CHEM 160: Chemical Structure and Properties – Syllabus and Course Objectives Study Guide

Study Guide - Smart Notes

Tailored notes based on your materials, expanded with key definitions, examples, and context.

Course Overview

This study guide summarizes the key information, structure, and learning objectives for CHEM 160: Chemical Structure and Properties. The course is designed to provide foundational knowledge and proficiency in essential chemistry concepts, with an emphasis on understanding, prediction, investigation, explanation, and evaluation over memorization. The course covers atomic structure, periodic properties, bonding, molecular properties, states of matter, quantum and molecular mechanics, and introduces organic chemistry concepts.

Course Structure and Policies

Course Logistics

Lectures: MWF 10:25 AM - 11:15 AM
Discussions: Multiple sections on Mondays
Instructor: Dr. Willetta Greene Johnson
Course Coordinator: Dr. Felix Amankona-Diawuo
Supplemental Instruction (SI): Optional, highly recommended peer-led sessions

Required Materials

Textbooks: OpenStax Chemistry, Atoms First 2e; OpenStax Organic Chemistry
Online Homework: MasteringChemistry platform
Molecular Model Kit
Scientific Calculator (non-programmable, non-graphing)
Loyola Sakai course management site

Course Themes

Structure-activity relationships
The culture and practice of science
Energy
Polymers, proteins, and macromolecules
Sustainability
Chemical synthesis, purification, characterization, and analysis

Course Content Outline

The course draws from the following textbook chapters (not all topics in each chapter will be covered):

Chapter 1: Essential Ideas
Chapter 2: Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Chapter 3: Electronic Structure & Periodic Properties of Elements
Chapter 4: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry
Chapter 5: Advanced Theories of Bonding
Chapter 6: Composition of Substances and Solutions
Chapter 10: Liquids and Solids
Chapter 11: Solutions and Colloids
Chapter 19: Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry
Chapter 21: Organic Chemistry

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CHEM 160, students will be able to:

Differentiation: Distinguish types of matter based on chemical and physical properties (e.g., pure substances vs. mixtures, metals vs. nonmetals, ionic vs. covalent vs. metallic, electrolyte vs. nonelectrolyte).
Multiple Representations: Use macroscopic, particle, and symbolic perspectives to describe and explain atomic structure, periodicity, molecular structure, chemical bonding, gases, liquids, solids, and solutions.
Structural Interpretation: Draw and interpret multiple representations of molecular structures, including connectivity, configuration, and conformations.
Quantitative Relationships: Quantify relationships between variables controlling chemical systems (e.g., mass, moles, energy, concentration).
Problem Solving: Categorize problem types, select appropriate tools, and differentiate among closely related factors to solve chemical problems.

Assessment and Grading System

Specification Grading

CHEM 160 uses a specification grading system based on mastery of Foundational Objectives (FOs) and Comprehensive Objectives (COs), as well as course activities (homework and group work).

FOs (Foundational Objectives): Assess core knowledge and skills; scored as Mastered (1.0) or Not Mastered (0.0).
COs (Comprehensive Objectives): Assess higher-level application and analysis; scored as Mastered (1.0), Meets Expectation (0.8), Proficient (0.5), or Not Mastered (0.0).
Course Activities: Homework and group work, graded on completeness.

Weighted Average Formula

The final grade is calculated as:

Letter Grade Cutoffs

Letter Grade	Minimum Percentage (%)
A	90
A-	86
B+	82
B	78
B-	74
C+	70
C	66
C-	62
D	58
F	<58

Assessment Components

Exams: Five unit exams and a cumulative final exam
Homework: Online assignments via MasteringChemistry
Group Work: Collaborative problem-solving during discussion sessions

Foundational Objectives (FOs)

FOs are core skills and knowledge areas that students must master. Below is a summary of the main FOs:

