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  • ABOUT THIS COURSE


    From consumer products to space-age technologies, chemistry affects our daily lives. In this course, students will learn the structure of matter and how it behaves under various conditions in order to better understand the chemical world. Designed for students with little or no chemistry background. Laboratory activities extend lecture concepts and introduce students to the experimental process. This course is designed for a face-to-face mode of instruction using online resources. Course content is divided into units. Each unit may include text readings, laboratory preparation, study questions, thought-provoking discussions, written assignments, learning activities, and group projects.

  • LEARNING OUTCOME

    At the end of the course, students should be able to:

    • Problem Solving:
      • Perform calculations using metric measurements, scientific notation, significant figures and conversion factors.
      • Apply mathematical computations to chemical concepts such as the mole, stoichiometry, solution concentrations, and pH. Discuss the physical meaning of these quantities.
      • Differentiate between atoms, ions, molecules, elements, mixtures, compounds, energy, and states of matter.  Examine differences in properties of pure substances and mixtures.
      • Identify the general structure of atoms and ions including protons, neutrons, and electrons, their properties and locations and understand the relationship between energy and locations of electrons in an atom.
      • Describe differences in types of bonding and construct Lewis structures for various compounds.  Derive the three-dimensional shapes of molecules using VSEPR theory. Based on this information, predict molecular polarity.
      • Demonstrate various chemical reactions, relationships, principles, and laws using laboratory experiments.
    • Writing:
      • Communicate chemical concepts through written laboratory reports.
      • Identify personal course goals and track them throughout the course through written reflections.
    • Speaking:
      • Explain chemical concepts through peer interaction.
      • Express chemical concepts through group presentations.
    • Critical Thinking:
      • Apply the basic principles of science including theory, observation, hypothesis, and experimentation.
      • Examine the arrangement of the periodic table and be able to use the table to predict information about the elements.
      • Evaluate through quantitative methods the relationships within chemical equations and chemical formulas.
      • Interpret and/or sketch molecular-level diagrams to explain what is happening at the microscale.
      • Describe and understand the forces driving chemical and physical equilibria, including thermodynamics and kinetics.
      • Distinguish between the different types of intermolecular and intramolecular forces and understand their role in determining physical and chemical properties of substances.
      • Construct and interpret graphs.
      • Relate classroom and laboratory experiences to phenomena outside the classroom.
    • Cultural Literacy/Competency:
      • Create a respectable and honest working environment with all class individuals.
      • Collaborate with peers to perform laboratory experiments, solve problems, and develop a conceptual understanding of chemical concepts.
      • Investigate chemical connections in regards to societal/environmental issues and everyday life.
    • Information Literacy:
      • Demonstrate ability to find reliable data on chemical and physical properties, hazards and toxicology.
      • Find and analyze chemistry related sources, either from the popular media or peer-reviewed.
    • Use of Technology:
      • Use computer resources to generate laboratory reports or prepare presentations.
      • Use laboratory equipment/instrumentation safely and properly in following experimental procedures to accurately record data.

  • Module 1: Matter, Measurements, and Atoms & Isotopes

    Learning Objectives:

    At the end of this module, students should be able to:

      • Matter
        • Define chemistry and provide examples of matter.
        • Explain the differences between elements, compounds, and homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
        • Represent elements and compounds using chemical symbolism.
        • Define the states of matter on a molecular level.
        • Describe the difference between chemical and physical properties and changes.
      • Measurements
        • Use prefixes in metric measurements.
        • Solve unit conversion problems using dimensional analysis, proportional reasoning, and/or algebraic expressions (Optional: temperature and energy unit conversions).
        • Apply the relationship between significant figures and uncertainty in a measurement(s) (Optional: significant figures in calculations).
      • Atoms & Isotopes
        • List and describe the key elements of the scientific method.
        • Describe the atomic theory.
        • Describe atomic structure in terms of the subatomic particles which make up the atom.
        • Identify the number of electrons, protons and neutrons for a given isotope.
        • Apply the concept of a weighted average to the natural abundance of various isotopes.
        • Extract information about an element from the periodic table (for example: the symbol, atomic number, atomic mass, and the number of protons and electrons).
      • Nuclear Chemistry
        • Describe what radiation is, natural sources of radiation, and how radiation is detected.
        • Identify types and properties of radioactive decay, including alpha, beta, gamma.
        • Solve half-life problems, including carbon dating and common isotopes used in the medical field.
        • Balance nuclear decay reactions.
        • Discuss health effects and medical applications of radiation.

    • Module 2: Electrons & Periodic Properties, Covalent Bonds & Structure of Molecules, and Solids, Liquids, Gases, & Intermolecular Forces

      Learning Objectives:

      At the end of this module, students should be able to:

      • Electrons & Periodic Properties
        • Identify the relationship between the electronic structure of a main group element and its position in the periodic table to determine the number of core and valence electrons in an atom.
        • Explain why the elements in a periodic group exhibit similar chemical properties using the octet rule.
        • Identify the location of groups and periods, metals and nonmetals in the Periodic Table.
        • Predict trends in the radii of atoms and electronegativity using the Periodic Table.
      • Covalent Bonds & Structure of Molecules
        • Define covalent bonding.
        • Write Lewis structures for atoms and simple molecules.
        • Write the formulas and names for binary molecular compounds.
        • Draw simple organic molecules and identify organic functional groups.
        • Predict the geometry of molecules using VSEPR Theory.
        • Use electronegativity and symmetry to predict the polarity of bonds and molecules.
      • Solids, Liquids, Gases, & Intermolecular Forces
        • Explain the roles that intermolecular forces and the kinetic-molecular theory play in determining the properties of matter.
        • Explain the properties of gases and the relations expressed by the gas laws.
        • Describe how hydrogen bonding affects the properties of water.
        • Describe the energy changes that accompany the heating, cooling, or changing of state of a substance (Optional: heat capacity calculations).

    • FINAL ASSESSMENT

    • SURVEY

    • CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION