CHEM& 121 Introductory Chemistry
Instructor Contact Info
• Name: Dr. Gina Fiorini (Please call me Gina or Dr. Fiorini or Dr. G)
• Main contact methods:
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Use the Teams discussion boards to post general questions about class content, online sessions, or assignments.
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Use Teams to send instant messages or phone/video calls for individual help.
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You may also use your Canvas inbox to email me but this is not checked as frequently as Teams.
• Office location: S340A (Not on campus this quarter!)
• Office phone: 425.564.2095 (Connected to my computer via Teams. You may leave a voicemail for me at this number.)
• Office hours: online via Teams Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-2:30pm, or contact me in Teams for an individual meeting (impromptu or we can schedule in advance).
Optional Class Meetings
Section HYE (#3271) Thursday 2:30 – 4:20pm via Teams (see link in class Canvas site)
About CHEM& 121
CHEM& 121 is intended for students who want a laboratory science course, students planning to enroll in an occupational program requiring CHEM& 121 (such as nursing, dental hygiene, ultrasound, etc.), or students who need the prerequisite for CHEM& 131. Topics we will cover include: measurement, classification of matter, structure of the atom, bonding, organic molecules, stoichiometry, water and solutions, acids and bases. Additional topics may be included.
If you are interested in the General Chemistry sequence (CHEM& 161/162/163), you should enroll in CHEM& 140. Both CHEM& 121 and CHEM& 140 assume you have never taken a chemistry course or you took a chemistry class several years ago and want a refresher course, but these courses are geared toward different audiences. There is a chemistry placement exam to bypass directly into CHEM& 161.
Credits: 6
Prerequisites:
MATH 078 or MATH 098 with a C or better, or placement into MATH 099 or higher.
Course Description:
Introduces simplified atomic and molecular theory. Students investigate the chemistry of solutions, gases, liquids, and solids and examine quantitative relationships in chemical processes. Format includes lecture, discussion, and laboratory.
Course Outcomes:
After completing this class, students should be able to:
• Define chemistry as a scientific study of matter and its impact on society and everyday life.
• Apply precision, accuracy, and safe lab practices in taking measurements in support of scientific observation.
• Develop problem-solving skills related to unit conversions and stoichiometric quantification of chemical reactions.
• Identify the relationship between the position of an element on the periodic table and its atomic structure and physical/chemical properties.
• Describe the structure and properties of matter based on ionic/covalent bonding and intermolecular forces.
• Explain the concept of dynamic equilibrium in order to describe reversible physical and chemical processes reactions.
Course outcomes will be met through assignments, laboratory experiments, and exams.
Student Learning Objectives:
A complete and detailed list of student learning objectives will be provided in our Canvas course website and can also be found in the CHEM& 121 Workbook.
Course Grading
Breakdown by course components:
The course outcomes will be met by completing assignments, weekly labs, and weekly quizzes. Your letter grade will be determined based on your course percentage calculated as a weighted average of the various course components. The table shows the % of points that must be earned to guarantee a particular letter grade.
50%
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Assignments (homework sets, laboratory report sheets, etc.)
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50%
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Weekly Quizzes (Lowest 1 score dropped)
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Letter grade based on overall course %:
A = 93+;
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A – = 90–92;
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B+ = 87–89;
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B = 83–86;
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B – = 80–82;
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C+ = 77–79;
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C = 73–76;
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C – = 70–72;
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D = 60 – 69;
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F < 60
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The minimum % in each range guarantees that letter grade.
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Students who have an average less than 60% will earn a failing (F) grade. Students who stop attending this class and who do not formally withdraw by the end of the 7th week will receive a failing (F) grade for the course. Check the BC academic calendar for all withdrawal dates.
