Jun 03, 2025  
GRCC Curriculum Database (2024-2025 Academic Year) 
    
GRCC Curriculum Database (2024-2025 Academic Year)
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CHM 131 - General Chemistry I Laboratory


Description
CHM 131 is the laboratory component of CHM 130  and is designed to introduce and reinforce theoretical principles covered in CHM 130 and to develop laboratory skills. Students enrolled in CHM 130 must take this course to earn lab science credit. This course transfers as lab science credit for science majors. Successful completion of high school chemistry or CHM 100  or CHM 110  is recommended prior to taking this course.
Credit Hours: 1
Contact Hours: 3
School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: CHM
Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230222T14:21:53
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028
Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Laboratory - 1:2 (min.)

General Education Requirement: Natural Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 7. Problem-Solving: Apply theory, calculation, or experimentation to demonstrate effective problem-solving
Course Learning Outcomes:
1.  Practice GRCC laboratory safety rules while performing experiments in the lab environment.

2.  Perform various experiments to demonstrate proper use of glassware and techniques. (GELO 7)

3.  Record, organize, analyze, and interpret the results taken, and write conclusions for a variety of experiments. (GELO 3, GELO 7)

4.  Perform experiments with modern instrumentation and demonstrate the ability to use them for chemical analysis and separation.

5.  Use calculation to determine quantitative information for products in experiments. (GELO 7)

6.  Use calculation to determine concentration of unknown solutions based on collected spectroscopic data. (GELO 7)

7.  Describe reactions in aqueous media by writing balanced chemical equations.

8.  Characterize unknown substances based on chemical and physical properties. (GELO 7)

9.  Adapt and evaluate processes to find solutions to multistep or multi component problems. (GELO 3)

10.  Apply general science or mathematics principles to explain an observed phenomenon or the results of an experiment. (GELO 3, GELO 7)

11.  Identify quality sources for data and information pertinent to a problem or issue being examined. (GELO 7)

12.  Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it. (GELO 3, GELO 7)

13.  Complete work accurately with attention to detail.


Approved for Online Delivery?: No
Course Outline:
I. Basic Principles

     A. Accuracy and precision of measurements

     B. Density measurements

     C. Chemical and physical properties

     D. Qualitative analysis

     E. Atomic structure and periodicity

     F. Reactions in aqueous solutions

     G. Models of molecular shapes and polarity

     H. Intermolecular forces

     I. Reaction and solution stoichiometry

     J. Thermochemistry

II. Equipment, Instrumentation, and Techniques

      A. Volumetric glassware

      B. Analytical instrumentation

            1. Visible spectrometer

      C. Paper chromatography

      D. Computer (for data analysis, molecular modeling, drawing graphs, and retrieval of information using library or internet resources)


Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None
Instructional Strategies:
Facilitated discussion of experiments: 5-20%  
Monitoring performance of experiments: 75-100%

 


Mandatory Course Components:
Use the experiments in the official course lab manual

Conduct demonstrations

Provide individualized instruction

Facilitate discussions

Demonstrate instrumentation and equipment


Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): CHM 130  
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Total Lab Hours Per Week: 3
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: M.S. or Ph.D. degree in chemistry or related field with 18 graduate credit hours in chemistry is required for teaching lab.
Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: Chemistry
AP Min. Score: 3, with submission of completed, graded, lab notebook or assignments
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
First Term Valid: Fall 2019 (8/1/2019)
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
Pre-Anthropology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Biochemistry, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Cell and Molecular Biology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Chemical Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Chemical Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Chemistry, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Engineering, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Exercise Science, A.A. (Western Michigan University - Clinical Exercise Science), Pre-Geology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Nutrition and Dietetics, A.A. (Western Michigan University), Pre-Pharmacy, A.A. (General Transfer)
1st Catalog Year: 2019-2020
Course Fees: $20.00
People Soft Course ID Number: 104320
Course CIP Code: 40.05
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA
Essential Abilities/Technical Standards:
The Grand Rapids Community College Chemistry faculty has specified essential abilities and technical standards critical to the success of students in any GRCC chemistry course. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in these courses. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities and technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

1.  Essential judgment skills include the ability to identify, assess, and comprehend situations for the purpose of problem solving and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.  Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems
  • Discern relevant and irrelevant information when solving problems
  • Express knowledge of the appropriate level of chemistry in written and/or  verbal formats
  • Draw conclusions based on knowledge and experimental results
  • Recognize unsafe situations  in a laboratory environment

2.  Essential physical/neurological functions include the ability to use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Students must meet expectations necessary to safely perform tasks required to study chemistry, which include the need for manual dexterity and the ability to use sight and hearing. Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Manipulate equipment and glassware to prepare for and conduct laboratory procedures
  • Write in a laboratory notebook during the course of a laboratory experiment
  • Observe and note changes (in color, sound, etc.) as experimental conditions progress or change
  • Operate a computer for the purposes of inputting or graphing data and writing laboratory reports
  • Operate analytical instrumentation for the purpose of collecting and analyzing data in the course of scientific study and experimentation
  • Read and /or hear laboratory directions that involve either experimental procedures or safety concerns
  • Inform the course instructor of any allergies (chemical, latex etc.) that may lead to an allergic reaction

3.  Essential communication skills include the ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Physical Sciences department. Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Understand written and verbal direction when completing tasks and assignments associated with the lecture portion of science courses
  • Understand written and verbal directions when completing laboratory tasks and assignments
  • Understand written and verbal directions when following all   Departmental safety rules and procedures
  • Communicate any issues that involve health or safety in a laboratory environment
  • Use information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

4.  Essential emotional coping skills include the ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of scientific discovery.  Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Engage in multitasking without becoming overly stressed
  • Practice safe laboratory procedures and be mindful of the safety of others
  • Realize that exposure to chemicals can have consequences if the correct safety procedures are not followed
  • Collaborate with lab partners to complete a task in the classroom or laboratory
  • Cooperate with others and work in groups or alone as indicated by a particular course

5.  Essential intellectual/conceptual skills include the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of Chemistry. Specifically, students must be able to:

  • Select appropriate methods to solve mathematical problems
  • Use a calculator to complete calculations
  • Use a computer to generate graphs and reports
  • Use equipment and instrumentation to make measurements
  • Analyze complex graphical data and/ or concepts
  • Express an understanding of the concepts learned in chemistry in written form or verbally

6.  Other essential behavioral attributes include the ability to engage in activities consistent with safe practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Physical Sciences Department and as a developing professional in the field of chemistry consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

  • With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Physical Sciences.
  • Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of (field of study) and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the (field of study) office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.




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