CHM 1032L
Course Description and Purpose⚓
To complete this laboratory course, students will have to complete an at-home portion that will be turned in via Blackboard. Students will also attend a weekend on-campus lab experience where students will perform four labs in one of the Chemistry Department teaching labs. In order to pass the course, the on campus laboratories are required. If you cannot attend these lab sessions, it might be best to try to enroll in another course instead.
Chemistry and Society is a course aimed at providing the non science student with a basic appreciation of science in general and chemistry in particular. This is the laboratory portion of the course and provides students with an experience in laboratory chemistry.
Many students are afraid of the word chemistry; terrified by the thought of taking a chemistry course. As we live in a more and more complex society, knowledge of science and technology becomes more and more important every day. Just this week there was a major chemical spill in the West Virginia area not allowing the public to drink or use the water coming out of the faucets. Decision makers either as politicians, world leaders or responsible voters must make decisions which will have important consequences in years to come. This course will provide an elementary background from which the student can understand what is based on sound science and what is not. This lab class will give students a basic hands-on experience with some simple chemical principles. Students will examine chemistry applied to topics in physical science, health, the environment, and analytical chemistry. The only pre-requisites for this course are enthusiasm to learn, eagerness to explore and a keen sense of observation. This course strives to provide a basic background of chemistry and science in general in a relatively painless manner.
Course Objectives⚓
The objectives of the complete course are to:
Develop a basic knowledge of chemistry and science in general Be able to discern between credible and not credible information. Just because it is written down in the media does not mean it is true. Be able to organize, interpret and analyze data collected during the course of an experiment Apply critical thinking skills to draw one’s own conclusions. Support conclusions with facts and logical thinking.