Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Chemical Lab Safety (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 2010-01

Course: CHEM 2010-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Chemistry and Physics
CRN: 34005

Course Description

An introductory course in laboratory safety introducing students to common hazards and exposure risks, proper disposal of waste, appropriate methods in handling hazardous materials, and the legal requirements for safety in chemical laboratories. A satisfactory level of enrollment must be achieved. 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 [As Needed], Spring [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Safe Science: Be Protected by Kenneth R. Roy Ph.D. This may be purchased from the Laboratory Safety. Other resources or links to material will be made available during the course of the workshop.

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals (1995) Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications. A free copy is online for review at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309052297/htm

Learning Outcomes

Objective: To give participants the knowledge necessary to provide a safe classroom and laboratory. Participants will have knowledge concerning various aspects of laboratory safety including safety equipment, MSDS Sheets, chemical disposal, chemical safety plans, etc. In addition, successful participants should be able to create their own safety plan for their use. This workshop will fulfill the safety certification requirement for the physical science endorsement.

Course Requirements

Tests Policy: No tests will be given. However quizzes will given after each workshop session.

Grading Policy: Your grade will be based upon active participation and completion of a laboratory safety plan specific to your classroom where:

90-100 % A
80-90 % B
70-80 % C

Points for each activity will be awarded as follows.

  • Quizes 50 points
  • Participation 100 points
  • MSDS Assignment #1 50 points
  • MSDS Assignment #2 100 points
  • Safety Inspection 150 points
  • Chemical Hygiene Plan 300 points

Total 750 points

Assignments can be turned in by Web acess from the course menu.

Course Outline

SessionActivityAssignments
1Common Safety MeasuresReading Assignment, Quiz & Discussion
2Common Safety ProblemsReading Assignment, Quiz & Discussion
3MSDS SheetsReading Assignment, Two MSDS Assignments & Discussion
4Extra Safety StuffReading Assignment, Quiz & Discussion
5Chemical Hygiene PlanReading Assignment, Quiz & Discussion
6Chemical Hygiene PlanReading Assignment, Draft Chemical Hygiene Plan & Discussion
7Overcoming Safety Obstacles at your SchoolSafety inspection, Discussion
8Chemical Hygiene PlanSubmit A Working Chemical Hygiene Plan

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

All work other than the CHP must be completed prior to exam  week or a 30% late fee will be applied.

Attendance Policy

Participation Policy: Teachers are expected to participate during each session. Participation will include completing reading assignments and participating in our on line Discussions. Failure to not make the required amount of comments will be considered as not participating in that session and participation points will not be awarded for that session. Each of the first seven sessions will be worth 14 points. The final 2 points will be awarded at the instructors discretion.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Prerequisites

Course Access and Resources
  • Reading assignments are detailed in each session summary which can be accessed from the course menu as “Session Summaries”.
  • Discussions can be access from the course menu or class home page as “Discussions”
  • Quizzes can be accessed from the course menu as “Quizzes”
  • Other assignments can be accessed from the course menu as “Assignments and CHP Fnal Draft”
  • The Safe Science Text can be accessed from the course menu or class home page as “Safe Science Text”

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.