General Chemistry I
CHEM 111-01 Spring 2025
MWF 12:15-1:20 pm OWS 150
Instructor: Dr. Lisa Prevette Phone: (651) 962-5672
Office: OWS 455 Email: [Link]@[Link]
Office hours: T 10:00 – 11:30 am, W 1:30-3:00 pm or by appointment.
Required Materials
Text: Chemistry: The Science in Context, 6th Ed. Gilbert, Kirss, Bretz, Foster.
Norton & Co. 2020
Online Homework: SmartWork5 (Norton & Co.)
The courseware is included in your ebook purchase through Digital
Direct.
Lab Notebook: Any composition notebook
Safety Goggles: You must have a pair of goggles (NOT safety glasses) for lab each week.
You may purchase a pair from the UST bookstore or bring one from a
previous course, as long as they meet the safety requirements. We will
cover these requirements the first day of lab.
Scientific Calculator: Does not need to be a graphing calculator; however, your calculator must
be able to process exponents.
Course Outline
Chemistry is the study of atoms and molecules, the changes they undergo and the energy associated
with those changes. It is useful for understanding the physical world and how it works. For
example, you will have to make choices in your life regarding pollution, what to eat, what drugs to
take and alternative fuel sources. Knowledge of chemistry can make these decisions more informed.
Chemistry is also a crucial foundation for other science courses, such as Organic Chemistry,
Biology, Biochemistry, Modern Physics, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Environmental Science,
Geology, Cancer Biology – the list goes on and on – and integral to preparation for graduate school
in the sciences, health professions and research careers.
The purpose of this course is to develop your understanding of the basic concepts within the field of
chemistry. You should expect to gain a practical and theoretical understanding of chemistry in
lecture, as well as an introduction to measurement, solution preparation and chemical reactions in
lab. We will apply chemistry to issues related to medicine, smart materials, alternative fuels and
sustainability.
With these goals in mind, the course is divided into four units, each of which will be accompanied
by an examination (general schedule subject to change):
1. Measurement and Composition: Chapters 1-3.
2. Reactions and Energy: Chapters 4-6.
3. Atoms and Bonding: Chapters 7-8.
4. Molecular Structure and Intermolecular Forces: Chapters 9-10.
Keep in mind that this course is first in a two-course sequence of General Chemistry. Most of you
will continue on to CHEM 112 after successful completion of CHEM 111.
Course Objectives
1. Gaining a basic understanding of the subject (e.g., factual knowledge, methods, principles,
generalizations, theories). You will become familiar with properties of matter, atomic structure,
chemical formulas and naming, stoichiometry, writing and balancing chemical equations,
thermochemistry, trends of the periodic table, chemical bonding, molecular shapes and
intermolecular forces. You will integrate fundamental chemical concepts into the theories that
explain the properties and behavior of matter, such as how characteristics of the atom lead to
chemical reactivity.
2. Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions). You
will learn how to use chemical principles to solve new problems, such as preparing solutions and
predicting properties. Increasing your overall chemical literacy will make you more comfortable
when working on a new project or in a different field.
3. Learning appropriate methods for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical information.
You will learn new data collection techniques in lab and how different chemical models are used to
fit data and extrapolate parameters. You will also discover sources of error and how uncertainty
plays a role in data reporting.
Lecture Schedule
The following schedule is a rough guideline for the general pace of the course, with chapter
numbers listed per class meeting. Exams dates are finalized, but the rest of the schedule is subject to
change (depending on our pace).
Week # Date Monday Wednesday Friday
1 2/3 Intro, 1 1 2
2 2/10 2 2 3
3 2/17 3 3 3
4 2/24 Exam 1 4 4
5 3/3 4 4 5
6 3/10 5 5 6
7 3/17 6 6 Exam 2
----------------------------------------------Midterm Break---------------------------------------
8 3/31 7 7 7
9 4/7 7 8 8
10 4/14 8 8 no class
11 4/21 no class Exam 3 9
12 4/28 9 9 9
13 5/5 10 10 10
14 5/12 10 Exam 4 Review
Comprehensive Final Exam: Friday, May 23, 8:00 AM
Lab
Note that all lab handouts, videos and pre-lab quizzes will be available on Canvas one week prior to
the scheduled laboratory period. Students are expected to download and read/watch the assigned
materials, as well as complete the pre-lab assignment and Canvas quiz, prior to arriving to lab. In
order to pass CHEM 111, you need to achieve a passing grade (at least D-) in the lab as well as
separately in the lecture. If you miss more than two labs you will not pass the lab component
of CHEM 111, and you will therefore fail CHEM 111.
