Welcome to SC155: Introduction to Chemistry Introduction, Goals, and Policies Freddie Arocho-Perez Kaplan University SC155: Introduction to Chemistry

Introduction to the Course Instructor: Freddie Arocho-Perez Kaplan Alternate This course allows students to explore the fundamental theories of Chemistry, with an emphasis on the chemical processes that affect their lives. Students will learn how to apply new knowledge about a variety of topics to better understand the natural and human-made world.

Introduction to the Course There are 2 components to this course: – Quantitative, problem-based assignments like the self-assessments – Qualitative, discussion-based assignments like the Seminars and Discussion boards. BOTH are equally important, and BOTH illustrate how chemistry is used in personal, professional, and everyday contexts.

Introduction to the Course You will be learning some of the basic concepts behind Chemistry, but also real-life examples and applications: – Environment- Climate Change – Forensic Science- Energy Sources – Nutritional Chemistry- Drugs – Nanotechnology Chemistry is a very challenging subject, yet very rewarding. We will work together!!!

Introduction to the Course Seminar 1 will focus on course introduction and general course policies. Please, leave any questions you may have to the end. You can also me. Important points will be addressed today.

Important Documents/Information Course Syllabus Course/Term Calendar Course Announcements: – Updated weekly – Deadlines – Additional resources – Important recommendations – Math Center/Writing Center

Important Documents/Information

Make sure you have my contact information. will be our primary form of communication. Make sure you check your regularly. I send s on a weekly basis to keep you posted on “what’s going on in the class”. In case of an emergency, you are welcome to contact me by phone. Let me know by first so that we can set up a time to talk.

Course Materials Main Text: “Thinkwell: Chemistry” – All the course’s videos, notes, and transcripts will be available inside the course site. – You can save some of these PDF files on your computer. – Please note that the “Thinkwell: Chemistry” materials are the primary textbook for the course. Supplemental Text: “Chemistry Made Simple” – This book is a study guide only. Documents in DocSharing Strongly Recommended: Calculator (or Microsoft Calculator). Links to free calculators online are provided in DocSharing.

Course Materials

Grading/Assignments Course Assignments and Grading are designed to help you out better. Grading will take place on Sundays, beginning with the Sunday followed after the end of Unit 1. By Monday morning, your gradebook will be updated. Kaplan’s Weekly Unit Format: SunMonTueWedThuFriSat XXXX XXX

Grading/Assignments Course Assignments: – Seminar – Discussion – Self-Assessments (Quizzes) – Mini-Projects – Tests

Seminar There are 2 options. Option 1:Participation in seminars that will be held every week using the KHE Seminar tool. Option 2:This option for Seminar requires the student to complete an asynchronous learning activity. The exact activity is listed on the Seminar information link or page for each Unit in the course site.

Seminar The learning activities listed on the Seminar information link in the course site WILL NOT be discussed during the weekly Seminar chat (Option 1). Weekly Seminar chat will be used for: – Discussion of real-life applications: Environment Drug Development/Pharmaceuticals Periodic Table Math Review Forensics Nutrition/Health – Reviews for tests – Answers to general questions – Announcements

Seminar All presentations (including this one) will be uploaded in DocSharingfor your use. You can also access the Seminar Archives in case you missed it (see announcement in Course Home). I strongly encourage students NOT to choose the Option 2, and instead to attend the weekly Seminar chat (Seminar Option 1).

Discussion Discussion questions provide a forum for students to ask questions and answer important questions about the course material. Creation of a learning community, discussing real-life problems and applications. Participation will be made throughout the unit’s week. Instructor will be participating as well, providing new information, answering questions, providing web links and documents, etc.

Discussion Timeline for Discussions: Students will be able to participate throughout the unit’s week, until the following Saturday after the unit’s end. SunMonTueWedThuFriSat XXXX XXXXXXX

Discussion Rule of “3”: Students should make a grand total of 3 posts: Your own response and 2 responses to your peers per discussion thread. Posts should be made throughout the week. Making ALL posts on the same day is NOT acceptable. Try to make them on different days (at least on 2 different days). Your first response should be made within the first 4 days of the unit (Wed – Sat).

Discussion Posts should be “meaningful” (making contributions). You should avoid the following: – “Great job, Mike!!!” – “What an awesome post, Sarah. It was sweet.” – “WOW, I am amazed.” General suggestions (ideas): – Make follow-up questions – Share any personal experience – Comment to Freddie’s posts – Provide new information or web links – Share information from a newspaper

Self-Assessments (Quizzes) Each Unit of this course contains a self- assessment that is designed to help you work through the concepts and ideas presented in that unit. Grades are based on whether or not you do them. The points are all or nothing: you will receive 5 points for each self-assessment by completing that week’s assessment, even if you answer all the problems incorrectly.

Self-Assessments (Quizzes) The rationale is to encourage you to work each week’s problems on your own. Remember that there are 2 components to this course: – Quantitative, problem-based assignments like the self-assessments – Qualitative, discussion-based assignments like the Seminars and Discussion boards.

Self-Assessments (Quizzes) SunMonTueWedThuFriSat XXXX XXXXXXX Self-Assessments are due by Saturday after the unit’s end. Answer keys with brief explanations will be sent by after the unit’s end. Multiple submissions are allowed. Questions are written by members of an instructional committee to keep consistency will all SC155 sections.

Mini-Projects There are 3 Mini-Projects: – Mini-Project 1: Due at the end of Unit 2 (Periodic Table) – Mini-Project 2: Due at the end of Unit 5 (Energy/Environment) – Mini-Project 3: Due at the end of Unit 8 (Health/Nutrition) All Projects will be submitted in MS Word doc format. Study Guides with examples will be sent by and posted in DocSharing to assist you in the completion of these mini-projects. Deadlines will be announced by and during seminar.

Tests There are 2 tests: – Test 1: Units 1-4 – Test 2: Units 5-9 The tests are NOT cumulative. There is NO final test or exam. The tests will include material from seminars, discussion, and reading assignments. These exams will take the form of 30 multiple- choice questions, similar to some of the questions in your weekly self-assessments.

Tests Some questions are written by members of an instructional committee to keep consistency will all SC155 sections. Some questions are written by me. Study Guides will be provided. Approximately 2 weeks will be given to complete them. Seminar chat will be used to review. Deadlines will be announced by and during seminar.

Calendar of Assignments See the “April 2010 Term (1002A) Calendar: Important Dates/Times” for more information on deadlines and assignments. Deadlines will be also announced by and during seminar throughout the term.

Calendar of Assignments

Important Recommendations Take advantage of Discussion, Seminar, Quizzes, and Mini-Projects. Do NOT underestimate their power in your grade. Tests might be a bit more challenging, but I will give you helpful hints and supplemental information. Use your time and resources wisely. Your instructor is another resource. Try to not fall behind. If you run into problems, do NOT hesitate to contact me.

Important Recommendations I know this class may be challenging as it requires a lot of time management and independent study, but don’t feel overwhelmed as you will have a lot of resources, plus I am very flexible. You will find this class an adventure of self- exploration, as well as establishing a firm science base for other courses you will take for your program of study (like Biochemistry).

Important Recommendations Learning is about reading, practicing, asking, etc. You will NOT learn everything about Chemistry in 10 weeks. The main goal is to provide you with a good base and to reinforce skills such as research and writing. This class is not only about learning Chemistry, but to become a more educated person and citizen. If you run into troubles, contact me. Don’t let yourself to be discouraged. I DON’T like “quitters”!!!

My best wishes to you during this term. Thank you for coming tonight. Questions???