Chemistry and the Environment

CH 03.105

I. CREDIT HOURS: 4 (Lecture and Lab)
SEMESTER: Spring 2006
PREREQUISITE: None
LECTURE/LAB HOURS: TTH Lec: 9:30-10:45 AM
T Lab: 1:00-2:50 PM

II. INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Salim M. Diab
OFFICE: Room 215, St. Albert
PHONE: 740 3855 (Ext. 3855)
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:00-10:00 AM
HOME PHONE: 730-8302
e-mail: sdiab@stfrancis.edu
Homepage:http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/etherman.htm
Lecture Notes:http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/C&e/Lecturenotes.html (4th edition)

Lecture Notes:http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/C&e/Lecturenotes1.html (5th edition)

III. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a web enhanced course designed to meet the liberal education, science requirement for non majors. The course uses a textbook and follows a curriculum that was developed by the American Chemical Society for college students who are not majoring in science. The course focuses, with a broad outlook, on the great role of chemistry in everyday life. The central theme of the course is the importance of chemistry as it applies to the environment. The course is an integrated study of those questions that deal with concrete knowledge within the field of chemistry; from nuclear and atomic structure of matter to the polymerization of organic compounds, with issues of great concerns to our environment; like energy and pollution. The course will prepare students to use proper scientific language in order to communicate their ideas coherently and accurately. The course also focuses on those issues with no easy answers, or any answers at all. Issues dealing with the complexities generated from the impact of science and technology on our society. Scientific and technological "success" presents government, social institutions, and individuals with difficult questions. These questions may include economic, political, ethical, and religious dimensions to them. The course will utilize a variety of learning techniques such as: formal lecture, group discussion, audio visuals, demonstration, internet research, collaborative learning and field trips where appropriate.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. understand the language of science and its use in the scientific community.
2. understand and appreciate the rational world around us through the scientific method and its historical context.
3. gain concrete knowledge associated with environmental concerns such as: radiation, nuclear power, energy sources, air and water pollution, chemical and nuclear waste, and others.
4. gain awareness of and appreciation for the impact of society and technology on our environment.
5. gain awareness of what scientists do and their responsibility to society.
6. become an informed citizen, capable of making intelligent decisions concerning the environment.
7. analyze current solutions to environmental problems using library resources and the internet and think up alternative ones.
8. become familiar with the internet as a powerful source of information.

IV. REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
1. Chemistry in Context, Applying Chemistry to Society. A Project of the American Chemical Society, McGraw-Hill, 5th edition, 2006.
2. Laboratory Manual to accompany Chemistry in Context, 5th edition, 2006.
3. Internet Access: http://www.mhhe.com/cic

OTHER REFERENCES:
a. Inside Chemistry, by Charles Compton.
b. Chemistry: Ideas to Interpret Your Changing Environment, by Tom Hughes.
c. Chemistry, Man and Society, by Jones, Netterville, Johnston, and Wood.
d. Applied Chemistry, by W.R. Stine.
e. The Challenge of Chemistry, by Philip Horrigan. f. Profile of the Future, by Arthur Clarke.
g. The Central Science Essays on the uses of Chemistry, edited by Kauffmann and Szmant.
h. Taking Things Apart and Putting Things Together, ACS Publication.
i. Living in the Environment, by J.T. Miller, Jr., 2nd Edition.
j. Environmental Science, by J.T. Miller, Jr., 2nd Edition.
k. Environmental Science, by K. Arms.
l. Chemistry for Changing Times, J.W. Hill, 6th Edition.
m. Earth in the Balance, Ecology and the human spirit, by Al Gore.
n. Mother Earth Spirituality, Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and our World, by Ed McGaa and Eagle Man.
o. Design for a Livable Planet, How you can help clean up the environment, by Jon Naar.
p. Chemistry Industry and the Environment, by James Lowe
q. Chemistry, An Environmental perspective, by Buell and Girard
r. Chemistry in Context, a project of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
s. Waste: A Hidden Resource, a project of Keep America Beautiful (KAB)
t. World of Chemistry Essentials. by Joesten, Natterville, and Wood.

