CHEM 1505: Chemistry Laboratory I
Note: This course is only available for registration to students residing in Canada
This course is the first laboratory in a fundamental first-year chemistry course, designed for students who have completed CHEM 1503: Chemical Bonding and Organic Chemistry. The topics include a review of laboratory safety and equipment, chemical changes, laboratory techniques and measurements, separation of mixtures, properties of gases, liquids and solids, physical and chemical properties, identification of metallic ions, ionic reactions, stoichiometry of a precipitation reaction, caloric content of food, and water-hardness determination. Students are expected to become familiar with these topics, and demonstrate their proficiency in various laboratory techniques.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate and have an appreciation of basic laboratory safety concepts.
- Assemble and operate experimental apparatus.
- Demonstrate basic chemistry lab techniques such as weighing samples, reading scientific scales, performing accurate measurements, pipetting, titrating, using volumetric glassware, and using a colorimeter.
- Demonstrate basic handling and cleanup of chemicals.
- Demonstrate organized recording of experimental and observational data.
- Display data results in a graph.
- Use experimental data to construct calibration curves, perform dilution calculations, and calculate the amount of unknown compounds in a sample.
- Use appropriate references for obtaining information about a chemical.
- Cite literature references properly.
Course topics
- Experiment 1: Observations of Chemical and Physical Changes
- Experiment 2: Laboratory Techniques and Measurements
- Experiment 3: Separation of a Mixture of Solids
- Experiment 4: Properties of Gases
- Experiment 5: Liquids and Solids
- Experiment 6: Acid/Base Chemistry
- Experiment 7: Stoichiometry of a Precipitation Reaction
- Experiment 8: Caloric Content of Food
- Experiment 9: Determination of Water Hardness Using a Titrator
Required text and materials
1. Chem 1505 Labkit from Labpaq
The lab kit provides equipment, chemicals, and anything else that students will need to do the experiments and can't provide for themselves. Some common materials, like vinegar and other household items, students may need to supply.
Additional requirements
Computer with Internet Connection: You will need a computer with Internet connection to access the course materials and complete the assignments.
Computer with Internet Connection: Students will need a computer with Internet connection to access the course materials and complete the assignments.
Digital Camera: Students will need to have access to a digital camera during the experiments to take photos and videos of their progress.
Web-cam: Students will need a computer web-cam in order to demonstrate their work in the practical component of the final exam.
Skype Connection: Students will need a Skype connection in order to demonstrate their work in the practical component of the final exam. If this requirement is not possible, please contact the OLFM to make alternative arrangements.
Calculator: This course requires a non-programmable, single-numeric line calculator, such as the Casio fx-260. This course does not permit textual input calculators, electronic devices, paper dictionaries, or translation devices to be used on the final exam. We reserve the right to inspect any student calculator at any time.
Optional materials
A first-year Chemistry textbook would be helpful.
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To complete this course successfully, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Laboratory Exams and obtain a grade of 50% overall.
| Assignment 1: Safety Quiz | 5% |
| Assignment 2: Online Journal (Experiments 1-4) | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Reports (Experiments 1-4) | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Online Journal (Experiments 5-9) | 15% |
| Assignment 5: Reports (Experiments 5-9) | 20% |
| Final Exam: Practical | 15% |
| Final Exam: Theory | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
