Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 4165-01

Course: CHEM 4165-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCI
CRN: 12195

Course Description

Lab to accompany CHEM 4160. 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. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): CHEM 4160

Required Texts

Laboratory Manual printed off from canvas. 

Learning Outcomes

Students in this course will develop lab techniques for inorganic experiments, apply spectroscopy, and learn fundamental principles behind inorganic reactions. 

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

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

In order to receive your grade in this class, any fees that are incurred in the lab must be paid.

 

Grading: Grades will be based on the following:

            Lab Reports/Lab Notebook                                75%

            Final Exam                                                      25%                 

 

            

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.

 

Lab Reports: 

            You are to read the description, background, and procedure BEFORE coming to lab.

            Lab Reports are due at the beginning of the following lab.

            Pre-Labs are due at the beginning of the lab (I will initial your notebooks)

            Late work will suffer a 30% deduction and will only be accepted until the following lab class.

            IF we move online (unlikely), lab reports will be uploaded to CANVAS.

See the format below for a lab report

 

Technique/Safety/Clean-up

Proper lab attire must be worn in order to be in lab. A student will be sent to change if they do not have the proper lab attire. A student will also be unsafe if they have not completed the pre-lab before coming to lab.

Safe Laboratory practices are required. Gross misconduct will result in a deduction of points.

            If you are unsure about a specific step, ask the instructor before attempting to set it up.

            Leave the laboratory space clean, wipe down all areas before leaving

            Proper disposal of waste – Ask if you don’t know.

            

            There are many dangers in this lab, many of the chemicals are toxic and hazardous. I highly recommend studying the experiments beforehand as preparation is a must. 

 

Quizzes/Exams: There will be a comprehensive final exam that covers each of the topics we learn about. Bring a scantron for it. 

Course Outline

Lab Schedule

 

Date                 Experiment

 

Jan 12               INTRODUCTION and Experiment 1: Cu transformation

 

Jan 19               No Lab (MLK Day)

 

Jan 26               Experiment 2: Geometric Isomerism

 

Feb 2                Experiment 3: Luminescence Quenching of Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) Ions

 

Feb 9                Experiment 4: Ethylenediamine Complexes of Chromium

 

Feb 16              No Lab (President’s Day)

 

Feb 23              Experiment 5: Determination of Δo in Cr(III) Complexes

 

Mar 2               Experiment 6: Synthesis and Reactions of Cobalt Phenanthroline Complexes

 

Mar 9               No Lab (Spring Break)

 

Mar 16             Experiment 7: Ethylenediamine Complexes of Cobalt and Nickel

 

Mar 23             TBA (week to finish experiment 7 if needed, may do experiment 8)

 

Mar 30             Experiment 8: Preparation of Two Cobalt Complexes (or No lab for FoE)

 

Apr 6                Experiment 9: The Synthesis and Characterization of Ferrocene

 

Apr  13             Final Exam

 

References used to prepare the lab manual:

 

1. Microscale Inorganic Chemistry by Zvi Szafran, Ronald M. Pike, and Mono, M. Singh.

2. Inorganic Experiments by Derek Woollins

3. Experimental Methods in Inorganic Chemistry by John Tanaka

 

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

Late work will be accepted for up to one week with a 30% point deduction.

Makeup work will need to be scheduled to complete the missed experiment.

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy: Laboratory work is a hands-on experience, and attendance is mandatory. You are expected to attend your scheduled lab time. Make up labs are allowed as a result of a University excused absence or medical emergency. Make up labs are at the discretion of the instructor. This may require alternative work. 

IF I have an emergency or illness, I will attempt to find a replacement instructor. If that’s not possible, I will email you as soon as possible.

Course Fees

13.50 per credit hour.

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.