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Document lab experiments in a standard format in a laboratory notebook
Assessment Strategies
Lab assignments
Criteria
The notebook contains an accurate and complete index
The notebook includes an experimental objective, introduction with relevant theory and reaction schemes, chemical safety and disposal information, an accurate table of reference data, procedural details, and all necessary data tables prior to the beginning of each experiment
Each completed experiment is accurately documented
Each experiment's report is complete
All sections of each report are substantive and accurate
Each report includes a concise discussion indicating whether or not the experimental objective was met based on experimental results
The information given in the notebook is sufficient to allow another individual with comparable skill and experience to replicate the experiment
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Perform single-step and multi-step syntheses of desired compounds
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
Substitution reactions (SN1 and SN2) are successfully performed on various substrates
Elimination reactions (E1 and E2) are successfully performed on various substrates
Alkylation of an aromatic compound is successfully performed
A Diels-Alder product is successfully synthesized
A [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction similar to the Diels-Alder reaction is successfully performed
An aqueous analog to the Grignard reaction is successfully performed
A Fischer esterification reaction is successfully performed
Reduction of a nitro derivative formed by thermal dehydration of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid with hydrazine is successfully performed
Green chemistry concepts are explored and implemented
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Identify structures of unknown chemicals using NMR spectroscopy
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
NMR spectra include a complete, accurate and specific title
NMR spectra include peaks labeled with relevant chemical shifts
NMR spectra include peak integrations
NMR spectra include the proposed structure consistent with the spectrum
NMR spectra are accompanied by a table, detailing the chemical shifts, peak integrations, peak multiplicity, and peak labels Explanations are provided
Explanations are provided for peaks that do not belong to the chemical that was synthesized
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Identify structures of unknown chemicals using infrared (IR) spectroscopy
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
IR spectra include a complete, accurate and specific title
IR spectra include peaks labeled with relevant molecular vibrations
IR spectra include the proposed structure consistent with the spectrum
IR spectra are accompanied by a database match, along with percent similarity comparing the experimental spectra to reference spectra
Matching peaks found in both the experimental and database spectra are highlighted
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Identify structures of solids using melting point analysis
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
The literature value for melting point of the pure substance is documented
The melting range is correctly measured using a melting point apparatus
The average melting range and melting “point” are correctly calculated based on experimental data
The percent deviation between the experimental and literature melting points is correctly calculated based on experimental data
A concise comparison of the experimental and reference melting point is included in the laboratory report
The relative purity of the substance is assessed based on the width of the melting range and the percent deviation in the melting point
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Separate components from a liquid mixture using distillation techniques
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
A simple distillation apparatus is correctly assembled
A fractional distillation apparatus is correctly assembled
A mixture is successfully separated using simple distillation
A mixture is successfully separated using fractional distillation
Characterization techniques, such as thin layer chromatography, refractometry, infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography and/or NMR spectroscopy are utilized to confirm identity and purity of isolated components from the mixture
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Separate components of a mixture using thin layer chromatography (TLC)
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
The retardation factor (Rf) of substances is accurately measured
The percent deviation in the retardation factor is accurately calculated
The components of a mixture are identified using standards
The purity of a sample is assessed using the results of TLC analysis
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Identify an unknown chemical using refractometry
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
The refractive index of substances is accurately determined using a refractometer
The experimentally measured refractive index is corrected to allow comparison to a reference refractive index
The percent deviation in the refractive index is accurately calculated
The corrected refractive index is used to confirm the identity of an unknown substance
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Identify components of a mixture using gas chromatography (GC)
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
Samples are prepared for injection into the gas chromatograph
Samples are effectively analyzed using a gas chromatograph
Accurate retention times are measured for each component of a mixture
Accurate retention times are measured for standards of each potential component of a mixture
The percent deviation in the retention time is accurately calculated
The identity of each component in a sample is accurately identified
The purity of a sample is assessed based on the experimental chromatogram
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Purify a sample using recrystallization
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
Determine appropriate recrystallization solvent(s) for a given sample
Perform a recrystallization of a solid sample
Recover the purified solid using vacuum filtration
Perform appropriate analyses on the recrystallized solid to assess its purity
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Evaluate the purity of a final purified sample chemical
Assessment Strategies
Lab reports
Pre-laboratory assessments
Demonstrated lab performance
Criteria
Appropriate method(s) of analysis are chosen for a given sample
A qualitative analysis of the purity of a sample is presented based upon the results of each method of analysis
A quantitative analysis of the purity of a sample is presented based upon the results of each method of analysis
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Present current organic chemistry research reported in a scholarly journal
Assessment Strategies
Oral presentation
Written summary
Criteria
Selected research is presented during an in-class presentation
Presentation includes a title, outline, introduction, relevant theory, images, graphs or data tables as appropriate, conclusion and references
Visual aids (PowerPoint, posters, etc.) are legible and appealing
Presenter engages the audience
Presenter discusses research using correct terminology
Presenter is knowledgeable of all relevant details of presented research
Presenter accurately answers fundamental questions posed during question-and-answer portion of presentation
Presenter appropriately answers more advanced questions posed during question-and-answer portion of presentation
An accurate summary of the research presentation is presented to the audience