CH-128: Introductory Organic Chemistry

Course, prefix, number, & title: CH-128 Introductory Organic Chemistry

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3 class hours, 4 laboratory hours

Credits: 4.5

Course Description in college catalog:

This course is the second of a two-semester sequence and is intended to provide a brief, but thorough introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. The major functional groups such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, amines and carbonyl compounds are studied with some emphasis on nomenclature, reactions, and stereochemistry. Several aspects of organic chemistry related to biochemistry are also stressed including units on amino acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. The laboratory introduces students to the various synthetic methods for making organic compounds, as well as to purification techniques like distillation, recrystallization and extraction. This course is recommended for students in Nursing and others planning to pursue careers in the Allied Health fields. It may be used as a preparation for CH-251, but may not be substituted for CH-251 and is not open to students who have already completed CH-251 or CH-252.

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

• This course is recommended for students in Nursing and others planning to pursue careers in the Allied Health fields. It may be used as a preparation for CH-251, but may not be substituted for CH-251 and is not open to students who have already completed CH-251 or CH-252.
• A.S in Health Sciences

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

1. Communicate effectively in various forms

2. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

Understand the nomenclature, structures and reactions of simple organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, amines, aldehydes, ketones, amides, esters, carboxylic acids and their derivatives. Attain knowledge of basic concepts of biomolecules such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates and lipids. Correlate structures and reactivity of simple organic compounds and develop scientific research abilities such as planning and performing experiments, gathering and analyzing data, drawing conclusions from qualitative analysis, communicating results orally and in scientific writing and demonstrating some familiarity with chemical literature.

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

The general guidelines for assessing grades are as follows:

• Examinations, Assignments and Classroom Performance 50%
• Laboratory Work 25%
• Final Examination 25%

The distribution may be changed at the discretion of the individual instructor. Aside from the above guidelines, the students are mandated to take the American Chemical Society (ACS) assessment test which is administered during the 14th week of the laboratory period (see Laboratory Schedule) and 10% of that grade will be added on top of the student’s final course grade. The ACS test cannot hurt your grade.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window(PDF).

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.