General Chemistry I

Catalog description

This course is the first part of a two-semester sequence that provides a broad foundation for the scientific discipline of chemistry, introducing its fundamental principles and techniques alongside demonstrating the central role of chemistry in biology and medicine. Students first look at basic descriptions of elemental properties, the periodic table, solid and molecular structures, and chemical bonding. The course then relates these topics to the electronic structure of atoms. The mole as a unit is introduced so that a quantitative treatment of stoichiometry can be considered. After this introduction, the course considers physical chemistry, which provides the basis for a quantitative understanding of: 1) the kinetic theory of gases (which is developed to consider the nature of liquids and solids); 2) equilibria and the concepts of the equilibrium constant and of pH; 3) energy changes in chemical reactions and the fundamental principles of thermodynamics; 4) the rates of chemical reactions and the concepts of the rate determining step and activation energy. Practical work in the lab portion of this course introduces students to the use and handling of basic chemical equipment and illustrates the behavior of simple chemical substances. In addition to the two regular class meetings and lab session each week, there will be an hour- long weekly group conference. This course will be of interest to students considering the study of chemistry or biology and to those planning on a career in medicine and related health. Toxic Elements and Deadly Molecules