Welcome Letter for CRN 50419: CHEM 201B Online (Summer 2020)

Drag to rearrange sections
Rich Text Content

CHEM 201B: General College Chemistry II Online

Asynchronous Class Dates: June 15 -July 24, 2020

Chemistry 201B presents the second semester lecture and laboratory components of a one-year course in the fundamental principles of chemistry.  In this course, you will utilize reaction mechanisms to predict overall reaction rates, calculate the final conditions of systems in equilibrium, and build a better understanding of acid-base reactions, solubility, and thermodynamics.  Additionally, you will be able to employ knowledge of electrochemistry to predict EMF produced by various reactions, calculate decay rates and reactions involving radioactive decay, employ coordination chemistry to predict properties of compounds, and name various organic compounds.  The online laboratory component will introduce techniques and methods used to measure precision and accuracy, standard methods of gravimetric and volumetric analysis, and some computer acquisition and analysis of data.  The laboratory online activities will reinforce important chemical principles presented in the lecture component, and develop problem solving skills via examples of experimentation.  Each student will learn about performing experiments, how to make careful observations, how to collect data, and to formulate conclusions based on results.  Most importantly, this course will provide you with an understanding of the submicroscopic world and how it is essential to everyday life.

This course is designed for students who have been successful in previous chemistry courses and who have basic laboratory skills.  It requires diligent and disciplined study habits, good attendance in the form of regular time devoted to online materials, and a positive attitude.  Students considering majors in the sciences or engineering and transferring to a UC or CSU must complete this course.

NOTE: Chemistry 201B is a 5.0 unit class.  It is a heavy load during an 18 week semester.  It is imperative that students enrolled in CHEM 201B during the 6 week summer session devote nearly all of their time to the course in order to succeed.  Please plan on studying at least 25-35 hours outside of class each week.  Attempting to take courses in addition to CHEM 201B is not advised.

 

Contact Information

Instructor:  Praveen Babu, Ph.D.

Email: pbabu@cuesta.edu

Office/Mailbox: SLO – 6600 D8/6600 B     NCC – N2429

Phone: SLO – (805) 546-3100 x2196            NCC – (805) 591-6200 x4511

 

Class and Electronic Device Requirements

Make sure to address the following question: Is an online class suited for you? 

  • As your instructor, it is my duty to ensure you take the time to go to the Online Readiness Resources page Links to an external site., take the "self assessment survey," and then read "Your Results".  (If that survey does not describe you, then taking this class online is not in your best interest regarding student success and I strongly suggest you enroll in a traditional classroom section.

If you are suited for an online course, you will need the following:

  • You must have constant access to a reliable computer.
  • You must have a reliable Internet connection.
  • You must have access to your my.Cuesta.edu email account (or have successfully set up email forwarding to your third party email provider).
  • You must have access to Cuesta College's Canvas learning management system (LMS).
  • You must have a backup plan in case your internet provider or computer goes down.  For issues related to accessing Cuesta's Canvas Site, email: support@my.cuesta.edu
  • You must understand the basic concepts of email, web navigation and online communication to succeed in this course.
  • Finally, you must obtain access to the following course materials prior to the second day of class.

 

Required Texts and Materials

The following items listed below are the only course-specific materials you will need to succeed in this course.  Retailers may “suggest” or “recommend” additional items (e.g., lab coats, laminated Periodic Tables, study guides, etc.).  Those are not required for this course and you do not need to purchase them.  What you do need is as follows:

Chemistry, A Molecular Approach, Tro, Nivaldo J., 5th Ed.

  • Standard Book ISBN 9780134874371
  • Alternatively, a Cuesta College Edition is also available through the campus bookstore. Either version will work. Purchase which ever is cheapest, but check for discounts when bundled with item 2 below:

 Modified Mastering Chemistry access code for 5th edition

  • Make sure it is a Modified Mastering Chemistry code for the 5th edition of the textbook.
  • Do not buy these used because they are single use codes. Used codes are useless.

Scientific calculator

  • Examples of acceptable models include the Texas Instruments TI-30Xa or TI-30XIIS and the Casio fx-115ES Plus models.
  • Scientific calculators in the $10-$20 range should be fine.
  • You do not need a graphing calculator, but use of a graphing calculator is permitted.

 

Grading Policy

Each student will be graded using examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, class participation and laboratory activity grades weighted as follows: 

.
Type of Assessment Weighted % of Overall Grade
Examinations   35%
Quizzes   20%
Online Homework Assignments 5%
Laboratory Activities 20%
Cumulative Final Examination 20%


Final course grades will be based on a standard percentage scale: A (91-100%), B (81-88%), C (71-78%), D (61-68%), and F (< 60%).  Plus/minus grades will be given for borderline scores within 1%.

Examinations will be administered on the dates indicated on the lecture schedule.  A makeup examination will be given, at the instructor’s discretion, only in an emergency and must be requested within 2 days of the scheduled examination.  A 15% penalty will be deducted from the score on any makeup examination and only one makeup examination per student will be administered per semester.  Only students who have completed all laboratory activity assignments prior to the scheduled exam date are eligible for a makeup examination.  There are no makeup quizzes.  Each student’s lowest quiz grade will be dropped prior to the calculation of their final grade.  There is no makeup for the final examination. The cumulative final examination will be administered on the date scheduled by the College and provided in the lecture schedule at the beginning of the course.

