Anything described in this syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Changes will be announced on Blackboard.

PERSONAL REMARKS

Welcome!!!  I’m glad you’re here!  While I want you to understand chemistry, I also want you to be curious, apply problem-solving strategies, learn from your mistakes, and gain confidence in your ability to tackle difficult problems.

However…the ultimate responsibility for succeeding in this course rests upon you. I have set up this course so that you can demonstrate your strengths and also recover from an occasional misstep. I expect students to invest effort to study the material, master processes, and earn their desired grade.  

I’m a resource for you as you pursue your personal learning goals.  Not only can I help when you are struggling with course material, but I can also help you navigate ACC and connect you to resources and opportunities.  Chances are that there will be a point in this term when you will feel defeated or overwhelmed, and that’s ok!  What’s not ok is staying stuck. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (after class, via e-mail, coming to office hours, etc.) with questions and concerns so that we can get back on track.

1.    COURSE CALENDAR

Note, laboratory exercise order often does NOT correspond to the order in which topics are covered in lecture. 
Some labs will serve as a “sneak-peak” into upcoming lecture topics while others will serve as review.

Pre-lab & report worksheets are due within the first 5 minutes of class. 

Unless otherwise noted, assignment materials are provided on Blackboard and submitted in class

*  Failure to complete these exercises/documentation by the deadline may result in being dropped from the course.  

‡   OPTIONAL Bonus points.  These points can ONLY benefit you.  Failure to complete these items will NOT negatively impact your overall score.  

*** MISSING 5 EXPERIMENTS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE OF THE COURSE. ***

2.    COURSE DESCRIPTION

•    Credit Hours:  1

•    Classroom Contact Hours per Week:  0

•    Laboratory Contact Hours per Week:  2 h 50 min (1 day/week) 

The course is the laboratory to accompany CHEM-1311 lecture. Emphasis is placed on techniques, properties, and reactions, and reinforcing principles offered in the lecture portion of the course. 

3.    COURSE RATIONALE

This course covers the fundamental facts, laws, principles, theories, and concepts of chemistry necessary for further work in science or science-related subjects.

4.    COURSE OBJECTIVES

4.1    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to perform the following skills:

•    Understand and demonstrate safe laboratory practices

•    Read NFPA, HMIS labels and understand the hazards of chemicals used

•    Transfer sample to balance for weighing and tare the balance

•    Measure temperature with a thermometer

•    Correctly read a meniscus and accurately measure a liquid volume

•    Light and adjust Bunsen burners

•    Correctly use a hot plate

•    Observe and interpret chemical reactions: color change, temperature change, precipitate formation, and gas evolution

•    Use capillary tubes to transfer liquid samples used in paper chromatography

•    Use a buret to perform a standard titration and observe color change to define the end point of the titration

•    Use centrifugation and decanting techniques to separate solids from liquids

•    Use a coffee cup calorimeter to measure heat flow

•    Access and use peer-reviewed periodicals, journals and reference sources to write a paper on a chemistry topic

•    Use laboratory-generated data to reach sound conclusions about chemical phenomena

•    Meaningfully connect laboratory activities to models and concepts learned in class

•    Develop good laboratory practices in conducting experiments and reporting experimental results

4.2    GENERAL EDUCATION STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competence in:

•    Critical Thinking:  Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.

•    Interpersonal Skills:  Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.

•    Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning:  Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.

•    Technology Skills:  Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.

•    Written, Oral and Visual Communication:  Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

5.    COURSE PRE- AND COREQUISITE

•    PRE-REQUISITE(S):  (1) High School Chemistry or CHEM 1305+CHEM 1105 or equivalent preparation with a grade of C or better AND (2) MATH 1314 or MATH 1414 or equivalent academic preparation with a grade of C or better.

BOTH the chemistry AND math requirements must be fulfilled BEFORE attempting CHEM 1311+1111.

•    CO-REQUISISTE(S):  CHEM1311 (General Chemistry I Lecture)

Requests for exemption from the co-requisite must be submitted to the administrator for the Chemistry Department (Mark Jones, mjones5@austincc.edu) before Wednesday 11 September 2024. Requests submitted after this date will be denied and subject to the standard withdrawal policy. 

To be eligible for exemption from the co-requisite, you must demonstrate successful completion of CHEM-1311 or CHEM-1111 on a college transcript.

