Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Chemistry (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 1010-02

Course: CHEM 1010-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCI
CRN: 31762

Course Description

A one-semester liberal arts course dealing with the fundamentals in chemistry that apply to everyday living. A course intended to fill the General Education requirement in the Physical Science Knowledge Area. A minimum grade of “C” (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a physical science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Basic Chemistry, 5th Edition, Timberlake, Pearson, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-413804-6. Recommended.

“Achieve” Online Homework for Introductory Chemistry (Single-Term Online). Required.

Learning Outcomes

Physical Sciences Learning Outcomes
1) Explain science as a process and as a way of understanding the physical world.
2) Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on physical systems.
3) Evaluate the credibility of various sources of information about science-related issues.
4) Describe how the Physical Sciences utilize their foundational principles to confront and solve pressing local and global challenges, shaping historical, ethical, or social landscapes in the process.

Course Requirements

Course Work Outline
  • Lectures
    Lecture notes will be posted to help students study the topics outlined in this syllabus.
  • Chapter Practice Problems
    Selected problems from each chapter are posted on the last slide of each chapter notes. These problems are intended to self-test your understanding of the subject. These are for your own study practices and will not be collected or graded.
  • Homework Assignments and Quizzes
    "Achieve" homework will be assigned weekly. These are online assignments provided by an external source that you need to subscribe to. These assignments can be accessed through the canvas shell of the course. You are required to purchase the “Achieve Code” (check with SUU bookstore) as early as possible and follow the instructions that come with it to be able to access the homework assignments. Each assignment has a due date; therefore, it is important to watch when each assignment is due as these due dates will not be extended.
    In addition, weekly in class Quizzes will be given during the semester that in most cases require a Wi-Fi capable device to access. You must be present to qualify for the points assigned to these quizzes. No makeup is available for any missed quizzes under any conditions.
    The problems on the assignments and quizzes are carefully selected to match the subjects of interest in the textbook and be inline with the learning objectives. These problems help you test your comprehension and understanding of the subject. These assignments will be automatically graded and recorded on canvas. These assignments DO NOT necessarily weigh the same in the assignment category, but all together they constitute 30% of your final grade in the course.
  • Examinations
    THREE hourly exams in addition to a final will be given during the semester. All exams will be delivered online through the Testing Center over a period of TWO days during the testing center's hours.
    These exams are intended to test your comprehension of the subject and your ability to meet the expectations and outcomes of the course. The questions on the exams are NOT necessarily similar to the Achieve questions or use the same language, as they are written by a different expert in the field, but they cover the same concepts and the same information presented in the book. These exams DO NOT necessarily weigh the same in the exam category but all together they constitute 70% of your final grade in the course.

Course Outline

Tentative Lecture Schedule
Month and WeekSubject
Sept
Week
1
Chapter 1: Chemistry in Our Lives.
1.1 Chemistry and Chemicals.
1.2 Scientific Method.
1.3 Learning Chemistry: A Study Plan.
1.4 Learning Chemistry: Key Math Skills.
1
Week
2
Chapter 2: Measurements.
2.1 Units of Measurement.
2.2 Scientific Notation.
2.3 Significant Figures.
2.4 Significant Figures in Calculations.
2.5 Prefixes and Equalities.
2.6 Writing Conversion Factors.
2.7 Problem Solving Using Unit Conversion.
2.8 Density.
1
Week
3
Chapter 3: Matter and Energy.
3.1 Classification of Matter.
3.2 States and Properties of Matter.
3.3 Temperature.
3.4 Energy.
3.5 Specific Heat.
3.6 Energy and Nutrition.
1
Week
4
Chapter 4: Atoms and Elements.
4.1 Elements and Symbols.
4.2 The Periodic Table.
4.3 The Atom.
4.4 Atomic Number and Mass Number.
4.5 Isotopes and Atomic Mass.
Oct
Week
1
Chapter 5: Electronic Structure and Periodic Trends.
5.1 Electromagnetic Radiation.
5.2 Atomic Spectra and Energy.
5.3 Sublevels and Orbitals.
5.4 Orbital Diagram and Electron Configurations.
5.5 Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table.
5.6 Trends in Periodic Properties.
1
Week
2
Chapter 6: Ionic and Molecular Compounds.
6.1 Ions: Transfer of Electrons.
6.2 Writing Formulas for Ionic Compounds.
6.3 Naming Ionic Compounds.
6.4 Polyatomic Ions.
6.5 Molecular Compounds: Sharing Electrons.
6.6 Organic Compounds: Extended Topic.
6.7 Names and Formulas of Alkanes: Extended Topic.
1
Week
3
Chapter 7: Chemical Quantities.
7.1 The Mole.
7.2 Molar Mass.
7.3 Calculations Using Molar Mass.
7.4 Mass Percent Composition and Empirical Formulas.
(Omit) Calculating Empirical Formula (Sample Problems: 7.8, 7.9, 7.10).
7.5 Molecular Formulas.
(Omit) Calculations.
1
Week
4
Chapter 8: Chemical Reactions.
8.1 Equations for Chemical Reactions.
8.2 Balancing a Chemical Equation.
8.3 Types of Chemical Reactions.
8.4 (Omit) Functional Groups and Reactions of Organic Compounds.
8.5 (Omit) Biochemical Compounds.
Nov
Week
1
Chapter 9:
Chapter 9: Chemical Quantities in Reactions.
9.1 Mole Relationships in Chemical Equations.
9.2 Mass Calculations for Reactions.
9.3 Limiting Reactants.
9.4 Percent Yield.
9.5 Energy in Chemical Reactions.
(Omit) Calculations.
1
Week
2
Chapter 10: Properties of Solids and Liquids.
10.1 Electron Dot Formulas.
10.2 Shapes of Molecules (VSEPR Theory).
10.3 Electronegativity and Polarity.
10.4 Attractive Forces in Compounds. (Omit)
10.5 Changes of State. (Omit) except change of state diagram and heating curve.
1
Week
4
Chapter 11: Gases.
11.1 Properties of Gases.
11.2 Gas Pressure.
11.3 Pressure and Volume (Boyle’s Law).
11.4 Temperature and Pressure (Gay-Lussac’s Law)
11.5 The Combined Gas Law
11.6 Avogadro’s Law
11.7 The Ideal Gas Law.
Dec
Week
1
Chapter 16, Selected topics.
16.1 Natural Radioactivity.
16.2 Nuclear Reactions.
16.3 Radiation Measurement.
16.4 Half-Life of Radioisotope.
16.6 Nuclear Fission and Fusion.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Policy on Exams and Assignments

No makeup on any missed assignment or exam, no exam rescheduling will be available under any circumstances. If an examination is missed due to circumstances beyond the student's control, the grade of the next exam will be doubled. In case of a missed assignment, the grade will be prorated not to be counted against the student. Students must notify the instructor BEFORE an exam/assignment is missed in order to qualify for the exceptions noted in this section. Failure to communicate with the instructor will result in a "0" for any missed work or late submission.

Late Homework will be graded at 50% per day for the first three days, then it will be assigned zero after that. However, the instructor reserves the right to NOT accept late submission of any assignment.

No exam scores will be dropped. No extra credit is available. No electronic devices other than a computer and a non-alpha-numeric calculator will be allowed during the examination.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is expected at all times and for the full period of class.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.