Chem 1A:
General Chemistry I
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Chem 1A: General Chemistry I |
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OVERVIEW
Chemistry 1A is a course in General Chemistry. This course is intended for anyone with some previous success in chemistry (one year of high school chemistry with a grade of 'B' or better or Chemistry 2 with a grade of 'C' or better) and some background in algebra. In particular it satisfies the foundation requirements for chemistry majors, chemical engineering majors, biology majors and pre-med students. It will work for any major as it is the highest level of the introductory chemistry course. If you have any questions regarding your particular goals and the level of this course, contact the program that is listing a chemistry course requirement, , or .
This course
involves the study of foundational information regarding the nature of
everything material. We develop mathematical tools for this investigation
and then examine the classification of matter. We relate the character
of materials to the subatomic electronic structure. Theories of why and
how elemental substances combine are included. We will develop a working
vocabulary with which we can discuss the physical and chemical behavior
of everything around us. The names of elements and compounds, their symbolic
representations, along with chemical equations, will all be an important
component of the "vocabulary" we learn.
The information
in this course is used and reiterated in a variety of disciplines: Biology,
Geology, Astronomy, etc. More importantly, the observations and information
in this course relate to virtually everything around you. It is an opportunity
to expand your view of the material world from the everyday macroscopic
and tangible perception to the submicroscopic and somewhat intangible world
of the atom, molecule and ion. The course includes both lecture and laboratory
portions. The laboratory portion of this course is designed by one of our
own instructors, TR Dickson. It is intended to make the seemingly abstract
concepts of chemistry applied and visual. The labs are an important and
integral component of the course and should not be perceived as less valuable
than the lectures. Many times topics which are part of the course material
are covered exclusively in the lab. The lab provides hands-on experience
and information that will be considered fair game on tests.
Many times
introductory courses are thought to be elementary in nature and without
rigor. This is not true for this course. The survey of chemistry as a field
of study is expansive by nature. It requires diligence and endurance. The
difficulties in this course can be classifed into two general efforts:
1. Learning
a different language which at times looks deceptively like English.
2. Investigating
the nature of everything in an organized, digestible fashion.
This may seem
a bit overwhelming but remember thousands of people pass this type of class
every semester. It is not impossible and no matter what, if you put in
a 100% you will receive the satisfaction of doing your best. Regardless
of individual strengths and weaknesses, the student who is diligent and
consistent in their efforts to master chemistry gets the grade and also
the discipline to succeed in even more rigorous courses. Consider this
course an opportunity to learn how to learn.
INSTRUCTORS
for Spring semester, 2005
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Cabrillo College Chemistry Department / 6500 Soquel Dr. / Aptos, CA 95003 |
| Last Updated: 1/3/2005 |
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