6.    REQUIRED MATERIALS

This course is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) section. In place of required textbooks, all text materials needed for the class will be available online to students free of charge. Students will be responsible for printing costs; free printing is available in ACC libraries, learning labs, and ACCelerators.

•    General Chemistry I Green Laboratory Exercises adapted for Austin Community College (available for free on course Blackboard page.)

•    Un-tinted, ANSI-approved safety goggles or safety glasses stamped Z87.(If you wear glasses, your eye protection must fit comfortably over them)

•    Closed-toe/heel shoes.

•    Scientific Calculator (You will NOT be permitted to use the calculator on your cell phone in the lab!)

•    Some software-aided graphing will be required for this course.  (Microsoft Excel is recommended and is available to students at no cost.)

•    You may be asked to submit scans of your work.  Free smart-phone scanner applications are available, and scanners are available in ACC libraries and ACCelerators for use at no charge.

7.    INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

This course consists of a laboratory section, only, but complements material presented in CHEM1311 (lecture). Concepts learned in lecture are reinforced in the laboratory by providing students with opportunities to develop hands-on skills and to practice laboratory techniques. Students are expected to read and comprehend laboratory procedures before coming to lab where they will apply what they have learned.  While an instructor will be available to assist students in the laboratory, students are expected to learn the skills necessary to perform laboratory exercises with increasing independence over the course of the term.

8.    READINGS

Students should expect to work a MINIMUM of 60 minutes preparing for each laboratory exercise; outside-of-class time requirements will depend greatly upon students’ time-management of in-class time.  While there is a possibility that a student may complete their laboratory exercise and leave the lab session early, students should plan to be in class for the ENTIRE scheduled laboratory session. 

Blackboard should be consulted regularly for important announcements regarding further readings or changes to an assignment.

8.1    BETWEEN CLASS SESSIONS:

•    Check the course calendar for upcoming due dates and consult Blackboard for important announcements.

•    Complete the previous exercises’ report worksheets if you had not finished them in class.

•    Print out your procedure, pre-lab and report and read them thoroughly.  

•    Complete the assigned pre-lab exercise. 

•    Pop quizzes may be given to assess student preparation for lab experiments. 

8.2    DURING CLASS:

•    Upon arriving, turn in the previous exercise’s report worksheet (if you had not turned it in already) and current exercise’s pre-lab worksheet.  Work turned in later than 5 minutes after class has started will be considered “late.” If I student knows they will miss class, scans or pictures of their work may be submitted electronically via e-mail by the deadline for full credit

•    If there is a quiz, it will be given at the beginning of class. If you miss the quiz, you will earn a zero for that assignment.

•    Class will begin with a brief pre-lab discussion and review of the day’s laboratory exercise: theory, methods, safety, waste handling, etc. The pre-lab discussion may continue with a short demonstration of laboratory procedures. During this discussion, students are encouraged to ask any questions they may have regarding the exercise or the course. If you miss ANY part of the pre-lab discussion, (1) you will not be allowed to perform the laboratory exercise, (2) the missed experiment will count as an absence, and (3) you will earn a zero for that day’s work.

•    After pre-lab discussion, students must don their personal protective equipment. If you fail to bring your eye and foot protection, (1) you will not be allowed to perform the laboratory exercise, (2) the missed experiment will count as an absence, and (3) you will earn a zero for that day’s work.

•    Students will perform the assigned laboratory exercise individually (unless instructed otherwise) and record their data on their report sheets.  Every student is responsible for their own report worksheet. 

•    Students may notify their instructor if they need to occasionally and briefly excuse themselves from the lab, but the experiment must be completed in the allotted class time. Failure to complete an experiment will result in loss of points. Further, repeated comings/going will be considered disruptive behavior and could result in a warning to the student and possible disciplinary action.

•    Students may excuse themselves from class after completion of their laboratory experiment. 

9.    GRADING SYSTEM

The expected outcomes of the course will be assessed successful performance of procedures, data analysis exercises, discussion question responses, quizzes and an optional comprehensive final exam. Scores will be combined and weighted according to the table below.

Final grades will be assigned using the scale in the table below. 

*    Your 2 lowest pre-labs and 2 lowest in-lab scores (maximum of 200 points) will be dropped when calculating final grades. 

