CHEM*1100 - Chemistry Today

Course Description

A chemistry course for non-scientists. This course will outline the involvement of chemistry in our daily lives and will provide an appreciation of chemistry from atoms to important complex molecules. Topics will include energy sources, air and water pollution, natural and synthetic polymers, household chemicals, foods, drugs and biochemicals.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the basic features of the periodic table and be able to identify and name elements, ions and various compounds;
2. Balance and explain several types of chemical reactions (specifically solubility, acid-base, and nuclear);
3. Determine the molecular structure of simple compounds using Lewis Structures;
4. Identify and name some simple carbon containing compounds (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds) in order to begin investigating organic chemistry;
5. Explain the basic properties and societal impacts of important substances including: acids and bases, radioactive elements, household products, molecules in living organisms, drugs and medicines; and
6. Describe the basic chemical processes associated with environmental problems including: global warming, ozone depletion, water contamination.

Course Topics

• Some Fundamental Chemical Principles
• Atoms and Elements
• Compounds and Chemical Reactions
• Chemical Bonding
• Organic Chemistry
• Acids and Bases
• Household Chemicals
• Biochemistry and the Chemistry of Pharmaceuticals
• Chemistry of Food
• Nuclear Chemistry
• Chemistry of the Environment

Assessment