General Chemistry I CHM 2045 (Lopez, Fall 2020)

The instructor reserves the right to make changes or corrections to this syllabus at any time.
Students will be notified when any changes are made via an announcement on canvas.

Course Overview
DESCRIPTION: CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L constitute the first semester of the two term sequence of
General Chemistry, CHM 2045/2045L - 2046/2046L. Prerequisite information and credit suitability can be
found in the Undergraduate Catalog. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments,
and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/attendance-policies/

COURSE OBJECTIVES: As both a general education requirement and majors course, CHM2045 serves to
teach: the scientific method, skills for problem solving, general chemistry knowledge, and a connection to
the principles that govern the natural world.

LECTURE: T Period 5-6 (11:45 am to 1:40 pm) + R Period 5 (11:45 am to 12:35 pm) at CLB C130 - virtual
(online) with synchronous discussion periods (M) and asynchronous lectures (exception: Top Hat in class
questions, see details below).

INSTRUCTOR:
Lectures: September 1st through December 8th
Dr. Simon E. Lopez
Office: LEI #312 (located at Leigh Hall)
E-mail (for administrative purposes only): simonlopez@chem.ufl.edu

Office Hours (online, via Zoom)

T 9:30 am - 11:30 pm; W, R 1:00 pm -3:00 pm

MATERIALS:

Required: TopHat (in class questions) subscription and ALEKS Prep Access.
ALEKS Prep – additional information here https://www.chem.ufl.edu/undergraduate/aleks/ and
more information in ALEKS section below.

Recommended: Silberberg and Amateis, 8th ed., Chemistry, The molecular nature of matter and change,
can get eBook for less than $50 for 5 years – available for a limited time.
https://www.bsd.ufl.edu/G1CO/IPay1f/start.aspx?TASK=INCLUDED

A non-graphic / non-programmable scientific calculator.

Optional: eBook of Student Solutions Manual made specifically for this course. Title: GENERAL
CHEMISTRY - CHM 2045, ISBN: 9781307629521 and can be purchased here:
https://create.mheducation.com/shop/ through McGraw Hill or through UF Bookstore.

Note: You will also need a small, handheld mirror or reflective surface for Honorlock exams.
GRADES: Grades for the term will be determined as follows:

3 Progress Exams 60%

Final Cumulative Exam 23%
Aleks 2%
Online Homework 6%
Proficiency Quizzes 3%
Worksheets 2%
Top Hat in class questions 4%
TOTAL 100%

The following grade cutoffs will be used (these are non-negotiable):

90-100% = A 86-89.9% = A- 83-85.9% = B+ 80-82.9% = B 77-79.9% = B-
73-76.9% = C+ 69-72.9% = C 66-68.9% = D+ 63-65.9% = D 60-62.9% = D-
< 60.0% = E
Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points can be found at:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/grades-grading-policies/

POSTED GRADES: Should a student wish to dispute any grade received in this class, the dispute must be
in writing (via e-mail to simonlopez@chem.ufl.edu) and submitted to the instructor within one week of the
grade being posted to canvas. After one week has passed from when the grade was posted and the student
made aware of the posting of the grade(s) via an announcement on canvas, the instructor considers those
grades final.

ALEKS: Two percent of the course grade will be based on completion of the Aleks prep course. The
deadline for completion of the Aleks prep course is September 18, 2020. The following shows the points
you can earn based on completion:

Aleks completion percentage Percent of grade earned

0-69% 0%
70-79% 0.5%
80-89% 1.0%
90-98% 1.5%
99-100% 2.0%

ONLINE HOMEWORK:

Six percent of the course grade (6 %) will be based on online homework assignments through the Canvas
website of CHM2045. Each assignment has a displayed deadline for earning full credit; assignments that are
late can be completed for half credit (maximum 24 h later, contact Dr. Lopez). Students that miss a homework
deadline due to an excused absence can ask for an extension by contacting the instructor. You can earn up to
6 % toward your grade by completing these assignments.
IN CLASS TOP HAT QUESTIOS: After the Drop/Add period ends, lecture participation will be facilitated
via the Top Hat student response system (https://tophat.com/). You will be emailed by Top Hat (TH) with
instructions on how to register for usage of the system. You’ll be able to use your smart phone or laptop or
tablet or any other applicable device. No clickers required. Four percent of the course grade (4 %) will be
based on performance on in-class Top Hat questions. You can earn points in class by correctly answering
Top Hat questions (1 point per correct answer + 1 point per participation). No "makeup" Top-Hat
options will be offered for any reason - no exceptions. TH in class questions will be synchronous with
weekly class times, starting at 11:45 am (US east-time). An announcement will be made by Canvas at least
24 h before these TH questions occur. Check periodically (daily) your canvas site of the course, emails and
announcements.

