Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Elementary Chemistry Lab (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 1115-06

Course: CHEM 1115-06
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCI
CRN: 12246

Course Description

Lab to accompany CHEM 1110. Two (2) hours of lab 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, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): CHEM 1110 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Physical Sciences

Required Texts

Experiments for Elementary Chemistry, CHEM 1115, available at the bookstore

Learning Outcomes

1.             Provide students with the tools to solve problems. Students should use appropriate laboratory skills and instrumentation to solve problems, while understanding the fundamental uncertainties in experimental measurements. (Inquiry, critical thinking, quantitative literacy, problem solving)

2.             Train students in the aspects of modern chemical safety.  Students should understand responsible disposal techniques, understand and comply with safety regulations, understand and use material safety data sheets (MSDS), recognize and minimize potential chemical and physical hazards in the laboratory, and know how to handle laboratory emergencies effectively.  (Critical thinking, problem solving)

3.             Foster students’ communication skills. Students should be able to present information in a clear and organized manner. (Communication, quantitative literacy)

4.             Hone students’ team skills. Students should be able to work effectively in a group to solve scientific problems, be effective leaders as well as effective team members, and interact productively with a diverse group of peers. (Teamwork, problem solving)

Course Requirements

DISTRIBUTION OF COURSE POINTS:
Point Distribution 
Pre-lab assignments | 10 points each | Due at the beginning of lab
Date Sheets | 30 points each | Due at beginning of the following lab
Participation | 90 points | Earned each lab
Lab Final | 100 points | Comprehensive
 
To determine % points for an assignment: (Achieved points) / (Points possible) × 100 = % pts Grades are posted through Canvas (https://suu.instructure.com). Grades follow the standard rules of rounding and will only be rounded from the tenths place to the nearest full percentage. If you have any questions please ask. Ensure the grade recorded is the grade earned.  Inform me of any discrepancies. 
 
Pre-Lab Assignments
You are expected to read the lab description and background before coming to lab. There is a pre-lab assignment associated with every lab, and this assignment is due at the start of the lab period. 
Lab Experiments
You are expected to be present and participating in lab to receive full credit. Data sheets and post-lab questions accompany every lab. These assignments are due at the start of the following lab. Your lab will be considered late if it is not turned in at the assigned time, even if you miss lab that week. 
While you will be working with a lab partner, you are expected to do your own authentic work. 
Final Exam
The final will be comprehensive and given at the end of the semester. 
Assignment Scores
You have the responsibility to make sure scores are properly submitted on Canvas. You have one week from when assignments are returned to discuss anything regarding grading with the professor. 
Participation
•       You are expected to be present and participating in lab to receive full credit. 
•       You need to be on time. Points will be deducted from your assignments if you are late. 
•       Make-up labs may be allowed on an individual basis, but only for appropriate university approved absences. Check with you instructor to find another lab to attend that week. Advanced notice must be provided. 
•       Clean-up is a requirement for lab, a group will be assigned clean up for that week. If the lab is not cleaned, points will be lost. 

Course Outline

January 7-9 | No lab
January 12-16 | Drawer check-out, Safety and Techniques
January 19-23 | No lab - MLK Day
January 26-30 | Density
February 2-6 | Atomic Identification
February 9-13 | Chemical Formulas
February 16-20 | Chemical Names and Structures (dry lab)
February 23-27 | Chemical Reactions
March 2-6 | Stoichiometry
March 9-13 | No lab – Spring Break
March 16-20 | Chemical Equilibrium
March 23-27 | Collection of Hydrogen Gas
Mar 30-Apr 3 | Electrolytes
April 6-10 | Acid-Base Chemistry
April 13-17 | Final Exam
April 21-25 | No lab

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

Pre-lab assignments cannot be turned in late, as it is expected that these be completed before the lab begins. Lab experiments will be accepted up to the last day of class and penalized 30% of the original value. 

Attendance Policy

Missing class is a choice that you make. Accepted excuses for missing class include University excused absences, medical emergencies, and illness. Please stay home if you’re feeling ill. If you're ill please let me know and if necessary, I will require evidence, like a doctor’s note to provide accommodations for make- up lab. If you do not attend another section, you will receive a 0 for that lab report.

Course Fees

N/A

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.