use of WebCampus. Please go to them for technical assistance.
The online homework system is provided and maintained by the textbook publisher (Pearson, Benjamin Cummings). I am only able to set up the assignments – this means that I cannot help with technical issues. You must get help from the publisher if you think that there is something wrong.
You bear the responsibility for getting the technical aspects of the course to function properly so that you can participate fully.
More on online homework:Online homework assignments will be assigned each week. The homework assignments will focus on what we have covered in lecture for the week. Some of the problems will be based on material that we have not covered in lecture. This will require you to read the textbook yourself in order to figure out those problems.
Instructions for access (for those with a brand new book): If you purchased a new book that is shrink-wrapped with an access kit (a small cardboard fold-out), follow the directions in the access kit and the information is also posted above.
Periodic Examinations:There will be four major exams in the course. Students will have 120 minutes to complete each exam once it has been started. Exams have passcode and have to be taken on GBC or Public campuses only. If you cannot make arrangements for taking the exams on schedule dates at GBC or Public library please drop the class. I am not going to allow anyone to take the exam from their home computer. It is your responsibility to send me the name, email address and phone number of the proctor for campuses other than GBC. Schedule an appointment before taking the exam.
Grading system: The total score for the course is 800. (approx.)
Evaluation & Grading:Grading will be based on the following criteria for learning the material in this course (see net two tables below). All scores (points) from each of the categories will be added together at the end of the semester, and the percentage of the total possible points will determine the grade.
Criteria / Points AvailableDiscussion Board Participation 4@ 10points each / 40
Quizzes 12 @ 10 points each / 120
Exams 4@ 100 points each / 400
Masteringchemistry (online homework for chapters 1 – 10 only) / 240 (approx.)
Total Points / 800 (approx.)
Grade Scale
97 – 100A
94- 96.99 A
90-93.99A-
87-89.99B+
84-86.99B
80-83.99B-
77-79.99C+
74-76.99C
70-73.99C-
67-69.99D+
64-67.99D
60-63.99D-
00-59.99F
Your “up to the minute” grade for the lecture portion of the course will be posted on WebCampus in an anonymous spreadsheet. Log on to the WebCampus course and follow the instructions (filed permanently in the announcement area) to view your grade.
Instructions for dropping the course:If you do not complete the course and do not formally withdraw by the drop deadline, your instructor will automatically assign you a grade of "F". And, of course, it would be good for you to include the drop deadline for each of your courses. For the drop deadline refer to GBC webpage or contact the Support staff and Admissions & Records staff
Congruent with this policy, "Incomplete” grades assigned for Fall 2013 courses and beyond, will no longer automatically become W's when the March 15, deadline hits. Instead, if you have not submitted an alternate grade before March 23 (or Oct 15 for spring courses), the "I" will become and "F".
Traditional Semester Class for Fall 2016
8/29/16 - 12/16/16 - semester
Last day to enroll - 9/2/16
100% Refund - 9/4/16
50% Refund - 9/11/16
Official drop date - 11/2/16
Grades due date - 12/20/16
Student support information:The Student Support and Retention office provides individualized coaching to students who are struggling in college, either academically or personally. The office houses both professional staff and peer mentors to help students navigate obstacles in their college experience and reach their academic goals. For more information visit or call the Retention Coordinator at 775-753-2255.
Lecture exam makeup policy:All the students have to take the exams at the given timed schedule. I am not going to give the exam at any other time according to your convenience. Make sure that you do not schedule anything during the lecture and lab time for the semester. In order to be fair to students taking the exams on the assigned days I am extremely restrictive with makeups. If you have missed an exam or know that you are going to miss one see me ASAP.
Tips for Success:
- Review the chapter outlines provided in WebCampus and read each chapter carefully prior to taking quizzes.
- In order to pass this course you MUST actively participate in your education and study!
- Log in to the class website frequently to check for updates.
- Participation in Discussion Board is highly recommended and is rewarded.
- Ask questions if you are confused about content related material.
- Take quizzes from a computer with a speedy and reliable internet connection.
Additional Course Information:
- WebCampus email is the BEST way to contact your professor.
- In case your book hasn’t arrived by the start of semester, the first few chapters on the schedule are available under each respective chapter module.
- Please make every attempt to secure a book by the end of the first week of class.
- Technical problems with WebCampus need to be addressed to the GBC Helpdesk.
- Extra credit opportunities are not available and the final grade will not based on curving of scores.
Schedule:This is a preliminary schedule. I reserve the right to change any part of it. Exam dates will likely not change, but if they do, I will attempt to announce the change one week ahead of time in class.
Module – Date / Topics / Assignments1 – 08/29 -09/10 / Chapter 1 - Chemistry in our lives / Key Math Skills / Discussion board - 1
2 – 09/11 – 09/17 / Chapter 2 - Measurements
3 – 09/18 – 09/24 / Chapter 3 - Matter and Energy
09/26,09/27,09/28 / Exam – 1 (100 points) chapters 1 – 3 (take Prior appointment)
4 – 09/25 -10/08 / Chapter 4 - Atoms and Elements / Discussion board - 2
5 – 10/09- 10/15 / Chapter 5 - Electronics Structure and Periodic Trends
6 -10/16 -10/22 / Chapter 6 - Ionic and Molecular Compounds
10/24,10/25,10/26 / Exam – 2 (100 points) chapters 4 – 6 (take Prior appointment)
7-10/23 -11/05 / Chapter 7 - Chemical Quantities / Discussion board - 3
8– 11/06-11/12 / Chapter 8 - Chemical Reactions
9-11/13-11/19 / Chapter 9 - Chemical Quantities in Reactions
11/21, 11/22,11/23 / Exam – 3 (100 points) chapters 7 – 9 (take Prior appointment)
10 – 11/20 -11/26 / Chapter 10 - Properties of Solids and Liquids / Discussion board - 4
11- 11/27 – 12/03 / Chapter 17 – Organic chemistry (No online homework)
12- 12/04-12/10 / Chapter 18 –Biochemistry(No online homework)
12/12,12/13,12/14 / Exam – 4 (100 points) chapters 10,17 &18
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement:Great Basin College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Julie G. Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775-753-2271.
CAMPUS SECURITY:GBC is committed to the safety of our students and has a duty to promote awareness and prevention programs for violence on campus under the Jeanne Clery Act as well as the Campus SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination Act) and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), which are amendments to Clery. Acts of violence include, but are not limited to, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Acts of violence can occur on the physical campus or centers of GBC in addition to field placement sites, clinical practice settings, and other places where college or class activities occur.As well, the online environment at GBC is considered a GBC site.If you experience any incidence where your safety has been threatened or violated, or if you feel threatened or harassed, immediately report this to me, any center director, faculty, or staff member, or directly to the Director of Environmental Health, Safety & Security(775.753.2115) or the Vice President for Student Services(775.753.2282).
Student Conduct Statement: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in a failing grade and/or reporting to GBC Administration. The students conduct policy in the current GBC catalog will be enforced. This syllabus is not a contract and is subject to change, without warning or notification, at any time.
This syllabus does not in any way represent a contract. It is a reflection of the intent of the instructor, but do recognize that it is an organic construct that may change as the semester progresses. Any changes will be announced in class.