CH 110 Foundations of General, Organic, and Biochemistry

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 2
Credits: 5

Presents a one-term survey course of basic general, organic, and biochemistry designed to introduce the chemistry needed for understanding the functions of living organisms.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher); and placement into MTH 111Z (or higher), or completion of MTH 095 (or higher, except MTH 098 and MTH 105Z); or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Student Learning Outcomes:

Use the periodic table to determine the symbol, atomic number, atomic weight, and electron configuration of an element and to deduce general chemical properties.
Predict formulas and names of ionic and covalent compounds.
Determine the balanced chemical equation given the names of the reactants and products.
Describe measurement and preparation of aqueous molar and percent solutions.
Describe hydrogen bonding, electrolytes, and osmosis and verify their applications.
Explain the common gas laws and perform calculations that apply them to life situations.
Define acids and bases; explain pH, neutralization, and buffers.
Describe acidosis and alkalosis and justify their development.
Determine names and structures and describe properties of common organic functional groups.
Express the chemical equations for common organic reactions.
Distinguish between the classes of bio-organic molecules and derive names and draw structures for common representatives of each class.
Differentiate between and describe the biological functions of each class of compounds.
Express the chemical reactions common to each class of bio-organic molecules in equation form.
Describe the structure and function of RNA and DNA in protein synthesis.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Content Outline

Periodic Table and Properties of the Elements
- Atomic structure, electron configuration
- Isotopes; ions
Formulas and Equations
- Ionic and covalent bonds
- Chemical formulas; Lewis dot diagrams
- Compound shapes and polarity
- Writing and balancing equations
- Moles
- Chemical equations and stoichiometry
Gases, Liquids, Solids
- Kinetic Molecular Theory
- Gas laws
- Hydrogen bonding; surface tension
- Vapor pressure; specific heat; heats of vaporization and fusion
- Crystals
Water and Solutions
- Solutions, suspensions, colloids
- Electrolytes
- Percent, ppm, molarity, equivalents
- Dilutions
- Colligative properties, osmosis
Acids, Bases, Salts and Equilibrium
- Types of chemical reactions
- Acid/base definitions and reactions
- pH; buffers
- Equilibrium
Organic Chemistry
- Hydrocarbons and aromatics; structure and properties
- Functional groups
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Enzymes
- Structure and function
- Reactions
- Enzyme mechanism
Nucleotides
Structure and function

Laboratory Outline and Objectives:

Lab Techniques Lab
- Safety and Hazard procedures
- Indoctrination
- Selection of laboratory equipment
- Laboratory techniques
  - Evaporation
  - Filtration
Flames and Atomic Spectra lab
- Atomic fingerprints
- Combustion reactions
- Laboratory techniques
  - Bunsen Burner operation
Chemical Reactions lab
- Stoichiometry
- The Law of conservation of mass
- Atomic weights
- Avogadro’s number and the mole
Properties of Gases lab
- Boyle’s Law
- Henry’s Law
- Charles’ Law
Purification of Water lab
- Filtration
- Distillation
- Understanding the meaning of Hard vs. Soft water
- Tests for determination of Hard vs. Soft water
Acids and Bases lab
- Electrolytes
- Acids and Bases
  - Meaning of pH
  - Finding pH
  - Types of indicators
- Buffers
- Solvent properties of water
Solutions and Titrations
- Neutralization
- Titrations
- Standardizations
- Solutions and Titrations
Organic Compounds
- Physical and Chemical properties of organic compounds
- Using and interpreting molecular models
Carbohydrates lab
- Properties of Carbohydrates
- Identification tests
- Digestion and absorption
- Alpha vs. beta D-glucose
Esters, Fats and Soap
- Physical and chemical properties
- Preparation and comparisons of soap
- Water softening effects
- Preparation and identification of esters
Proteins & Nucleic Acids
- Isolation and identification of proteins
- Enzyme activity
- Isolation of DNA