General Chemistry 1 Lab

Course
Semester
Spring
Year
2022
General Course Information

Course Director Name: Ms. Candice Benjamin 

Course Lecturer Name(s):  Mrs. Kafi James Lewis & Ms. Reeba Lewis  

Course Director Contact Information: cbenjam1@sgu.edu 

Course Lecturer(s) Contact Information: kjames@sgu.edu, rlewis5@sgu.edu 

Course Director Office Hours: TBA 

Course Lecturer(s) Office Hours: TBA

Course Lecturer(s) Office Location:  Biochemistry Department

Course Director Office Location: Biochemistry Department  

Course Support: Angel Charles, Email: acharl16@sgu.edu

Course Management tool: Sakai  Access Sakai: https://apps.sgu.edu/members.nsf/mycoursesintro.pdf

Course Curriculum Information

Course Description: 

This course introduces students to basic practical and safety techniques required for a chemistry laboratory. It allows students to apply the scientific process while examining topics such as properties of matter, measurements, chemical formulas, thermochemistry, and basic concepts of bonding and molecular structure.  

Course Objectives: 

  1. To identify good lab safety techniques required in a chemistry laboratory.
  2. To describe chemistry laboratory procedures. 
  3. To apply problem solving techniques to interpret and analyze experimentally derived data.
  4. To effectively communicate the results in the form of a written laboratory report

Technical Skills Outcomes: 

  1. Use of electronic balance to measure mass 
  2. Use of vacuum to accelerate filtration
  3. Use of pipette and graduated cylinders to measure volumes
  4. Use of litmus paper to test pH levels
  5. Use of steam bath to drive off liquid from chemical investigated 
  6. Use of centrifuge
  7. Preparation of hot bath and regulating and maintaining temperature at value 
  8. Performing flame tests.
  9. Use of thermometer
  10. Use of a calorimeter

Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Identify the properties of different mixtures 
  2. Use appropriate techniques to separate components of a mixture based on their properties. 
  3. Identify types of chemical reactions from experimental data and results
  4. Write balanced chemical equations
  5. Make numerical calculations in relation to chemical reactions and stoichiometry
  6. Identify the properties of substances and solve problems based on these properties.
  1. Analyze and perform calculations with thermodynamic functions: enthalpy and specific heat
  2. Apply knowledge of basic concepts of chemical bonding and molecular geometry.

Program Outcomes Met by This Course:

BIOL – PLO1 Apply the scientific process for conducting laboratory and diagnostic experiments, testing hypotheses, interpreting data, and communicating results BIOL – PLO6 Demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills

SAS Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned as follows:

A   = 89.5% or better

B+ = 84.5 - 89.4%

B = 79.5 - 84.4%

C+ = 74.5 - 79.4%

C   = 69.5 - 74.4%

D   = 64.5 - 69.4%

F   = 65% or less

Course Materials:

Text: Chemistry The Central Science by Brown, LeMay, Burnsten et al.

Supplementary Readings/Resources: N/A

Course Grading Requirement:

Evaluation will consist of lab quizzes worth 20% of the overall course grade, lab reports worth 50% of the overall course grade, and a final exam worth 30% of the course grade

Course Requirements:

N/A

School of Arts and Sciences Master Syllabi — Info for All Sections

Plagiarism Policy

Academic Integrity

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

Plagiarism is regarded as a cardinal offense in academia because it constitutes theft of the work of someone else, which is then purported as the original work of the plagiarist. Plagiarism draws into disrepute the credibility of the Institution, its faculty, and students; therefore, it is not tolerated” (p. 48).

Plagiarism also includes the unintentional copying or false accreditation of work, so double check your assignments BEFORE you hand them in.

Be sure to do good, honest work, credit your sources and reference accordingly and adhere to the University’s Honor Code. Plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with very seriously following the university’s policies on Plagiarism as outlined in the Student Manual.

Your work may be subject to submission to plagiarism detection software, submission to this system means that your work automatically becomes part of that database and can be compared with the work of your classmates.

Attendance Requirement

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

Students are expected to attend all classes and or clinical rotations for which they have registered. Although attendance may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance may be taken randomly. Students’ absence may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy. If absence from individual classes, examinations, and activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed. A particular course may define additional policies regarding specific attendance or participation” (p. 9).

Examination Attendance

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

All matriculated students are expected to attend all assigned academic activities for each course currently registered. Medical excuses will be based on self-reporting by students. Students who feel they are too sick to take an examination or other required activity on a specific day must submit the online SAS medical excuse, which is available on Carenage. Students are only allowed two such excuses a year. Upon consultation with the Director of University Health Service, the third excuse will result in a mandatory medical leave of absence. The policies regarding make-up examinations are at the option of the Course Director” (p.46).

For additional specific examination policies and procedures, refer to the St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020), pages 31 through 37.

Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services Policy

The St. George’s University Student Manual (2019/2020) states as follows:

A student with a disability or disabling condition that affects one or more major life activities, who would like to request an accommodation, must submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) located in the Dean of Students Office. It is highly recommended that students applying for accommodations do so at least one month before classes begin to allow for a more efficient and timely consideration of the request. If a fully completed application is not submitted in a timely fashion, an eligibility determination may not be made, and accommodations, where applicable, may not be granted prior to the commencement of classes and/or examinations” (p. 8).

Disclaimer

It is the responsibility of the student to read and understand the policies, laws, rules and procedures that while they could affect your grade for a course, have not been specifically outlined in the course syllabus. These are contained in the St. George’s University Student Manual.