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COURSE DESCRIPTION
Survey of Chemistry is designed for nonchemistry majors to provide a broad background to "The World of Chemistry." The real world of chemistry is vast and complicated, but the activities and assignments in this course help elucidate how every substance, living or inanimate, is chemical in nature.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
On successfully completing the learning activities and assignments in this course, you should be able to:
Define chemistry in terms of the chemical view of matter.
Explain the scientific method and apply it to a simple experiment conducted with household chemicals.
Classify matter as elements, compounds, and mixtures.
Define different forms of energy and explain their relationship to chemical reactions.
List the subatomic particles and their role in the structure of atoms.
Explain the importance and structure of the periodic table.
Name compounds and write their formulas.
Explain how bonds are formed between atoms to produce compounds.
List pollutants found in water, air, and soil, and explain with scientific terminology the dangers of environmental pollutants.
Determine whether a chemical equation is balanced or not.
Explain the importance of dynamic equilibrium in nature.
Describe the properties of acids, bases, and salts and give examples of each.
Define and identify examples of oxidation and reduction reactions.
Differentiate between inorganic and organic chemicals.
Discuss the different forms of renewable and nonrenewable sources of fuel.
Identify different groups of plastics and discuss their practical applications and recycling.
List the major chemical groups that make up living organisms, our food, and medications.
List three different forms of nuclear radiation and discuss their effect on the environment.
Discuss practical applications of chemical reactions in our everyday life.
Name and discuss the contributions of various scientists to the advancement of chemistry.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
You will need the following textbook to complete the work of the course. The textbook is available from the textbook supplier, MBS Direct.
World of Chemistry: Essentials, 4th ed., by Melvin Joesten, Mary E. Castellion, and John L. Hogg (Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2007; ISBN-10: 0-495-01213-0)
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COURSE STRUCTURE
Survey of Chemistry is a three-credit online course built around nineteen chapters in World of Chemistry: Essentials. The course comprises eleven study units grouped into five modules.
Unit assignments include studying one or two chapters in the textbook and checking your understanding of the topics covered by means of tutorial quizzes and chapter self-tests. You are also required to participate in five (5) class discussions, complete six (6) written assignments, and take two (2) examinations—a proctored midterm and an unproctored, online final examination.
For details about the assignments (learning objectives, study assignments, class discussions, and written assignments), go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site. For due dates associated with each assignment activity, see the course Calendar.
A Word about the Course Materials
The textbook provides a wealth of information and learning activities designed to enrich your study of chemistry. The paragraphs that follow introduce you to these materials and suggest ways you might use them to the best possible advantage.
Subdivided into sections, each chapter in the textbook contains the following useful study aids and features:
- Boxes titled "The World of Chemistry" and the "Personal Side": The "World of Chemistry" boxes describe new developments related to chapter topics or focus on science-related societal issues. "The Personal Side" boxes highlight the achievements of important contributors to the science of chemistry.
- Examples with Solutions: Worked examples in the text demonstrate the application of simple concepts in problem solving. Each worked example is accompanied by one or more "Try It" exercises to help you check your understanding of the material. Study each example and solution, and then work through the "Try It" exercise on your own. Check your solutions with the answers in Appendix F.
- Concept Checks: Test your understanding of the material by doing the Concept Checks in each chapter. Answers to these exercises are given in Appendix E. Also, take the self-check, online chapter quizzes given on the textbook's companion Web site: www.brookscole.com/chemistry/joesten4.
- Applying Your Knowledge: At the end of each chapter is a section titled Applying Your Knowledge. Even-numbered questions provide the basis for the written assignments, but you can work similar questions on your own by answering the odd-numbered questions and comparing your solutions with the answers in Appendix G. Since the course does not emphasize mathematical problem solving, you are not responsible for doing the problems at the end of each Applying Your Knowledge section, nor the calculations related to these problems presented in the examples and "Try It" exercises.
