Chemistry

Develop Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Progressively apply deductive and inductive reasoning to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning skills throughout the course sequence.

Communicate Scientific Information: Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts and findings through both written and oral formats.

Analyze and Interpret Laboratory Data: Evaluate laboratory data using basic statistical methods, assessing accuracy and precision in results representation.

Master Practical Laboratory Skills and Safety: Demonstrate proficiency in practical laboratory skills, including the safe use of equipment and materials. All students must complete and pass a standardized safety quiz with a minimum score of 80% at the start of each semester.

Chemistry Laboratory Objectives

The four laboratory objectives serve to guide our purpose throughout the semester. Notice that we begin from the development of a safety conscious mindset. In Appendix B we discuss the laboratory notebook. In Appendix C we discuss measurements and statistical data analysis.

Developing a Safety Consciousness Mindset

Chemistry is a laboratory science. As such, laboratory work is a critical component of your chemistry course. Developing an awareness for laboratory safety begins with acquiring knowl- edge in the basic principles and procedures of laboratory safety. This knowledge serves as the foundation from which students will deepen their safety mindset as they progress through the chemistry program. That said, it is understood that for anyone to genuinely be safety conscious and develop a safety ethic, one needs to learn the why behind safety. Internalizing the why, individuals are more likely to identify safety issues and make decisions that reflect their personal safety, values, and knowledge. The American Chemical Society developed the acronym RAMP to facilitate the development of a safety conscious laboratory environment. The acronym is further explained below:

Recognize Hazards

Hazard: A laboratory hazard is any source that has the potential to incur damage or harm to an individual's health.

1. Use labels on bottles and containers to identify the most important hazards of the con- tents. Use Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), which are standardized documents that contain information on the physical properties of each chemical. They also contain the physical and environmental health hazards, recommended protective measures, safety precautions for storing, handling, and transporting said chemical. The SDS also includes information on:
   • Personal Protective Equipment
   • First-Aid Procedures
   • Chemical Spill Clean-Up Procedures
2. Understand the nature of the hazard (i.e. its chemistry). When this is recognized one able to categorize the hazard as either flammable, corrosive, irritant, explosive, or oxidizer.
3. Identify the important physical hazards from equipment, lab conditions and experimen- tal procedures. These can include electrical hazards, mechanical hazards, high or low temperature or pressure systems.

Assess Risk

Risk: Risk refers to the likelihood of harm to an individual or damage a given hazard poses.

1. Asses the risk presented by the most important hazards. To assess the extent of risk by considering how one might be exposed to a given hazard and what would be the result of the exposure.
2. Prior to using equipment. Ensure glassware is not cracked and in good shape and working condition. The same applies to equipment: gas hoses, the power cable for hot plates, the fume hoods etc.
3. Identify the important physical hazards from equipment, lab conditions and experimen- tal procedures. These can include electrical hazards, mechanical hazards, high or low temperature or pressure systems.

Minimize The Hazard

1. Identify safe practices and lab methods to minimize the risk from exposure to chemicals and physical hazards.
2. Be familiar with measures of control including:
   • The proper use of personal protective equipment (gogles, gloves,lab aprons).
   • The proper use of fume hoods.
   • Be familiar with experimental procedures, techniques to be employed as one performs an experiment
3. Know the common methods used to minimize hazards (goggles, gloves, aprons etc.) and the limitations of those protective measures.
4. Be aware that all work in the laboratory poses a risk, that mindful and deliberate planning and preparation are critical to minimize said risk.
5. Know the location of waster containers for discarding chemicals. Know as well the proper use of the waste containers.
6. Instructors will discuss experimental procedures aimed at minimizing risk both in a gen- eral way and with regard to each experiment.