V. COURSE OUTLINE:

Lecture:

Chapter 1 - The Air we Breathe
Chapter 2 - Protecting the Ozone Layer

Chapter 3 - The Chemistry of Global Warming
Chapter 4 - Energy, Chemistry, and Society

Chapter 5 - The Water we Drink
Chapter 6 - Neutralizing the Threat of Acid Rain

Chapter 7 - The Fires of Nuclear Fission
Chapter 8 - Energy from Electron Transfer

Chapter 9 - The World of Plastics and Polymers
Chapter 10 - Manipulating Molecules and Designing Drugs

Final Exam - Research Presentations (Need to select a topic ASAP)

Laboratory Experiments:

The following experiments will be performed in the laboratory:
Exp. 1 - Preparation and Properties of Gases in a Breath.
Exp. 2 - Chromatography Study of Felt-Tip Pen Inks
Exp. 3 - Weighing Air and Cooling Water: A Graphic Experience
Exp. 5 - What Protects Us from Ultraviolet Light?
Exp. 6 - Visibility Delighted: A Spectrophotometric Study of Colored Solutions
Exp. 7 - Chemical Bonds, Molecular Models, and Molecular Shape
Exp. 13 - Analysis of Vinegar
Exp. 14 - Measurement of Water Hardness
Exp. 15 - Measurement of Chloride in River Water
Exp. 16 - Analysis of Bottled Water
Exp. 28 - Sugar in Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices

VI. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
1. Attendance is required and class discussion is encouraged. Any unexcused absences will lower your course grade.

2. WebCT Quizzes assignments are designed to help you study the material well. The practice quizzes are intended to increase your understanding of the concepts. Solve the two quizzes in WebCT then submit them to your instructor for credit.

IMPORTANT: Practice on those quizzes by logging at: http://www.mhhe.com/cic

3. WebCT Exams will be required after the completion of each chapter. Solve the exam on WebCT and submit to your instructor for credit.

4. Portfolio: Technology is changing not only what we know, but how we learn about it. One of the most important ways you will have for finding out information in the future is the World Wide Web. If you don’t already know, you need to learn how to use a search engine on the WWW to find new information. Your portfolio will contain writing assignments from the text as well as Take Action environmental activism assignments from the WEB.

5. A lab report is required for each lab experiment performed. Lab reports are due the week after their performance.

6. Plagiarism will result in an F on the assignment and may result in an F for the course. (Read attachment on plagiarism)

7. Academic integrity must always be preserved. Any violation will be handled according to the Guidelines in the College Catalog.

8. Final Exam - A computerized objective exam.

9. Participation in campus activities: ACS Lectures, Earth Day Celebration, etc.

Breakdown for Grading:

Web-Quizzes 20%

Web-Exams 30%

Portfolio                       10%
            Lab reports                  25%
            Final Presentations        15%
            Total Points                100%

                91- 100%       = A
                81- 90%         = B
                71- 80%         = C
                61- 70%         = D

RECOMMENDED READINGS OF SELECTED SCIENCE JOURNALS:

a. Discover
b. Sciquest
c. Scientific American
d. Environment
e. Chemtech
f. Environmental Science and Technology
g. EPA Journal

Important Websites:

http://www.environmentaldefense.org

http://www.scorecard.org

http://www.actionnetwork.org

http://www.hogwatch.org
http://www.doe.gov
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.ucsusa.org
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
http://www.greenpeace.org/
http://www.anl.gov
http://www.cnie.org/
http://www.nwf.org/
http://www.acs.org

Relevant Internet sites:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
http://www.xplore.com/
http://www.exploratorium.edu
http://www.nasa.gov/
http://www.discovery.com/
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/
http://www.popsci.com/context/features/bow/
http://www.newscientist.com/
http://www.holidaylectures.org/
http://www.chemweb.com/
http://library.advanced.org/3659/
http://www.sfu.ca/chemed/digtexts.html
http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Edu/ChemViz/curr.html
http://198.110.10.57/ChemCom/
http://www.gsh.org/nsta/index.htm
http://www.epa.gov/docs/acidrain/student/student2.html
http://www.econet.apc.org/acidrain/

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals. Collaboration is only acceptable when it is explicitly acknowledged. Ethical conduct is the obligation of every member of the University community, and breaches of academic integrity constitute serious offenses. Since a lack of integrity hinders the student’s academic development, it cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Violations include but are not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and denying others access to information or material. See USF Catalog for further clarification and information on grievance procedures.

Special Needs

The University strives to be in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. To this end, a student who requires special support or arrangements due to a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services Administrator, Pat Vivio at 815-740-3864 in Tower Hall S210 pvivio@atfrancis.edu to coordinate accommodations. This contact should occur no later than the first week of classes in order to allow for sufficient time to provide accommodations. Should a need arrive after the start of a semester, the student is encouraged to contact the ADA coordinator as soon as possible. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis.

FINAL NOTE: The Writing Lab is an important resource on campus and is located in the ARC offices in the Library. Visit the Center and find out how its staff can help you with the writing assignments.

Mentorship Program:
SEE PHOTOS Ludwig Junior High ( Lockport) Students Mentorship Project - Spring 1999/Spring 2002 class.
Photos: Spring 2004 (promising young scientists) :
9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27

Home

As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and charism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion, and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership.