Student Learning Outcomes for Chemistry 203
At the completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the chemical behavior and reactions of common substances.
- Collect quantitative data and organize it into meaningful charts and graphs.
- Discuss industrial processes for manufacture of major inorganic chemicals.
- Solve kinetic and equilibrium problems.
- Analyze experimental data and draw appropriate conclusions from data and chemistry theories.
- Write a formal laboratory report.
Course Objectives for Chemstiry 203
At the completion of this course, the successful student will be able to do the following:
Redox Reactions
- (R) Determine the oxidation state of each atom in a compound.
- Balance Redox reactions in acidic and basic solutions.
Chemical Kinetics
- Define the two types of rate laws: differential and integrated.
- Distinguish between a first-order reaction and a second-order reaction.
- Give an example of a reaction mechanism.
- Discuss the effect of a catalyst on a chemical reaction.
- State the Arrhenius equation and use it to solve problems.
- Discuss the collision model of chemical reactions and how various factors such as temperature can affect reaction rate.
Chemical Equilibrium
- Define chemical equilibrium.
- Calculate the equilibrium constant from concentration data.
- Define and discuss Le Châtelier's Principle
- Solve a variety of chemical equilibrium problems
Acids and Bases
- State the definition of an Arrhenius acid, a Brønsted-Lowrey acid and a Lewis acid.
- Solve problems using ionization constants, concentrations and pH or pOH for weak acids and weak bases.
- Plot titration curves and label the midpoint, the buffer region and the equivalence point. Identify major species present for any point along the curve.
- Give the conjugate base for any acid or the conjugate acid for any base.
- Use the Ka to determine the strength of an acid or base.
- Calculate pH and pOH.
- Calculate percent dissociation of a weak acid.
- Give examples of household products that are acidic or basic.
- Define polyprotic acid.
- Write chemical reactions for acids and bases.
- Describe the preparation of a buffer.
- Describe the use of acid-base indicators.
- Discuss the common ion effect as it relates to acids and bases in solution.
Solubility
- Use the solubility product to solve for ion concentrations in solution.
- Determine ion concentrations when a common ion is present.
- Describe a classic scheme for qualitative analysis of metal ions.
- Define complex ion
- Discuss the effect of complex ions on solubility.
Free Energy, Entropy and Thermodynamics
- Apply Hess' Law to Thermodynamic Problems
- Apply Gibbs-Helmholtz equation to the solution of problems.
- Discuss spontaneous chemical reactions.
- Discuss entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
- Discuss the effect of temperature on spontaneity of a chemical reaction
- Define free energy.
- Relate free energy and equilibrium.
Electrochemistry
- Draw a galvanic cell.
- Identify the anode and cathode of a galvanic cell.
- Write half reactions for galvanic cells.
- Calculate EMF for galvanic cells.
- Describe the structure and functioning of a lead acid battery.
- Discuss the electrolysis of water.
- Use the Nernst equation.
Coordination Compounds
- Predict the physical properties, geometry and hybridization of coordination compounds.
Nuclear Chemistry
- Describe the structure of the nucleus.
- Define alpha and beta particles and gamma radiation.
- Use isotopic notation to write a nuclear reaction.
- Discuss the kinetics of radioactive decay and the meaning of half-life.
- Discuss the detection of radiation.
- Discuss radioactive dating.
- Give examples of medical applications of nuclear chemistry.
- Differentiate between nuclear fussion and nuclear fission.
- Discuss the health effects of radiation.
- Define rems and rads.
General
- Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook.
- Write professional laboratory reports.
- Discuss applications of these chemistry topics to the world at large.
Teaching and Learning Goals Established by Truman College
Taking a course in Chemistry helps a student achieve all of the following general education goals. How this occurs is explained below.
- Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
- Gather, interpret and analyze data
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically, abstractly and logically
- Work with a variety of technologies
- Exhibit social and ethical responsibility
- Perform productively in the workforce
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently
- Gain awareness of their role in the global community
Students will keep a laboratory notebook and learn to record careful observations, draw appropriate conclusions and reflect on what they have learned.
Students will learn to collect data in the laboratory, create graphs, compare quantitative data and draw conclusions about the data obtained.
The Scientific Method is predicated upon deductive and inductive logical reasoning. Students will study applications of the scientific method to information gathered by the scientific community. Students will read articles about chemical discoveries. Abstract thinking is developed in many ways in chemistry from the use of symbols and models to the use of mathematics to solve a variety of problems.
Students use computers, data acquisition equipment, microscopes, digital imaging devices, media, the Internet, podcasts, digital balances, all in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
This very serious goal is addressed on many levels in the chemistry course, from the discussion of the importance of careful and precise measurements that could affect the life of a patient to the discussion of what happened when the space ship Challenger exploded or a grain elevator explodes - we examine the role of responsible use of chemical knowledge.
Because Chemistry education is comprehensive in utilizing the body (kinesiology), the mind (both spatial and analytical reasoning) and the heart (looking at the connection of chemistry to the world) it is an excellent course to prepare individuals for the workforce.
Students are given independent projects to complete in the course. They are also given questions to research independently. Reporting these results to the class develops their ability to speak confidently to their peers.
By discussing the way that chemistry is connected to other occupations and careers we develop student awareness about their career choice and its dependencies on a basic understanding of chemistry.
General Education Goals Established by Truman College
- GEG1: The student exhibits social and ethical responsibility and is aware of her or his place in the global community.
- GEG2: The student performs effectively in the workplace and has the ability to work and make effective use of a wide variety of current technologies.
- GEG3: The student communicates effectively in both written and oral formats.
- GEG4: The student demonstrates the ability to think critically, abstractly, and logically.
- GEG5: The student gathers, interprets and analyzes data.
Physical Science and Engineering Departmental Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation with an Associate degree from Truman College a student should be able to:
- Organize, analyze and interpret information and use the scientific method to make inferences.
- Exhibit knowledge of scientific concepts through written and oral communication.
- Demonstrate excellent laboratory skills and techniques including the proper use of relevant instruments and related technologies.
- Use the lexicon of science to explain abstract scientific concepts.
- Relate concepts learned in Physical Science and Engineering Department classes to real world situations.