Mathematics

General Chemistry

Dr. Riyam Kafri AbuLaban

rkafri@bard.alquds.edu

Lecture times: S/T 11:00-12:30

Office hours: S/T 12:30-1:50; M 11:00-12:20 (I am always available by appointment too).

Course Description: General Chemistry is a one semester introduction to chemistry.  The course takes on the discipline from a logical approach.  It begins with a quick overview of matter and measurements and then proceeds to atomic theory.  It is then interjected with the mole concept and reaction stoichiometry.  We then segway into  electronic theory, bonding and hybridization.  We also touch and reaction equilibria.  The course aims at providing the students with enough knowledge to proceed to Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry I in the following semester.

Course Objectives:

1-To convey the basic concepts of general chemistry in a logical order.

2-To develop problem solving skills by focusing on the approach to solve problems rather than the answer

3-To cover basic inorganic and aqueous reactions. 

4-To create a student body well versed in the modern atomic view and the modern electronic view.

5-To teach the basics for lab report writing.

6-To prepare students for both Thermodynamics and Kinetics, and Organic chemistry

Learning Outcomes

1-Students should be able to write academically on the modern view of the atom

2-Students should be able to perform different calculations like calculating moles, limiting reagents, concentration, balancing equations, dilutions and titrations.

3-Students will be able to write short laboratory reports following American Chemical Society style.

4-Students will be able to predict the geometry, resonance and Lewis Structures of a variety of compounds.  

Tools:

1-Textbook: Chemistry The Central Science by Lemay and Bursten, 11^th Edition.

2-Notebooks:

a. you will need a notebook to take class notes for.

b.A notebook to rewrite your class notes in.  There is no fancy pedagogical reasoning for this.  Students who go home and review the materials covered in class on the same day are better engaged with the materials and perform better in the course.  Those notebooks will be collected and checked three times during the semester.

c.A homework notebook. Those will be collected and graded based on assignments.

3-Scientific Calculator: this is a must! You cannot do any calculations without it.

Classroom Protocol:

1-Preparation: come prepared. There is no other way, you MUST read for class. You must also practice using the sample problems present within the text.  Chemistry is like any other science, it needs to be practiced and understood not memorized or skimmed through. In my experience, students who read and prepare and follow up on the material are far better engaged with it and end up doing much better in class than students who study the day of the exam.

2-Participation: In a liberal arts college, student centered learning is at the heart of every lecture; therefore, participation is mandatory.  If you do not engage with the class discussion and the problem solving, this will be reflected in your participation grade which forms about 15-20% of your grade.  Come prepared, come ready to participate.

3-Exams: we have three in class exams for this semester, two hour exams and a final.  The exam policy is very clear: you must be present for the exam. You cannot miss the exam. If you come late, you will not be given any extra time.  If you arrive to the exam and one person has already submitted their paper, you will receive an immediate ZERO for that test.  If you need to miss an exam for any reason, I must be notified in writing (not via email); supporting documents must be provided with the letter. All Exams are open book, open notes and open homework.

4-Quizes:  I reserve the right to give or not give quizzes as the semester proceeds.

5-Online Class Policy: When we are unable to meet due to a strike, you will receive the lecture slides for that particular lecture, either orally narrated by me, or with extensive notes or through E-Class.  During the time of the class you will download the presentation and go through the lecture.  A set of exercises will be assigned that you must work through and submit the following day.  Sometimes  I will require that you work online with a partner or two. During those exercises you will use gchat/or email exchange to communicate with each other, and present your chat as proof that you have done the exercise. The materials covered in any e-class will not be revisited in the following lecture, and they will definitely appear in your exams. During class time I will be available to answer any questions via email.

College Wide Policies on Attendance and Academic Integrity:

College Policies to Adhere to:

Absence policy:

According to Al Quds University policy, students with unexcused absences totaling 20% of any course's scheduled hours will not be allowed to attend the final exam (or in the case of classes with papers, to submit the final paper), and will receive a grade of 40% for the semester. For a class or an exam during the semester, it is up to the professor if an absence will be excused. If the absence occurs during a final exam, the excuse will be reviewed by a college committee appointed by the Dean. For an absence to be considered excused it must be accompanied by Al Quds University-approved documentation, which must be submitted within one week of the absence. Any student who misses more than 30% of the course's scheduled hours, even with an acceptable excuse, will be given a "drop” in the system. Please note that AQB students should review and abide by the Al Quds University handbook, which has been circulated to the entire college.

Academic Honesty:

At AQB we are very strict about academic honesty. What that means it that anytime you draw from someone's ideas or cite their actual words, you must give the name of the author and the book in proper citation form. If you are caught claiming someone's work as your own, the following procedures are in place: the first time you will be warned and will fail the assignment, the second time you will fail the course, and the third time you will be permanently expelled from AQB (please see the AQB plagiarism policy for a more detailed explanation).

Grade Breakdown

We may choose to have hour exams instead of a midterm. If we do that than the grade break up will change to give each hour exam 15%  (total 30%), final at 40% and assignment and participation (30%, 15% each).  We will decide based on our progress and how well the class is receiving the information.

A Note on the Lab

While the lab will have a separate grade, the lab grade will form 25% of your lab grade.  We calculate this after we calculate each grade separately.  Your final crite sheet will detail the calculation for each of you.

Lecture Schedule

Final Note: I wish you the best of luck in this course, and I can only hope that my teaching will inspire you to be a more disciplined and excited scientists.  I will do my best to be available to you.  Please remember that I am also human and can be tired at times, so as you would expect me to be kind and understanding, please extend your kindness and understanding.  Let our teacher student interaction be deeply rooted in mutual respect.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Dr. Kafri AbuLaban

Mutual Agreement

Please sign the line below to signify that  you have read and understood fully the terms and components of this course.  You are to provide me a signed copy of your syllabus no later than Wednesday February 6, 2013.

Name: _____________________

Signature: ___________________

Date:________________________