General Chemistry Program
The General (Freshman) Chemistry courses provide the foundation knowledge in chemistry for majors in the physical and biological sciences, engineering, many majors in the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, and for those preparing for professional education in human health related areas as well as veterinary school. There are four courses, arranged in two sequences. These are Chem 101/102 and Chem 105/106. Chem 101 is used by some students to prepare for Chem 105, and both Chem 101 and Chem 105 are used by several majors without the subsequent course in the series. Each course meets the General Education Requirement for a physical science course with a laboratory. Chem 116 is a smaller class offered as an alternative to Chem 106 for students who perform well in Chem 105.
Course Descriptions from the Catalog
Note on credits: 4 (3-3) means that the course earns 4 semester hours of credit. There are three hours of lecture per week and three hours of tutorial and laboratory.
Schedule: Chem 101, 105, and 106 are offered all semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Chem 102 is offered in the Spring and Summer. Chem 116 is offered only in the Spring.
101 [P] Introduction to Chemistry 4 (3-3) Prereq satisfactory math placement score. Basic chemical concepts; atomic theory, periodicity, reaction stoichiometry, gases, solutions, acids, basis, pH, equilibrium, kinetics, energy, applications to life sciences.
102 [P] Chemistry Related to Life Sciences 4 (3-3) Prereq Chem 101, 105 with a grade of C or better. Organic functional groups and their reactions; polymers, macro-molecules; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, hormones, applications to life sciences.
105 [P] Principles of Chemistry I 4 (3-3) Prereq one year high school chemistry or Chem 101; Math 107 or c//. Stoichiometry, structure, gases, liquids, solids, solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, volumetric, and gravimetric analysis.
106 [P] Principles of Chemistry II 4 (3-3) Prereq Chem 105 or 115 with a grade of C or better; Math 107 with a C or better or placement into Math 140 or higher. Acid-base, ionic, molecular, solubility, oxidation/reduction equilibria; kinetics, electrochemistry; systematic chemistry of the elements; coordination compounds. Credit not granted for both Chem 106 and 116.
116 [P] Chemical Principles Honors II 4 (3-3) Prereq Permission of dept. Descriptive inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry principles, acid/base, ionic and molecular equilibrium, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics. Laboratory interfaced with computers. Credit not granted for both Chem 116 and 106.
Prerequisites for General Chemistry Courses
In order to optimize student success, prerequisites are strictly enforced for our courses. If you do not appear to have the appropriate prerequisite, you will be notified, and if you cannot demonstrate the prerequisite, then you will be disenrolled from the course. Any appeals concerning prerequisites should be directed to the instructor for the course.
Chem 101
Students who are required to take Math 099 before taking other University level math courses should complete this course before taking Chem 101. There is no specific chemistry background required for registration in Chem 101.
Chem 102
Students must have at least a grade of C (not C–) in Chem 101 (or Chem 105).
Chem 105
Placement into calculus, Math 140 or Math 171, is preferred. Registration for Math 107, especially if this pre-calculus material is a review, is acceptable. If there is any doubt about math preparation, then taking Math 107 before Chem 105 is recommended.
Students taking Chem 105 should have a year of high school chemistry or the equivalent, or Chem 101. There is a short placement quiz given the first week of class to help evaluate your preparation.
Chem 106
Credit for Math 140 or Math 171 is preferable, but students must have passed Math 107, or placed into Math 140 or Math 171. A grade of at least a C (not C–) in Chem 105 is also required.
Registration Procedures (Getting in when the course is full)
Students register online after meeting with their advisor or attending an Alive session in the summer. If you cannot find a time that fits your schedule, you should still be able to take the class by doing the following.
- Keep checking for space online. You can do this through the registration system and also by checking the website: http://www.schedules.wsu.edu/ . New sections may be opened and other students will change sections. There are many registration changes, especially the week before classes start.
- If you cannot get into the class, then attend the lecture and the tutorial/lab, which you prefer anyway. We will be creating waiting lists at that time for each section based on a form you fill out by attending. Many students get into class this way because some students registered for the class do not need to take the lab portion of the course, and some students who are registered do not actually attend.
- Watch your email for announcements concerning chemistry classes. These will come through myWSU.
- Questions can always be directed to Nikki Clark or the instructor for the course.
Current Textbooks
Textbooks and other required supplies are available on campus, but you may wish to obtain these before you come to Pullman. Take care to get the correct edition of the texts.
Chem 105 Fall 2008
Required Text: Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Kotz, Treichel and Weaver, Sixth Edition. A newer edition is available, but we are using the sixth edition. The entire text will be covered in two semesters (Chem 105 and 106) and is available as a used book.
Note: The bookstores will carry a new printing of the first half of the text, enough for just Chem 105. This will include a 1 semester pass for the OWL online homework system for a “bundled” price.
Required Online Homework: An access code for the OWL online homework system is required. This is included with the new text available at the bookstores, or it can be purchased online at the site http://owl.thomsonlearning.com . OWL is used for the entire year, Chem 105 and Chem 106, but you can purchase a 1 semester or a 1 year pass online.
Required Laboratory Text:General Chemistry 105-106 Laboratory Manual, Star Publishing (2007)
Required Laboratory Notebook: Duplicating with numbered pages. (Sold during first lab or at the Bookstores)
Required Goggles: Required by State Law. These must be “splash” goggles which seal around the face and have shielded vents. (Sold during first lab or at the Bookstores)
Laboratory Coat: Recommended for Chem 105, but required for Chem 106. (Available at the book stores or during the first lab.)
No other books, such as study guides, or solution manuals, are required or recommended.
Chem 106 Fall 2008
Required Text: Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, Kotz, Treichel and Weaver, Sixth Edition. A newer edition is available, but we are using the sixth edition. The full text should be available as a used book.
Note: The bookstores will carry a new printing of the second half of the text, enough for just Chem 106. This will include a 1 semester pass for the OWL online homework system for a “bundled” price.
Required Online Homework: An access code for the OWL online homework system is required. This is included with the new text available at the bookstores, or a 1 semester pass can be purchased online at the site http://owl.thomsonlearning.com .
Required Laboratory Text:General Chemistry 105-106 Laboratory Manual, Star Publishing (2007)
Required Laboratory Notebook: Duplicating with numbered pages. (Sold during first lab or at the Bookstores)
Required Goggles: These must be “splash” goggles which seal around the face and have shielded vents. (Sold during first lab or at the Bookstores)
Required Laboratory Coat: Available at the book stores or during the first lab.
No other books, such as study guides, or solution manuals, are required or recommended.
Chem 101 Fall 2008
Required Text:
Required Online Homework:
Required Laboratory Text:
Required Laboratory Notebook: Duplicating with numbered pages. (Sold during first lab or at the Bookstores)
Required Goggles: These must be “splash” goggles which seal around the face and have shielded vents. (Sold during first week of lab or at the Bookstores)
Laboratory Coat:
Current and Recent Syllabi
The course syllabus is a schedule and set of rules for the course. It is especially important to be aware of the scheduled due dates for homework assignments and the dates of all quizzes and exams.
Chem 105 Fall 2007
Chem 106 Spring 2008
Chem 101 Fall 2007
Chem 102 Spring 2008