‡   Optional bonus points

I do NOT accept make-up or retake work, nor do I accept multiple late assignments.

*** MISSING 5 EXPERIMENTS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE OF THE COURSE.***

*** Please note that your laboratory grade (CHEM-1111) is independent of your lecture (CHEM-1311) grade even though the courses are complementary. ***

Individual assignment grades will be posted on Blackboard within a week of the due-date. Furthermore, your cumulative points will be updated immediately upon posting individual assignments’ grades. I will do my best to ensure the accuracy of the Blackboard gradebook. However, because instructors have limited control over Blackboard’s functions, students should recalculate their points for themselves, as well.  If a student discovers an issue with Blackboard’s calculations, please inform me immediately. To find your grades, log into Blackboard and click on this course. In the bar to the left of announcements, click on “Tools” and then “My Grades.”

If you have questions or concerns about your grades, please reach out! Further, if you wish to request a grade correction, the request must be made via e-mail within 7 days of the grade being posted.

Due to FERPA (the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act), your grades will only be discussed privately in office hours or individually via ACC-approved online communication.

9.1    LABORATORY EXERCISES

Initial Assignments:  

Note, failure to complete the assignments with a “ * ” by the deadline may result in being dropped from the course.

• * After discussion of laboratory safety and standard operating procedures, a safety contract will be passed around the class.  If you miss signing the safety contract on the assigned day, you must make arrangements with me to discuss lab safety and sign the contract before the census date. * 
• * A quiz (20 points) + introduction e-mail (10 points).  The quiz will be available and submitted via Blackboard, and it covers course policies & lab safety. The quiz is scored for correctness of answers with no partial credit available.  This quiz is untimed, may be paused, and students will have 2 attempts; the higher score will be entered in the gradebook.  Students will also e-mail an introduction to me.  The introduction e-mail is described in Blackboard and students will earn points based on completion of the assignment.  Both parts of this assignment are due by 11:59 PM on Monday 9 September and will be summed when entering into the gradebook. *
•  An introduction & lab safety worksheet will be provided to students on lab safety day and due the following class meeting.  A back-up copy will also be available via Bb.  This worksheet consists of multiple choice and short-answer questions that will be scored for correctness; partial credit is available (70 points).

Experiments:

Laboratory exercises are assessed by the quality of your pre-lab exercises, in-lab work, and laboratory report worksheets. Assigned pre-labs and the previous experiment’s report worksheet are due within the first 5 minutes of class.  Generally, each pre-lab exercise is worth 30 points; in-lab work + report worksheets are worth 70 points. Therefore, most laboratory exercises are worth a total of 100 points each. 

Partial credit is available for prelab and report worksheet exercises.  Points may be deducted for incorrect responses, inadequate preparation, lack of participation, inability to follow instruction, leaving workstations/drawers messy, and disregard of the safety rules. Copying another student’s work (or letting someone copy your work) or submitting work for an experiment you did not perform will constitute cheating and result in a score of zero for that assignment. Late lab work is only accepted once during the term (See Section 10.3, Missed or Late Work Policy, below). 

Your 2 lowest pre-lab scores (30-point category) and 2 lowest in-lab scores (70-point category) will be dropped for a maximum of 200 points when calculating final grades. 

9.2    BONUS POINTS OPPORTUNITIES

These points are a “thank you” for participation in optional activities or last-minute opportunity to earn points.  Failure to complete these items will NOT negatively impact your overall score.  

Unofficial Course Survey:  

This survey is written by me and will be deployed via Blackboard for the same duration as the official faculty evaluation, described below.  I will be able to see who responded, and I will be able to view responses before grades are finalized.  However, I will NEVER be able to tell who specifically said what.  I use this information to determine what did and did not work for the class so that I can improve how I teach this course in the future.  If you submit a response to my unofficial course survey, you will earn 15 bonus points (equivalent to half of a pre-lab exercise) toward your overall grade. 

Official Faculty Evaluation:  

This survey is written by ACC and will be deployed via Blackboard for approximately 2 weeks (15 – 29 July).  I can see how many students responded, but I will NEVER be able to see who responded or be able to tell who said what.  I will only be able to view responses after the semester is over and grades are finalized.  My department and the college can also see these evaluations.  If > 75% of the class submits an official faculty evaluation, the entire class will earn 15 bonus points (equivalent to half of a pre-lab exercise) toward your overall grade.  If > 90% of the class submits an official faculty evaluation, the entire class will earn an additional 5 bonus points (for a total of 20 bonus points) toward your overall grade.

