Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Principles of Chemistry I Lab (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 1215-06

Course: CHEM 1215-06
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCI
CRN: 12266

Course Description

Lab to accompany CHEM 1210. 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 1210 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Physical Sciences

Required Texts

We will use a custom labbook, that was developed in-house,called "Experiments for Principles of Chemistry I." It is available in the SUU bookstore for the cost of printing.

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 safety data sheets (SDS), 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

  1. Work safely in a chemistry lab and properly manage laboratory waste.
  2. Apply knowledge of accuracy and precision to measurements made in the laboratory and choose appropriate instruments for measurement.
  3. Name and provide formulas for common inorganic compounds.
  4. Calculate formula weights, moles, limiting reactants, and molarities.
  5. Assemble a simple calorimeter and measure heats of reaction.
  6. Use a spectrophotometer to make a Beer’s law graph.
  7. Understand the relationship between reactivity and position of elements on the periodic table.
  8. Prepare % mass and molar aqueous solutions.

Course Outline

Week of                                  Title                                                                

Jan 13                                      Safety in the Laboratory/LAB CHECK-IN
Jan 20                          NO LAB—MLK HOLIDAY 
Jan 27                                      Measurement
Feb 3                                       Hydrates/Nomenclature (dry lab)
Feb 10                                     Limiting Reactant and % Copper
Feb 17             All Sections Except Monday—Spectrophotometry; Monday—NO LAB
Feb 24                                     Calorimetry (Monday is a week behind until 3-30)                           
Mar 2                                      Spectroscopy
Mar 9                                      NO LAB—SPRING RECESS
Mar 16                                    Chemical Reactions of Metals
Mar 23                                    Reactivity of Halogens
Mar 30              All Sections Except Monday—NO LAB; Monday—Halogens
Apr 6                                       Molecular Geometry (dry lab)/Gas Laws
Apr 13                                     LAB CHECK-OUT/LAB EXAM

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

Unexcused late work loses 25% of total credit for every week it is late.  Work that is four or more weeks late will not be graded.  No work will be accepted after April 17th.  Lab preview exercises are due at the start of each laboratory period, and data sheets and post-lab questions may be turned in up to a week following the lab.   

Make-ups may be allowed on an individual basis, but only for school-approved absences.  The best course of action, if you miss a lab, is to arrange with the instructor to come to another lab section that week.  If other arrangements are required, the makeup lab may or may not be the same as the missed experiment, and may require additional work or a greater time commitment.

Attendance Policy

A laboratory is a hands-on experience.  Although attendance points are not given, your attendance and participation are nevertheless required in order to get credit.  If you know you are going to miss a lab, please make arrangements beforehand with your instructor (preferably to attend another lab that week). 

Course Fees

A lab drawer stocked with glassware and supplies will be checked out to you and your lab partner(s) on the first day of lab.  You are responsible for maintaining this glassware throughout the course, and returning it in good condition at the end of the semester.  As your program fees cover only chemicals and general lab maintenance, you will be charged for any losses or breakages you incur.  All fees must be paid before you can receive a grade in this class!

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.