COURSE TEACHER
Title: General Chemistry Name: Eric Anctil
Number: 202-NYA-05 Office number: 342
Credits: 2 2/3 Office telephone number: 504
Weighting: 3-2-3 E-mail address: eanctil@slc.qc.ca
Prerequisite: Secondary V Chemistry
MINISTERIAL COMPETENCY
This course completely fulfills objective OOUL (refer to the St. Lawrence website under
Academics and Programs). Specific details of the elements of this objective are given below in
the Outline of Course Topics.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
This course forms the basis for all further studies in chemistry. It emphasizes the structure of
matter as the foundation for understanding physical and chemical properties and
transformations. The topics covered include atomic and electronic structure, the periodic table,
nomenclature, writing and balancing equations, stoichiometry, ionic and covalent bonding,
molecular geometry, intermolecular forces, Kinetic-Molecular theory, gas-laws, the liquid states
and changes of phase.
TEXTBOOK
Kotz, John C., Treichel, Paul M., Townsend, John R.; Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, 2010,
8th edition, Thomson/Brooks/Cole or 2009, 7th edition.
In the event that a formal essay assignment is given, please refer to:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu for proper formatting.
LEARNING METHOD/COMMENTS
Before each new topic is discussed in class, it is expected that the student will have read the
assigned material in the text, studied the example problems and have worked the in-chapter
exercises (Answers to these are found at the end of the textbook, pp. A.40 A.50). In class, the
major points will be discussed, sample problems worked and questions answered. Certain
problems found at the end of the chapters will be assigned as homework and will be corrected
in class. It is imperative that you do the in-chapter study problems and homework problems
assigned; this is the most important thing that you can do to assure your success in the course
and it cannot be stressed enough. If you fall behind, it will be difficult to catch up.
The library has many chemistry texts in which you can find more practice problems. Choose a
book that has a study guide with the answers so that you will be able to check your work. Also,
there are several sites on the Internet that have tutorials and quizzes on the topics that we are
covering.
EVALUATION
Formative evaluation (See the IPESA, section 2.1) takes place throughout the semester. It will
consist of the in-chapter exercises (self-corrected) using the answers found at the end of the
textbook as well as the assigned problems from each chapter that are corrected during class.
Additional practice problem sheets will be provided for certain sections and will also be self-
corrected. Class participation is encouraged but is not evaluated in a formal way.
Summative evaluation (See the IPESA, section 2.1) will consist of 20-minute quizzes (worth 10
marks each) and section/topic tests (worth 100 marks each). A tentative schedule is provided
at the end of this course outline for the dates of the quizzes and the three (3) section/topic
tests during the semester. For any essay-type assignments, 10% of the grade will be awarded
for the quality of written English. Three marks will be provided to the College for this course
during the semester. They are the mid-term grade (calculated from the marks of the tests,
quizzes and lab grades that are completed by the 8th week of the semester and worth 20% of
the final course mark), the final course grade and the final lab mark (calculated as described
below). The final evaluation consists of the final exam and semester test #3, for a value of 40%
of the course grade (IPESA section 2.9). The passing mark in this course is 60%. Students
repeating the course and having previously passed the lab will be evaluated the same way, but
will be exempt from the lab component.
At CEGEP Champlain - St. Lawrence, the maximum number of absences in a course is 10%.
Since General Chemistry is a 75 hour course (45 hours of class and 30 hours of lab), missing 4
classes is the limit allowed for unexcused absences in that portion of the course. Students
whose absences exceed this limit may be prohibited from attending further classes or labs, or
writing the final exam. The final grade for the course when such a decision is taken will be the
grade earned to-date (See the IPESA sections 5.2.2 and 5.2.3.).
Missed quizzes and tests cannot normally be made up. If you miss a quiz or test and you have
an official excuse from the College, your final mark will be calculated using your other marks. If
you miss a quiz or a test and you do not have an official excuse from the College you will
receive a zero for that mark. Also, the final exam must be written at the time scheduled. No
special exams or times will be arranged except in exceptional circumstances and with the
express written permission of the Dean.
Students will not be permitted to enter an examination room with any electronic device not
expressly specified on the exam instructions. This includes, but is not limited to cell phones,
MP3 players and iPods. Students found using any such device will be expelled from the exam
room and the exam given an automatic zero. In addition, for the final exam in this course,
students will not be permitted to enter the exam room with anything other than a calculator,
pencils and other writing implements. No back-packs, pencil cases or any written materials such
as books or notes will be allowed, even if they are left at the front of the exam room.
Tentative Class Schedule Fall 2014