Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Principles of Chemistry I (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 1210-03

Course: CHEM 1210-03
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Chemistry and Physics
CRN: 31276

Course Description

This course can be taken by students to fulfill the General Education (GE) requirement for “Knowledge Area: Physical Science (P).” The principles of chemistry underlie much of modern society. Students will explore the basic principles of chemistry, allowing them to better understand the world around them at a basic, atomic level. This will prepare students to be informed citizens in the modern world in topics such as climate change, medicine, and pollution.

Required Texts

Chemistry: The Central Science 15th Edition (Brown et al). Note: An electronic version of the text is available to you in Canvas under Access Pearson.

Achieve Online Homework, accessed through Macmillan LTI Advantage Course Tools on Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learning fundamental principles, generalizations or theories
  • Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) in chemistry
  • Gaining an understanding of chemistry’s importance both to the student as an individual and to society as a whole
  • Developing specific skills to improve critical thinking, problem solving, and logical reasoning.
  • Develop skills in the areas of inquiry and analysis.
  • Explain scientific methods: Explain science as a process and as a way of understanding the physical world
  • Understand: Demonstrate understanding of matter, energy, and their influence on physical systems
  • Evaluate: Evaluate the credibility of various sources of information about science-related issues
  • Apply: 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

LECTURES: Students are expected to come to all lectures prepared. This includes reading ahead in the textbook, completing all prior homework problems in advance, and being prepared to take notes and participate. Cell phones are strongly discouraged during lecture (and not allowed on exams), so students are strongly encouraged to bring another calculator to class. We will cover as much of the material as possible during lectures; however, there will be times when independent study is necessary for some topics due to time constraints. We will be as productive and efficient as possible during lecture time; however, please know that it is nearly impossible to succeed in this course without spending significant amounts of time (1-2 hours per day) reading and studying outside of class.

EXAMINATIONS: All exams are closed-book. Mid-term examinations will be given during the semester in addition to a final exam. Except under extreme or emergency circumstances, missed examinations cannot be made up. In addition, students must attend the majority of classes where the material is covered in order to receive a score on a given exam.

HOMEWORK:
This course uses the Achieve online homework system. There will also be in-class problems assigned throughout the semester that count toward the homework grade.

LITERACY ASSIGNMENT:
Students are required to read one fiction or nonfiction book with ties to chemistry or physical science. After reading the book, credit will be given for this assignment following a short oral examination or video submission.

Course Outline

Course outline will be provided by the instructor during class and on Canvas. Generally speaking, we will cover chapters 1-11 of the required text in order. Contact the instructor for more detailed information.

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

The due dates and timing of this course are chosen to optimize student learning. Minor illnesses, work schedules, travel, unreliable internet connections, and forgetfulness are generally not legitimate reasons for missing assignments or turning in late work. Homework submitted after the due date will lose 10% credit per day late.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required at all lectures and exams. Missed lectures may be made up with the instructor's permission.

Course Fees

Course fees will be assessed as required.

Additional Course Information

Prerequisite and Co-requisite

PRE-REQUISITE: A minimum grade of "C" in MATH 1050 or 1210

CO-REQUISITE: CHEM 1215

Tutoring

Free tutoring is available to all students. Go to http://suu.edu/tutoring.html for more information. You can also post questions on the Canvas discussion board to be answered by the professor or by other students.

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.