SYLLABUS FORM

WESTCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Valhalla, NY 10595
1. CURRENT DATE: Spring 2015
Please indicate whether this is a NEW COURSE or a REVISION: Revision

DATE OF PRIOR REVISION: Spring 2012

2. NAME OF REVISER: Dr. James Ziegler

3. COURSE #: CHEM 117

4. NAME OF COURSE: Principles of Organic Chemistry - Lecture & Lab

5. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CHEM 117 Principles of Organic Chemistry - Lecture & Lab
4 credits

A one-semester Organic chemistry course in which students are introduced to the fundamentals of organic
chemistry. Emphasis is placed on the structure, properties, synthesis, reactions and simple mechanisms of
aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids and
their derivatives, and biologically important molecules. In the laboratory, students develop the skills to
carry out basic organic techniques, synthesis and reactions.

Notes: Principles of Organic Chemistry is designed for students who need only one semester of Organic
chemistry. This course should only be taken by Nursing students (or those entering similar health-related
programs) or other non-science majors. Class Hours: 3; Lab Hours: 3; Prerequisites: CHEM 113 (Principles of
Inorganic Chemistry - Lecture & Lab) OR CHEM 107 (Inorganic Chemistry 1 - Lecture & Lab).
Offered in Fall and Spring semesters and Summer Session 2.

6. NUMBER OF CREDITS: 4

7. NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS PER WEEK

a. Lab hours: 3 b. Lecture hours: 3

8. APPROXIMATE FREQUENCY OF OFFERING THIS COURSE: Fall, Spring and Summer Session 2

9. PREREQUISITES or PLACEMENT SCORES: CHEM 113 (Principles of Inorganic Chemistry - Lecture & Lab)
OR
CHEM 107 (Inorganic Chemistry 1 - Lecture & Lab)
10. COREQUISITES: None

11. ASSOCIATED COURSES (such as field courses): None

12. PLACE OF THIS COURSE IN CURRICULUM:

Required for Curriculum: Nursing and Related Health Field Curricula;
Part of required/recommended sequence with CHEM 113.

13. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/CLASS NOTES: Students must register for both a lecture and a lab section.
14. REQUIRED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS 1:
Textbook: Timberlake, Karen C. General, Organic and Biological Chemistry; Structures of Life.
4th Edition, Pearson, 2014. Custom Edition for Westchester Community College
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Textbooks are subject to change each semester. For updated textbook requirements, please contact the
WCC Bookstore.

15. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) and COURSE OBJECTIVES

SLO/Objectives* - Upon successful completion, the This outcome will be measured* by one or more of
student will be able to: the following instruments (exercises, tools,
observations):
SLO 1: name organic compounds using the IUPAC Measure: Exams 1-3, Quizzes and Final Exam
system of nomenclature; describe the chemical and
physical properties of the different organic functional
groups.
Objective 1: classify organic molecules according to
their functional group; draw expanded and condensed
structural formulas for these molecules.
Objective 2: differentiate between structural and
stereoisomerism.
Objective 3: explain what is meant by an organic
reaction mechanism; describe the mechanisms of
common organic chemistry reactions.
Objective 4: demonstrate an understanding of
acid/base chemistry with particular emphasis on
organic acids and bases.
SLO 2: demonstrate an understanding of the Measure: Exam 4, Quizzes, and Final Exam
structure, function and reactivity of the major classes
of biomolecules.
Objective 1: relate the structure of carbohydrates,
lipids and proteins to the organic functional groups
discussed earlier in the course.
Objective 2: demonstrate an understanding of the
function and reactivity of various biomolecules.
SLO 3: perform common organic laboratory Measure: Lab Reports, Lab Quizzes and Lab Final
procedures in accordance with proper safety Exam
procedures
Objective 1: demonstrate an understanding of and
apply the lab skills and laboratory safety procedures
needed to carry out standard organic chemistry
experiments.
Objective 2: use common laboratory techniques to
synthesize organic molecules and biomolecules
discussed in lecture.
Objective 3: implement the purification techniques
common to organic chemistry and explain the
principles these techniques are based on.
Objective 4: use qualitative testing to determine the
organic functional groups of molecules.
*Variations from this basic plan may occur depending on the individual instructor teaching the course
and/or the time constraints of a given semester.
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 SUNY General Education Outcomes (Appendix A)
Related Course SLO &
Natural Sciences- Students will demonstrate: Measure
understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, SLO 3 and Measure 3
including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data
collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of
mathematical analysis.
application of scientific data, concepts, and models in one of the natural (or SLOs 1 & 2
physical) sciences. and Measures 1 & 2

16. COURSE GRADING CRITERIA:

In lecture 1, students are given:

4 hourly exams on two to four chapters at a time - 50% of final grade
a two hour comprehensive final - 15% of final grade
Lecture quizzes, and homework assignments – 10% of final grade (optional).