Monday 1:35-5:35 pm Dr. Lisa Prevette Email: [Link]@[Link]
Tuesday 1:30-5:30 pm
Tuesday 7:30-11:30 am Dr. Frank Amore Email: amor3362@[Link]
Summary of Lab Expectations
1. Attend. If you miss a lab, you CANNOT MAKE IT UP because our labs are used all the
time and extra labs cannot be scheduled. This includes “excused” absences for
university-sponsored events. The only exception to this is the case of a same-week lab
substitution that may only be done if permission is granted in advance.
2. Be prepared. Download and read the whole handout, watch any pre-lab video, walk
through pre-lab tutorials, then finish the pre-lab Canvas quiz before arriving to lab. Late
pre-labs will NOT be accepted, and you may be ejected from lab if you are unprepared
for the experiment.
3. All laboratory experiments must be completed and recorded in a bound composition
notebook, even if you are working with a partner.
4. All work is due at the beginning of the lab period one week following conclusion of the
experiment. Late lab reports are subject to a deduction of 10% of the maximum points
per day.
5. Failure to dress properly (long pants, closed toe shoes, safety goggles) will result in
removal from lab until appropriate attire has been obtained.
Lab Schedule
Week of Experiment
2/3 ----------------------------No lab --------------------------------------------------------
2/10 1. Expectations, Safety Training, Taking Measurements
2/17 2. Fitting Data
2/24 3. Analyzing Carbon Dioxide Levels
3/3 4. Preparing Solutions
3/10 5. Making Observations and Separating Products
3/17 6. Determining Concentrations
3/24 ---------------------------Midterm Break------------------------------------------------
3/31 7. Using Light
4/7 8. Performing Chemical Reactions
4/14 9. Project Planning Day
4/21 ---------------------------Easter Break---------------------------------------------------
4/28 10. Project 1
5/5 11. Project 2
5/12 Check-out and Student Evaluations
Grading
Your grade will be determined by your performance on a series of exams, quizzes, homework
assignments, laboratory work and one presentation. Make-up exams will not be given! You have
the dates now, so mark your calendars. If you must miss an exam due to a University-sponsored
event, you are required to notify me at least one week prior to the scheduled test date.
Here are the primary means of evaluating your knowledge of the material presented in this course:
Exams: Four exams (worth 70-100 points each) will be given during our regular lecture period on
the following dates: Monday, February 24
Friday, March 21
Wednesday, April 23
Wednesday, May 14
A comprehensive final is scheduled for Friday, May 23 at 8:00 am.
Quizzes: Quizzes, worth ~10 points each, will be scheduled regularly. Completing the homework
sets and actively participating in lecture will prepare you well.
Homework: Online Smartwork problem sets will be assigned for each chapter. Due dates are posted
in Smartwork and on Canvas.
Laboratory: Lab meets once per week. Successful completion of the course requires successful
completion of the lab component. The handout for each experiment will be posted to Canvas at least
one week in advance of its scheduled date. There is a pre-lab assignment for each experiment,
including but not limited to reading the handout in its entirety, watching a pre-lab video and taking
a brief Canvas quiz covering procedural and conceptual points of importance. The week following
the lab period, a full lab report and Canvas post-lab quiz, addressing the results and their
interpretation, is due. Due to room capacity restrictions, you cannot attend a different lab section or
make up a missed lab. The circumstances leading to excused absences will be evaluated on a case-
by-case basis.
Quizzes, Homework, Participation: 300 pts
Four unit exams: 350 pts
Final exam: 150 pts
Laboratory: 200 pts
Total: 1000 pts
Approximate Grading Policy (subject to change slightly) + and – will be assigned within these
ranges, based on natural cut-offs:
90-100 %: A 79-89 %: B 65-78 %: C 55-64 %: D < 55 %: F
**Note that the chemistry department expects a grade of C- or better in CHEM 111 as a pre-
requisite for CHEM 112.
Guidelines for Success
Lecture Attendance and Preparation: At minimum, plan to attend all lectures, read the chapters and
complete the homework problems. Keep in mind that minimal effort usually results in minimal
grades! You will enhance your understanding of the lectures by reading the assigned material before
attending class.
