Science Department

Fall Semester 2014

COURSE TEACHER
Title: General Chemistry Name: Eric Anctil
Number: 202-NYA-05 Office number: 342
Credits: 2 2/3 Office telephone number: 504
Weighting: 3-2-3 E-mail address: eanctil@slc.qc.ca
Prerequisite: Secondary V Chemistry

MINISTERIAL COMPETENCY
This course completely fulfills objective OOUL (refer to the St. Lawrence website under
Academics and Programs). Specific details of the elements of this objective are given below in
the Outline of Course Topics.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES
This course forms the basis for all further studies in chemistry. It emphasizes the structure of
matter as the foundation for understanding physical and chemical properties and
transformations. The topics covered include atomic and electronic structure, the periodic table,
nomenclature, writing and balancing equations, stoichiometry, ionic and covalent bonding,
molecular geometry, intermolecular forces, Kinetic-Molecular theory, gas-laws, the liquid states
and changes of phase.

ROLE OF THE COURSE IN THE SCIENCE PROGRAM

General Chemistry covers concepts needed for a good background in chemistry and prepares
the student to study Chemistry of Solutions and Organic Chemistry.
The objectives (goals) of the Science Program practiced in Chemistry of Solutions are:
- Application of the scientific method
- Problem solving
- Construction of logical arguments
- Effective communication in English using the appropriate scientific vocabulary
- Studying and conducting literature research in an independent fashion
- Working as a member of a team
- Developing the attitudes appropriate to scientific work
- Applying acquired knowledge to new situations
TOPIC OUTLINE
1. Introduction/Foundations of Chemistry: Definitions and classifications in matter and
energy; atomic structure; atomic weight; the periodic table; molecular and ionic
compounds-formulae, nomenclature and properties. (Ch. 1, 2, 3)
2. Stoichiometry: Writing and balancing chemical equations; weight relationships in
chemical reactions; stoichiometry of reactions in aqueous solution; behavior of gases
and the stoichiometry of reactions in the gas state. (Ch. 4, 5, 11)
3. Atomic and Electronic Structure: Light and matter; classical vs quantum-mechanical
view of structure; atomic orbitals; electron configurations; periodic trends in atomic and
ionic properties. (Ch. 6, 7)
4. Bonding: Covalent vs ionic bonds and the structure of solids; Lewis structures; valence-
bond theory; hybridization and the shapes of molecules; bond and molecular polarity;
Molecular orbital theory and resonance. (Ch. 8, 9)
5. States of Matter: Properties of gases, liquids and solids and the change from one state
to another based on the Kinetic-Molecular theory and intermolecular forces.
(Ch. 12)

TEXTBOOK
Kotz, John C., Treichel, Paul M., Townsend, John R.; Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, 2010,
8th edition, Thomson/Brooks/Cole or 2009, 7th edition.
In the event that a formal essay assignment is given, please refer to:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu for proper formatting.

LEARNING METHOD/COMMENTS
Before each new topic is discussed in class, it is expected that the student will have read the
assigned material in the text, studied the example problems and have worked the in-chapter
exercises (Answers to these are found at the end of the textbook, pp. A.40 A.50). In class, the
major points will be discussed, sample problems worked and questions answered. Certain
problems found at the end of the chapters will be assigned as homework and will be corrected
in class. It is imperative that you do the in-chapter study problems and homework problems
assigned; this is the most important thing that you can do to assure your success in the course
and it cannot be stressed enough. If you fall behind, it will be difficult to catch up.

The library has many chemistry texts in which you can find more practice problems. Choose a
book that has a study guide with the answers so that you will be able to check your work. Also,
there are several sites on the Internet that have tutorials and quizzes on the topics that we are
covering.

My office is in room 342. My schedule is posted next to my door -contact me for an

appointment if you have difficulties meeting with me during office hours. Please arrange to
see me for help as soon as you dont understand something.
LABORATORY
Lab sessions are held each week for two periods. Students must attend all labs wearing a lab
coat and safety glasses. The procedure to be followed in conducting the lab will be described
by your lab instructor in the first lab session, including rules for attendance and missed labs.

EVALUATION
Formative evaluation (See the IPESA, section 2.1) takes place throughout the semester. It will
consist of the in-chapter exercises (self-corrected) using the answers found at the end of the
textbook as well as the assigned problems from each chapter that are corrected during class.
Additional practice problem sheets will be provided for certain sections and will also be self-
corrected. Class participation is encouraged but is not evaluated in a formal way.

