Syllabus -- Natural Science 114 -- Chemistry in Context
Instructor: Dr. Dennis  L. Merat

Phone Numbers:  321-4201  (office)

E-mail:  dmerat@cbu.edu

Course Description:  This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of chemistry for students who do not plan to major in science and is based on the Chemistry in Context textbook and teaching module developed by the American Chemical Society.  This course does NOT use a traditional approach for teaching chemistry.  Instead major environmental, public health, and technological issues are presented concurrently with the underlying chemical principles that are necessary to fully understand these issues and to engage in intellectual discussions.  The lecture course grade is based on a combination of exams, assigned essays, and a term paper/project.  Participation in class discussions is expected from all students.

Prerequisite or Corequisite: Math 105 or higher.  The student should be familiar with basic algebra techniques including manipulation of equations, solving for unknown variables, and working with exponents.

Corequisite: NSCI 114L

Required Texts and Materials for NSCI 114:

    1. Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society, Fourth Edition,
        by Conrad L. Stanitski, Lucy P. Eubanks, Catherine H. Middlecamp,
        and Norbert J. Pienta; McGraw-Hill, Boston, 2003.

    2. Scientific calculator

General Course Goals: The course is designed to:

            1) Introduce students to the scientific method and to the basic principles
                of chemistry;
            2) Emphasize the role that science plays in many of the important issues
                of the day;
            3) Enable students to understand the relationship between important
                scientific principles and their daily lives; and
            4) Show how basic concepts in chemistry may be used to understand
                topics of biological interest , including nutrition, the functioning of
                the human body, and genetic engineering.

        Attendance:  Regular class attendance is strongly encouraged and expected.

Assignments:  You are expected to read textbook chapters listed on the syllabus prior to coming to class.  You are responsible for learning all material that is either presented or assigned during class lecture/demonstrations.  In addition, you will be responsible for assigned questions, problems, and projects.

Point Distribution:

        4 - 50 minute tests @ 90 points each              360 points
        Homework (Assigned Essays)                         60 points
        Term Paper/Project                                       100 points
        Final Examination                                            90 points
                                                                           610 points
 

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              Natural Science 114 -- Tentative Lecture Topics

This schedule is based on an 8 week Evening Division course section.
 

     Week                                        Topics

   Week #1                  Introduction; Scientific Method; Elements,
                                  Compounds, and Mixtures; Chemical formulas; Atoms
                                  and Molecules; States of Matter; The Periodic Table;
                                  Introduction to the Atmosphere; Nomenclature;
                                  Chemical Equations and Air Pollution; Clean Air Act
                                  and Air Quality; Chemical, Physical, and Nuclear
                                  Reactions; the Properties of Light and the
                                  Electromagnetic Spectrum; Biological Effects of UV
                                  Radiation; the Ozone and UV Radiation;
                                  Chlorofluorocarbons and the Montreal Protocal
 

   Week #2                  The Carbon Cycle; Greenhouse Effect and Global
                                  Warming; the Kyoto Protocal; Measurement and
                                  Units; Atomic Mass, Avogadro's Number, the Mole,
                                  and Molar Mass

   Week #3                  Introduction to Thermodynamics; Energy, Chemistry
                                  and Society;

                                  Chemistry of Water; Drinking Water, including Purity
                                  and Governmental Regulation; Lead and other Safety
                                  Concerns; Green Chemistry

   Week #4                  Introduction to Acid-Base Chemistry; Acids in
                                  our Environment and our Bodies; Acid Rain, including
                                  Effects of Acid Rain on the Environment

   Week #5                  Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons, including Risks
                                 and Safeguards; Breeder Reactors

   Week #6                  Drug Design; Steroids; FDA Approval Process; Nutrition

   Weeks #7 & #8        Recombinant DNA Technology, including an
                                 Introduction to DNA and RNA Structure, Replication,
                                 Transcription, and Translation; Genetically Engineered
                                 Drugs and Vaccines; Gene Therapy, including Risks
                                 and Rewards; Retroviruses and AIDS; Forensic
                                 Chemistry, including Genetic Fingerprinting;
                                 Transgenic Organisms; Cloning of Mammals; Human
                                 Genome Project