Course specifics

The fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry, including atomic structure, chemical periodicity, ionic and covalent bonding, molecular structure, stoichiometry, inorganic nomenclature, gases liquid and solids.

Students will....

Module 1: Atoms

explain and model the development of current atomic theory.

Module 2: Periodicity

use appropriate models and theories to describe chemical and physical properties and how they relate to the periodicity found in the periodic table.

Module 3: Measurements

use appropriate quantitative processes to represent chemical phenomena.

Module 4: Matter

describe and model the different classifications of matter and their properties.

Module 5: Bonds

predict, explain, and model the energy changes associated with interactions of atoms, molecules, and ions.

Module 6: Reactions

explain and model common chemical reactions.

Module 7: Visualizations

construct representations of chemical species.

There are seven modules in this course, each of which is centered around a Big Idea and is broken down into Core Skills and Extension Skills. Core skills are those critical to a student’s success in chemistry. A student must display a firm grasp of each of the core skills, without which they will not be successful in this or future chemistry courses. Thus, students must display a 95% success rate to show competency in each module’s Core Skills section to pass the course.

Extension skills are skills identified as foundational to the study of chemistry but first require a solid understanding of the Core Skills. They take the Core Skills to the next level by applying them to more advanced learning.

This course is SELF PACED. That means there are no assignment due dates and no mandatory class meetings (though webinars will be held twice a week to discuss material). The course was structured in this manner so that students could take the time necessary to fully understand the material. Thus, the course was developed as an online course because this medium allows the flexibility of timing needed to accommodate different student’s progressions through the material.

Students should take the following steps in proceeding through each module (a visual of this cycle is found above):

1) Watch the preview video for the module

2) Look over the Module Content Map

3) Start with the Core Skills

a) Read the text (you will need to do this more than you usually do as this is an online and self-paced course).

b) Watch the worked problems (these can be thought of as mini lectures).

c) Watch the webinars either in real time so that you can ask questions, or as videos (dates for webinars found below in the “Suggested content progression” section.

d) Work practice problems in Chem101 software program (a video on how to do this can be found in Bb).

e) Evaluate your knowledge by taking Chem101 practice quizzes.

f) Once you’ve identified the holes in your understanding go back to the reading and start again until you feel you understand the content fully.

g) When you’re ready take the Core Skill test (more on this in the “Test” section below).

4) Decide whether you want to start the process again within the same module on the extension skills or move onto the next Module’s Core skill (why you would choose one vs. the other will become clear after you read the “Grading” section of this document).

The only assignments you will complete in this course are the end of module core and extension skills tests. All other practice problems, practice quizzes, etc. are to aide in your learning process but not for credit (though it will be much more difficult to succeed in the course without doing these tasks).

Each module will have two possible tests (core skills test and an extension skills test). To pass a skills test for a module (core or extension) a student must show competency for that skill (competency = 95% on the test). Students are allowed unlimited attempts at these tests, but each attempt will be a new set of questions. These tests are closed notes and closed book. The truth is that because they are timed, you will not have time to be searching your notes or books.

Core skills tests:

The core skills tests will have 20 multiple choice questions completed on Bb in a timed setting (30-35 minutes). Each student will receive an equivalent but different test when they begin. An example test can be found in the Introduction Module on Bb. Feedback will be provided immediately upon completion of the exam.

Extension skills tests:

These tests will be short answer/calculation problems where students will be required to show their work. The tests will be administered and timed through Bb (20-25 minutes). All answers must be completed in the student’s Rocketbook, submitted to the student’s google folder (created and shared by the instructor), and then submitted to the Bb quiz. A detailed video and set of instructions on how to do this can be found on Bb. The instructor will grade these worked problems and return them within 2 business days of the student’s having completed them.

A detailed video of how to complete both types of exams can be found in the Introduction Module on Bb.