10806134General Chemistry
Course Information
Description
Covers the fundamentals of chemistry. Topics include the metric system, problem-solving, periodic relationships, chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium, properties of water; acids, bases, and salts; and gas laws.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Perform safe laboratory practices
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    use PPE
    follow laboratory procedures
    locate critical safety equipment
    select the correct equipment for specific procedures
    locate regulatory guidelines related to the laboratory chemicals
    follow laboratory safety procedures

  2. Apply scientific method
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    apply the steps in the scientific method to problems
    draw conclusions from your observations and/or data
    record quantitative observations
    record qualitative observations
    apply the scientific method to understand inequalities in the context of environmental justice

  3. Solve problems using quantitative data
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    use various systems of measurements
    convert within and between systems of measurement
    write numbers using appropriate significant figures
    apply significant figure rules to rounding
    convert between standard and scientific notation
    distinguish between accuracy and precision
    use dimensional analysis
    calculate derived properties

  4. Explain the characteristics of matter
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    distinguish between physical vs chemical properties
    distinguish between physical vs chemical changes
    distinguish between homogenous and heterogeneous mixtures
    distinguish among the physical states of matter
    identify changes in physical states of matter
    distinguish between mixtures and pure substances
    distinguish between compounds and elements
    contrast the properties of ionic and molecular compounds
    describe intermolecular forces

  5. Analyze the periodic relationships of the elements
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    predict periodic trends
    describe the basic structure of the atom
    describe the properties of subatomic particles
    determine the number of subatomic particles in atoms and/or ions
    identify all parts of the isotopic symbol
    relate isotopic symbol to subatomic particle composition
    classify elements by their position on the periodic table

  6. Describe chemical bonding
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    determine valence electrons for main group elements
    apply the octet rule to chemical bonding
    explain the formation of an ionic bond
    use a periodic table to predict ions formed by main group elements
    explain the formation of a covalent bond
    use the periodic table to determine an element's bonding patterns
    relate electronegativity differences between atoms to the type of bond they form
    draw molecular structures

  7. Explain the behavior of matter during a chemical reaction
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify evidence of a chemical change
    determine the impact heat has on chemical processes
    describe chemical reactions using equations
    classify types of reactions
    relate experimental observations to chemical changes

  8. Calculate quantities of substances
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    apply mole concepts
    convert between moles and particles
    calculate molar mass
    balance chemical equations
    solve stoichiometry problems
    convert between moles and grams

  9. Analyze chemical substances
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    explain the law of constant composition
    use chemical formulae to represent compounds
    differentiate between ionic and molecular compounds
    interpret ionic and molecular compounds from the formula or the name
    apply rules of chemical nomenclature
    change between chemical names and formulae
    identify the seven elements that exist naturally as diatomic molecules at room temperature

  10. Characterize aqueous solutions
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the components of a solution
    solve concentration problems
    calculate the molar concentration of a solution
    describe properties of solutions
    apply solubility rules

  11. Analyze acid-base chemistry
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    distinguish between the properties of acids and bases
    characterize acid-base reactions
    interpret the pH scale
    calculate the pH of a solution
    explain buffers

  12. Characterize the behavior of gases
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    use the kinetic molecular theory to describe behavior of gases
    use appropriate units of measure for state variables
    apply the gas laws to solve problems
    describe relationships between state variables