Chemistry 1B is the second semester of a two-semester course in general chemistry.

  Why study general chemistry? All the wonderful people and things that fill the world around you involve chemistry in one way or another! You are made from chemicals, and you use chemicals every day-- when you breathe, drink a glass of water, wash your hands and hair, or eat a snack. These common activities and many, many others all involve chemicals and chemistry. Your natural desire to understand how these things work is perhaps the best reason to study chemistry.  Chemistry 1B, with its focus on the workings of the natural world, helps satisfy our need to know and understand.

  Chemistry 1B is intended for anyone that has completed Chemistry 1A with a grade of “C” or better. Chemistry 1B will satisfy the foundation requirements for chemistry majors, chemical engineering majors, biology majors, and pre-med students. It will work for any major as it completes the two-semester course and is the highest level of general chemistry offered at Cabrillo College. 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.

  The Chemistry 1B program will start with a brief perspective on the properties of the elements, in particular the periodic patterns in the main group of elements. The course will give a brief review of the bonding and structure of molecules. It will study the different methods for control of chemical reactions, investigate the principles of reactivity to include chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, the chemistry of acids and bases, reactions of acids and bases, the principles of thermochemistry, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
  In addition, an introduction to the area of organic chemistry will be presented to include both synthetic and biological macromolecules, and finally, some unique properties of the transition elements will be investigated.

  Experiential Learning (Laboratory): Chemistry is an experimental science. Therefore, Chemistry 1B experiential learning sessions are an integral part of the Chemistry 1B course. "Chemtrek" presents an entirely new, innovative, small-scale, safe, efficient, and extremely effective way to get involved in the excitement and promise of experimental chemistry. A broad spectrum of experiments will be investigated during the experiential learning sessions.
  Some experiments will be to: build a spectroscope to study the interaction of light and matter, investigate the mechanism of chemical reactions in chemical kinetics, observe the factors that effect enzyme kinetics, investigate the phenomenon of acid deposition (acid rain) and perform analysis of vitamin “C” in tablets and food. Computer data acquisition experiments will be studied to include the determination of the chemical rate law of crystal violet, the acid-base titration of a diuretic acid, and the determination of the thermodynamics of a volatile liquid. 

  Chemistry 1B includes both lecture and experiential learning (laboratory) portions. The semester exams will be given during the experiential learning sessions and these exams will include experiential learning performance based authentic assessments.

  The information given above may seem a bit overwhelming but remember that most people pass this class every semester. It is not impossible: if you put in 100%, you will receive the satisfaction of doing your best. Regardless of individual strengths and weaknesses, the student who is or becomes dedicated, diligent, consistent, organized and persistent in their efforts to master chemistry gets the grade and also the discipline to succeed in even more rigorous courses. 
 

INSTRUCTOR for Spring semester, 2005
Randa Roland
Christy Vogel
Karl Marhenke

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Current Cabrillo College schedule of classes