This course is a survey of general chemistry that covers a wide array of topics with focus on applications in everyday life. Specific topics include atomic structure, bonding theory, stoichiometry, properties of solids, liquids and gases, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and kinetics.
- Identify steps in the scientific method and apply them in a laboratory setting.
- Apply concepts of measurement and significant figures to laboratory practices and
- chemical problems.
- Correlate position on the periodic table to properties of elements and bonding.
- Calculate amounts of chemical species using information from chemical formulas and chemical equations.
- Correlate information from balanced chemical equations to the microscopic scale.
- Explain atomic structure using the quantum mechanical model of the atom.
- Explain periodic trends using theories of electronic structure.
- Correlate molecular structure to molecular properties and reactivity.
- Interpret thermochemical equations and data and evaluate energies of systems.
- Summarize the behaviors of gases and explain them using the kinetic-molecular theory.
- Correlate the molecular level process that occur during heating, cooling, and phase changes to the amount of energy removed or added to a system during each process.
- Interpret equilibrium data regarding gaseous and aqueous reactions.
- Compare/contrast the concepts of the three theories of acids and bases and apply them to inorganic and biological systems.
- Integrate the concepts of equilibrium, Gibbs free energy, and cell potential
- Use reaction mechanisms to infer the kinetics of a chemical reaction.
- Compare/contrast the relationships between rate and concentration, concentration and time, and rate and time. Apply these principles to kinetic data.
Textbook
- Interactive General Chemistry by Macmillan Learning. This is an interactive e-book included with access to the online homework platform Macmillan Achieve (see below). Purchase access to the textbook and Achieve using the Macmillan Learning link on the lecture Canvas site.
Additional Materials
- Laboratory notebook (any full-size notebook is fine)
- Microsoft Office suite. You will need access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for this course. All can be downloaded free of charge for GT students through OIT.
- Access to Canvas, are required. If you experience connectivity issues, then please contact Dr. Le for assistance.
Exam 1 10% or 100 points
Exam 2 10% or 100 points
Exam 3 10% or 100 points
Final Exam 22% or 220 points
Daily work1 25.5% or 255 points
Laboratory2 22.5% or 225 points
Total 100% or 1000 points
- Daily work consists of online homework, group problem-solving in class, reflective surveys, and other assignments.
- Students earning below 60% in the laboratory component OR below 60% in the lecture component of the course (exams 1-3, final exam, and daily work) of the course will receive an F for the semester and will be required to repeat both the lecture and the laboratory component, regardless of their final total points. Note that there is a separate laboratory syllabus.
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade according to the following scale:
A 90.0 – 100% 900—1000 points
B 80.0 – 89.9% 800—900 points
C 70.0 – 79.9% 700—800 points
D 60.0 – 69.9% 600—700 points
F Less than 60.0% less than 600 points
OR Less than a 60% in laboratory or less than 60% of lecture components (less than 480 points of 800 points)
To encourage mastery of concepts and skills the course will not be curved.
Comprehensive guidelines regarding class attendance and excused absences can be found in the Georgia Tech catalog. Please read through the policies in their entirety.
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/4/
http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/student-absence-regulations/
Georgia Tech aims to cultivate a community based on trust, academic integrity, and honor. Students are expected to act according to the highest ethical standards. For information on Georgia Tech's Academic Honor Code, please visit: http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/honor-code/ or http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/18/. Any student suspected of cheating or plagiarizing on a quiz, exam, or assignment will be reported to the Office of Student Integrity, who will investigate the incident and identify the appropriate penalty for violations. During anytime throughout the semester you have question involving the Academic Honor Code, please contact your instructor or a first-year program faculty member.
Collaboration & Group Work
You are encouraged to work with classmates on in-class problem solving and to study with others outside of class. Collaboration on homework assignments is acceptable, and you should keep in mind that the effort you put into these assignments will be reflected in what you gain from them. Discussion of the material in laboratory assignments is appropriate; however, all work submitted in reports must be prepared independently.
STUDENT-FACULTY EXPECTATIONS AGREEMENT
At Georgia Tech we believe that it is important to strive for an atmosphere of mutual respect, acknowledgement, and responsibility between faculty members and the student body. See http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/rules/22/ for an articulation of some basic expectation that you can have of me and that I have of you. In the end, simple respect for knowledge, hard work, and cordial interactions will help build the environment we seek. Therefore, we encourage you to remain committed to the ideals of Georgia Tech while in this class.
We expect students to arrive prepared for class, to participate in class activities and discussions, and to utilize office hours for additional help when needed.
In return, students should expect instructors to arrive prepared for class, to engage them in activities and discussions that further their understanding of course material, and to be available during office hours.
Students should expect to spend 6-9 hours per week outside of the classroom and laboratory to excel in this course. This includes time spent reading the textbook, watching videos as assigned, working problems, and writing laboratory reports. Students are encouraged to develop a pattern of preparing for class, attending class, and then reviewing after each class period.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the STEM area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I ask scientific questions or use data, mathematics, or technology to understand the universe?