DISCUSSION CLASSES + WORSHEETS (WS): The Discussion Classes meet every Wednesday and your
attendance is expected (attendance will be checked by your TA). The time of your discussion section is
synchronous to the posted schedule, as it is the time you must be present. Your discussion section will
contain weekly worksheets that will count toward your overall grade (2%). You must go to your assigned
discussion section to receive credit for the worksheet. Groups of approximately 2 to 3 students will be
assigned by your TA and work on it together. Any grade discrepancy needs to be addressed within a week
of grades posting to canvas. Discussion sessions will be held online using Zoom under the guidance of your
graduate TA. You must meet during your scheduled discussion session with your TA who will coordinate
the session. Attendance will be taken (2 pts) as well as participation (3 pts). To receive credit for your WS
(5 pts) you must attend the zoom meeting and upload your completed WS before 11:59 pm the same day of
your discussion. Your attendance and participation will be recorded during the discussions. If you are more than 5
minutes late, then you forfeit your participation points for the day. If you are not present during the first 25 minutes
of discussion period, then you forfeit your attendance points for the day. To account for technical issues, one day of
attendance/participation points will be dropped for all students. All further absences will be marked as a 0.

PROFICIENCY QUIZZES (PQS): This semester, CHM2045 will be part of an ongoing Chemical
Education Research project within the Department of Chemistry at UF. The study will look at exam
performance in CHM2045 in correlation with quiz performance. All students, irrespective of whether they
wish to participate in the study, will complete a minimum of three to a maximum of nine Proficiency
quizzes over the course of the semester as part of their regular workload. For each exam, a set of 3
Proficiency Quizzes will be available. The higher score of each set will contribute to the course grade for a
total of 1.5-% (3 PQs are required, each worth 0.5-% of the course grade); the 2 lower scores will be
dropped. You may complete one, two, or all three PQs in each set. Students will be randomly assigned to
one of two groups, and the timing of the quizzes will vary from group to group. To participate in the study,
students will complete the Informed Consent Form Survey through a Canvas Survey by September 9,
2020. Participation means that you agree to allow your exam and quiz grades to be collected for research.
Participation does not influence your course grade in any way. Please note that you will have to complete
the quizzes to earn a portion of the course grade, and they are graded based on correctness, not
completion. If you do not wish to participate in the study and have your exam and quiz scores removed
from the collected data, you still must take the assigned Proficiency quizzes. Each quiz is designed to be
completed within a 30- minute time frame and will be available for two days during the school week. We
ask you to participate in the study since the data collected may lead to future improvements of
CHM2045/2046. Special note: Extensions for missed Proficiency Quizzes will not be granted for any
reason. However, if you have DRC accommodations for extra time, please email your accommodation
letter to Kaylee Todd at kmtodd8485@chem.ufl.edu. In addition to the quizzes, two surveys will be
administered through Canvas – the first after the first during-term exam and the second before the final
exam. The surveys should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. The surveys will be scored for
completion, and the scores may contribute to the course grade at the instructors’ discretion.
 Course Schedule

Chapters
Dates Topics (# of lectures) (Silberberg 8th)*
Sep 1, 3 Introduction and review (1) + Mass relations (2) Ch. 1-2 + Ch 3 (pt 1)
Sep 8, 10 Mass relations and stoichiometry (2) + Ch. 3 + Ch 4 (pt 1)
Aqueous reactions (1)
Sep 15 Aqueous reactions (1) + Review (1) Ch. 4
Wednesday Sep 16th Exam 1 Ch 1-4
(8:20-10:20 pm)
Sep 17, 22 Gases (3) Ch. 5