Homework: Recommended problems from each chapter will be assigned online via Smartwork.
Success in this course will be closely tied to working the problems. Feel free to work with others,
bearing in mind that most students gain maximal returns on their study efforts if they first attempt to
work individually. It is also best to work problems without the aid of your
textbook/notes/Smartwork hints to be sure you are prepared for the quizzes and exams. You must
PRACTICE PROBLEM SOLVING, as this is a critical skill towards your success in this course
and science, in general. Understand HOW you arrived at an answer to cultivate critical thinking and
analytical reasoning skills. I will encourage you to think your way through problems, and NOT
simply memorize solutions.
The Magic Formula: Carefully read the text before class + attend lecture and take careful notes +
skim the text again now that you have heard another perspective + work the homework problems
related to what was presented in lecture that day + work the problems again by yourself before a
quiz or exam to know you are ready. Decide if working individually or as part of a group is best for
you.
HINT: DO NOT GET BEHIND. This is a very valuable rule to live by in any
science
course. Students who have let themselves get behind in the past have found it very
difficult to catch up. I recommend 2-3 hours of study outside class for every
hour in class! It is better to study chemistry frequently for short periods versus just
once a week for a longer period.
Office hours: If you have questions or concerns about the course material or your performance in
the class, come to office hours! I will meet in person or virtually. I have set aside time to talk to
you, and welcome your questions. If the established hours conflict with your schedule, contact me
to make an appointment.
Tutoring Help: We have a fantastic group of helpful and knowledgeable tutors who are available
from 6-9 p. m. on Sunday-Thursday evenings. You can find them in OWS 467. You do not need to
spend the entire 3 hours there—arrive when you like, stay as long as you like, and leave when you
want. (Private tutors are not supplied by the Chemistry Department.)
Study Group: You have the option to participate in a Study Group with other students from our
class. The group will consist of ~12 students who choose to commit to meeting once a week for
about two hours, during which time participants will work with each other to reinforce course
material. Peers who have successfully completed CHEM 111 lead these communities; peer leaders
are facilitators, NOT tutors. If you choose to participate in a Study Group, you are expected to
attend all group meetings. More than two unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the
group.
Cell Phone Policy
Please switch your cell phone OFF completely when in class or lab. This is a time for concentration.
I do NOT allow the use of cell phones during exams. You MUST bring a separate calculator.
Laptop Policy
You may use a laptop for taking notes during lecture, but do NOT use if for any other purpose
during the class period. It is very distracting to you and distracts others around you from learning.
Important Dates
There is a strict schedule involving course registration. The last day to drop a course without a
notation on your record is Feb. 14. The last day to withdraw from a course without an F is Apr. 17.
For more dates and information regarding associated financial aid policies, please visit
[Link]
Disability Accommodations
Classroom accommodations will be provided for qualified students with documented disabilities.
Students are invited to contact the Disability Resources office about accommodations for this
course. Telephone appointments are available to students as needed. Appointments can be made by
calling 651-962-6315 or 800-328-6819, extension 6315. You may also make an appointment in
person in Murray Herrick 110. For further information, you can locate the Disability Resources
office on the web at [Link]
Academic Integrity
Strict adherence to UST’s academic integrity policy is expected of all students. Remember that any
possible violations are subject to further investigation and may result in a failing course grade as
well as suspension from the university, in the case of repeated offense. You may review the
standing policy at:
[Link]/policies/student_policy_book/Academic_Integrity_Policy.asp
Our Inclusive Classroom
Partially adapted from Prof. Jennifer Trost, DFC:
I believe that student success is correlated to a sense of belonging within a course. Every student
must feel welcome in our classroom, so I ask that we all help foster an inclusive and respectful
environment. It’s important that we help each other in this course – for me, this means designing an
equitable and respectful learning experience for all students, being responsive to questions, and
being open to student feedback. For you, it means working together respectfully, valuing others’
views and experiences, and opening yourself to new collaborations. The goal of this class is for us
all to succeed, so please share your knowledge, ask for help, and above all, be kind to one
another. If at any point throughout the semester, you feel our sense of community and inclusivity
within the classroom requires improvement, please contact me so that we can discuss opportunities
for change and creation of a better learning space for all.