CHEM 1500 - Chemistry in Modern Living
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40024,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Jennifer Decker
Email: jrdecker01@ysu.edu
Course Description
1500. Chemistry in Modern Living. Introduction to basic chemical concepts, the scientific method, and the impact of chemistry on human life and society. Examples may include water treatment, air quality, plastics, drugs, cosmetics, energy resources, food, and the chemical basis of life. Not intended for Chemistry majors. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required |
Achieve Learning Waldron 21st Century Chemistry, 2nd edition ISBN: 9781319256586. It comes with an e-book and an access to the required homework
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue | 8/25 | Introduction. Chapter 1: Scientific Method, Scientific Notations | Practice Assignment HW: 8/24-9/6 |
| Thu | 8/27 | Chapter 1: Metric Units, Significant Figures | |
| Tue | 9/1 | Chapter 1: Conversion Factors, Accuracy and Precision | Chapter 1 HW: 8/24-9/6 Discussion Board Question: 9/2 |
| Thu | 9/3 | Chapter 2: Atoms, Isotopes | Discussion Board (DB) Answers: 9/4 |
| Tue | 9/8 | Chapter 2: Electrons, Light | Chapter 2 HW: 8/24-9/13 DB Question: 9/9 |
| Thu | 9/10 | Chapter 3: Periodic Table, Elements and Compounds | DB Answers: 9/11 |
| Tue | 9/15 | Chapter 3: Pure Substances and Mixtures, States of Matter | Chapter 3 HW: 8/24-9/20 DB Question: 9/16 |
| Thu | 9/17 | Review for Exam 1 | DB Answers: 9/18 |
| Tue | 9/22 | Exam 1 (Chapters 1,2,3) | |
| Thu | 9/24 | Chapter 4: Octet Rule, Valence Electrons | |
| Tue | 9/29 | Chapter 4: Ionic Bonds, Ionic Compounds; Metal Bonding | DB Question: 9/30 |
| Thu | 10/1 | Chapter 4: Covalent Bonds and Polarity, Prediction of Types of Bonds from Periodic Table | Chapter 4 HW: 9/22-10/7 DB Answers: 10/2 |
| Tue | 10/6 | Chapter 7: Chemical Equations, Balancing Chemical Equations, Mole, Molar Mass | DB Question: 10/7 |
| Thu | 10/8 | Chapter 7: Stoichiometry, Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions, Catalyst | Chapter 7 HW: 9/22-10/14 DB Answers: 10/9 |
| Tue | 10/13 | Review for Exam 2 | |
| Thu | 10/15 | Exam 2 (Chapters 4, 7) | |
| Tue | 10/20 | Chapter 6: Properties of Gas, Effect of Volume, Temperature, Pressure, and Moles on Gas Behavior (Gas Laws) | DB Question: 10/21 |
| Thu | 10/22 | Chapter 6: Gas Laws | Chapter 6 HW: 10/15-11/1 DB Answers: 10/23 |
| Tue | 10/27 | Chapter 8: Hydrogen Bonds and Dipole-Dipole Interactions | DB Question: 10/28 |
| Thu | 10/29 | Chapter 8: Heating Curve of Water | Chapter 8 HW: 10/15-11/8 DB Answers: 10/30 |
| Tue | 11/3 | Chapter 9: Salts are Ionic Compounds, Polyatomic Ions, | DB Question: 11/4 |
| Thu | 11/5 | Chapter 9: Hydration, Solutions, Electrolytes | DB Answers: 11/6 |
| Tue | 11/10 | Chapter 9: Concentration (Molar, % m/m), Osmosis | Chapter 9 HW: 10/15-11/15 DB Question: 11/11 |
| Thu | 11/12 | Review for Exam 3 | DB Answers: 11/13 |
| Tue | 11/17 | Exam 3 (Chapters 6, 8, 9) | |
| Thu | 11/19 | Chapter 10: Autoionization of Water, Acids and Bases | |
| Tue | 11/24 | Chapter 10: pH Scale, Calculation of pH, Common Air Pollutants | Chapter 10 HW: 11/17-12/2 |
| Thu | 11/26 | ||
| Tue | 12/1 | Chapter 5: Organic Molecules; Hydrocarbons | DB Questions: 12/2 |
| Thu | 12/3 | Chapter 5: Functional Groups (hydrocarbons with single, double, and triple carbon-carbon bonds, carboxylic acids, alcohols, sulfides, amines) Course Review |
Chapter 5 HW: 11/17-12/6 DB Answers: 12/4 |
| Tue | 12/8 | ||
| Thu | 12/10 | FINAL EXAM: 8:00-10:00AM |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.