Your CHM 1A Course Grade (lecture and lab) will be based on your mastery of the 15 Course Objectives.
A = demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of concepts and principles
B = demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis of concepts and principles
C = demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of concepts and principles.
Your mastery of each Course Objective will be evaluated with these Graded Assignments you will do each week:
- Lecture Quiz (15-20 minutes) or Exam (30-45 minutes).
- Lab Activity.
- OLI Module Reading and Checkpoints for Homework. These Checkpoints are generally easier than Lecture Quizzes but are good preparation and practice.
- Science News Story of the Week for Homework.
Your Chem 1A grade consists of 13 Lecture Quizzes, 2 Exams, Final Exam, 15 OLI Module Checkpoints for homework, 15 Lab assignments, and 6 Science News assignments. Every student will have an Incomplete Grade in this course until every assignment has been completed. Your Course Grade will be determined at the end of the semester when you have completed all course assignments based on the following criteria:
| Grade | Lecture Quizzes | Two Exams and Final Exam | OLI Checkpoints | Science News | Lab |
| A | Pass 12 of 13 | B+ average (≥ 85%) with an A (≥ 87.5%) on 1 Exam | ≥ 87.5% | ≥ 87.5% | ≥ 87.5% |
| B | Pass 10 of 13 | B- average (≥ 75%) with a B (≥ 80%) on 2 of 3 Exams | ≥ 75% | ≥ 75% | ≥ 75% |
| C | Pass 7 of 13 | OR C average (≥ 60%) | ≥ 60% | ||
| D or F | Pass less than 7 |
A ≥ 87.5%, B range (75-87.5%), B- = 75-79.9%, B = 80-84.9%, B+ = 85-87.4%, C = 60-74.9%
Example: A student passes 11 Lecture Quizzes, earns 70% on the 2 Exams and Final Exam, earns 65% on OLI Checkpoints, 70% on Science News, and 80% on Lab assignments earns an overall C grade.
Your mastery of each Course Objective will be evaluated with the following assignments:
13 Quizzes (weekly)
Each Quiz will evaluate one or two Course Objectives and will be given every Friday. Make sure you are available to take the Quiz on Fridays between noon and 6 pm. You will be allowed to use your book and notes. Each Quiz is designed to take 20-30 minutes to complete, will consist of 4 or 5 questions, and will be graded Pass (Master)/Not Pass (Master). A Pass (Master) Grade (80% or higher) means you have mastered that Course Objective.
If you do not pass a quiz, i.e., do not master a Course Objective, you can retake Quizzes 1-5 on 10/7/22 after Exam 1, Quizzes 6-10 on 11/18/22 after Exam 2, Quizzes 11 and12 on 12/9/22 after Quiz 13, and Quiz 13 after the Final Exam.
Two (2) Exams
Each Exam will evaluate three or more Course Objectives and will be given on Friday, 10/7/22 and Friday, 11/8/22. Make sure you are available to take each Exam on these days between noon and 6 pm. You can use your book and notes. Each Exam is designed to take 30-40 minutes to complete. Exams are graded A-F.
Final Exam
The Final Exam will cover all Course Objectives and will be on Thursday, 12/15/22. Make sure you are available to take the Final Exam on this day between noon and 6 pm. The Final Exam is designed to take you 45-60 minutes to complete. You can use your book and notes. The Final Exam is graded A-F.
Do NOT miss Exams, Quizzes, or the Final Exam. If you know you cannot take an exam on the scheduled date and time, inform me as soon as possible before the exam in writing and reschedule the exam. Missing an exam without valid reasons will result in a F grade.
Homework
You have to put in the study time (2 hours of deliberate, active work for every lecture hour) to learn and perform well in this course.
Homework includes:
- OLI Checkpoints on the Open Learning Initiative General Chemistry 1 website. As you read/study a module, try the “Did I Get This” question to practice retrieval of the information you just learned. When you finish a module, take the OLI Checkpoint. The OLI Checkpoint is graded. You will have three attempts; your highest attempt score will be your grade. OLI Checkpoints for the modules covered that week will be due Friday at noon. Self-testing is an extremely effective way to learn faster and retain more.
- Science News assignment will increase our awareness and knowledge of chemistry and science and its effect on and relevance to us and society. This assignment will be ongoing during the semester. See the Science News page on the Chem 1A website.
- Retrieval and Deliberate Practice of course material. While reviewing course material, practice retrieving the information and develop your problem solving skills by doing the Quiz Practice Problems (with solutions) spaced over time on the Chem 1A website. This will help your long term retention of these concepts.
Laboratory
In science, observations are made to discover, learn, and understand what’s going on in nature. In a science course, hands-on activities are the best way to make observations and learn science. As such, the laboratory is a very important part of this course. Lectures and labs will be coordinated so you will be able to relate what you do in lab to what you do in lecture and vice versa. You will learn lab techniques to separate, isolate, and identify compounds. All laboratory assignments must be completed to pass Chem 1A. Guidelines for lab procedures and lab safety are described in the Chem 1A Lab web page.
Science is a collaborative endeavor. Employers value employees who know how to work as a team. In Chem 1A Lab, you will work in a group of 2 to 4. When you work in a larger group, assign a team leader, communicator, record keeper, and counselor for each lab and rotate roles for each lab. Each role is described in the Chem 1A Lab web page. Make sure each team member contributes equally to each lab activity.
Your Lab Grade consists of a 15 Lab Assignments (weekly) and a Lab Safety Factor.