 

Lecture and Laboratory Activity Schedules

***NOTE: Detailed lecture and laboratory activity schedules will be posted prior to the first week of class within the Canvas course site.***

 

Homework (via Modified Mastering Chemistry)

A portion of your overall grade will be the use of an online homework program called Modified Mastering Chemistry. It is important that you enroll in the Modified Mastering Chemistry online course supplement as soon as you are prompted by your instructor.  Your instructor will prompt your enrollment (1) after you are registered in this College course and (2) once the material has been posted for your section.  You must register for the online homework portion of the course through Canvas using the “MyLab and Mastering” link. While in Canvas on your CHEM 201B course home page, mouse to the top left of the screen and click the “MyLab and Mastering” link.  Follow the prompts from there. 

**YOU MUST HAVE ACCESS BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS**

This is especially important during the summer session because an 18 week semester is compressed into a 6 week summer course.  Each day of class during the summer session is actually a week of material during the 18 week Fall or Spring semester!

After you have joined a course you can open any assignment from the Assignments Due Soon area or from the Assignments page.

 

Attendance Policy

  1. Regular participation in an online course is equivalent to regular attendance in a face to face lecture.  It is essential to succeed in this course. Your participation is monitored by your instructor by your posts to discussions; attendance in Zoom office hours, discussions, or problem-solving sessions; and course analytics provided by our Canvas learning management system.
  2. A passing grade when all lab activities are averaged is required to receive a passing grade overall in the course.  One lab will be dropped prior to calculating your course grade at the end of the course.  Students who do not participate in two consecutive labs may be dropped from the course.  Administratively dropped students will still need to officially withdraw from the course.
  3. In the event of an absence, you are responsible for turning in assignments on time, obtaining new assignments, and noting any schedule changes.

 

Dr. Babu's Office Hours

.
Day Time Office Location
Monday 11:00am-12:00pm N/A Online (via Zoom)
Thursday 11:00am-12:00pm N/A Online (via Zoom)

The compacted summer schedule precludes traditional scheduled office hours so it is important to note that I am also available by appointment, email, or via Zoom (teleconferencing).  If you have any questions, just ask!  If you’re having trouble, please see me early and as often as possible until you’re comfortable with the material.  I am here to help, and I sincerely want you to do well.

 

Proper Etiquette During Online Course Participation:

  • Use respectful and professional language in all forum discussions and communications.
  • Show respect for the fact that you and your peers will learn at different rates and in different ways.
  • Please refrain from using common texting language (e.g., LOL, SCNR, FWIW, etc.).
  • Always use proper capitalization and complete sentences.  If you make a typographical error, simply make a correction by following up your post with a one word correction of that error or appropriate punctuation mark.  For example, if you post "I think the answer is calcium sulfate," but made a typographical error because you mean "sulfite," simply post "sulfite" if necessary.  If multiple posts are made by others before you realize your error, let it go.
  • Avoid ALL CAPS as this is only used to convey when one is SCREAMING.
  • You are expected to read all forum posts, and to make at least 7 posts or responses with specific details in the discussion forums this term.  Corrections to typographical errors do not count toward your 7 post minimum.  Try to give guidance rather than provide exact answers.  Assigned posts do not count towards your 7 post minimum.
  • All messages are public, so be professional and courteous when you post.  Once you put something online, it is there forever.
  • Make your posts and replies specific to a particular problem or issue.
  • Coherent thoughts are mandatory for forum posts.  Make sure to read your posts before submitting them because they must make sense to others on the first reading.  This means putting more effort in than a text to a friend.  Take pride when people understand your post immediately, rather than asking follow up clarification questions of you.
  • You must log into Canvas at least once per week.

 

Academic Honesty

Students are responsible for being aware of and complying with the Cuesta College Student Conduct/Academic Honesty Policy.  This policy especially pertains to our laboratory activities as each student is responsible for performing/generating, analyzing, and submitting his/her own data, calculations, conclusions, and assignments.  Students who fail to comply will be dropped from the course or given a failing grade (F).

 

Special Accommodations

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should discuss your specific needs with me privately.  Please contact Disabled Student Services & Programs at (805) 546-3148 (SLO) or (805) 591-6215 on the North County Campus to help coordinate accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

 

Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to accomplish the following:

  1. Evaluate and interpret numerical and chemical scientific information, including the determination of a rate law or equlibrium constant based on experimental data.
  2. Solve mathematical problems in chemistry, including equilibrium calculations, kinetics, electrochemistry, and energetics.
  3. Communicate chemical concepts through the use of molecular formulas, structural formulas, and names of compounds.
  4. Perform laboratory experiments based on qualitative, gravimetric, volumetric, and instrumental analysis techniques and effectively utilize the appropriate experimental apparatus and technology.

 

rich_text    
Drag to rearrange sections
Rich Text Content
rich_text    

Page Comments