Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 - CHEM 101

University Studies Program

Course Outline

COURSE IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Pre 1998

OUTLINE EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2020
COURSE OUTLINE REVIEW DATE: April 2025

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course presents the fundamental principles of chemistry with particular reference to acid-base and
redox chemistry, electronic structure of atoms and molecules, properties of liquids, gases, solids and
their solutions, phase changes, and thermochemistry. The associated laboratory exercises emphasize
proper experimental techniques, data collection and analysis, safety and technical writing skills.

Program Information: CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 can be used as lab science credits in an Associate of
Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (ASc) degree at COTR.

This course is designed for students seeking a degree or diploma in a field of science or
technology. It is also suitable as an elective course for General Interest or Arts students.
Note prerequisite requirements listed below.

Delivery: This course is delivered face-to-face.

COTR Credits: 3

Hours for this course: 90 hours

Typical Structure of Instructional Hours: Practicum Hours (if applicable):

Instructional Activity Duration Type of Practicum Duration

Lecture Hours 45 On-the-job Experience N/A
Seminars / Tutorials Formal Work Experience N/A
Laboratory / Studio Hours 45 Other N/A
Practicum / Field Experience Hours Total
Other Contact Hours
Total 90

© College of the Rockies

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Course Outline Author or Contact:
David G. Dick, BSc, Ph.D
Signature

APPROVAL SIGNATURES:

Department Head Dean of Business and University Studies

Erin Aasland Hall Darrell Bethune
E-mail: aaslandhall@cotr.bc.ca E-mail: bethune@cotr.bc.ca

Department Head Signature Dean Signature

EDCO

Valid from: September 2020 – April 2025

Education Council Approval Date

COURSE PREREQUISITES AND TRANSFER CREDIT:

Prerequisites: Either Chemistry 12, CHEM 090, CHEM 100, or equivalent.

Either Math 090, Pre-Calculus 12, Principles of Mathematics 12, or equivalent.

Corequisites: None

Flexible Assessment (FA):

Credit can be awarded for this course through FA  Yes  No

Learners may request formal recognition for flexible assessment at the College of
the Rockies through one or more of the following processes: External Evaluation,
Worksite Assessment, Demonstration, Standardized Test, Self-assessment,
Interview, Products/Portfolio, Challenge Exam. Contact an Education Advisor for
more information.

Transfer Credit: For transfer information within British Columbia, Alberta and other institutions,
please visit http://www.cotr.bc.ca/Transfer.

Students should also contact an academic advisor at the institution where they
want transfer credit.

Prior Course Number: N/A

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Textbooks and Required Resources:

Textbook selection varies by instructor and may change from year to year. At the Course Outline
Effective Date the following textbooks were in use:

Petrucci, Herring, Madura and Bissonnette. General Chemistry: Principles & Modern
Applications. 10th ed. Prentice Hall.

Course Manual for Chemistry 101. (available in COTR Bookstore).

A scientific calculator is required, but programmable calculators are not allowed on exams.

Please see the instructor’s syllabus or check COTR’s online text calculator http://go.cotr.bc.ca/tuition/tCalc.asp for
a complete list of the currently required textbooks.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to

• apply chemical knowledge to integrate knowledge gained in other courses and to better make
the connections between the various branches of science;
• identify and utilize the terminology and concepts of chemistry to acquire and communicate
scientific information and to solve basic chemical problems;
• apply the details of modern atomic theory and the experiments which support this theory in
order to correctly predict the chemical and physical properties of the elements;
• perform calculations associated with acid-base and redox reactions;
• provide IUPAC names for typical inorganic species and draw their Lewis structures with the
correct geometry using VSEPR theory;
• use knowledge of intermolecular forces to predict the physical properties of molecular- and
extended-network elements and compounds;
• solve problems involving the physical properties of matter in the solid, liquid and gaseous states;
• demonstrate knowledge of the properties of mixtures and perform related calculations;
• apply knowledge of thermochemistry to calculate enthalpy changes associated with chemical
and physical processes;
• perform several common laboratory procedures safely, efficiently and accurately;
• recognize random and systematic errors in experimental procedures; and
• precisely record laboratory data, correctly perform associated calculations and present the
results in a professional format.

This course should help students:

• use written and oral communication skills effectively, employing methods appropriate to
message and content;
• think clearly and critically, fusing experience, knowledge and reasoning into considered
judgment;
• identify, interpret and solve problems, effectively implementing and evaluating proposed
strategies;
• set goals and priorities in academic and personal life;
• set high performance standards;
• demonstrate initiative, motivation, and persistence to get the job done;
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 • comprehend and interpret detailed scientific and/or technical information from text;
• critically evaluate information for accuracy, relevance and importance;
• make generalizations (transfer knowledge and training to new situations);
• apply a variety of mathematical techniques with the degree of accuracy required to solve
problems and make decisions;
• transfer the use of mathematical strategies from one situation to another;
• work effectively with others in a laboratory situation;
• receive, comprehend and interpret a sequence of instructions;
• plan and efficiently perform a number of overlapping activities;
• use equipment requiring careful procedures; and
• draw reasonable conclusions from observations.

COURSE TOPICS:

• Introduction to atomic structure

• Nomenclature of inorganic compounds
• Qualitative aspects of aqueous solutions
• Oxidation and reduction
• Electronic structure of atoms
• Chemical bonding and molecular geometry
• Intermolecular forces
• Properties of gases, liquids, solids and their solutions
• thermochemistry

See instructor syllabus for the detailed outline of weekly readings, activities and assignments.

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT:

Assignments % Of Total Grade

Lecture - Assignments 5%
- Midterm Tests 40%
- Final Examination 32%

Laboratory - Laboratory Reports 13%

- Laboratory Test 7%
- Quizzes & Assignments 3%
Total 100%

Please see the instructor syllabus for specific classroom policies related to this course, such as details of
evaluation, penalties for late assignments, and use of electronic aids.

Note: Attendance at all laboratory sessions and exams is required. However, arrangements can be
made for documented illness or bereavement. Lecture attendance is strongly recommended and
students are responsible for all course material covered in lecture and assigned readings. In order to
pass the course, a passing grade (50% or greater) is required for both the laboratory portion and lecture
portion of the course.

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EXAM POLICY:

Students must attend all required scheduled exams that make up a final grade at the appointed time
and place.

Individual instructors may accommodate for illness or personal crisis. Additional accommodation will
not be made unless a written request is sent to and approved by the appropriate Department Head
prior to the scheduled exam.

Any student who misses a scheduled exam without approval will be given a grade of “0” for the exam.

COURSE GRADE:

Course grades are assigned as follows:

Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F
Mark ≥ 90 89-85 84-80 79-76 75-72 71-68 67-64 63-60 59-55 54-50 < 50
(Percent)
A grade of "D" grants credit, but may not be sufficient as a prerequisite for sequential courses.

ACADEMIC POLICIES:

See www.cotr.bc.ca/policies for general college policies related to course activities, including grade
appeals, cheating and plagiarism.

COURSE CHANGES:

Information contained in course outlines is correct at the time of publication. Content of the courses is
revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and marketing
needs. The instructor will endeavour to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The
instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.

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