Bellevue College Grading Policy:
More information on college grading policies and procedures can be found here: Grading Policy
Online Course Instruction due to COVID-19
This CHEM& 121 section is typically offered as a hybrid class consisting of one face-to-face weekly class meeting used for a weekly experiment in the chemistry laboratory and course assessments, with the remainer of instruction taking place through a significant amount of online learning. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this class will be offered fully online with online laboratory simulations to mimic the typical hands-on chemistry experiments. The class will be primarily asynchronous coursework for homework assignments, online laboratory simulations, and assessments (weekly quizzes), and a once per week synchronous online class session will be offered (optional attendance) to check in with students, review requested course content, and practice problem solving together.
Asynchronous Online Learning – At Your Own Pace, Complete Work by Due Dates
The course is structured/organized in Canvas under Modules. The course content is divided into 10 major modules, one per week, each of which ends with a quiz. They are called Module 1, Module 2, etc. The due dates for the assignments and quizzes for each module are specified in Canvas. Each weekly module contains:
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List of learning objectives
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Videos to watch that cover the content and skills
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Textbook sections to read
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Workbook sections to refer to
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Weekly Assignments and Assessments:
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Lab – an online simulation or video of a laboratory experiment with a report sheet to submit
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Study Guide homework set – Written to guide you through using the textbook to aid in your learning. You will refer to assigned textbook sections, graphs, and sample problems and along the way answer short answer problems, show your work on calculation problems, and make drawings/sketches. (There may be some alternative assignments or group projects to either supplement or substitute for this weekly Study Guide homework set.)
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Online homework set – Completed in the online site called Mastering Chemistry, accessible through the IA Course Materials tab in our Canvas site; gives you instant feedback on your mastery of the skills.
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Group check-in assignment – help your classmates and yourself keep on track with the class
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Quiz – completed in Canvas
Synchronous Online Class Sessions Once a Week via Teams
Every Thursday at 2:30pm there will be a 2-hour online class session via Teams. Each session will focus on that week’s course content. I recommend that you read the textbook, complete the assigned Study Guide, watch any videos posted, and start the online homework for the week prior to the session to give you some context and figure out what you might want to ask for help on. Attendance/participation in these sessions is not part of the course grade, so they are technically optional.
Be Flexible and Ready to Adapt!
The plans outlined above for a mixture of primarily asynchronous with some synchronous options in online learning for the course are what I hope will work best for everyone in the course for the whole quarter. However, I am open to changing approaches in the middle of the quarter, if indicated by student feedback or if I notice that successful learning is not being adequately supported by the current plans.
Required Materials
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Inclusive Access Materials Included in your course registration fees. You get online access to theelectronic version of the textbook and access to the online homework system, Mastering Chemistry (also sometimes referred to as MyLab and Mastering). Click on the IA Course Materials tab in Canvas. You may order separately a loose-leaf print version of the textbook through the BC bookstore (it costs around $30-40). Textbook = General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life, 6 th edition, by Karen C. Timberlake, published by Pearson.
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CHEM& 121 Workbook Sold at the bookstore. This is used in recorded video lectures, for some of the laboratory experiment Report Sheets, and for some course content not covered in the textbook.
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Scientific Calculator with log/exp functions (available at most stores, Target, Bartels, Fred Meyer, etc. I use the Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS)
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Our Canvas course site. Follow the link to Canvas on the Bellevue College homepage or go directly to Canvas at http://bc.instructure.com. Use your BC NetID username and password to log in. Select this chemistry course under the Courses tab. You will need to check in to our course site on Canvas frequently to access course materials or submit assignments. One of your first assignments is to change the notification settings so that copies of course announcements are forwarded to the email of your choice. If you need extra help getting started with Canvas in general, there is a guide available at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/canvas/.
Late Policy
Assignments and lab report sheets can be turned in late at a penalty of 5% off per day late.
Communication
I will do my best to respond to your messages within 24 hours. If I do not follow up within 24 hours, send a second follow-up message. Sometimes I get a lot of messages and may have missed it, or it ended up
in junk or clutter folders.
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• If you have general questions about the course, please post it on the Teams discussion board instead of emailing me. This will help others with the same question!