Optional Final Exam:  

The final exam is OPTIONAL and worth 50 bonus points (equivalent to half of a typical experiment’s points) toward your final grade.   This exam is comprehensive and will assess material covered in safety discussions, laboratory readings, worksheets, etc.  The final exam may be taken in class on the last day of the course.  It consists of approximately 35 equally-weighted multiple-choice questions (2 – 3 questions per lab exercise, including safety).  Questions are scored for correctness with no partial credit available.  This exam will be open-note/open-book, but you are NOT allowed to work with other people or use the internet. The instructor will provide an answer sheet and scratch paper, but students are expected to bring their own notes, periodic table, conversion factors/constants, and calculator.  Students wanting to take the final exam must submit a request via e-mail by the end of the day on Friday 6 December.

There is no opportunity to make up bonus points (including the final exam) or turn items in late.

10.    COURSE POLICIES & INFORMATION

10.1    STUDENT DISCIPLINE

Students whose behavior or environment disrupts peers may be subject to dismissal from class that day (resulting in a score of zero for any associated work) and/or disciplinary action. Disruptions may be defined as (but not limited to): harassment of students and instructors, repeated outbursts or noises that disrupt instruction or peers’ concentration, failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, etc. 

Please be aware that children are not allowed in class or unattended on campus.

ACC’s policy regarding Student Standards of Conduct can be found at https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-conduct.

10.2    ATTENDANCE/CLASS PARTICIPATION

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. Students must attend the lab section for which they are registered. You may not earn credit for a laboratory exercise that you did not perform. Missing ANY part of the pre-lab discussion and/or failure to bring your eye and foot protection will result in (1) dismissal from that day’s laboratory exercise, (2) an absence recorded in the gradebook, and (3) earning a zero for any associated work.  Repeated tardiness may constitute disruptive behavior. Use of electronic devices (other than a calculator) is prohibited in the laboratory and will also be considered disruptive behavior. 

Remember…your 2 lowest pre-lab scores (30-point category) and 2 lowest in-lab scores (70-point category) will be dropped for a maximum of 200 points when calculating final grades.  However…

*** MISSING FIVE (5) EXPERIMENTS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE OF THE COURSE. ***

A student may notify the instructor and briefly excuse themselves from the lab to conduct personal business. However, lengthy or repeated emergency business will be considered disruptive behavior. Such disruptive behavior (repeated tardiness, excessive interruptions to lab work, use of electronic devices, etc) may result in deduction of points, a warning to the student, dismissal from the remainder of the days’ exercise, and possible disciplinary action.

While there is a possibility that a student may complete their laboratory exercise and leave the lab early, students should plan to be in class for the ENTIRE scheduled laboratory session. 

If a student knows they will miss class, scans or pictures of work may be submitted electronically via e-mail by the deadline for full credit.

The student is responsible for communicating with their professor during any college closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.

If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. 

10.3    MISSED OR LATE WORK

It is the responsibility of the student to attend class and turn in all work by designated deadlines. Late work is accepted only ONCE during the term. If you forget to turn in an assignment in class, you may submit it electronically by e-mailing a scan of your work. However, your submission must be in my e-mail inbox by 11:59 PM on the due date. Additional late work or submissions after this extension will result in a score of zero.  If there are impromptu quizzes, there are no opportunities to turn in quizzes late, and there are no make-up quizzes or labs.

Because you will have (1) the opportunity to drop 2 scores in each grading category, (2) bonus point opportunities and (3) one chance to turn in late work, there are no further opportunities to turn in late, make-up or retake work.

10.4    LABORATORY SAFETY

Regulations regarding safety in the laboratory can be found at www.austincc.edu/sci_safe/chem/docs/chemistry_safety_rules and will be further described in class. Before working in the chemistry laboratory, you must sign the Laboratory Safety Contract stating that you agree that all the safety rules have been explained to you and that you will follow those rules. Failure to sign the safety contract by the deadline will result in being dropped from the course. 

*** If there is a serious safety problem the instructor cannot handle in a timely fashion, call the ACC District Police Dispatch (512-223-7999 from an outside line or 222 from campus phone) or 911. For non-emergencies, ACC police can be reached at 512-223-1231.