Sep 24, 29 + Oct 1 Thermochemistry (4) Ch. 6

Oct 6, 8, 13 Kinetics (4) Ch. 16
Oct 15 Nature of light, Quantum mechanical model (1) Ch. 7
Oct 20 Review (1)
Tuesday October 20th Exam 2 Ch. 5-7, 16
(8:20-10:20 pm)

Oct 22, 27 Ch. 8

Electron configurations and periodic trends (3)

Oct 29, Nov 3 Chemical bonding models (3) Ch. 9

Nov 5, 10, 12 Molecular geometry (4) Ch. 10
Nov 12, 17 Covalent bonding theories (3) Ch. 11
Nov 19 Intermolecular Forces (1) Ch. 12
Friday Nov 20th Exam 3 Ch 8-11
(8:20-10:20 pm)
Nov 24 Intermolecular Forces, liquids (2) Ch 12

Dec 1, 3 Solids, Solutions (3) Ch 12 + Ch 13

Dec 8 Colligative Properties (2) Ch 13
Monday Dec 14th Final Exam Ch 1-13 + 16
(7:30-9:30 am)
*The topics that will be covered from each chapter will be selective and announced in class.

Holidays (no classes): Monday, September 7, Labor Day;

Wednesday, November 11, Veterans Day
Wednesday through Friday, Nov 25-27 (Thanksgiving)
In addition to the quizzes, two surveys will be administered through Canvas – the first after the first
during-term exam and the second before the final exam. The surveys should take no more than 10-15
minutes to complete. The surveys will be scored for completion, and the scores may contribute to the
course grade at the instructors’ discretion.

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR / OFFICE HOURS: Emails are for administrative purposes only,
and not for distance-instruction. All academic inquiries must be made during office hours (zoom meeting)
or before/after lectures (by previous appointment by zoom meeting). Please be prepared before coming to
office hours, bring specific questions and your previous work.

CHEMISTRY LEARNING CENTER (CLC): There is free help to be had from graduate student teaching
assistants Monday through Friday via office hours in Zoom: the TAs schedule will be announced through
Canvas. Your discussion TA will have office hours on Zoom, but you may go any TA’s scheduled office
hours (listed in Canvas) to get help on questions pertaining to chemistry. Additionally, there is the teaching
center located on the ground floor of Broward Hall (they use to offer periodical reviews previous each
progress exam and the final exam). Its web site is http://www.teachingcenter.ufl.edu.

CANVAS (http://elearning.ufl.edu): Here you will find the syllabus, gradebook, files, class
announcements, and other pertinent info for the course. It is your responsibility to check Canvas often to
make sure that you do not miss important announcements and to ensure that your gradebook is accurate.
For computer assistance, visit http://helpdesk.ufl.edu/.

CLASS DEMEANOR: In order to have an optimal learning environment, the classroom needs to be free of
disruptions. Therefore, it is expected that students come to class on time and leave only when class is
concluded by the instructor, and that the class is not disrupted by student talking or cell phone noises (in
case of zoom meetings).

EXAMS: Exams will be administered at night from 6:00pm to 10:20pm (Eastern time) outside of class, and
will be held through Canvas using Honorlock. Exam questions will consist of questions similar to HWs
/worksheets/ practice problems you have completed and practice on Canvas, as well as TH in class questions.
So expect numeric entry, multiple dropdowns, multiple answer, true/false, multiple choice, matching, and
multiple fill in the blanks. You must use a non-graphing non-programmable scientific calculator on exams
(with log, ln, root, and exponent (scientific notation) functions). Be sure to also bring pencils, and your
UFID card. No notes, papers, cell phones or other electronic devices can be in view during exams. Detailed
instructions for your exams using Canvas will be given prior the exam. This course uses Honorlock for
proctoring of during-term exams. Honorlock is UF’s designated online proctoring service for classroom
exams and quizzes that were previously in person but have moved online as part of the COVID-19 response
effort. In order for you to take exams in this course you will need a government issued photo ID (or your
Gator-1 ID), a working camera and microphone on your computer, a stable internet connection, and the
Google Chrome browser (https://chrome.com) on your computer. Before and during your exam you will
need to follow the Honorlock proctor’s instructions. Please familiarize yourself with the Honorlock student
guide: https://dce.ufl.edu/media/dceufledu/pdfs/Honorlock-Student-Guide-UF-Update.pdf and the
Honorlock Student Exam Preparation Information: https://dce.ufl.edu/media/dceufledu/pdfs/Honorlock-
Student-Exam-Preparation-Information.pdf.

