CHEM 0100 – N1 CHEMISTRY I

COURSE TITLE: N1 Chemistry I

COURSE CODE: CHEM 0100
COURSE PROVIDER: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology,
The University of the West Indies.
SEMESTER: I
CREDITS: 6
LEVEL: Preliminary
COURSE ENROLLMENT: 300
PREREQUISITES: CSEC (CXC) Chemistry or equivalent
CO-REQUISITE(S): None.

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name of Instructor: TBA
Office: Department of Chemistry
Telephone: 662-2002 Ext. 83570
Email: TBA

STUDY HOURS
This is an approximation of the amount of time per week a student will be expected to invest in CHEM
0100 is:
Classes 7 hours

Lab Session 4 hours

Class preparation (reading and course
5 hours
assignments)
TOTAL 16 hours

COURSE DESCRIPTION

N1 Chemistry I (CHEM 0100) is the first of a 2-course sequence designed to deepen and develop student
understanding of chemistry principles such that the student is able to make a smooth transition from the
study of chemistry at the secondary school level, to the study of University level chemistry. The course is
centred around three main themes i.e. (I) that chemical elements are the fundamental building materials of
matter and that all of matter can be understood in terms of the arrangement of atoms and that these atoms
retain their identity in chemical reactions and (II) chemical and physical properties of materials can be
explained by the structure and arrangement of atoms, ions and molecules and by the forces between them
and (III) changes in matter involve the rearrangement and/or reorganization of atoms and/or the transfer of
electrons. The teaching/learning strategies in use in this course will include in-class teaching, problem-
solving small group activities, and laboratory exercises supported by myeLearning components such as
online-quizzes for student self-assessment, student discussion forums and resources. The course is assessed
by in-course examinations, laboratory activities and a final examination.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

This course provides the necessary foundation for advancement to the introductory level Chemistry courses
of the B.Sc./B.Sc. (General) Chemistry major. The study of chemistry enables students to build an
interpretive and predictive model for understanding the properties of matter in all its forms. This
preliminary Chemistry course is intended to introduce students to the study of chemistry by building
concepts and skills related to investigating the structure and nature of matter, and its potential for change.
The student will learn basic characteristics of matter, fundamental energy concepts, the principles of
chemical nomenclature and stoichiometry, introductory organic chemistry, kinetics and chemical
equilibrium and begin to build a 3-dimensional visualization of the molecular world. Through the laboratory
exercises, students will also develop competence in some of the skills and techniques used by chemists.

GOALS/AIMS

The goals and aims of CHEM 0100 are -

 To reinforce and extend the students’ understanding of fundamental general Chemistry concepts.
 To provide students with the required theoretical and practical foundation to progress to the
introductory Chemistry courses.

CONTENT

Theory:
 Atomic structure and properties
 Stoichiometry
 Energetics
 Types of reactions
 Chemical Kinetics
 Chemical Equilibrium
 Functional group transformations
 Aromatics
 Detection / Identification of Organic compounds

Practical:
 Titrimetric analyses
 Basic chemical synthesis
 Chromatography
 Thermochemistry
 Chemical Kinetics
 Chemical Equilibria

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

The general objectives of CHEM 0100 are for students to have an in depth understanding of some of
fundamental chemical theories namely atomic structure, chemical reactivity and chemical thermodynamics
as well develop competence in some of the basic skills and techniques used by chemists such as titrimetry,
gravimetry, chromatography, and basic chemical synthesis.
LEARNING OUTCOMES

Having completed this course, students should demonstrate in depth understanding of the fundamental
chemical theories whilst also demonstrating competence in the execution of basic skills and techniques
associated with titrimetry, gravimetry, chromatography and basic chemical synthesis.

Upon completion of the theoretical aspect of the course, students will be able to:

 Distinguish among elements, compounds, and mixtures.

