Dec 12, 2024  
Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Catalog 2024-2025

CHEM& 121 Introduction to Chemistry

5 credits


This course will cover measurements and scientific notation, molecular and atomic theory, chemical reactions and equations, mass/molar ratios of balanced equations, energy and rate relationships in chemistry, equilibrium, states of matter, solutions, and acid/base chemistry. Includes laboratory.

This course meets the Natural Science  with lab general education distribution requirement.

Prerequisites: ENGL 93  (or placement into ENGL 99  or higher) and MATH 98  or MATH 99  (or placement into MATH& 107  or higher)

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Apply the basic principles of science including theory, observation, hypothesis, and experimentation
  • Calculate using metric measurements, scientific notation, significant figures and conversion factors
  • Differentiate between atoms, elements, mixtures, compounds, energy,  and states of matter
  • Identify the general structure of atoms and ions including protons, neutrons, and electrons, their properties and locations; determine the electron configuration of atoms, and state how energy and locations of electrons are related
  • Examine the arrangement of the periodic table and be able to use the table to predict information about the elements
  • Explain the concept of the mole and be able to perform a variety of calculations involving moles, Avogadro’s number, and mass
  • Explain the relationship of compounds within a chemical equation and relate this to mass and molar ratios of a balanced equation
  • Differentiate between an ionic bond/compound and a covalent bond/compound and be able to correctly name each compound
  • Demonstrate various chemical reactions, relationships, principles, and laws using laboratory experiments
  • Describe and understand the forces driving chemical and physical processes, including thermodynamics and kinetics and understand the basic principles of equilibrium
  • Draw Lewis structures of molecules and determine the three-dimensional shapes of molecules using VSEPR theory
  • Distinguish between the different types of intermolecular and intramolecular forces and understand their role in determining physical and chemical properties of substances
  • Apply Kinetic Molecular Theory to understand the behavior of gases described by Gas laws
  • Calculate and prepare solutions of various concentrations and know how the properties of solutions differ from those of pure substances
  • Define acids and bases and determine the products of their reactions; understand buffer solutions and explain how they work
  • Examine and communicate the relationship between chemistry and living systems including the role of chemistry in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cellular physiology, metabolism, and health

College-Wide Learning Outcomes
This course teaches to the college-wide learning outcome of Teamwork, the ability to participate actively and cooperatively in a group to advance a common goal.

Total Hours: 60 Theory (Lecture) Hours: 40 Guided Practice (Lab or Clinical) Hours: 20