Chemistry 105

Introductory Chemistry I

Fall 2009

Instructor: Dr. Jeremy WesselOffice: Pel 245C

Office Phone: (985) 448-4504E-mail:

Office Hours:9:40-11:40 MTWF, 1:00-3:00 R

Catalog Description: CHEM 105. Introductory ChemistryI. 3-3-0. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 101. Nature and properties of matter including the common elements and their compounds. Periodic classification, atomic and molecular theories, nuclear chemistry, and the relation of atomic and molecular structure to chemical behavior, stoichiometry, nomenclature. For students needing more than one year of chemistry. Degree credit will not be given for both CHEM 101 and 105. This course is also available via Internet. Basic computer knowledge is required for students enrolled in the Internet section. (40.0501)

Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 101

Required Text/Other Materials:Tro, Principles of Chemistry, New York: Prentice Hall, 2010

  • iClicker
  • Calculator

Required Supplemental Readings:

The class Blackboard page will be used for announcements, supplementary materials etc.

Homework will be done online using the Mastering Chemistry system. (

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

CHEM 105, as a Core Curriculum course, fulfills three hours of general education requirements in the area of the natural sciences and is thus designed to enable students to meet the following broad outcome for all the natural sciences:

Goal:Upon completion of the undergraduate curriculum, students will be able to comprehend and to apply the basic principles of science and methods of scientific inquiry.

For further explanation of the learning objectives associated with this goal, go to

CHEM 105 meets this goal by the following course-specific student learning outcomes:

Course Goals:The student should learn the basic concepts, laws and theories of the topics and apply them to chemistry problems. The student will develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of chemistry to the other sciences and will relate the concepts of chemistry to contemporary, historical, technological and societal issues.

Student Outcome Objectives: The student is expected to master and apply the following concepts to problem solving:
  • Units of measure, unit conversions, uncertainties in measurements, density and definitions of matter.
  • Basics of atomic theory applied to the atom, basics of the periodic table, radioactivity, correct use of the terms atom, molecule, element, compound, writing formulas of compounds and proper use of inorganic nomenclature
  • Determination of atomic and molecular masses, mole calculations and Avogadro’s number, mass relations in chemical formulas and reactions including percent composition, empirical and molecular formulas, theoretical and chemical reaction yields, limiting reagents, writing and balancing equations.
  • Write and balance chemical reaction including precipitation reactions, acid/base reactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions.

Competencies students will acquire at the completion of the course:explain and demonstrate the Louisiana K-12 benchmarks related to:

  • properties and changes of properties of matter (PS-M-A1 through A9)
  • transformations of energy (PS-M-C1, C2, C3, C7)
  • measurement and symbolic representation (PS-H-A1, A2)
  • atomic structure (PS-H-B1 to B3)
  • structure and properties of matter (PS-H-C1 to C5)
  • chemical reactions (PS-H-D1, D3, D5, D7)
  • energy (PS-H-F2),
  • interaction of energy and matter (PS-H-G1)
  • understanding scientific inquiry (SI-M-B2, B3, SI-H-B2)

Course Content:

Chapter 1 – Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving

The scientific approach;elements, compounds and mixtures; scientific measurement; significant figures;chemical problem solving

Chapter 2 – Atoms and Elements

Atomic theory, the periodic table, the mole, atomic and molar mass

Chapter 3 – Molecules, Compounds, and Chemical Equations

Chemical nomenclature, determining formulas,chemical equations

Chapter 4 –Chemical Quantities and Aqueous Reactions

Reaction calculations,solution stoichiometry, solubility, precipitation reactions, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions,

Chapter 5 – Gases

Pressure, gas laws, the ideal gas law, kinetic molecular theory of gases, real gases

Chapter 7 – TheQuantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom

Nature of light, atomic spectra, wave-particle duality, quantum-mechanical model of the atom, atomic orbitals

Chapter 8 –Periodic Properties of the Elements

Electron configurations,periodic trends, atomic structure and chemical reactivity

Chapter 9 –Chemical Bonding I: Lewis Theory

Lewis dot symbols, ionic bonding, covalent bonding, electronegativity and bond polarity, Lewis structures

Chapter 10 – Chemical Bonding II:Molecular Shapes, Valence Bond Theory, and Molecular Orbital Theory

VSEPR theory, molecular shape and polarity, valence bond theory, molecular orbital theory

Course Requirements:

  • There will be four 100 pt. exams including one on nomenclature, one each on the rest of chapters 1-3, chapters 4-5, and chapters 7-10. There will also be a 200 pt. final which will be comprehensive.
  • Problem assignments will be done on Mastering Chemistry. Total number of points will be added in.
  • 1 point per day extra credit is given for clicker participation.

Method of Evaluation: Grades will be determined using the following scale:

A: 90-100%B: 80-89%C: 70-79%D: 60-69%F: <60%

This scale may be adjusted downward if the class average is low. (This is determined at the end of the semester.)

Honors students may obtain honors credit by completing a special project determined with the instructor.

Make-up Policy: Missed exams should be made up as soon as possible. Exams can be made up for an excused absence only.

Attendance Policy: No excuses are necessary for missing class. The student is responsible for making up any missed work. Attendance is essential to doing well in the course.

Academic Honesty Policy: Anyone found cheating will be subject to the penalties stated in Student Code of Conduct including but not limited to a score of zero on exam, expulsion from the class or expulsion from the University.

Semester Withdrawals: The last day to withdraw from the class with a ‘W’ is 28 October, 2009.

Academic Disabilities Policy: If you have a documented disability that requires assistance, you will need to register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The Phone Number is (985) 448-4430 (TDD 449-7002).

Class Disruptions are not tolerated. The use of cell phones, pagers and/or any other electronic personal device in class is prohibited. Talking in class without permission of the instructor is unacceptable. Any infractions will result in dismissal from class.

Academic Grievances:

The proper procedure for filing grade appeals or grievances related to academic matters is listed in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct and at the following link:

Continued Learning following an Extreme Emergency:

In order to make continued learning possible following an extreme emergency, students are responsible for:

•reading regular emergency notifications on the NSU website;

•knowing how to use and access Blackboard (or university designated electronic delivery system);

•being familiar with emergency guidelines;

•evacuating textbooks and other course materials;

•knowing their Blackboard (or designated system) student login and password;

•contacting faculty regarding their intentions for completing the course.

Faculty are responsible for:

•their development in the use of the Blackboard (or designated) software;

•having a plan for continuing their courses using only Blackboard and email;

•continuing their course in whatever way suits the completion of the course best, and being creative in the continuation of these courses;

•making adjustments or compensations to a student’s progress in special programs with labs, clinical sequences or the like only in the immediate semester following the emergency.