 Recall symbols of common elements.
 Recall common metric prefixes.
 Use significant figures, scientific notation, and SI units in calculations.
 Use dimensional analysis in calculations.
 Describe the basic postulates of Dalton’s atomic theory.
 Describe the key experiments that led to the discovery of electrons and to the nuclear model of the
atom.
 Describe the structure of the atom in terms of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
 Describe the electrical charge and relative masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
 Use chemical symbols together with atomic number and mass number to express the subatomic
composition of isotopes.
 Relate atomic weights to the masses of individual atoms and to their natural abundances.
 Describe how molecular formulas and structural formulas are used to represent the compositions
of molecules.
 Identify organic compounds and name simple alkanes and alcohols.
 Balance chemical equations.
 Convert grams to moles and moles to grams using molar masses.
 Convert number of molecules to moles and moles to number of molecules using Avogadro’s
number.
 Calculate amounts, in grams or moles, of reactants and products for a reaction.
 Calculate the percent yield of a reaction.
 Recognize compounds as acids or bases, and as strong, weak, or nonelectrolytes.
 Calculate molarity and use it to convert between moles of a substance in solution and volume of
the solution.
 Carry out a dilution to achieve a desired solution concentration.
 Perform and interpret the results of a titration.
 Distinguish between the system and the surroundings in thermodynamics.
 State the first law of thermodynamics.
 Use Hess’s law to determine enthalpy changes for reactions.
 Use standard enthalpies of formation to calculate for reactions.
 Calculate the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation given its frequency or its frequency given
its wavelength.
 Order the common kinds of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum according to their
wavelengths or energy.
 Explain what photons are and be able to calculate their energies given either their frequency or
wavelength.
 Calculate the wavelength of a moving object.
 Explain how the uncertainty principle limits how precisely we can specify the position and the
momentum of subatomic particles such as electrons.
 Relate the quantum numbers to the number and type of orbitals and recognize the different orbital
shapes of an atom, using the Pauli exclusion principle and Hund’s rule.
 Use the periodic table to write condensed electron configurations and determine the number of
unpaired electrons in an atom.
 Explain the effective nuclear charge, Zeff, and how Zeff depends on nuclear charge and electron
configuration.
 Use the periodic table to predict the trends in atomic radii, ionic radii, ionization energy, and
electron affinity.
 Explain how the radius of an atom changes upon losing electrons to form a cation.
 Write the electron configurations of ions.
 Explain how the ionization energy changes as we remove successive electrons. Recognize the jump
in ionization energy that occurs when the ionization corresponds to removing a core electron.
 Explain lattice energy and arrange compounds in order of increasing lattice energy based on the
charges and sizes of the ions involved.
 Describe the relationship between bond type (single, double, and triple), bond strength (or
enthalpy), and bond length.
 Use bond enthalpies to estimate enthalpy changes for reactions involving gas-phase reactants and
products.
 Identify the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions.
 Determine the rate of a reaction given time and concentration.
 Relate the rate of formation of products and the rate of disappearance of reactants given the
balanced chemical equation for the reaction.
 Explain the form and meaning of a rate law including the ideas of reaction order and rate constant.
 Determine the rate law and rate constant for a reaction from a series of experiments given the
measured rates for various concentrations of reactants.
 Use the integrated form of a rate law to determine the concentration of a reactant at a given time.
 Explain how the activation energy affects a rate and be able to use the Arrhenius equation.
 Explain how a catalyst works.
 Define chemical equilibrium and how it relates to reaction rates
 Write the equilibrium-constant expression for any reaction
 Relate Kcand Kp
 Relate the magnitude of an equilibrium constant to the relative amounts of reactants and products
present in an equilibrium mixture
 Manipulate the equilibrium constant to reflect changes in the chemical equation
 Write the equilibrium-constant expression for a heterogeneous reaction
 Calculate an equilibrium constant from concentration measurements
 Predict the direction of a reaction given the equilibrium constant and the concentrations of reactants
and products
 Calculate equilibrium concentrations given the equilibrium constant and all but one equilibrium
concentration
 Calculate equilibrium concentrations, given the equilibrium constant and the starting
concentrations
 Explain how changing the concentrations, volume, or temperature of a system at equilibrium affects
the equilibrium position
 Distinguish among alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic hydrocarbons.
 Draw hydrocarbon structures based on their names and name hydrocarbons based on their
structures
 Distinguish between addition reactions and substitution reactions.
  Describe the structures of the functional groups: alkene, alkyne, alcohol, carbonyl, ether, aldehyde,
ketone, carboxylic acid, amine, amide.

Upon completion of the practical aspect of the course, students will be able to:
 Carry out volumetric analyses
 Carry out the necessary calculations needed for titrations, volumetric measurements,
standardization procedures, determination of reaction rates
 Discuss the capabilities and applications of analytical balances and other weighing apparatus
 Perform syntheses of selected organic compounds i.e. esters and polymers
 Utilize appropriate chromatographic methods to purify products of organic synthesis procedures
 Identify and characterise the functional groups present in simple organic molecules using solubility
tests and qualitative analysis
 Utilize proper graphing techniques for construction of calibration curves

TEACHING STRATEGIES

A combination of teaching strategies will be adopted in CHEM 0100.The primary strategy will be based on
the face to face in-class direct instruction. Most often material will be presented using multimedia
presentations. Group learning will be facilitated with the use of in-class, problem-solving sessions. In these
sessions, students will be placed into groups of 4-5 and allowed to work together to solve problems on the
course material. Analysis of student solutions will then be done through informal student presentation of
their solutions. MyELearning will be utilized throughout the course as a means to provide access to class
materials, student-lecturer communications and the dissemination of coursework feedback, be it formative
or summative.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

NOTE TO BANNER: The Coursework breakdown is NOT to be entered, only the overall split

(60% Final Exam; 40 % Coursework)

Component Description % Final Grade
Final exam 3-hour written exam. 60
Theory course work In course test(s) 20 (2 x 10)
Practical Exercises Laboratory exercises with written reports. 20

EVALUATION

CHEM 0100 will be evaluated in a number of ways – through the offices of the Class Representative and
the Chemistry Liaison Committee and two end of semester surveys. The students in the course will appoint
a Class Representative, whose role is to act as a mediator between the chemistry academic staff and the
students. The Class Representative will attend Liaison Committee meetings twice a semester, where he/she
will present feedback on the course to the Department for action. The UWI performs a course evaluation
survey at the end of every semester, and this information will also be used to assess the manner in which
CHEM 0100 was run over the semester. In addition to the UWI course evaluation, the course instructor
will implement an online course evaluation system to collect students’ feedback about the course and the
instructor’s method of delivery. The questions on this system will be carefully crafted to collect information
about the quality of the instructor and the course content. The responses will be used to identify where
improvements can be made.