Prepare for Emergencies

1. Be aware of the procedures for handling common emergencies such as chemical spills, small cuts or burns, exposures, and fires.
2. Instructors will discuss emergency procedures with students, both in a general way and with regard to each experiment.
3. Ensure that all safety equipment, such as eyewash,  re extinguishers,  rst aid kit, and safety shower, are readily available and in proper working order.
4. Be aware that all work in the laboratory poses a risk, that mindful and deliberate planning and preparation are critical to minimize said risk.
5. Be aware of the importance of reporting laboratory incidents and the lessons that can be learned from the incidents that do occur.

Chemistry Challenge Exam

The Chemistry Challenge Exam is offered four times each semester for students seeking to bypass the prerequisite course, Chemistry 015, to enroll directly in Chemistry 01A. Below are the steps to reserve your spot for the exam:

1. Obtain a Prerequisite Challenge Form: Before scheduling your exam, you must acquire a Prerequisite Challenge Form initiated by an academic counselor. Contact the Counseling Department at (408) 288-3750 to schedule a counseling appointment or inquire about drop-in dates and times.

2. Reserve Your Exam Spot: Once you have a signed Prerequisite Challenge Form, contact the Science Division Office at (408) 288-3716 or visit Room S-201 in the Science Complex to reserve your seat for the exam.

3. Receive Your Results: Exam results will be emailed to you by the end of the day following the exam. To qualify for enrollment in Chemistry 01A, you must score 70% or higher, which requires answering at least 17 out of 24 questions correctly.

Note: Students are encouraged to collaborate with an academic counselor to plan for the exam during the regular Spring and Fall semesters. The Chemistry Department does not currently offer the Prerequisite Challenge Exam during campus closure periods.

For questions, please contact:

Administrative Assistant for the Dean of Math and Science
Phone: (408) 288-3716
Email: Ricci.Lee@sjcc.edu
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

About The Challenge

Chemistry Challenge Exam Details

Students may attempt the Chemistry Challenge Exam once per semester. The exam consists of 24 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To qualify for enrollment in Chemistry 01A, students must correctly answer at least 17 out of 24 questions, equivalent to a minimum score of 70%.

Exam Content:

The exam covers topics from Chemistry 015. Below is a list of topics organized by chapter, which students can use as a study guide along with the Chemistry 015 student learning outcomes. A Periodic Table of the Elements will be provided on the exam day.

Example Periodic Table:

Exam Day Requirements

On the day of the Chemistry Challenge Exam, be sure to bring the following items:

• Scientific Calculator
• Pencil and Eraser
• Photo Identification

Chemistry 015 Topics Covered in the Exam:

Use the following list of topics from Chemistry 015 to guide your preparation:

• Chapter 1: Matter
• Chapter 2: Atoms, Ions, and the Periodic Table
• Chapter 3: Chemical Compounds and Naming Compounds
• Chapter 4: Chemical Composition
• Chapter 5: Chemical Reactions and Chemical Equations
• Chapter 6: Quantities in Chemical Equations
• Chapter 7: Electronic Structure of the Atom
• Chapter 8: Chemical Bonding: Ionic and Covalent Bonding
• Chapter 9: The Gaseous State
• Chapter 10: The Liquid and Solid States
• Chapter 11: Solutions

Chemistry 015 Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Lab Safety and Data Presentation: Apply lab safety rules to conduct experiments safely and present data using graphs and basic statistics.
2. Elements and Compounds: Differentiate between elements and compounds, understand their properties, and write names and formulas for ionic and covalent compounds.
3. Atomic Structure and Bonding: Describe atomic structure using subatomic particles, interpret nuclear symbols, and predict chemical bonding and molecular polarity using periodic trends.
4. Chemical Stoichiometry: Explain stoichiometry concepts at both macroscopic and particulate levels, solve real-world chemical reaction problems, and predict products of basic chemical reactions.
5. Gas Behavior: Explain gas behavior using macroscopic properties and molecular dynamics, and solve problems using the combined gas law and ideal gas law.
6. Liquids, Solids, and Solutions: Understand the behavior of liquids, solids, and solutions in terms of intermolecular forces and kinetic molecular theory. Solve concentration problems and explain acid-base reactions and conductivity in solutions.