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Document every lab experiment in a standard format in a lab notebook
Assessment Strategies
Product
Criteria
the notebook contains an index
each experiment completed is documented
each experiment's report is complete (contains all the important sections outlined in the notebook guideline document)
each of the sections in each report is substantive and accurate
the information given in the notebook can be used by another individual with comparable experience as you in organic chemistry to replicate the experiment and to observe similar results to yours
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Identify structures of unknown chemicals using IR spectroscopy
Assessment Strategies
Report
Criteria
report includes a complete, accurate and specific title
report includes peaks labeled with relevant molecular vibrations
report includes the proposed structure as shown on the spectrum
report includes a database match, along with % similarity
report includes the highlighted matching peaks in the database match
report includes a statement whether the IR results indicate whether or not the objective of the experiment was met
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Identify structures of solids using melting point analysis
Assessment Strategies
Report
Criteria
document literature value for melting point of pure substance
collect the melting point of a product produced in lab by correctly using the melting point apparatus
compare the measured value to the literature value of the melting point
determine the relative purity of the substance
report includes a statement whether the melting point results indicate whether or not the objective of the experiment was met
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Separate components from a liquid mixture using various distillation techniques
Assessment Strategies
Report
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
correctly set up a distillation apparatus
separate components of a mixture using distillation
utilize characterization methods (such as NMR, IR, TLC) to confirm identity and purity of isolated components from the mixture
write a procedure for how to separate components of a mixture in lab manual
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Separate components of a solid mixture using thin layer chromatography (TLC)
Assessment Strategies
Report
Product
Criteria
identify components of a TLC experiment: stationary phase, mobile phase, etc.
measure retardation factor (Rf) of various samples
record complete TLC results in laboratory notebook
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Identify an unknown chemical using refractometry
Assessment Strategies
Performance
Report
Criteria
student prepares sample for use in refractometer
student operates refractometer to measure the index of refraction of his/her sample
student compares obtained result to literature values to confirm the identity of the unknown
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Identify components of a mixture using gas chromatography
Assessment Strategies
Report
Criteria
prepare sample for injection into the gas chromatograph
operate the gas chromatograph instrument
compare obtained retention times of mixture components with literature values to determine the identity of the mixture components
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Evaluate the purity of a final purified sample chemical
Assessment Strategies
Product
Report
Criteria
determine what analysis method(s) is/are appropriate for the given sample
quantitatively report the purity level of the sample, citing analysis results
you document the experiment in a lab notebook
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Present a scientific poster
Assessment Strategies
Presentation
Drawing/Illustration
Criteria
you create a professional-looking poster to accompany the presentation
you use correct terminology when describing experiments and organic chemistry concepts
your analysis of the data from the experiment accurately represents organic chemistry concepts
your presentation includes a conclusion based on the data obtained in the experiment