Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

For CH 151 Competency Exam information and schedule visit the following website, it is updated regularly:

pcc.edu/staff/index.cfm/468,14275,30,html 

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an emerging ability to use effective written and/or oral communication through the application of preparatory chemical concepts and reasoning using the language of chemistry.
• Demonstrate an emerging understanding of how preparatory chemistry impacts the natural and technological environments.
• Demonstrate an emerging ability to use detailed data collection, analysis and collaborative skills in order to explore preparatory chemical principles, critically evaluate models and information, draw conclusions and communicate results.  
• Demonstrate an emerging understanding of chemical principles and collaborative skills to effectively solve problems encountered in preparatory chemistry using appropriate computational and reasoning skills.

Core Outcome 4: Cultural Awareness

Demonstrate appropriate cultural awareness within the preparatory chemistry field.

Core Outcome 6:  Self Reflection

Demonstrate effective self-reflective skills within the preparatory chemistry field.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. The methods may include one or more of the following tools: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, laboratory write-ups, research papers, small group problem solving of questions arising from application of course concepts and concerns to actual experience, oral presentations, or maintenance of a personal lab manual.

At least two written lecture examinations, including the final examination, are scheduled during theterm. Nonscheduled quizzes may occasionally be given at the discretion of the instructor. Written examinations include typical problems encountered in previous class work and laboratory. These examinations may also include challenge problems that ask students to apply concepts learned in class and lab in a new way in order to evaluate problem-solving ability and development of higher level thinking skills. Since this is a preparatory course, the student's competency in mathematical topics is important to successful completion of the course.

PCC Core Outcome Mapping Communication - Mapping Level Indicator 1

Demonstrate a limited ability to use effective written and/or oral communication through the application of chemical concepts and reasoning using the language of chemistry

PCC Core Outcome Mapping: Community and Environmental Responsibility - Mapping Level Indicator 1

Demonstrate limited understanding of how chemistry impacts the natural and technological environments.

PCC Core Outcome Mapping: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Mapping Level Indicator 1

Demonstrate a limited ability to use detailed data collection, analysis and collaborative skills in order to explore preparatory chemical principles, critically evaluate models and information, draw conclusions and communicate results.

PCC Core Outcome Mapping: Professional Competency - Mapping Level Indicator 1

Demonstrate limited understanding of chemical principles and collaborative skills to effectively solve problems encountered in preparatory chemistry using appropriate computational and reasoning skills.

General

Grades and competency will be determined according to student ability to demonstrate knowledge of specific chemistry topics and complete work by assigned deadlines; participate and complete reports of assigned laboratory experiments; and an evaluation of chemical topics assigned.

A. INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

1. History
2. Scientific Method
3. How to Study Chemistry

B. MEASUREMENTS

1. Scientific Notation
2. Metric System
3. Uncertainty
4. Dimensional Analysis

C. CHEMISTRY CONCEPTS

1. Classification of Matter
2.  Density
3. Energy
4. Atomic Structure
5. Electromagnetic Spectrum
6. Periodic Table
7. Bonding
8. Symbols, Formulas, Equations
9. The Mole
10. Chemical Reactions
     

OPTIONAL
D. CONTEMPORARY CHEMISTRY TOPICS SUCH AS:

1. Environmental Chemistry
2. Ozone Depletion
3. Acid Rain
4. Pollution
5. Green House Effect
6. Recycling
7. Pharmaceutical Drugs
8. Blood Chemistry
9. Energy sources
10. Fossil fuel
11. Nuclear
12. Alternate forms of Energy
13. Nutritional