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ONLINE DISCUSSIONS
In addition to an ungraded but required class discussion in module 1 titled "Introductions," Survey of Chemistry has five (5) graded online discussion forums. All discussions take place on the class Discussion Board.
The Discussion Board also includes a "Class Lounge," which you can use throughout the semester to converse, post comments, ask questions, and share information about course-related topics and issues.
Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online discussions involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a posted question (discussion thread) and at least two subsequent comments on classmates' responses.
Meaningful participation is relevant to the content, adds value, and advances the discussion. Comments such as "I agree" and "ditto" are not considered value-adding participation. Therefore, when you agree or disagree with a classmate, the reading, or your mentor, state and support your agreement or disagreement. You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.
For additional information on online discussions, see Online Discussions in the Online Student Handbook.
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WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Survey of Chemistry requires you to complete and submit six (6) written assignments to your mentor for grading and correction. See the course Calendar for due dates. The written assignments draw mostly on even-numbered questions from the Applying Your Knowledge section at the end of assigned chapters in the textbook. For each assignment, answer all assigned questions, and show all work. Your answers should be well developed and convey your understanding of the course materials. Responses should be in your own words—do not merely copy answers from the reading materials.
Assignments must be prepared electronically using whatever word processing program you have on your computer. When preparing your answers, please identify each question carefully by number and repeat the question. Include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name and code and the semester and year in which you are enrolled.
Before submitting your first assignment, check with your mentor to determine whether your word processing software is compatible with your mentor's software. If so, you can submit your work as you prepared it. If not, save your assignment as a rich-text format (.rtf) file, using the Save As command of your software program. Rich text retains basic formatting and can be read by any other word processing program.
When satisfied that your assignment represents your best work, submit it to your mentor by means of the
>>View/Complete Assignment
link provided at the bottom of the respective assignment page. Use the Browse button within this link to locate and attach your assignment file. Click  to turn in the assignment.
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EXAMINATIONS
You are required to take two examinations: a proctored midterm examination and an unproctored, online final examination. Consult the course Calendar for the scheduling of these exams.
Midterm Examination
The midterm is a closed-book, proctored exam. It is two hours long and covers all material assigned in modules 1–3 of the course (chapters 1–10 of the textbook). The exam consists of thirty-five (35) multiple-choice questions and three (3) short-answer, essay-type questions.
You may take the examination only during the designated exam week, at an approved location, and with an approved proctor. In this regard, you need to schedule your exam and submit your "Proctor Request Form" with the necessary documentation no later than the end of the first week of the semester (see Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site).
If you are on a course extension and have not yet taken the midterm exam, you must let your examination proctor know when you plan to take the exam and contact the Office of Test Administration (609-984-1181) two weeks in advance to request that your exam be sent to the proctor.
For more information on scheduling a proctored examination, see the section Examinations and Proctors in the Online Student Handbook.
Final Examination
The final is a closed-book, unproctored online exam. It is two hours long and covers all material assigned in modules 4–5 of the course (chapters 11–19 of the textbook). Like the midterm, the final exam consists of thirty-five (35) multiple-choice questions and three (3) short-answer, essay-type questions.
The final exam is taken online in Blackboard. An exam link will be activated and made available to you at the start of final exam week. You may take the exam at any time during that week, but no later than midnight Saturday (eastern time). If you are on a course extension, you will need to arrange with your mentor a time to reschedule the final exam.
Statement about Cheating
The final examination in this course is an unproctored exam. That means you will not be supervised while taking the test. You are on your honor not to cheat during the exam. Cheating means:
- Looking up any answer or part of an answer in an unauthorized textbook or on the Internet, or using any other source to find the answer.
- Copying and pasting or in any way copying responses or parts of responses from any other source into your online test. This includes but is not limited to copying and pasting from other documents or spreadsheets, whether written by yourself or anyone else.
- Plagiarizing answers.
- Asking anyone else to assist you by whatever means available while you take the exam.
- Copying any part of the exam to share with other students.