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• If you have more specific or personal issues, feel free to message/call me via Teams or email me via Canvas messaging. Please include your full name, course, and section.
Accessibility
The elements of this course are designed to be welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone, including students who are English-language learners, have a variety of learning styles, have disabilities, or are new to online learning. Be sure to let me know immediately if you encounter a required element or resource in the course that is not accessible to you. Also, let me know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more welcoming to, accessible to, or usable by students who take this course in the future.
Science Division Policy on Cheating
You, the student, are expected to conduct yourself with integrity. If you cheat*, or aid someone else in cheating, you violate a trust. If you cheat, the following actions will be taken: 1. You will receive a grade of “0” on the work (exam, assignment, lab, quiz, etc.) where the cheating occurred. This grade cannot be dropped. 2. A report of the incident will be sent to the Dean of Student Success. The dean may file the report in your permanent record or take further disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion from the college. If you feel you have been unfairly accused of cheating, you may appeal. (For a description of due process, see WAC 132H-120 and/or the Student Handbook.) *Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying answers on tests or assignments, glancing at nearby test papers, swapping papers, stealing, plagiarizing, lying, use of electronic information storage or communication devices to store or share answers and illicitly giving or receiving help on exams or assignments.
College Policies
Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity
Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue College. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student
Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Success for investigation. Specific student rights, responsibilities, and
appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct at: Student Code
Affirmation of Inclusion
Bellevue College affirms the diversity of human identities and experiences and is committed to creating spaces free from harassment and discrimination (4000 Institutional Commitment to Inclusion). Furthermore, Bellevue College rejects all forms of racism, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, classism, ableism, ageism, language bias, and hate speech or actions that attempt to silence, threaten, or degrade others.
In classroom settings, we might disagree with views shared in the classroom; however, courteous, and respectful behavior and responses are always expected. When providing criticism, it is important to focus on the ideas and not the person.
Faculty are encouraged to disrupt and address hate speech and behaviors. Students are also encouraged to speak up and advocate when they experience, or witness hate speech and behaviors. Faculty, staff, and students also are encouraged to submit a report to the CARE Team regarding any concerns of discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate and disrespectful conduct.
Affirmation of Inclusion
Reasons of Faith and Conscience
Reasonable Accommodations for Reasons of Faith and Conscience: Students who will be absent from course activities due to reasons of faith or conscience may seek reasonable accommodation so that grades are not impacted. Such requests must be made within the first two weeks of the course to the office of the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs (see Bellevue College Policy 2950 (https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/policies/id2950/)). In the event you feel you are being discriminated against based on faith or conscience, you may refer to the procedures outlined in the college’s Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Policy 1440P.
Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination
Bellevue College does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity; creed; color; national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; genetic information; the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; or veteran status in educational programs and activities which it operates. Bellevue College is prohibited from discriminating in such a manner by college policy and by state and federal law. All college personnel and persons, vendors, and organizations with whom the college does business are required to comply with applicable federal and state statutes and regulations designed to promote affirmative action and equal opportunity.
Reports of gender and sex-based based discrimination, sexual misconduct, or retaliation by a student should be raised with the Title IX office (see 1440P2 for contact information). In cases where the impacted party is a student and the responding party is a college employee, the Title IX coordinator will direct the matter to the Office of Human Resources (HR). All other reports, including all reports where the impacted party is an employee, should be raised with the HR. If a report is against personnel in the Title IX office or HR, it should be submitted to the president’s office for referral to an alternate designee.
Equal Opportunity
Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I am required to share with the Title IX Coordinator any and all information regarding sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct (e.g. relationship violence, stalking) that may have occurred on campus or that impacts someone on campus. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the
BC Counseling Center at (425) 564-2212. The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2641 and more
information can be found at Title IX (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/titleix/).
