Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 3160-01

Course: CHEM 3160-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSCI
CRN: 31738

Course Description

A study of structure, reactivity patterns, and bonding theory as applied to inorganic chemistry. Topics covered will include periodic relationships, group theory, molecular orbital and valence bond approaches to bonding, solid state chemistry, and electrochemistry. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. 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) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2310 and CHEM 2315 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

Inorganic Chemistry 5e, by Miessler, Fischer, Tarr.

Learning Outcomes

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Knowledge of the Physical and Natural World – Students will recall, interpret, compare, explain, and apply chemistry terminology and theory.
2. Quantitative Literacy – Students will use chemical equations, graphs and tables to interpret and communicate chemical information.
3. Inquiry and Analysis – Students will solve complex chemical problems.
4. Critical Thinking – Students will make decisions based on conceptualizing, applying, and analyzing information.

Course Requirements

Grading: Grades will be based on the following:
            3 Midterm Exams                                             30% 
            Final Exam                                                       30% 
            In Class Quizzes                                               20%
            Homework                                                       10%
            Papers                                                              10%
 
Final Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
            Percentage                   Grade                                       Percentage                   Grade
            93.0-100                      A                                             73.0-77.0                     C
            90.0-93.0                     A-                                            70.0-73.0                     C-
            87.0-90.0                     B+                                            67.0-70.0                     D+
            83.0-87.0                     B                                              63.0-67.0                     D
            80.0-83.0                     B-                                            60.0-63.0                     D-
            77.0-80.0                     C+                                            <60.0                           F

Note: There are no extra points available. It is the instructor’s duty to ensure that every student in this course is evaluated fairly and equally. Letter grades will be objectively assigned with no exceptions.

Midterm Exams: There are three midterm exams, to be completed on the designated day unless prior arrangements have been made. If you are going to miss an exam due to a university excused absence, you will need to take the exam early. While the first three exams will focus on the material in that section, chemistry by its nature is cumulative and therefore the midterm exams are cumulative as well. It is departmental policy that exams not be returned, although students can examine them in my office. Scantrons are required.

 Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive. The final is made to be similar to the final exam produced by the American Chemical Society. Therefore, it is to your advantage to learn as much as possible throughout the semester. The test is multiple choice and you will need to bring a scantron and #2 pencil.

 Chapter Homework: A few problems will be assigned from the book (see files in canvas) each day except those days when a test is administered. The problems are due before the next day of class. These will be awarded points by one of two means: on some days assignments will be graded, on other days full points will be awarded for turning in a complete answer that represents an honest effort (including work). A coin will be flipped to determine which one it is. Assignments for completion will be worth 1 point, while ones graded are 10 points. 

 In Class Quizzes: There will be announced quizzes throughout the semester to measure student learning and encourage attendance. Time to complete these quizzes will only be given in class unless prior arrangements are made. No make up will be allowed for quizzes. If a quiz is missed due to a university sanctioned absence (an athlete participating in a sporting event, for example), the quiz will need to be made up on the first day available (preferably taken before the event).

 Pet Metal Paper: Choose a main group metal on the period table. Learn about the chemistry it participates in. I have an excellent book to help you learn about that metal. The library may also be of great use. Primary literature will be expected as the main source of information. A rubric will be provided in the canvas assignment. 

 Crystal Structure Paper: Choose a mineral and find out what type of crystal structure it has. Find a journal article that discusses it. A rubric will provided in the canvas assignment.

Course Outline

     Day                                     Text                                         Achieve Assignment
Aug 27                                     Pre-quiz, Chapter 1                   Practice Drawing Molecules
Sept 2                                       Chapter 2 part 1
Sept 4                                       Chapter 2 part 2                         Chapter 2
Sept 9                                       Chapter 3 part 1                        
Sept 11                                     Chapter 3 part 2                        Chapter 3
Exam 1, Chapters 1, 2 & 3 – Tues Sept 16                  
Sept 18                                     Chapter 4 part 1
Sept 23                                     Chapter 4 part 2
Sept 25                                     Chapter 4 part 3
Sept 30                                     VR Classroom (tentative date)   Chapter 4
Oct 2                                        Chapter 5 part 1
Oct 7                                        Chapter 5 part 2                        
Oct 9                                        Chapter 5 part 3                        Chapter 5
Oct 14                                      No Class – Fall Break
Oct 16                                      Chapter 6 part 1
Oct 21                                      Chapter 6 part 2
Oct 23                                      Chapter 6 part 3                        Chapter 6
Exam 2, Chapters 4, 5 & 6 – Tues Oct 28
Oct 30                                      Chapter 7 part 1
Nov 4                                       Chapter 7 part 2                        Chapter 7
Nov 6                                       Chapter 8 part 1
Nov 11                                     Chapter 8 part 2                        Chapter 8
Nov 13                                     Chapter 9 part 1
Nov 18                                     Chapter 9 part 2                        Chapter 9
Exam 3, Chapters 7, 8 & 9 – Thurs Nov 20
Nov 25-27                                No class – Thanksgiving Break
Dec 2-4                                     Review
Final Exam – Wed, Dec 10, 3:00 – 4:50 PM SC 228 

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

Late Assignments: Assignments are due by the next lecture after they are assigned. Late assignments will be accepted for one week with a penalty of 30%. Exams must be taken as scheduled unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. If you will be gone for a university sanctioned event, you must take the exam before the event.

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class. If you must miss class, contact the instructor to avoid late penalties. In class quizzes cannot be made up.

Course Fees

Course fee is $40.5

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.