- Telling your mentor that you need another attempt at the exam because your connection to the Internet was interrupted when that is not true.
If there is evidence that you have cheated or plagiarized in your exam, the exam will be declared invalid, and you will fail the course.
Please also note that the exam is time-limited. That means you only have the allotted time in which to complete the exam. If you exceed the time limit on the exam, you will be penalized by having two points deducted for every minute that you exceed the time limit. This may also result in your failing the course.
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GRADING AND
EVALUATION
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
| Online Discussions (5) |
10 percent |
| Written Assignments (6) |
40 percent |
| Midterm Examination |
30 percent |
| Final Examination |
20 percent |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of D or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings, etc.). You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted.
Letter grades for online participation, written assignments, and examinations are based on the following numerical grades:
| A |
= |
93–100 |
C+ |
= |
78–79 |
| A– |
= |
90–92 |
C |
= |
73–77 |
| B+ |
= |
88–89 |
C– |
= |
70–72 |
| B |
= |
83–87 |
D |
= |
60–69 |
| B– |
= |
80–82 |
F |
= |
Below 60 |
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STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
The study of chemistry is unlike that of many other subjects and requires different approaches and techniques. You have symbols and formulas to memorize, definitions and laws to learn, principles and concepts to understand. Studying chemistry is sequential. Concepts build on previous concepts and must be learned in order. For example, you first have to learn the symbols for elements before you can put them together into formulas. A significant portion of what you learn at the beginning of the course is used repeatedly in the remainder of the course. All this needs time. You can expect to spend 6–8 hours weekly studying chemistry.
Your reward in the end is a course that sheds light on topics critical to daily life: discussions about water treatment, waste disposal, and other environmental issues; choices about your own daily nutrition; the news you watch and listen to each day. Studying chemistry is of great use, and with the correct attitude and approach, you will be very successful in your efforts.
First Steps to Success
To succeed in this course, take the following first
steps:
- Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
- Take the time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams and arrange for proctors, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State College.
- Arrange to take your midterm examination by following the instructions in the Online Student Handbook. Then complete the "Proctor Request Form" and submit it to the Office of Test Administration (OTA). You must make arrangements to take your examination and send in your "Proctor Request Form" to OTA before the end of the first week of the current semester. (See Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site.)
- Familiarize yourself with the Blackboard environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
- If you are not familiar with Web-based learning, or specifically with the Blackboard platform, be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.
Study Tips
Consider the following study tips for success:
- To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the course Calendar. The calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and scheduling and taking examinations. For details on each assignment module and a complete listing of learning activities, go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.
- Start each new chapter by reading the chapter opening questions. These highlight the most important aspects of the chapter topic. Then read the entire chapter for a basic overview. Now you are ready to study the text in depth.
- Proceed section-by-section through the text as follows: Check your understanding by reviewing the key terms listed at the end of the chapter. As you proceed through each section, study the Examples and Solutions, and do the "Try It" exercises and Concept Checks to test your understanding. Answers to the Concept Checks and "Try It" exercises are in Appendixes E and F, respectively. Use the answer keys only as checks, not as learning tools. Some Concept Check questions are multiple choice; answering these questions will help you prepare for similar questions on the midterm and final examinations.
- When you reach the end of the chapter, look over the Applying Your Knowledge questions, and do some of the odd-numbered questions that are most similar to the even-numbered questions assigned in the written assignments. Check your solutions with the answers in Appendix G. Do the associated written assignment questions, and proceed to the next chapter.
- Start reviewing for the exams two weeks before the exam date. Go over the Concept Checks, and take the self-tests here on the course Web site (in Tests & Quizzes) in preparation for the multiple-choice part of your exam. The short-answer, essay-type questions will be similar to the written assignment questions for each chapter. These questions are more open-ended, asking for opinions on environmental and health issues based on what you have learned in the course.
- Check the Announcements page and class Discussion Board regularly for new course information.
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