CHEM& 161 General Chemistry with Lab I

5 credits

First in a three-course chemistry sequence for science and engineering students. This course introduces fundamentals of chemistry, including matter and measurement, the structure of atoms, periodicity and the electron structure of atoms, ionic and covalent bonding, mass relationships, and chemical reactions. Includes laboratory investigation of these topics.

Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry or CHEM& 121, and concurrent enrollment in MATH& 141 or placement into MATH& 142.

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

Identify the components and limitations of the scientific method
Recognize differences between matter and energy, and heat and temperature
Use mathematical methods for solving problems, such as dimensional analysis, ratios and proportions, and algebraic equations
Describe the general structure of an element
Identify the atomic number, mass number, and atomic weight of an element
Calculate the atomic weight of an element
Explain and identify isotopes of elements
Distinguish between physical and chemical properties of an element, compound, and mixture
Identify the names of elements, ions, polyatomic ions, and molecules
Define electromagnetic radiation in terms of frequency, wavelength, and speed
Contrast wave and particulate properties of light and electrons
Use the quantum mechanical model of the atom to determine probable electron locations around an element
Relate the concepts of energy levels, shells, subshells, and orbitals to one another
Classify elements according to groups and periods on the periodic table
Use the periodic chart to predict trends in the radii of atoms and ions, ionization energies, electron affinities, and atomic properties
Compare the differences between covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds
Write Lewis dot structures for atoms, ions, and molecules
Use resonance structures to predict alternative bonding potentials in molecules and determine the most probable resonance structure by calculating formal charges
Predict whether a compound is ionic or covalent using electronegativities
Apply Valence-Shell Electron-Repulsion Pair (VESPR) methodology to predict the shape of molecules and polyatomic ions
Balance and classify chemical equations
Apply the scientific method to laboratory experimentation
Determine the densities of known and unknown substances
Find the molar masses and number of moles of a chemical substance
Calculate empirical and molecular formulas from percent composition
Use chemical equations to calculate stoichiometric relationships
Apply the concept of a limiting reactant in stoichiometric relationships
Prepare solutions of varying concentrations and properties
Identify common acids and bases
Compose a laboratory manual detailing all laboratory experiments

Total Hours: 60 Lecture Hours: 40 Lab or Clinical Hours: 20