EXTRAORDINARY CHEMISTRY - CHEM 100

4 Credits

Fall 2004

 

Instructor:                  Dennis Pettygrove                    

Office:                         Evergreen A12            

Phone:             732-6422

Fax:                             736-2136

E-mail:                        dpettygrove@csi.edu

World Wide Web:      http://www.csi.edu/ip/physci/faculty/dennis/dennis.htm

Office Hours:             See Faculty Directory @ www.csi.edu

 

Course Description:  A nonmathematical descriptive chemistry course recommended for non-science majors and education majors. This course will satisfy a general education core science requirement, but will not serve as a prerequisite or substitute for any other chemistry course. The course presents the world of chemistry from the view of the consumer and citizen.  The topics included are based on current public issues such air and water quality, energy and alternate energy resources, nuclear power, polymers, pharmaceuticals, nutrition and genetic engineering. Three hours lecture and one two-hour lab per week.

 

Textbooks:  Lecture - Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society, 4th Edition. Stanitski, Eubanks, Middlecamp, and Stratton.

 

Laboratory - Laboratory Manual: Chemistry in Context, 4th Edition, Stratton, Editor.  Laboratory Research Notebook, Jones and Bartlett. This notebook will be used for writing and submitting copies of lab reports.

 

Overview: This course is a radical departure from the traditional approach to science and chemistry.  It will ask, “What chemistry do we need to know to evaluate a particular issue”, and little emphasis is given to memorization of facts or rote learning skills.  Students will read critically, think analytically, and develop informed conclusions and decisions. This course is to prepare students to be rational educated members of the world community.

 

Outcome Assessment:  For many of the issues, students will volunteer or be assigned a perspective (consumer, taxpayer, or industry) to represent.  Their arguments will be challenged by informal debate/discussion process, providing feedback as to the logic, clarity and development for their point of view.  The process also helps students to understand diverse viewpoints that are different than their own. The Final Exam functions as an outcomes assessment by its design. Questions are open-ended requiring to students to synthesize and organize general concepts from multiple chapters in their text.  Several questions require students to consider several outcomes and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages to certain actions.  The Portfolio requires students to become independent learners, and assessing their own work.  The midterm peer review of the portfolio provides the student peer feedback and an opportunity for the student to compare their work with others in the class.

           

Grading:  An ‘economic’ grading system will allow students to ‘purchase’ a grade with accumulated dollars (points) in their account.  This system rewards students for active learning projects and allows students to gain an understanding of chemistry related issues in a variety of learning styles.  The points earned reflect the quality and effort invested into a project rather than a percentage of a theoretical perfect knowledge.  Students may pursue and invest time into projects that they find more interesting or relevant while developing and clarifying their own values.

 

Required elements:

            Chapter quizzes                                                20 - 30 points each

            Video quizzes                                                   5 - 6 points each

            Lab experiments & reports                              20 points each week

            Current Events Portfolio                                    100 points

            Comprehensive Final Exam                               100 – 150 points

 

 

Bonus Projects: 100 points each

Participate and report on the class field trip

8-10 pages (typed) research/term paper on approved topic

An approved Laboratory investigation

Develop a curriculum lesson plan for two (2) chapter topics1

Book report from the reading list.

 

Reading list:

Science Matters, Hazen, R. and J Trefil

The Edge of the Unknown, J. Trefil

The Five Biggest Ideas in Science, Wynn, C. and A. Wiggins

Silent Spring, R. Carson

Silent Spring Revisited, Marco & Hollingworth

T. Rex and the Crater of Doom, Alvarez, W.

Discovering Science, Harrington, J.

Others by approval

 

Grades may be purchased at the following ‘rates’

            450 – 600        D

            601 – 700        C

            701 – 800        B

            >800                A

 

1Lesson plans must follow acceptable format.  See education majors/instructors for style.

