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Course Syllabus

Syllabus

General Chemistry I and Lab

 

Course Information

Course Number: CHEM 2104

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites: N/A

Course Description: General Chemistry I and Lab provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles, applications of general chemistry, and laboratory study of chemistry. In this course, students will learn about lab safety and explore topics like the metric system and the scientific method. Students will apply foundational concepts such as the classification of matter, atoms, molecules, and ions, the structure of atoms, chemical equations, and solutions.

Course Outcomes:

  • Evaluate the categories of matter and how they relate to the definition of chemistry as well as the law of constant composition to compounds.
  • Analyze different types of data and apply the scientific method to sample inquiries.
  • Evaluate measurements and apply concepts of accuracy and precision to the concepts of significant figures and scientific notation.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of atomic and molecular structures and their properties.
  • Apply concepts of the quantum mechanical nature of light and matter to atomic theory and structure.
  • Employ critical thinking skills to solve quantitative and qualitative aspects of chemical reactions.
  • Evaluate the ideal and non-ideal nature of gases, and apply qualitative and quantitative aspects of the gas laws.
  • Evaluate and apply the basic concepts of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics and their relationships to chemical processes.
  • Identify and practice lab safety including the proper use of lab tools.
  • Determine and evaluate the appropriate elements of a scientific experiment.
  • Execute the steps of an experiment, and evaluate and explain the findings.
  • Analyze the results of an experiment to determine if the steps of the scientific process or any scientific assumptions have been violated.
  • Evaluate scientific scenarios and apply concepts learned in the lecture course and explored in the lab activities to the scenarios while employing critical thinking skills.
  • Write a lab report explaining your findings in an experiment.

Instructional methods utilized in this course include:

  • Lessons
  • CYKs
  • Module Quizzes
  • Discussion Posts
  • Mastery Assignments
  • Midterm and Final Exams 

 

Course Materials

Lecture Material

All reading and materials necessary to complete required exercises are provided within
the course platform. 

Lab Material

All reading and simulations required are provided in the course platform. While we
design the lab courses to include items commonly found in a typical household, you
may need to purchase additional materials to complete the lab activities. Contact your
instructor for questions about materials and material substitutions.

  • Ruler
  • Timer
  • Scale
  • Thermometer
  • Digital or Physical Notebook
  • Gallon Ziploc Bag
  • Quart Ziploc Bag 
  • Measuring Cups
  • Pitcher or Large Container 
  • Scissors 
  • Brown Paper Bag
  • 2 Mugs (Must be able to hold hot liquid)
  • 8 Clear Cups or Jars that hold at least 8 oz of liquid
  • Table Salt
  • A 9 Volt Battery
  • Toothpicks 
  • Epsom Salt
  • Crushed Ice
  • Sugar
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate
  • Heavy Whipping Cream 
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk 
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Distilled Water
  • 2 Pans or pots 
  • A Light Bulb
  • A Lightbulb Holder
  • Wire
  • 4 Sunscreen in Various SPFs 

 

  • Any Four Types of Dried Beans (Example: Lima Beans, Dried Black Beans) If bean are not available, different sized paperclips or popped and unpopped popcorn kernels will work. 
  • Four Different Types of Colored Candies (ie. M&Ms, Gummy Bears, Skittles, Jelly Beans)
  • 15 Small Foam Balls (Alt: Play-dough or Marshmallows)

 



Course Length

This is a self-paced course allowing students to learn according to their personal schedules. Overall, it is estimated that the course will take approximately 269 hours to complete.

It is recommended that students work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows regular, incremental (daily and/or weekly) progress. If assistance is needed with scheduling time in this course, students may refer to the weekly schedules provided in the course documents, located on the "Course Documents" page in the "Start Here" tab. 

Minimum Passing Grade

To earn college credit for this course, students must earn a minimum average grade of 70% or higher. If a high school student receives less than 70% in this course, it is up to the school offering the course to grant high school credit for its completion.

