Course Description
The General Chemistry course is a study of the structure of matter and the changes in structure that occur in chemical reactions. A strong knowledge of algebra is required in working chemistry problems. Laboratories, lectures, and demonstrations of chemical reactions are used as tools for learning. First semester covers an introduction to chemistry, matter and change, scientific measurement, atomic structure, electrons in atoms, the periodic table, ionic bonding and ionic compounds, covalent bonding, and chemical names and formulas. Second semester includes topics such as chemical quantities, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, states of matter, behavior of gases, water and aqueous systems, solutions, thermochemistry, heat, chemical change, reaction rates and equilibrium, acids and bases and salts, oxidation-reduction reactions, electrochemistry, hydrocarbon compounds, functional groups and organic reactions, the chemistry of life and nuclear chemistry. Throughout the course, students will learn to read critically, perform mathematical calculations and be able to work independently and successfully in a laboratory setting.