Summative evaluation (See the IPESA, section 2.1) will consist of 20-minute quizzes (worth 10
marks each) and section/topic tests (worth 100 marks each). A tentative schedule is provided
at the end of this course outline for the dates of the quizzes and the three (3) section/topic
tests during the semester. For any essay-type assignments, 10% of the grade will be awarded
for the quality of written English. Three marks will be provided to the College for this course
during the semester. They are the mid-term grade (calculated from the marks of the tests,
quizzes and lab grades that are completed by the 8th week of the semester and worth 20% of
the final course mark), the final course grade and the final lab mark (calculated as described
below). The final evaluation consists of the final exam and semester test #3, for a value of 40%
of the course grade (IPESA section 2.9). The passing mark in this course is 60%. Students
repeating the course and having previously passed the lab will be evaluated the same way, but
will be exempt from the lab component.

The final mark will be calculated as follows:

Term tests (3) 30%

Quizzes 15%
Homework and in-class assignments 5%
Laboratory 20%
Final Exam 30%

COURSE RULES AND POLICIES

Behavior in class
Students have a responsibility to behave themselves in a responsible and serious manner in
both the classes and labs. Any disruptive or dangerous behavior will result in the students being
asked to leave the class or lab, and if necessary, the Dean of Students will be informed of the
incident.

Attendance & Absences (See section 5.2 of the IPESA.)

Students are expected to be on time for classes and labs. While occasional lateness will be
tolerated, habitual tardiness will result in the student being refused entry to the class and being
counted absent for that class.
Students must notify the Academic Services office in cases of a prolonged absence (two or
more days) due to illness or unavoidable circumstances. Please note that proper
documentation, such as a medical certificate, must be provided.

At CEGEP Champlain - St. Lawrence, the maximum number of absences in a course is 10%.
Since General Chemistry is a 75 hour course (45 hours of class and 30 hours of lab), missing 4
classes is the limit allowed for unexcused absences in that portion of the course. Students
whose absences exceed this limit may be prohibited from attending further classes or labs, or
writing the final exam. The final grade for the course when such a decision is taken will be the
grade earned to-date (See the IPESA sections 5.2.2 and 5.2.3.).

Missed quizzes and tests cannot normally be made up. If you miss a quiz or test and you have
an official excuse from the College, your final mark will be calculated using your other marks. If
you miss a quiz or a test and you do not have an official excuse from the College you will
receive a zero for that mark. Also, the final exam must be written at the time scheduled. No
special exams or times will be arranged except in exceptional circumstances and with the
express written permission of the Dean.

Cheating and Plagiarism

St. Lawrence has definite regulations concerning cheating and plagiarism. Any student caught
cheating or plagiarizing on an assignment or a test will automatically receive a zero for that
assignment or test. If a student is caught a second time, automatic failure in the course will
result and other disciplinary action may be taken. For more information, the student can
consult section 5.4.1 and 5.4.2 of the IPESA where these rules are clearly indicated.

Students will not be permitted to enter an examination room with any electronic device not
expressly specified on the exam instructions. This includes, but is not limited to cell phones,
MP3 players and iPods. Students found using any such device will be expelled from the exam
room and the exam given an automatic zero. In addition, for the final exam in this course,
students will not be permitted to enter the exam room with anything other than a calculator,
pencils and other writing implements. No back-packs, pencil cases or any written materials such
as books or notes will be allowed, even if they are left at the front of the exam room.
 Tentative Class Schedule Fall 2014

Course: General Chemistry

WEEK MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY

August Orientation Day (Tuesday) Intro Ch. 1 Basic Concepts of
17 No classes First Day of Classes Chemistry
August Ch. 2 Atoms, Molecules and
24 Ions Quiz #1
August Labor Day Wed and Thu (Mon): Ch. 2
31 No Classes Quiz #2
September Ch. 3 Chemical Reactions
7 Quiz #3
September Ch. 4 Stoichiometry
14 Test #1 Ch. 1, 2, 3
September
21 Quiz #4
September Ch. 5 Energy/Chem. React.
28 Quiz #5
October (Considered to be a Monday) Ch. 11 Gases
5 Quiz #6
October Reading Week Reading Week Reading Week
12 No classes No classes No classes
October
19 Test #2 Ch. 4, 5, 11
October Ch. 6 The Structure of
26 Atoms Quiz #7
November Ch. 7 The Structure of
2 Atoms and Periodic Trends Quiz #8
November Ch. 8 Bonding/Molec.
9 Struct. Quiz #9
November Ch. 9 Orbital Hybridization
16 and Molecular Orbitals Quiz #10
November
23 Test #3 Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9
November Ch. 12 Intermolecular Review Review
30 Forces and Liquids Last Day of Classes
December EXAMS EXAMS EXAMS
7
December EXAMS EXAMS EXAMS
14 Last Day of Semester