Course Syllabus

It is the responsibility of each student to understand the actions and behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating, within each class as well as other venues on campus. Students are encouraged to ask questions of instructors and are expected to read the college’s statement on Academic Fraud (located in the College Catalog). Penalties for actions inconsistent with classroom, library and College expectations for academic integrity range from a failing grade on an assignment, quiz, exam, paper, or project (which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to, under certain conditions, suspension, or expulsion from a class, program, or the college. For more information and/or further clarification, please consult with your instructor or contact the Student Affairs Office.

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Accessibility Resource Center (A.R.C.) as soon as possible (early in the semester) so that reasonable accommodations may be authorized and implemented in a timely manner.

Accessibility Resource Center (A.R.C.)
Location: Building 60, Room 120
Email: grossmont.arc@gcccd.edu
Phone: (619) 644-7112
A.R.C Website

Regular attendance is absolutely required, and you are expected to email me using the Inbox of Canvas, in advance of any absence, or to discuss any anticipated upcoming absences. If a student’s absences exceed the number of hours that a class meets a week (3 hours for Chem 110), an instructor may drop the student, but it is officially the student’s responsibility to drop the course. Partial absences (late arrivals, long breaks, early exits) constitute a ½ day absence. Make-up work for any absences must be completed, as no absence exempts the student from the responsibility of completing all work to the satisfaction of the instructor.
You will be dropped from the course if you are not actively participating.
Active participation involves attending ALL classes, and generally completing online homework assignments, audio/visual assignments (AVA), lab experiments, quizzes and exams. I will attempt to communicate, and send notification via Inbox of Canvas, of my intent to drop anyone who is failing to actively participate.

Those enrolled at the end of the semester must receive a letter grade unless they have chosen the CR/NC option.  An “incomplete” may only be arranged for completion of a particular item such as the final exam, if there are documented extenuating circumstances, but will not be given to allow repeat of the course.  Withdrawal or Pass/No Pass grading is available through Admissions and Records.  Grades will be posted in Canvas.  Notify instructor immediately if you have questions regarding the posted grades.

Pre-Lecture Smartbook 19%: Spend 1-3 hours completing HW and reading the e-text before class to prepare for lecture. Assignments due most Wednesdays and most Sundays but access is open for 48 hours past due with no late penalty. Repeat assignments over and over until you get 100%. After 48 hours past due, there is no opportunity for credit (except with instructor permission for extenuating circumstances).

Pre-Lecture Videos 2%:  Watch these Chemistry Videos before class to prepare for lecture, and write 1 sentence saying how much time you spent. Assignments due most Thursdays, and they are intended to pad your grade with an easy 100%. Videos include detailed explanations to simplify the Chemistry aspect of the course.

Connect Homework 10%: Complete these assignments after we complete the lecture on each chapter. Assignment details in Connect.

Environmental Videos 4%: Watch these videos on Environmental topics and write a 7-14 sentence summary to receive credit. This will be graded easy and is intended as a padding of 100% for your grade, with the purpose of learning about Environmental issues in current news.

Exploration Project 2%: Visit somewhere that has Environmental significance and write a short summary of your experience. Details and options forthcoming as the semester proceeds, and we may set up field trips to SDGE, Birch Aquarium, etc.

Experiments 15%: Complete in class experiments and worksheets to reinforce lecture material, plus have fun. Due according to Schedule, drop 1 lowest score.

Quizzes 18%: 3 in class according to Schedule, plus some online, drop 1 lowest score

Exams 20%: 2 in class, according to Schedule

Final Exam 10%: Cumulative on the last day of the semester

TOTAL 100%

Approximately 90% will be an A-, 80% a B-, 70% a C and 60% a D grade. +/- grading is employed, and grades may be slightly curved at the end of the semester.

Late work will be accepted, and each category of assignments has a separate late credit policy that will be detailed within the assignment.

Office hours:
1/30/24-5/21/24

Tuesdays after class 8:35 pm-9:15 pm, Room 30-242,  

Additional Office Hours:
Tu/Th 1:45-2:00 pm and Th 5:05-5:50 pm, Room 30-250

Visit our Student Support Hub to get get information and links to a variety of resources, services, help desks and helpful Canvas tutorials.

Access to a computer and Wifi to complete online reading and homework assignments. Computers are available on campus in the library and in various Tech rooms.

Textbook: Chemistry In Context: Applying Chemistry to Society, 10^th ed.

“Electronic Text with Access Code for Connect”  “A Project of the American Chemical Society”

Free electronic access including all features after purchasing Smartbook & Connect Homework