 

Disabilities:

Any student with a documented disability may be eligible for related accommodations.  To determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after registration for a class.  Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the Taylor Building on the Twin Falls Campus.  208.732.6250 (voice) or 208.734.9929 (TTY), or e-mail aflannery@csi.edu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXTRAORDINARY CHEMISTRY FOR EVERYONE – CHEM 100

COURSE OUTLINE

FALL 2004

 

Daytime

 

Evening

 

Topic

 

Chapter

Aug. 23 – 25

Aug. 24 – 25

Discovery Science (excerpts) Harrington App. 1,2

Measurements/Observations

On reserve at CSI Library

Aug. 27 – Sept. 3

Aug. 31 – Sept. 1

The Air We Breathe

1

Sept. 6

Sept. 6

Labor Day

No Class

Sept. 7 – 10

Sept. 7 – 8

Protecting the Ozone Layer

2

Sept. 15

Sept. 14

The Chemistry of Global Warming

3

Sept. 22

Sept. 21

Energy, Chemistry, & Society

4

Sept. 29

Sept. 28

The Water We Drink

5

Oct. 6

Oct. 6

Neutralizing the Threat of Acid Rain

6

Oct. 11

Oct. 11

Columbus Day

No Class

Oct. 18

Oct. 19

The Fires of Nuclear Fission

 7

Oct. 22

Oct. 22

Midterm Portfolio Due

 

Nov. 1

Nov. 2

Energy From Electron Transfer

8

Nov. 8

Nov. 9

World of Plastics & Polymers

9

Nov. 11

Nov.  11

Veteran’s Day

No Class

Nov. 15

Nov. 16

Manipulating Molecules & Designing Drugs

10

Nov. 29

Nov. 30

Nutrition:  Food for Thought

11

Nov. 24 – 26

Nov. 24 – 26

Thanksgiving Vacation

No Class

Dec. 3

Dec. 3

Portfolio Due

 

Dec. 6

Dec. 7

Genetic Engineering and The Chemistry of Heredity

13

Dec. 14

 

Final Exam  10:00 am – Noon

 

 

Dec. 15

Final Exam 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEM 100 – LAB SCHEDULE

 

The objectives of the Lab time are to develop the ability to see and think; that is to be able to determine whether your observations can be explained by the theory, or by an error in procedure, or have you made a significant discovery?

 

The experiments will be challenging, yet relate chemistry to something meaningful and/or familiar.

 

This laboratory course meets once per week for two hours.  During this time you will be expected to complete the assigned experiments from the laboratory manual.  Your instructor will briefly introduce the basic concepts of the experiment, describe or demonstrate how to set up and use any special equipment, and caution you regarding any particular hazards at the beginning of class.  It is extremely important that you come on time and that you have read the experiment.  You should also make note of any special equipment, procedures or warnings BEFORE the lab period!!!  This will help you to use your time more effectively and safely.

 

Each student will follow the safety rules in their lab manual, and any safety procedures given by the lab instructor.  These include wearing approved safety goggles at all times, such as those sold in the Bookstore, and notifying the instructor of any special safety concerns (such as pregnancy, blood born disease, contact lenses.)  Safety goggles must be approved for chemical and impact hazards meeting standards ANSI Z-87.1 or better.  They must provide splash protection for the side and have indirect venting with vent shields in place.

 

Experimental data will be recorded in your lab notebook as you collect the data.  Each experiment will have a post-lab section to be completed during and/or after the experiment.

 

The lab notebook should include the following:

 

1.      Title of experiment

2.      Data/Observation

3.      Analysis and Results

4.      Questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE

 

EXPERIMENT

Aug. 24

Check-In & Safety Measurements

Exp. 1 – Preparation and Properties of Gases in a Breath

Aug. 31

Exp. 2 – Chromatographic Study

Exp. 3 – Cooling Water:  A Graphic Experience

Sept. 7

Exp. 6 – Visibly Delighted: A Spectrophotometric Study of Colored Solutions

Sept. 14

Exp. 5 – What Protects Us From UV?

Sept. 21

Exp. 7 – Chemical Bonds, Molecular Models, and Molecular Shapes

Exp. 9 – Chemical Moles: Converting Baking Soda to Table Salt

Sept. 28

Exp. 11 – Comparison of the Energy Content of Fuels

Oct. 5

Exp. 16 – Analysis of Bottled Water

Oct. 12

Exp. 17 – Reactions of Acids with Common Substances

Exp. 18 – pH Measurements of Common Substance

Oct. 19

Exp. 20 – Solubilities: An Investigation

Oct. 26

Exp. 22 – Chemical Reactions & Electricity

Nov. 2

Exp.10 – Hot Stuff

Nov. 9

Exp. 24 – Classification and Identification of Common Plastics

Nov. 16

Exp. 26 – Synthesis of Aspirin

Nov. 23

Exp. 28 – Sugar in Soft Drink and Fruit Juices

Nov. 30

Exp. 29 – Vitamin C in Fruit Juice

Dec. 2

Clean-up and Check-out  - Glass Etching Souvenir