In laboratory 1, 2, students will be evaluated based on their performance on:

lab reports, quizzes & exams and/or assessments of lab practice - 25% of final grade

1
Variations from this basic plan may occur depending on the instructor.
Instructors will state their grading procedures at the start of the term.

2
Exception: Students who fail the lab will fail the course regardless of their lecture average.

17. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: List the different instructional methods you might use, in the course of the
semester. List supplementary learning options, if any:
Instructional methods include media enhanced lectures, Internet resources, reading assignments and hands-
on laboratory experience.

18. TOPIC OUTLINE: Please see below.

19. UNIQUE ASPECTS OF COURSE (such as equipment, specified software, space requirements, etc.):
Chemistry laboratories and their associated equipment, instruments and chemicals .

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TOPIC OUTLINE:

Week Lecture Topic (Text Chapter) Laboratory Experiment

1 Alkanes and cycloalkanes, IUPAC nomenclature (1) Check- in, Safety
2 Chemical and physical properties of unsaturated hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons: Physical and Chemical
(2) Properties of Hydrocarbons
3 Continuation of Chapter (2) including aromatic compounds Recrystallization of Acetanilide: A General
Method for the Purification of an Organic
Solid
4 Chemical and physical properties of alcohols, phenols, thiols, Melting Point of Pure Organic Solids and
and ethers (3) Mixtures
5 Chapter (3) continued. Introduction to aldehydes and ketones Simple Distillation of an Organic Liquid:
(4) Alcohol Content in Beer

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 6 Chemical and physical properties of aldehydes and ketones (4) Aldehydes, Ketones, and Alcohols
7 Introduction to acid/base chemistry, including strengths of pKa of a Weak Carboxylic Acid
organic acids and bases (6)
8 Physical and Chemical properties of carboxylic acids and esters Extraction of Benzoic Acid
(6)
9 Physical properties of amines and amides, the base properties of Introduction to Spectroscopy: Beer’s Law
amines, chemical properties of amines and amides (8)
10 Chemical properties of amines (8) Identification of a Pure Substance using
Physical Properties
11 Lipids, including the different types of lipids, chemical reactions Fat Content of Snack Foods
involving lipids, the role of lipids in cell membranes and fats (7)
12 Physical properties of amino acids, chemical reactions of amino Lipids: Preparation of Soap from Oil
acids to make proteins, physical properties and structures of
proteins (9)
13 The role of enzymes in biological catalysis, vitamins (10) Synthesis and Recrystallization of Aspirin
14 Chemical and physical properties of carbohydrates (5) Synthesis of Methyl Salicylate,
15 Carbohydrates continued (5), review for final exam Final exam, Check-out
16 Final exam

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Exact topic content and time allotted to topics will depend on the individual instructor and/or
the time constraints of a given semester.

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 APPENDIX A
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL AREAS

1. MATHEMATICS - Students will demonstrate the ability to:

 interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics;
 represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and verbally;
 employ quantitative methods such as, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, or statistics to solve problems;
 estimate and check mathematical results for reasonableness; and
 recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods.

2. NATURAL SCIENCES - Students will demonstrate:

 understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis
development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of
mathematical analysis; and
 application of scientific data, concepts, and models in one of the natural (or physical) sciences.

3. SOCIAL SCIENCES - Students will demonstrate:

 understanding of the methods social scientists use to explore social phenomena, including observation, hypothesis
development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of
mathematical and interpretive analysis; and
 knowledge of major concepts, models and issues of at least one discipline in the social sciences.

4. AMERICAN HISTORY - Students will demonstrate:

 knowledge of a basic narrative of American history: political, economic, social, and cultural, including knowledge of
unity and diversity in American society;
 knowledge of common institutions in American society and how they have affected different groups; and
 understanding of America's evolving relationship with the rest of the world.

5. WESTERN CIVILIZATION - Students will:

 demonstrate knowledge of the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society,
culture, etc., of Western civilization; and
 relate the development of Western civilization to that of other regions of the world.

6. OTHER WORLD CIVILIZATIONS - Students will demonstrate:

 knowledge of either a broad outline of world history, or
 the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc., of one non-Western civilization.

7. HUMANITIES - Students will demonstrate:

 knowledge of the conventions and methods of at least one of the humanities in addition to those encompassed by
other knowledge areas required by the General Education program.

8. THE ARTS - Students will demonstrate:

 understanding of at least one principal form of artistic expression and the creative process inherent therein.

9. FOREIGN LANGUAGE - Students will demonstrate:

 basic proficiency in the understanding and use of a foreign language; and knowledge of the distinctive features of
culture(s) associated with the language they are studying.

10. BASIC COMMUNICATION - Students will:

• produce coherent texts within common college-level written forms;
• demonstrate the ability to revise and improve such texts;
• research a topic, develop an argument, and organize supporting details;
• develop proficiency in oral discourse; and
• evaluate an oral presentation according to established criteria.