CHEM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory Spring 2010 Instructor: Mrs. Tracy A. Halmi Section 008: W 2:30 – 5:15 PM Office: 35 Hammermill Section 010: R 11:00 AM– 1:45 PM Phone: (814) 898-6045 Office Hours: M noon – 2:00 PM Email: [email protected] W 11:15 AM – 12:05 PM Course Description This laboratory is an introduction to quantitative experimentation in chemistry. The laboratory will follow closely with the subject material as it is presented in the lecture, CHEM 106 (or CHEM 110). This course is designed to reinforce the chemical principles necessary to succeed in understanding some of the basic principals in general chemistry. Along with CHEM 106 (or CHEM 110) this course fulfills the general education requirement for natural sciences (GN). Prelabs Prior to each new laboratory, it is expected that each student download and thoroughly read the day’s experiment. Labs can be downloaded from the web page: http://chemistry.bd.psu.edu/halmi. In order to begin an experiment, each student is required to hand in a prelab assignment. It will cover material that you are going to need for that particular experiment and is worth 10 points. Lab Reports All data collected during lab should be recorded on the appropriate pages downloaded from the website and/or your laboratory notebook. (See Laboratory Notebook Section.) Each lab report will be completed during lab and handed in to the instructor at the end of the lab period. This will enable you to ask questions during the laboratory. In the case of experiments that last more than one week, you must show your data sheet and/or lab notebook to your instructor and obtain their signature. In experiments where you work in pairs, each student should take their own notes and must submit separate lab reports. This does not mean two copies of the same report, it means doing your own work. (See Academic Penalty Section.) Lab reports will be graded on experimental technique, quality of results, treatment of data and overall quality of work. Any labs that are missed must be made-up during that week or by special arrangement with the instructor. Any lab not made up within the allotted time will be recorded as a score of zero. Quizzes There will be a quiz at the beginning of each laboratory session with the exception of the first week. They will be worth 10 points each and will cover material from the laboratory experiment performed the previous week. If you are late for a lab and miss the quiz, you may not be permitted to make it up at any other time. Graphing Assignment Presenting and interpreting data is a critical skill in any laboratory setting. To this end, there will be one graphing homework assigned during the semester worth 10 points. Details will be provided in class. Formal Written Lab Report You will be required to write a formal lab report for one of the laboratory experiments that you perform during the semester. Guidelines for writing your formal lab report are at the end of this syllabus. (See Guidelines for the Formal Written Laboratory Report Section.) If you receive an unsatisfactory grade on your lab report, you may rewrite it to receive up to one half of the points you missed. When you hand in your rewrite for your formal written lab report, you must also hand in your original report as well.Lab Safety & Courtesy There are 20 points assigned for lab safety and courtesy. This includes safety awareness as well as appropriate behavior in the laboratory. Please be on time for lab; constant tardiness will not be tolerated. Any unsafe or inappropriate behavior will result in a deduction of courtesy points. All students must wear goggles in the laboratory at all times. Each time it is necessary for the instructor to remind a student of this, two points will be deducted from the lab courtesy points. If all of your courtesy points are used up, then deductions will be from your lab report score. If you refuse to put your goggles on, then you will be asked to leave the laboratory with a score of zero for that particular lab. Appropriate laboratory dress is expected including no open toed shoes, sandals or shorts/skirts unless wearing a lab coat. Long hair must be tied back. In addition, once your check in your desk, you are responsible for the contents. Failure to check out will result in a lowering of one letter grade for the course and a $25 service fee billed to your student account. Grading Prelabs 80 Quizzes 100 Laboratory Reports 170 Formal Written Lab Report 30 Graphing Assignment 10 Lab Courtesy 20 Total 410 Grades A 93-100% A- 90-92% B+ 87-89% B 83-86% B- 80-82% C+ 77-79% C 70-76% D 60-69% F 0-59% Academic Penalty It is expected that each student will do his/her own work on all assignments including prelabs, the graphing assignment, quizzes and the formal reports. This includes being caught having old quizzes and lab reports from previous semesters in your possession in the laboratory. There are severe penalties for plagiarism and cheating. Proven cases of academic dishonesty will result in an XF for the course. For more information see the Academic Integrity & Academic Dishonesty (Senate Policy 49-20) at http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/ or Behrend’s Academic Integrity policy at http://www.pserie.psu.edu/faculty/academics/integrity.htm. Learning Resource Center The Learning Resource Center promotes the academic success of Penn State Erie students through peer tutoring and study skills advising. Tutoring is free and available in most subject areas. Information can be found at http://pennstatebehrend.psu.edu/academic/lrc/index.htm. Note to students with disabilities Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for modifications or reasonable accommodations in this course, contact the Disability Specialist in the Office of Student Affairs, Room 115 Reed Union Building, 898-6111. Information can be found at http://www.behrend.psu.edu/student/services-index.htm.Tentative Schedule of Experiments Week of Experiment Points Jan 11 Check-in & Laboratory Safety - Jan 18 Introduction to Chemistry Techniques 20 Jan 25 Properties of Hydrates 20 Feb 1 Rust and Other Oxides (Formal Written Lab Report) 20 Feb 8