CHGN 121

Principles of Chemistry I

Fall 2016

Chemistry is central to understanding everything that happens in the world around and within us!
It is part of every science and engineering discipline!
From energy and environmental sustainability to improved healthcare, chemistry gives us the tools to engineer
the properties of new materials which meet the grand challenges of our modern world. This semester is about
how the structure of atoms, molecules, and materials defines their properties, the basics of structural
rearrangements (physical processes and chemical reactions), and the thermodynamics associated with those
rearrangements. The key questions we will answer this semester are:
What are matter and energy, and how do we measure them?
Why are atomic properties periodic, and how do those properties define molecular structure?
How does molecular structure determine the bulk properties of materials?
How do we predict the products of a chemical reaction?
After fully participating in this course, you should be able to
1. Design and conduct experiments to predict and explain simple chemical and physical processes.
2. Calculate or measure quantities using the correct precision and units.
3. Predict the products and calculate amounts of substances in a chemical reaction.
4. Describe the trends in periodic properties of elements and explain why they occur.
5. Identify the primary types of bonds in a substance, and types of intermolecular forces, if present.
6. Explain the molecular-level differences between the common phases of matter (solid, liquid, gas) for pure
ionic, metallic, and covalent substances.
7. Calculate amount of energy flow during a chemical reaction or phase change, classifying it as heat or work.
8. Determine the three dimensional shape and polarity of small molecules and polyatomic ions to predict trends
in properties.
9. Explain in basic terms how each concept above applies to at least one modern science or engineering issue.
See the supplements How to Succeed and Detailed Course Outcomes for more details.
Section: Day, Time
B2: MWF 9:00 9:50
Lab:

Location

Instructors

Email

Office

CO 209

Dr. Renee Falconer

rfalcone@mines.edu

CO 114B

Labs start during the second week of class (week of August 29).
See your registration schedule for time. All labs are located in 220 & 228 Coolbaugh Hall.

Websites: Announcements, documents, and grades: blackboard.mines.edu Lab and Lecture are
SEPARATE.
Sapling Online Homework: www.saplinglearning.com See Online Homework Policies
SubmittingLabReports:www.turnitin.com See Lab Handbook for instructions.
Textbook:

Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, 3rd Edition. Nivaldo Tro. Prentice Hall, 2013.
o Chapters 16, 811.
o E-text and/or physical textbook.
o Paperback CSM Version or Hard Copy.
O
o You do not need Mastering Chemistry access.
R
o Book on reserve at the library.

Equipment

Sapling Learning Online Homework System (Cost: $36) See Online Homework

and
Supplies:

Exam Dates:

Policies
iClicker. Available at bookstore. Bring to every class. Will be used in other courses also.
Scientific Calculator. Any basic model is sufficient. Bring to every class and lab session.
Lab notebook w/duplicate pages. Available at bookstore. Bring to every lab session.
Lab goggles. Must seal around the edges. Available at bookstore. Bring to every lab session.
Entrance Assessment
Challenge Exam (invitation only)
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam

Thurs, Aug. 25
7:30 9:00 PM
Mon, Aug. 29
7:00 9:00 PM
Tues, Sept. 27
7:30 9:00 PM
Tues, Oct. 25
7:30 9:00 PM
Tues, Nov. 15
7:30 9:00 PM
TBD (Finals Week)

No early or late exams will be given.

For an EXCUSED exam absence (approved by your instructor prior to exam), a single,
COMPREHENSIVE make-up exam will be given at the end of the semester. It will contain material
from ALL THREE previous exams, regardless of which exam you missed.

Class Participation:
Classes are interactive, with problem-solving activities and iClicker questions.
Class activities participation score is based on both good faith effort and accuracy (correct answers)
of all in class work. Bring your iClicker every day.
As with all coursework, any student found using another students iClicker, cheating on iClicker
questions, or copying answers verbatim from other students work will fail the entire course!
Evaluation & Grading:
Graded Work
Labs
Entrance Assessment
Online Homework
& Class Activities Participation
Exam 1, 2, 3 and Final Exam

% of Grade
25%
3%
8%

CLASSROOM WORK

16% each

You must pass LAB (>60% avg) to pass the course, regardless of class score.
You are scored on quality of pre-lab assignments, pre-lab quizzes, lab activities,
submitted lab reports, and accuracy of your results.
You must pass your CLASSROOM WORK (>60% avg) to pass the course,
regardless of lab score.

Score Breakpoints
A
93 %
A
90 to 92 %
B+
87 to 89 %
B
83 to 86 %
B
80 to 82 %
C+
77 to 79 %
C
73 to 76 %
C
70 to 72 %
D+
67 to 69 %
D
63 to 66 %
D
60 to 62 %
F
59 %

IF your Final Exam score is higher than one of the other exams, it will replace your
lowest regular exam score. The final exam score cannot be replaced.
An OVERALL SCORE of C (70%) or better is required to move into Chem 2 (CHGN 122 or 125) or
any other course with Chem 1 as a pre-requisite.

Academic Honesty:
You are expected to follow the Honor Code in the CSM Undergraduate Handbook.
ANY cheating results in automatic failure of the course! Cheating includes working together on
ANY work you are instructed to do individually, or misrepresentation of anyone elses work as
your own. This includes all homework, quizzes, lab reports, worksheets, and iClicker responses!

Every year, several students FAIL for plagiarizing Lab Reports. Plan enough time to do your work and
recognize plagiarism. YOU are responsible for knowing your academic integrity responsibilities and for
ASKING US if you have any questions or concerns. Read this:
https://inside.mines.edu/UserFiles/File/studentLife/isss/Academic%20Integrity%20Handout.pdf

Disability Accommodations:
If you need special accommodations for any physical, mental, or learning disability, it must be approved
through Disability Support Services: http://disabilities.mines.edu/. Discuss your approved disability
accommodations with us well in advance so we can make arrangements.