General Chemistry I

Bachelors of Science in Life and Health Sciences

CHM 120

BREYER STATE UNIVERSITY

Instructor: Troy Milliken, PhD

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Pre-Med degree at Breyer State University. It is my privilege to be your instructor in the central science of chemistry. I hope to have you in this first general chemistry course all the way through organic chemistry II. There is a distinct advantage in having the same instructor for these four courses: continuity. Chemistry involves the metamorphosis of matter. Matter is simply anything that occupies space. Since matter changes, it is not eternal since change requires a starting point. Matter thus had to be created, as nothing cannot make something. Even that something cannot make itself, because it would have to be before it is. But something must be eternal and nonchanging, or else nothing would be. In fact that something must be self-existent, and hence transcendent to everything else that is. Yet it must be everywhere to keep what is in existence. This being we can call God. The natural order thus argues for the transcendent order. Yet, the transcendent is not divorced from the natural. So we say God is both transcendent and imminent with his creation.

TIME FRAME: This course is a foundational course in the degree program. You will be awarded four credits upon passing. You will have 10 weeks to complete the course. It is a self-paced course, and so will require discipline to get through all the material in a timely manner.

TEXTBOOKS: The textbook for this course is:

"Chemistry:  Matter and Its Changes", 5th Edition, Wiley Plus Set, Authors:  Brady and Senese, ISBN: 978-0-470-12094-1

You may purchase this textbook from the university bookstore.

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TAKING EXAMS: Examinations are taken online via the Breyer State University website. Once you have registered for this program, you will receive instructions on accessing and taking the examinations. There are two (2) examinations for this course. They are 3 hours each. You will only be allowed to use a calculator, a periodic table, and an 8x10 sheet with equations and constants (of your choosing) only.

GETTING STARTED: As soon as you receive your textbook, you may start the class. A good study method is to read the chapter first and take notes (including definitions). Then go back over the chapter and try to rework the problems the author has done in the chapter. You will notice that the assigned problems are for designated parts of the chapter. While focusing in on one part, try the problems associated with that part. Upon completion of the problems, go back over them to make sure you have them mastered. I cannot emphasize the importance of drilling yourself over and over. Keep your answered problems and notes in a ring binder so that you are organized. The material will accumulate quickly. The rigor of the course will pick up as you proceed. Organization is thus vital.

GRADING: You will receive a letter grade based on your final average of your two exams in accordance with the following grade scale:

90-100% = A
80-89%   = B
70-79%   = C
60-69%   = D
59-0%     = Fail

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

1). Perform necessary chemical conversions of units.
2). Have a strong working understanding of the periodic table.
3). Know the chemical symbols of the elements and what their atomic numbers and masses mean.
4). Perform stoichiometry problems.
5). Do dilution problems of acids and bases.
6). Understand the basic chemical reactions that occur in water.
7). Understand the basics of quantum theory, molecular orbital theory, and atomic orbital theory.
8). Write the electron configuration for any atom in the periodic table.
9). Understand the different periodic trends.
10). Understand the properties of gases.

ASSIGNMENTS: Please go to the assignment section of the classroom.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may address them to adm@breyerstate.com. An administrative faculty member will respond to all questions.