To alleviate the stress of exams, we have incorporated an “average/replace” policy (the lowest of the four
progress exams will be replaced by the average of the four progress exams). This “average/replace” policy
will help to minimize the impact of a single poor performance but it will not completely disappear. For
example, if a student has: Exam 1 score of 190/200, Exam 2 score of 150/200 and Exam 3 score of 180/200,
then their average/replace score will be 173/200 and it will replace the original Exam 2 score. Any and all
exam grade disputes must be performed within one week of the scheduled exam date. 5 points will be
deducted from your score if you neglect to sign the Honor Pledge question at the end of every exam.

EXAM ABSENCES: Absences will be handled in accordance with official UF academic regulations. For
more information, see https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/ . See below for further
clarification for two different types of situations.
(1) Conflicts with other events: Acceptable reasons to miss a scheduled exam include conflicting evening
exams in courses with higher course numbers, religious holidays, military obligations, special curricular
requirements (e.g., attending professional conferences), or participation in official UF-sanctioned activities
such as athletic competitions, etc. For more information on such absences see the official UF Policy at
https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/attendance-policies/#absencestext ). If you must be
absent for an exam due to a documented and approved conflict known in advance, you must e-mail your
instructor the documentation at least one week prior to the scheduled exam and an early conflict exam will
be scheduled for you.
(2) Missing an exam due to an emergency or sudden illness: If you are absent for an exam due to an
unpredicted documented medical reason or family emergency, you must contact the instructor as soon as
possible, and you may be asked to have your excuse verified by the Dean of Students Office (DSO). Your
instructor will follow UF academic regulations in evaluating the notification and/or documentation received
by you or by the DSO on your behalf. Once your instructor is satisfied with the validity of your exam absence
a make-up exam will be scheduled after a reasonable amount of time, i.e., before the end of the semester. If
your documentation is deemed insufficient to excuse your absence you will receive a zero on the missed
exam.

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR / OFFICE HOURS: Emails are for administrative purposes only, and
not for distance-instruction. All academic inquiries must be made during Zoom office hours. If this is not
possible, visit the graduate TAs zoom office hours (schedule posted on Canvas). Please be prepared before
coming to office hours, bring specific questions and your previous work.

CHEMISTRY LEARNING CENTER (CLC): There is free help to be had from graduate student teaching
assistants via zoom. Your discussion TA will have office hours on zoom. You will also receive zoom links
for the other chm2045 graduate TAs so you may attend any TAs zoom office hours. Additionally, there is
the teaching center http://www.teachingcenter.ufl.edu which offers some resources for being successful in
your chm2045 class.

HONOR CODE: UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the
University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor
and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University
of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor
received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code
(https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/policies/student-honor-code-student-conduct-code/) specifies a number of
behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to
report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions
or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class. 5 points will be deducted from your
score if you neglect to sign the Honor Pledge question at the end of every exam. You will receive a 0
for the exam and no average/replace, if cheating has been detected.
DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities who experience learning barriers and would like to request
academic accommodations should connect with the disability Resource Center by visiting
disability.ufl.edu/students/get-started. It is important for students to share their accommodation letter with
their instructor and discuss their access needs, as early as possible in the semester. Once registered, students
will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting
accommodation (use canvas email). The student is responsible for scheduling the exam dates with the DRC.
Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible. The DRC has 4 business day
policy to submit Accommodated Testing Requests (ATRs).

UF MULTICULTURAL & DIVERSITY AFFAIRS: Department within the Division of Student Affairs.
Multicultural and Diversity Affairs (MCDA) celebrates and empowers diverse communities and advocates
for an inclusive campus for all students across identities. MCDA is located on the second level in the student
union. https://multicultural.ufl.edu/

U MATTER, WE CARE: Your well-being is important to the University of Florida. The U Matter, We
Care initiative is committed to creating a culture of care on our campus by encouraging members of our
community to look out for one another and to reach out for help if a member of our community is in
need. If you or a friend is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu so that the U Matter, We Care Team
can reach out to the student in distress. A nighttime and weekend crisis counselor is available by phone
at 352-392-1575. The U Matter, We Care Team can help connect students to the many other helping
resources available including, but not limited to, Victim Advocates, Housing staff, and the Counseling and
Wellness Center. Please remember that asking for help is a sign of strength. In case of emergency, call
9-1-1.