RECOMMENDED TEXT: (Optional)

Chemistry the Central Science by Brown, Lemay and Burnsten, 13th Edition, Pearson Publishers.

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR

Week Topics

1 Moles and Stoichiometry

2 Atomic Structure and Properties
Introduction, Atomic Structure and Properties
3 Atomic Structure and Properties
Atomic Structure and Properties
4 Energetics
5 Functional group transformations
6 In-course Examination 1; Review
7 Functional group transformations
8 Aromatics
Aromatic Chemistry
9 Aromatics
Detection / Identification of Organic Compounds
10 Chemical Kinetics
11 In-course Examination 2; Review
12 Chemical Kinetics
13 Chemical Equilibria

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected of all students; any student missing more than 25% of
lectures and/or tutorials may be debarred from the final examination. Absence from any course activity
due to illness must be supported by a valid medical report. The original medical certificate bearing the
official stamp of the medical practitioner must be submitted to the UWI Health Services Unit as soon
as you return to campus. Do not give a medical certificate to a lecturer, Teaching Assistant or office staff.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information on the administrative details surrounding the Chemistry major and other
departmental requirements can be found in the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Handbook.

HOW TO APPROACH THIS COURSE

Consider the following as you prepare to start the semester. Some of the following tips are extracted and/or
modified from the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Handbook.
Have the Right Attitude. So what is the right attitude? A willingness to work hard. A willingness to
LEARN, not just to remember. Learning implies a fundamental understanding of the concept. To do this
you will need humility, openness, honesty and fearlessness (you have to be unafraid to ask and answer
questions). A willingness to adapt – to make changes in your study patterns, approaches to the course, etc.
as needed.
Organization. Let every day count towards advancing your knowledge and understanding of chemistry in
some way. Ask and answer honestly – What have I done today?
Don’t Take the Course for Granted. You have been studying chemistry for a long time now. However,
no matter how familiar some of the terms and concepts in the outline may look, a completely different depth
of and approach to the course material is what you will find here. Be open to new approaches, information
and challenges, even from “old hat” topics you have come across before.
The Exam Room is the Wrong Place to Find Out What You Don’t Know. Recognize the early warning
signs of a lack of understanding and take steps to correct them. So how do you recognize the early warning
signs? A lecturer is speaking in the class and you know you have no idea what they are saying. You try a
tutorial question and don’t even know where to begin. You try to read the assigned reading and it seems to
be written in Greek. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you have experienced the early warning signs.
So what can you do about it?
Confront the module/course section early on. Read and re-read the course handouts, assigned readings and
your notes. Test your understanding of the concepts by doing problems in texts, tutorials and past paper
questions. Identify areas of deficiency – is there any previous topic that you need to refresh in order to
understand current material? Read and re-read the course handouts, assigned readings and your notes
AGAIN. Re-test yourself after you read and read. Finally, if you have questions that persist, consult
lecturers and teaching assistants to resolve those nagging questions.

(A note on past papers – do not attempt to study to the paper. Study first, then use the paper to see if you
understand the material, then return to your studying to reinforce weak areas. A common approach is to do
the paper first, then study only what you need to know to answer the questions in the paper. This will only
train you to answer those particular questions; and since lecturers work hard to produce different questions
every time, you will be at a loss in the next exam!)

Attend Lectures and Tutorials. Lectures are your guide to the course material. They give you insight
into the particular emphases of each lecturer. They cannot give all knowledge or answer all the questions
– that is why you have to READ.

Tutorials are very important. A lecture will have almost 400 people in the room; the lecturer cannot attend
to your individual problems. Your tutor can. When you work through a tutorial sheet, you confront the
material personally. This personal interaction is important – you will either confirm your understanding,
or recognize weak areas that you can ask about in the tutorial. Do not go to the tutorial just to take notes,
or get the answers. Be prepared to discuss the questions – research has shown that material that you discuss
stays with you longer. So discuss.
GRADING SYSTEM

The grading system for this course follows that of the University of the West Indies. It is outlined in the
table below.

Grade Marks GP
A+ 90-100 4.3
A 80 – 89 4.0
A- 75 – 79 3.7
B+ 70 – 74 3.3
B 65 – 69 3.0
B- 60 – 64 2.7
C+ 55 -59 2.3
C 50 -54 2.0
F1 45 – 49 1.7
F2 40 – 44 1.3
F3 0-39 0.0