CHM 161 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences

Fall Semester, 2013

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00-9:50

Holroyd Hall, 390

Instructor: William A. Price, Ph.D.

Supplemental Instructor (SI): Rob Duffy, senior Biology major (duffyr3@student.lasalle.edu)

Mail: price@lasalle.edu Phone: (215)-951-1261 Office: Holroyd-345

Course Website: http://www.lasalle.edu/~price/CHM161.htm

Required Text:

Nutrition majors: McMurry, J., Castellion, M.E., Ballentine, D.S., Hoeger, C.A., and Peterson, V.E. Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 7th edition, Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2010. Student access kit for "Mastering Chemistry" comes packaged with this edition or can be purchased separately from http://www.masteringchemistry.com. Course ID CHM161PRICE2013

Nursing majors can purchase the one-semester custom edition of this text in bookstore (student access kit for "Mastering Chemistry" comes packaged with this edition). See www.masteringchemistry.com to purchase an access code separately. Course ID: CHM161PRICE2013

Course Description and Objectives: This is a course that will attempt to put chemistry into a health science perspective. The course will begin by introducing the students to the fundamental nature of matter and some foundational aspects of atoms, molecules and the reactions they undergo together with the energy they utilize. Some of the fundamental laws of chemistry and physics will be discussed and elaborated upon as we work through topics such as gases, liquids, solids, solutions, and acids and bases; all of these topics are paramount to the understanding of topics such as varied as dialysis, respiration, drug concentrations and digestion. Following a brief overview of nuclear chemistry as it relates to the health sciences, we may survey some relevant topics in basic organic chemistry. On successful completion of the course the student will be able to demonstrate competency in the course material, as well as the ability to report and analyze laboratory observations.

Although no previous chemistry course is a prerequisite, a basic knowledge of algebra is expected and necessary. In particular, a working knowledge of dimensional analysis or factor labeling as a way of converting units and carrying out chemical calculations will be required. Thus, you will want to have a calculator with basic functions including scientific notation and bring it to class.

Supplimentary Instruction (SI): This course brings together students from a variety of backgrounds and as a chemistry course, is often perceived as a historically difficult course. Therefore Supplemental Instruction (SI) has been attached to it to help you get the most out of your efforts with this course. Robert (Rob) Duffy, a senior biology major, is your Supplemental Instructor. He will attend the class and conduct weekly review sessions for the students in the class. Rob is a pre-medical student, has had 4 courses in chemistry and thus knows the course content very well. He can also share with you successful study techniques for this course. Rob will set up times that will be convenient for most of you for review sessions. Additionally, the review sessions offer you an opportunity to work with other students to share notes and study strategies. Although no new material will be covered at SI sessions, it is possible that alternative approaches to problem-solving will be unveiled during these classes. Attendance at SI sessions is voluntary, but I strongly urge you to attend the review sessions as they are intended for everyone.

Tutoring: Tutoring for various subject areas (70+ courses) is available for La Salle undergraduates. Subject tutors help students identify what as well as how to learn, clarify course content, and help students understand their strengths and weaknesses regarding the subject matter. Students should take advantage of tutoring at the first indication of difficulty in a course or whenever they wish to improve their performance or knowledge in a course, for example, to improve grades or to maintain high grades. Students can make tutoring appointments through GradesFirst located under Tools in the mylasalle portal. For students who have created their own study groups but would like a tutor to assist the group with the material, “facilitated study groups” can be arranged. For more information, contact Kitty Kaar at 215-951-1822 or kaar@lasalle.edu

Chapter Sequence and Schedule: We will cover portions of chapters 1-11 in this course. As we progress through the chapters, parts that are not being covered will be announced. Credit exercises will come in the form of short quizzes (~10-20 pts) and exams (~100 pts). A missed quiz will count as zero unless you have documentation of an illness, funeral or athletic event. Half of the final exam (150 pts) will cover the last two chapters and the rest will be cumulative (cover all chapters). Quizzes will be held on Fridays and Exams on the days noted on the schedule. Put these on your calendar now. There will be abbreviated lectures prior to the quizzes; the quiz will not cover material from those lectures. This schedule is ambitious, tentative, and subject to change. All powerpoint slides are in green your course webpage http://www.lasalle.edu/~price/CHM161.htm

MasteringChemistry: The access code that comes with your text book will allow you to do the homework assignments. By first going to http://www.masteringchemistry.com, then entering the course ID CHM161PRICE2013, you will have access to the homework. Roughly once every four lectures, homework will be posted and the due dates and times will be shown. I can extend homework due dates under unusual circumstances. After the due date, the homework can be accessed but not resubmitted. The first assignment is already posted – entitled Introduction to MasteringChemistry. It is crucial that you do this assignment because it shows you how to enter answers that may have subscripts, supercripts, scientific notation, etc.

Grades: 75% of your course grade will come from your performance in class; 25% of your grade will come from your performance in the laboratory portion of the course. Your laboratory grade will be determined by your laboratory instructor.

The points in lecture will be allocated as follows:

3 hour exams 300 pts

10 quizzes 125 pts

Homework 125 pts

Final exam 150 pts

A range 90-100%; B range 80-90%; C range 70-80%; D range 60-70%; F below 60%

Attendance: You are expected to attend every class. If you are unable to attend, I expect to receive an email before or immediately after the class you missed. If you miss a Friday, you miss a quiz. Attendance will be taken.

This syllabus is a guide and every effort will be made to adhere to the contents. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary to modify the syllabus slightly during the semester depending on the progress made and needs of the students. Any changes will be made with plenty of advanced notice.

McMurry, Ballantine, Hoeger and Peterson

Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry, 7^th edition

(La Salle University custom 2^nd edition)

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Aug. 26

Introduction & CH 1

CH 1

Labor Day

CH 1

CH 2 Quiz 1

CH 2

CH 2 Quiz 2

CH 3

Exam 1

CH 3

CH 4 Quiz 3

CH 4

Oct. 2

CH 4

CH 4 Quiz 4

CH 5

CH 6 Quiz 5

Mid-Semester Break

CH 6

Exam 2

CH 7

CH 7 Quiz 6

CH 7

CH 8

Nov. 1

CH 8 Quiz 7

CH 8

CH 9 Quiz 8

CH 9

Exam 3

CH 10

CH 10 Quiz

CH 10

Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 2

CH 11

Review

DEC. 9-13 FINALS

Important dates:

Mid-term grades due to be posted on October 21

Last day to withdraw with a “W” grade, November 1

Freshmen Spring Semester pre-registration begins November 14

Grades: 75% of your course grade will come from your performance in class; 25% of your grade will come from your performance in the laboratory portion of the course.