COUNSELING AND WELLNESS CENTER: Visit counseling.ufl.edu/ or call 352-392-1575 for

information on crisis services as well as non-crisis services.

UF TEACHING CENTER (CLAS): Broward Hall, 352-392-2010 or to make an appointment 352-392-

6420. General study skills and tutoring. teachingcenter.ufl.edu/

INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: We embrace the University of Florida’s Non-Discrimination

Policy, which reads, “The University shall actively promote equal opportunity policies and practices
conforming to laws against discrimination. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect
to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,
marital status, national origin, political opinion or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status as
protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.” We are committed to fostering
an open and inclusive classroom and laboratory environment in our College, where every student, guest
instructor and contributor feels valued. If you have questions or concerns about your rights and
responsibilities for inclusive learning environment, please see your instructor or refer to the Office on
Multicultural & Diversity Affairs Website: http://www.multicultural.ufl.edu/

EVALUATIONS: Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of
instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give
feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/ .
Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email
they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or
via https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students
at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/.
GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Physical science courses provide instruction in the
basic concepts, theories and terms of the scientific method in the context of the physical sciences. Courses
focus on major scientific developments and their impacts on society, science and the environment, and the
relevant processes that govern physical systems. Students will formulate empirically-testable hypotheses
derived from the study of physical processes, apply logical reasoning skills through scientific criticism and
argument, and apply techniques of discovery and critical thinking to evaluate outcomes of experiments.
These objectives will be accomplished through participation in the course lectures and discussion sections,
and individual work done on homework assignments and assessments.

GENERAL EDUCATION STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: The following learning outcomes will
be assessed through online assessments and examinations.

SPECIFIC GOALS OF CHM2045: You will be required to analyze scientific concepts and think critically.
This means being able to answer both quantitative (mathematical) and conceptual (qualitative) multiple
choice problems in a limited period of time. Additionally, you will have to write or orally communicate
during your discussion periods. We will also demonstrate how these topics can be applied to the scientific
method and how observation and experimentation leads us to the development of scientific theories. To
achieve this, students will be introduced to the following concepts from the textbook. You will review the
importance of chemistry in our everyday lives. You will be required to utilize the methods of science as a
logical means of problem solving through critical thinking. This means you must analyze information
carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline specific methods, and develop reasoned
solutions to problems. To ensure your competency in these concepts you will be required to complete online
homework assignments and take quizzes and exams that require critical thinking, analysis of problems and
drawing conclusions.

Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills are essential in the general chemistry course. There are six criteria
by which we promote critical thinking: 1. Information acquisition: Identifying and differentiating questions,
problems and arguments. 2. Application: Assessing the suitability of various methods of reasoning and
confirmation when approaching a problem. Students are taught to develop hypotheses and to find support
and limitations associated with their hypotheses. 3. Analysis: Identifying and analyzing stated and unstated
assumption and using logical reasoning to evaluate different viewpoints. 4. Synthesis: Students are
encouraged to formulate questions and problems, construct arguments to address such questions and be able
to effectively communicate conclusions. 5. Communication: In discussion of alternative points of view,
students will be encouraged to criticize or defend their arguments with the use of logical reasoning and
evidence. 6. Evaluation: Assessing the quality of evidence and reasoning to draw reasonable conclusions.

Mathematics: It is crucial in the general chemistry course to be competent in mathematics. Listed are the
criteria by which we promote understanding and application of math: 1. Information acquisition: Students
learn to select data that is pertinent to solving a problem. 2. Application: Use of algebraic, geometric and
statistical reasoning to solve problems. 3. Analysis: Interpret and draw conclusions from formulas, graphs
and tables. 4. Synthesis: To associate patterns and observations to more abstract principles and to consider
specific applications of such principles. 5. Communication: Communicating information symbolically,
graphically, numerically and verbally. 6. Evaluation: Estimate and verify solutions to mathematical problems
to determine reasonableness, compare alternatives and select optimal results and understand the limitations
of mathematical and statistical methods.

DISCLAIMER: This syllabus represents my current plans and objectives. If those need to change as the
semester progresses, then the changes will be communicated to the class clearly.