FO #	Description
1	List the names and symbols of common elements.
2	Identify and draw particle-level depictions of pure substances and mixtures, including physical and chemical changes.
3	Relate mass, volume, and density using quantitative and qualitative descriptions.
4	Convert between symbols and number of subatomic particles for atoms and atomic ions.
5	Convert among mass, moles, and number of particles, including the use of Avogadro's number.
6	Identify and classify elements according to the organization of the Periodic Table.
7	Convert among wavelength, frequency, and energy of photons.
8	Apply quantum mechanics to explain atomic emission and absorption spectra.
9	Describe and identify quantum numbers, orbital types, and properties of atomic orbitals (size, shape, orientation).
10	Use the periodic table to write and interpret electron configurations.
11	Correlate atomic/ionic properties with electron configurations and position on the periodic table.
12	Write names and formulas for ionic and molecular compounds.
13	Identify and describe ionic, metallic, and covalent bonding.
14	Draw Lewis structures from chemical formulas.
15	Identify formal charges in structures.
16	Convert between condensed and Lewis structures.
17	Convert between bond-line and Lewis structures.
18	Identify resonance contributors.
19	Determine sigma and pi bonds for a structure.
20	Identify hybridization, molecular geometry, electron domain geometry, and approximate bond angles.
21	Identify and draw constitutional (structural) isomers.
22	Identify and draw E-Z isomers.
23	Identify and draw conformers.
24	Convert between bond-line and Newman projections.
25	Identify chiral centers.

Comprehensive Objectives (COs)

COs assess higher-level skills, including application, analysis, and synthesis. Key COs include:

CO #	Description
1	Describe samples of matter according to their masses and dimensions (quantitative and qualitative).
2	Use particle-level understanding to differentiate among masses of atoms and molecules, atomic and formula weights, including mass spectral data.
3	Use the periodic table and wave behavior of matter to predict, draw, list, and interpret electron arrangements in atoms, including energies and magnetic properties.
4	Write electron configurations of ions; explain atomic properties based on attractions between nuclei and valence electrons.
5	Predict, identify, and differentiate substances based on ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding, using names, formulas, and Lewis dot representations.
6	Convert among names, Lewis, bond-line, and condensed structures.
7	Draw and interpret Lewis structures, including resonance contributors, to predict properties of covalently bonded species (bond length, strength, charges).
8	Use Valence Bond Theory to describe orbital overlap, resonance structures, and geometry.
9	Use models and dash-wedge drawings to interpret and identify three-dimensional shapes.
10	Identify, interpret, and draw chiral and achiral structures, including meso compounds.
11	Describe and interpret the three-dimensional shape and polarity of covalently bonded structures.
12	Identify and depict intermolecular forces for pure substances and mixtures.
13	Predict and correlate physical properties of liquids to types and strengths of intermolecular forces.
14	Solve quantitative problems using molarity for conversions involving solute mass, moles, and solution volume; calculate and use ion concentrations for electrolytes.
15	Relate energy, temperature, and pressure to physical changes, including enthalpy diagrams, heating curves, and phase diagrams.

Key Definitions and Concepts

Element: A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom, identified by its atomic number.
Compound: A substance composed of two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions.
Mixture: A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded.
Atomic Structure: Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The arrangement of electrons determines chemical properties.
Periodic Table: Organizes elements by increasing atomic number and recurring chemical properties.
Bonding: Atoms form ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds to achieve stable electron configurations.
Lewis Structure: A diagram showing the bonding between atoms and the lone pairs of electrons in a molecule.
Isomer: Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures or spatial arrangements.
Hybridization: The mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals suitable for the pairing of electrons to form chemical bonds.
Molarity (M): A measure of concentration, defined as moles of solute per liter of solution.
Intermolecular Forces: Forces of attraction between molecules, including hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, and London dispersion forces.

Important Equations and Relationships

Density:
Mole Conversions:
Avogadro's Number: particles/mol
Photon Energy:
Molarity:

Academic Integrity and Policies

All submitted work must represent your own understanding.
Collaboration is encouraged for homework, but exams must be completed individually.
Use of AI tools is not permitted if it undermines learning outcomes.
Violations will be reported and may result in loss of credit and further disciplinary action.

Attendance and Accommodations

Attendance is expected; students are responsible for all material covered.
Universal Absence Accommodation Policy allows for multiple attempts at mastery without requiring documentation.
Reasonable accommodations are available for religious observances, disabilities, and co-curricular activities.

Exam and Assignment Schedule

Assessment	Date
Preview Quiz	Jan 23
Exam I	Feb 6
Exam II	Feb 27
Exam III	Mar 18 & 20
Exam IV	Apr 10
Exam V	Apr 24
Final Exam	Apr 29

Additional Information

Course policies on academic integrity, attendance, accommodations, and privacy are strictly enforced.
Course content may be updated during the semester; students are responsible for all changes.
All grades are posted on LOCUS; midterm grades are provided before the withdrawal deadline.

Additional info: This guide is based on the official course syllabus and is intended to help students focus on the most relevant topics and expectations for CHEM 160. For detailed content, refer to the assigned textbook chapters and resources provided by the instructor.