If you have any concerns, you may report to: Report Concerns
Confidentiality and Reporting
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I am required to share with the Title IX Coordinator any and all information regarding sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct (e.g. dating violence, domestic violence, stalking) that may have occurred on campus or that impacts someone on campus. Students may speak to someone confidentially by contacting the BC Counseling Center at (425) 564-2212. The Title IX Office can be contacted at 425-564-2641 and more information can be found at Title IX. If you have any concerns, you may report to: Report Concerns. We all need to help keep our campus safe for everyone.
Student Conduct Code and Academic Integrity
Any act of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source), and fabrication, and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Conduct Code of Bellevue College. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to, repeatedly talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates. The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Conduct Code to the Manager of Student Conduct for investigation. Specific student rights, responsibilities, and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Conduct Code at: Student Code
College Resources
Network and E-mail
All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account. Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms, connect to the BC wireless network, and log in to Canvas. To create your account, go to: Create Email BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success. Find current campus locations for all student labs by visiting the Technology Help Desk
Help with Canvas
Students can find help with Canvas by following the link here: Student Canvas Help
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
The Disability Resource Center serves students with disabilities. Common disabilities include physical, neurological (e.g. Autism, ADD/ADHD), and mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety). If you are a student who has a disability or if you think you may need accommodations in order to have equal access in your classes, programs, activities, and any other services, please contact the DRC.
If you require assistance in an emergency, please meet with your individual instructors to develop a safety plan for while in class and contact the DRC to develop a safety plan for while you are elsewhere on campus.
The DRC office is located in building U Room 001. You can contact the DRC by stopping by the office at U001, calling our front desk phone number (425) 564-2498, emailing [email protected]. Deaf students can reach us by calling TTY: (425) 564-6189, or by Skype (account name DRCatBC). For more information about the services we offer, including our Initial Access Application, visit our website at Disability Resource Center (http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc).
Service Animals are allowed in this classroom. Emotional Support Animals need to be approved through the DRC. All other animals will be asked to leave. If you believe you need your animal with you, please connect with the DRC and refrain from bringing your animal until a decision has been made.
Public Safety and Emergency Procedures
Public Safety is located in the B building (B132) and can be reached at 425-564-2400 (easy to remember because it is the only office on campus open 24 hours a day—2400). Among other things, Public Safety serves as our Parking Permits, Lost and Found, and Emergency Notification center. Please ensure you are signed up to receive alerts through our campus alerting system by registering at RAVE Alert Registration
If you work late and are uneasy about going to your car, Public Safety will escort you to your vehicle. To coordinate this, please phone ahead and let Public Safety know when and where you will need an escort.
Please familiarize yourself with the emergency postings by the door of every classroom and know where to go in the event of an evacuation. Your instructor will be asked if anyone might still be in the building, so check in before you do anything else. Emergency responders will search for anyone unaccounted for.
If a major emergency occurs, please follow these three rules:
1. Take directions from those in charge of the response - We all need to be working together.
2. Do not get in your car and leave campus (unless directed to) - Doing so will clog streets and prevent emergency vehicles from entering the scene. Instead, follow directions from those in charge.
3. In an emergency, call 911 first, then Public Safety.
Please do not hesitate to call Public Safety if you have safety questions or concerns at any time. You may also visit the Public Safety web page for answers to your questions.
Report Concerns on Campus
If you feel threatened or see something that may indicate trouble, please report it right away at Report Concerns. We all need to help keep our campus safe for everyone.
Labs and Services
• Writing Lab (Academic Success Center)
• Math Lab (Academic Success Center)
• Academic Tutoring (Academic Success Center) (Students earning a C or lower are eligible for free one-on-one tutoring. Go to the ASC Center to sign up and bring me the sheet to sign.)
• MCS – Multicultural Services
• TriO
• To find additional student resources, go to: Campus Services (bellevuecollege.edu/resources/)
College Calendars
• Enrollment Calendar (registration, withdrawal, and tuition dates)
• College Calendar (start/end dates, holidays)
• Final Exam Schedule (look up your final exam day/time for any class)