Chemistry 112 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:  Upon completion of this course, the students are expected to

  • demonstrate their level of competency in reading by successfully completing laboratory excercises after reading instructions and information concerning laboratory experiments.
  • demonstrate ability to write ina clear organized manner.
  • listen to verbal instructions about experimental procedure and then correctly complete the laboratory assignment.
  • demonstrate critical thinking.
  • find information pertaining to laboratory experiments using computer technology.
  • demonstrate the ability to use technology by correctly using a balance.
  • be introduced to issues that relate to ethics and public policy.

 

CHE 112/112L Exemplary Educational Objectives

 

Objective #1:

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

Assessment Instrument:

Students in CHE 112L will demonstrate the ability to use technology by correctly using a balance and scientific calculator.  CHE 112L students will be able to correctly use a balance and scientific calculator to determine the mass of a sample of milk and correctly set up the equipment used in the “Analysis of Milk” experiment. Faculty members will evaluate student data and calculations using an assessment rubric developed by the program assessment committee. 

Assessment Criteria:

At least 60% of students will be able to successfully complete the exercise by making a 70% or more laboratory exercise "Analysis of Milk."

 

 

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 112L will be able to use quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis involving weighing (gravimetric) and measuring volumes (volumetric) of solutions to determine the presence of protein in the “Analysis of Milk” experiment.   CHE 112L students will be able to correctly determine the amount of chemicals using qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis in the tests for proteins in milk. 

Assessment Criteria:

At least 50% of the students will be able to successfully complete the experiment by earning a 70% or higher grade on the "Analysis of Milk” 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 112L will be introduced to issues that relate to ethics and public policy concerning the proper disposal and treatment of used or waste chemicals.   CHE 112L students will complete a laboratory exercise that demonstrates the principles of proper disposal or treatment of used or waste chemicals.  Faculty members will evaluate the student reports for this laboratory using an assessment rubric developed by the program assessment committee.

Assessment Criteria:

At least 60% of students will demonstrate their understanding of  the general principles and importance of the proper disposal of laboratory and household chemicals by receiving a 70% or better on the 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:

At or near the end of the semester, students enrolled in CHE 112L will demonstrate their ability to use the technology found in a science laboratory (such as balances and specialized glassware) to gather data on the analysis of cholesterol, a steroid, in an egg.  Students will be expected to recognize the molecular structure of cholesterol and other steroidal compounds found in our culture.  CHE 112L students will complete a laboratory experiment to analyze for a steroid by determining the cholesterol in an egg.  They will also complete an exercise on modeling and drawing molecular structures of cholesterol and other steroids, both good and bad, found in our culture.  Faculty members will evaluate the student reports for this laboratory using an assessment rubric developed by the program assessment committee.

Assessment Criteria:

At least 60% of students will receive a 70% or better on the exercises to demonstrate their understanding of the molecular structure of a steroid in our culture and their ability to analyze for cholesterol in an egg.