Chem 170 Syllabus
(Spring 2024)
(Spring 2024)
Chem 170 introduces the basic stoichiometric calculations that are important to chemists and biochemists. In completing this course you will master the following learning goals...
make appropriate use of significant figures and use dimensional analysis to convert between different units
express the amount of a substance in grams and moles
determine a molecule's empirical formula
write balanced chemical reactions
use stoichiometry within a chemical reaction
determine a reaction's limiting reagent and its theoretical yield
work with aqueous species using molar and other concentration units
work with gases using the ideal gas law
The text for Chem 170 is a set of eight individual modules, prepared by the department. You can access the modules using the links provided below. A standard periodic table is available using this link. You will need access to a calculator that can handle scientific notation. Because there is no one common set of keys for scientific calculators, it is important that you know how your calculator handles the following: scientific notation, parentheses, percentages, reciprocals, the order of operations, and the storage of intermediate calculations. If you no longer have a manual for your calculator, consider looking online for a copy.
Units, Scientific Notation, Significant Figures, and Dimensional Analysis
Characterizing Molecules Using Mass Percents and Empirical Formulas
Stoichiometric Calculations Using Balanced Chemical Reactions
Including Liquids and Solutions in Stoichiometric Calculations
Each module has the following four items:
a list of objectives to master
a study guide that discusses these objectives
worked examples that illustrate each objective in a step-by-step fashion
practice problems to help you evaluate your understanding of each objective
Begin with Module 1 and carefully read the written material, paying particular attention to the module’s objectives. Study the worked examples with the goal of understanding each step in the provided solutions. Next, work through the practice problems, checking your answers with those provided at the end of the module. When you feel confident in your mastery of the module’s objectives, then you are ready to take the module’s exam.
The term “mastery” in a PSI course deserves additional elaboration. In many course, mastery of the course’s basic content usually equates to a grade of a B. Demonstrating that you can extend your understanding of the course’s basic content by applying it to new areas or to new problems generally leads to a higher grade. In a PSI course, however, the goal is to master a limited number of essential concepts that you are expected to solve routinely, correctly, and with ease. Questions on Chem 170 module exams will never ask you to apply your knowledge to a completely new situation. If you truly master each module's objectives, then you should expect to receive a grade of A on the midterm exam and the final exam.
To demonstrate mastery in a PSI course you must pass an exam at the end of each module before you can move on to the next module. Module exams do not factor into your course grade; thus, there is no penalty for not passing a module exam other than a need for additional study before you retake the exam. You must pass a module’s exam before you can begin work on the next module as each module relies on all modules that precede it.
Each module exam has eight questions that test your understanding of the module’s objectives. You have 60 minutes to complete a module exam, although you should need significantly less time if you are comfortable with the material.
To demonstrate mastery you must answer correctly all problems on the exam. Your exam usually is graded immediately upon completion and the result reviewed with you. If you pass the exam, then you are free to move to the next module. You need to wait at least 24 hours before you can retake any module exam that did not pass successfully. For reasons of confidentiality, module exams are not returned.
It is normal in a PSI course to not pass one or more module exams. Because the goal is to master the material, such that solving stoichiometry problems is routine, there is no penalty for not passing a module exam and not passing a module exam has no effect on your final grade. You should not look at module exams in the same way as exams in other courses. Instead, think of a module exam as as a way to test your understanding of the material. Take advantage of these exams, for if you do well on them, then the midterm exam and the final exam should go smoothly. You may take module exams during our class meetings or at any of the times listed in my office hours. You are allowed one hour for each module exam, so be sure you have enough time to complete your exam.
The midterm exam consists of 16 questions and covers modules 1 – 4. After you complete the fourth module, schedule an appointment for the exam, reserving two hours (although you should need less time). The final exam has 16 problems; it covers all eight modules but is weighted toward modules 5 – 8. After you complete the eighth module, schedule an appointment to take the final exam by its deadline (see Schedule), reserving two hours to complete the exam (again, you should not need the full time). For reasons of confidentiality, midterm exams and final exams cannot be returned.
Your final grade is determined as follows:
midterm exam: 33%
final exam: 67%
Letter grades are assigned using the following scale:
A (≥ 93.0); A- (90.0 – 92.9)
B+ (87.0 – 89.9); B (83.0 – 86.9); B- (80.0 – 82.9)
C+ (77.0 – 79.9); C (73.0 – 76.9); C- (70.0 – 72.9)
D+ (67.0 – 69.9); D (63.0 – 66.9); D- (60.0 – 62.9)
F (< 60.0)
Final averages are not rounded; to earn a grade of B instead of a grade of B-, for example, you need a final average of ≥83.0.
Office hours provide time and space for asking questions about topics we have covered in class or lab, or assignments on which you are working. Feel free to stop by my office (Julian 364) at any of the following times, either individually or with others; no appointment needed!
Mondays from 10:20am to 11:20am, and from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Tuesdays from 9:00am to 11:30am (in Julian 362)
Wednesdays from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm
Thursdays from 1:00pm to 3:30pm (in Julian 362)
Fridays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
If you wish to schedule an appointment at another time, please catch me before or after class or lab, send me an email, or just drop by my office and see if I am free.
I check my email regularly between 8am and 8pm and try to respond each day to all emails received during this time. Be sure to check your email at least once per day as email is my primary means of sharing information with you.
Yes! The Learning Commons (formally the Academic Resource Center), which is located on the first floor of Roy O. West library, offers peer-tutors for Chem 170. You can access a schedule and make appointments using this link: https://depauw.mywconline.com/.
Although you may make frequent use of external resources when completing an assignment, it is important that the work you submit represents your understanding of the assignment. A failure to do so is unethical and a serious breach of academic integrity. Be sure to review DePauw's guidelines for academic integrity, which are included in the Student Handbook; in particular, review the examples of plagiarism. Although often unintentional, plagiarism nevertheless is a serious violation and may result in a significant reduction in your grade for an assignment or for the course. Be sure to consult with me if you are unsure about any issue concerning academic integrity.
It is the policy and practice of DePauw University to provide reasonable accommodations for students with properly documented disabilities. Written notification from Student Accessibility Services is required. If you are eligible to receive an accommodation and would like to request it for this course, please contact Student Accessibility Services. Allow one-weeks advance notice to ensure enough time for reasonable accommodations to be made. Otherwise, it is not guaranteed that the accommodation can be provided on a timely basis. Accommodations are not retroactive. Students who have questions about Student Accessibility Services or who have, or think they may have, a disability (psychiatric, attentional, learning, vision, hearing, physical, medical, etc.) are invited to contact Student Accessibility Services for a confidential discussion. Student Accessibility Services is located in Union Building Suite 208 and can be reached by phone at 765-658-6267. Please feel free to reach out to me privately and confidentially if you have questions about the nature of our course assignments.
DePauw accommodates students who are adherents of a religious tradition and wish to fulfill obligations of that religious tradition on holy days. Students are expected to notify their instructors of their intent to fulfill the obligations of their religious tradition well in advance of these days. For the sake of this policy, “holy days” are defined as periods of time in which either activities required by normal class participation are prohibited by a religious tradition, or a special worship obligation is required by a religious tradition.