Chemistry 111 Lab

 

Course Objective:  To provide students with an explanation of the basic principles of chemistry as illustrated through laboratory experiments and to apply these principles to laboratory work involving critical thinking.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:  The student is expected to recognize and apply the following concepts to problem solving in a laboratory setting.

  • Units of measure and significant figures, unit conversion, density and definitions of matter.
  • Basics of atomic theory applied to the atom, basics of the periodic table, correct use of terms.
  • Writing correct formulas of compounds and inorganic nomenclature as well as Lewis structure and VSEPR theory.
  • Determination of mass calculations in chemical formulas and chemical reactions, writing balanced chemical reactions
  • Principles of the gaseous state, gas laws (Boyles, Charles, Gay-Lussac, Ideal, Dalton’s) as well as intermolecular forces in liquids and properties of solutions.
  • Principles of acid/base theories, pH, buffers, acid-base indicators, and titration

 

CHE 111/111L Exemplary Educational Objectives

 

Objective #1:

To understand and apply method and appropriate technology to the study of natural sciences.

Assessment Instrument:

Students taking CHE 111L will be able to use quantitative methods to determine the amount of acid that an antacid will neutralize.  CHE 111L students will be able to correctly determine the amount of acid neutralized by an antacid in a titration exercise. 

Assessment Criteria:

At least 50% of the students will demonstrate by earning a 70% or higher grade on the “Titration of an Antacid” laboratory exercise.

 

 

Objective #2:

To recognize scientific and quantitative methods and the differences between these approaches and other methods of inquiry and to communicate findings, analyses, and interpretation both orally and in writing.

Assessment Instrument:

Students taking CHE 111L will be able to use quantitative methods to determine the amount of acid that an antacid will neutralize.  CHE 111L students will be able to correctly determine the amount of acid neutralized by an antacid in a titration exercise. 

Assessment Criteria:

At least 50% of the students will demonstrate by earning a 70% or higher grade on the “Titration of an Antacid” laboratory exercise.

 

 

Objective #3:

To identify and recognize the differences among competing scientific theories.

Assessment Instrument:

None

Assessment Criteria:

Our courses present the prevailing scientific theories in chemistry.  There are past theories that over time have been revised because of better instrumentation or knowledge, but there are no “real” competing theories in chemistry at this level of instruction.  Some examples of revised theories are Bohr’s Theory, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Acid/Base Theory, and Dalton’s Atomic Theory.  We typically cover the original theory and how it compares to today’s version.  We explain what scientists thought many years ago and what present scientists think today.  While we assess student’s knowledge of chemical scientific theories, we do not assess their knowledge about the competition of theories because material is not presented in that fashion. 

 

 

Objective #4:

To demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, and public policies.

Assessment Instrument:

Students taking CHE 111L will introduce students to issues that relate to ethics and public policy.  CHE 111L students will complete a laboratory exercise that demonstrates the principles of water pollution and water treatment.

Assessment Criteria:

At least 60% of students will understand the general principles and importance of pure drinking water by making a 70% or better on “The Purification of Water” laboratory exercise. 

 

 

Objective #5:

To demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture.

Assessment Instrument:

Students taking 111L will be introduced to the interdependence of science and technology and their contributions to modern culture.  CHE 111L students will complete a laboratory exercise in which they must standardize and use a pH meter to correctly measure the pH of a buffer solution made in lab.

Assessment Criteria:

At least 65% of the students will be able to use the technology of a pH meter to correctly measure the pH in the “Solution, Concentration, and Buffer” laboratory.  Being able to do this is important to human health as well as to the environment.