 

Grading Policies

Grade Weighting

  • Participation (Check Your Knowledge Quizzes): 10% 
  • Module Quizzes: 20%
  • Discussion Posts: 10% 
  • Mastery Assignments: 30% 
  • Course Exams: 30% 

 

Assignment Grading Descriptions 

  • Check Your Knowledge - CYK quizzes are located at the end of each lesson.  They are composed of multiple choice, multiple answers and/or true/false questions. These quizzes are auto-graded quizzes designed to help the student test their understanding of the lesson content.  Students may take these quizzes as many times as desired to help prepare for the module and mastery assignment quizzes.  It is required that students earn 100% on each quiz before proceeding to the next lesson in the course. The CYK quizzes can be taken as many times as needed to earn 100%.
  • Discussion Posts: Twice in the course, students will be prompted with a case study in which they will have to select the best solution to the given problem. Students will be prompted to defend their selection using evidence from the materials learned in the course and will be asked to analyze and evaluate other solutions developed by their peers. 
  • Module Quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take only once.
  • Mastery Assignments: 
    • Written Mastery Assignments: Rubric-based assignments that reinforce concepts in the course. Assignments are aligned to course outcomes and require the student to spend extra time developing, reviewing, and revising their assignments prior to submission. Students are encouraged to seek out feedback from peers and experts to fully develop their assignments. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their work using the rubrics provided.
    • Mastery Assignment Quizzes: Unit quizzes created to help students understand how to evaluate and analyze case-based scenarios and problems that would commonly appear in the subject area. Questions are more difficult, scenario focused questions that require students to synthesize information they have learned across multiple modules. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take these only once.
  • Course Exams: Proctored, multiple-choice exam that is auto-graded. Students may take this only once.  

 

Mastery Assignments

Use the following information to know in which module the Mastery Assignments are located. 

  • Mastery Assignment 1 Quiz: Module 3
  • Mastery Assignment 1 Lab: Module 4
  • Mastery Assignment 2 Quiz: Module 7
  • Mastery Assignment 2 Lab: Module 10
  • Mastery Assignment 3 Quiz: Module 11
  • Mastery Assignment 3 Lab: Module 12
  • Mastery Assignment 4 Quiz: Module 14

 

Grade Discrepancies

Grades are awarded for a student’s individual academic work during each semester based upon the student’s mastery of the content. Students who wish to appeal a grade to the Academic Services Team must submit this form to start the appeals process. Moreover, students caught violating the Academic Integrity Policy must file an appeal if they disagree with the assessment of their actions.

Upon the receipt of the appeal, the following process will be enacted:

  1. Grade appeals will be sent to the institution's management department and the instructor of the course for evaluation. A thorough investigation will take place using all evidence provided from the rubric, assignment instruction, notes from the instructional team member, and other relevant outsourced information.
  2. Once evaluated, this result will be communicated to the student.
    1. If the appeal is approved, the grade will be changed, and the student will be notified.
    2. In the case of an academic integrity appeal, the student can either accept the assessment and subsequent action or they can restart the course.

While the institution will endeavor to follow the foregoing appeals process, it retains absolute discretion to deviate from this process when TEL determines such deviation is justified under the circumstances. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to create due process or contractual rights for students.

 

Exams

In this course, students will complete a midterm and a final exam, both of which must be proctored. The exams in this course are proctored by HonorLock, which is a browser extension that monitors student performance and progress while taking an exam. Students will be required to bring a form of identification with them when starting the exam. While Honorlock will record the student’s computer webcam, speakers, and desktop, all security and privacy protocols/requirements will be followed.

 

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered 100% online, and students are required to have access to a computer or laptop — along with consistent access to the Internet — to access course material and complete assignments.

Required technology:

  • Desktop or portable computer, including Windows PC, Macintosh OS, or Chromebook (tablets, cell phones, and iPads are not supported)
  • Google Chrome Browser
  • Working built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone
  • Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not recommended.  Test Internet speed

To access detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements necessary to take full advantage of this course, visit the "Start Here" tab on the course homepage.

 

Disability Services Statement

TEL is committed to providing equitable student access to course content and materials by providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. TEL also complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting the TEL Support Team. TEL’s Support Team will coordinate reasonable accommodations upon registration and before the course begins. Students over the age of 18 taking college-level courses require a 504 for special accommodations.

Any student seeking to request academic accommodations on the basis of a documented disability should contact the TEL Support Team at disabilityservices@tel-education.org to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

 

Additional Information

Please review the following documents before continuing on to the course material. 

 

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