Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (Face-to-Face)

CHEM 3160-01

Course: CHEM 3160-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: PSCI
CRN: 31222

Course Description

A study of structure, reactivity patterns, and bonding theory as applied to inorganic chemistry. Topics covered will include periodic relationships, group theory, molecular orbital and valence bond approaches to bonding, solid state chemistry, and electrochemistry. Three (3) hours of lecture 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) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CHEM 2310 and CHEM 2315 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

Inorganic Chemistry”, Gary L. Miessler, 5th edition. ISBN: 978-0-321-81105-9
Achieve code for online homework

Learning Outcomes

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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

Lectures

The modality of delivery of this course will be face-to-face. Lectures are intended to discuss, illustrate, and demonstrate concepts and applications of inorganic chemistry.  They are also intended to complement personal study.  Thus, it is important that you use all resources available to you and attend class and be part of the discussion and activities in order to learn the subject.

Homework and Quizzes

Homework, “achieve” online assignments and in-class quizzes constitute a major part of the course work.  “Achieve” assignments can be accessed through the canvas shell of the course. You are required to purchase the “Achieve Code” as early as possible and follow the instructions that come with it in order to be able to access the assignments. Each assignment has a due date; therefore, it is important to watch when each assignment is due as these due dates will not be extended.

Examinations and Grading

There will be a total of FOUR exams (three hourly exams during the term and a final exam) according to the schedule below.  All exams will be administered face-to-face and during class time.

Exam Schedule:
Exam 1            TBA
Exam 2            TBA
Exam 3            TBA
Final                TBA

Grade Scheme

60% of your grade will be based upon results of all examinations. 40% upon the homework assignments and quizzes.

The following grading standards will be used in this class:


 | Grade | Range
| A | 100% to 92.0%
| A- | < 92.0% to 90%
| B+ | < 89.9% to 87%
| B | < 86.9% to 83%
| B- | < 82.9% to 80%
| C+ | < 79.9% to 77%
| C | < 76.9% to 73%
| C- | < 72.9% to 70%
| D+ | < 69.9 % to 67%
| D | < 66.9% to 63%
| D- | < 62.9% to 60%
| F | < 60%

Course Outline

September
Week
1
   Chapter 1: Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
What is inorganic chemistry
Contrasts with organic chemistry
The history of inorganic chemistry
             
Week 2
  Chapter 2: Atomic structure
The origin of the elements 
The nucleosynthesis of light elements
The periodic Table
The structures of hydrogenic atoms
Quantum numbers and Atomic Orbitals
                   
Week 3
  Many-electron atoms
Penetration and shielding
Periodic properties of elements
               
Week 4
    Chapter 3: Bonding Theories
Valence Bond Theory
Lewis structures
Lewis Structures
The Octet Rule
Expanded octet
Resonance
Formal charge

October
Week 1

   The VSEPR 
Shapes of molecules / ions
Bond angle
Electronegativity and atomic size effects 
Molecular orbital theory 
Principle
Sigma and pi interaction of P orbitals
Simple diatomic molecules H2, O2, F2) MO diagrams 
                               
Week 2
     Chapter 4: Symmetry and Group Theory
Symmetry Elements and Operations
Point Groups
Groups of Low and High Symmetry
Other Groups
Properties and Representations of Groups
Matrices
                 
Week 3
Representations of Point Groups
Character Tables
Examples and Applications of Symmetry
Molecular Vibrations  
             
Week 4
Chapter 5: Molecular Orbitals
Formation of molecular orbitals from atomic orbitals
(s, p, d orbitals)
MO’s of homo-dinuclear molecules
Orbital mixing
     
November
Week 1
    
      MO’s of hetero-dinuclear molecules
MO’s for larger molecules
       
Week 2       
Chapter 6: Acids-Base Chemistry
Arrhenius Concept
Brønsted-Lowry concept 
Characteristics of Brønsted acids
Leveling Effect of Solvents
           
Week 3     
Nonaqueous Solvents
Super acids 
Lewis acidity 
Reactions and properties of Lewis acids and bases 
Applications of acid–base chemistry
Hard-Soft Acid-Base Concept 
               
Week 4   
   Chapter 7: The Crystalline Solid Sate
Simple structures
Structures of Binary compounds
More complex structures
Thermodynamics of Ionic Crystals Formation
Lattice Energy
Conductivity of Solids
Imperfections in Solids
 
December
Week 1
Chapter 8: Oxidation and Reduction (outside source)
Reduction potentials 
Redox stability 
The diagrammatic presentation of potential data 
Chemical extraction of the elements

 Week 2              
Part 2: The elements and their compounds (Chs 9-12)
Periodic properties of the elements
Chemistry of elements
-Hydrogen
-Alkali metals
 
-Alkali earth metals
-Boron
-Aluminum
 
-Carbon
-Silicon
-Nitrogen
-Phosphorous
   

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

Late Assignments:
If an examination or an assignment is missed due to circumstances beyond the student's control, the grade will be prorated not to be counted against the student. Students must notify the instructor BEFORE an exam/assignment is missed in order to qualify for the exceptions noted in this section. Failure to communicate with the instructor will result in a "0" for any missed work or late submission.


Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class. If you must miss class, contact the instructor to avoid late penalties. In class quizzes cannot be made up.

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.