10.5    WITHDRAWAL

Withdrawn courses appear on the student’s record with a grade of “W.” If a student stops attending class and does not withdraw from the course, they may earn a grade of “F” for the term.

The census date (last day to withdraw from this course without a grade or “W” appearing on your transcript and without counting toward the Texas Six Drop Rule) is Wednesday 11 Sept 2024.

The final withdrawal date (last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” appearing on your transcript and counting toward the Texas Six Drop Rule) is Thursday 21 Nov 2024.

Both the lecture and the lab are required in each chemistry course. If you withdraw from the lecture course (CHEM1311), you must also withdraw from the lab course (CHEM1111).  Conversely, if you withdraw from the lab course, you must also withdraw from the lecture course.

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their name is removed from the roll should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should they feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, they should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status (https://admissions.austincc.edu/registration/withdrawals/).  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals. 

Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their entire undergraduate college education (the Texas Six Drop Rule). With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog (https://catalog.austincc.edu/support-services-and-student-progress/student-progress/six-withdrawal-limit/) and in ACC administrative rule 5.0303.04 (https://sites.austincc.edu/administrative-rules). 

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course (Rule of Three). Details regarding this policy can be found at the ACC registration site (www.austincc.edu/students/registration/registering-for-a-course-for-a-third-time).

The instructor will NOT withdraw students unless one of the following items occurs:

•    the student misses the deadline for the Course Policies & Lab Safety quiz + Introductory e-mail

•    the student misses the deadline for signing the safety contract

•    the instructor discovers that the student has not fulfilled the appropriate pre- or co-requisites for the course

•    the student continuously behaves in a manner endangering themself or other students.

A student may be reinstated in the course in the event of an error made on the part of the instructor or the college. Note, students cannot be reinstated after the final withdrawal date.

10.6    INCOMPLETES 

An incomplete (grade of “I”) may be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion, but students must have successfully completed (C or better) at least 60% of the course materials to get an incomplete. If a grade of “I” is given, the remaining coursework must be completed by a date set by the student and professor (but this date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester). A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade form to be signed by the instructor (and student, if possible), and to be submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their instructor if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an “I” grade:

1.    Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.    The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.    The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4.    Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5.    When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade of automatically converts to an “F.”

10.7    ONLINE COMMUNICATION

Only ACC e-mail accounts and Blackboard will be used for online communication between students and the instructor.  Announcements, course materials, and grades will be posted on Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to check Blackboard and their ACC e-mail daily and/or to set up appropriate alerts. 

Blackboard and ACC e-mail can be accessed from the ACC Students homepage (www.austincc.edu/students). Students will need to activate their ACC eID before they can log into Blackboard or e-mail. To activate your ACC eID, visit www.austincc.edu/help/acceid.

10.8    COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS

All class materials provided on the instructor’s web page, Blackboard, electronically, and/or in printed form (presentations, labs, objectives, assignments, etc.) are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright holder. This may be the instructor, ACC, or a publisher. Reproduction consists of photocopying, scanning and copying files, or posting on a server or website. Students currently registered for this section have permission to print one copy of course materials for their own personal use. 

No permission is given for posting any course materials on web sites (including Chegg, Course Hero, Socratic etc)!!!  If I find my course materials online, our course will switch to taking timed in-class lab quizzes proctored by the instructor, and answer keys will no longer be provided.  Further, if my materials appear online, I will vigorously pursue consequences of violating ACC’s Academic Integrity Policy.

10.9    COURSE CANCELLATION DUE TO COLLEGE CLOSURE

If classes are unexpectedly cancelled (bad weather, power outage, etc.) ACC notifies instructors and students on the ACC homepage (www.austincc.edu/). In the event that classes are cancelled, additional announcements regarding this course will be provided via Blackboard.

11:  STUDENT SUPPORT

Resources are available here:  https://www.austincc.edu/student-support/

12:  COLLEGE POLICIES

Available here:  https://offices.austincc.edu/institutional-effectiveness-and-grant-development/master-syllabi-college-policies/

Please refer to the COURSE REQUIREMENTS section of this syllabus.

Please refer to the COURSE REQUIREMENTS section of this syllabus.

Please refer to the COURSE REQUIREMENTS section of this syllabus.