CHEM 0220 Laboratory

Fall 2010

General Policies

• Each lab period will begin with a brief introduction of the experiment for the day (we call this the pre-lab), including safety considerations. You are required to have read the lab for that day ahead of time.
• Pre-lab quiz: To verify that you have read the experiment for the day prior to coming to pre-lab, your instructor may give you a brief quiz over the experiment for the day during pre-lab. This quiz will be worth up to 1 pt of your 10-pt lab score for that lab.

Goggle Policy

• You are required to purchase your own pair of chemical splash goggles and to wear those goggles at all times in the laboratory. You may purchase your goggles in the OCCC bookstore. If you choose to purchase goggles elsewhere, they must be approved by your professor. Woodworking goggles and safety glasses are NOT acceptable. If your goggles have vent covers that can be opened, they must be closed at all times during use.

• The OCCC Chemistry faculty has a zero tolerance policy on goggle violations. Failing to wear or removing your goggles during lab may result in dismissal from the laboratory and a grade of zero for that lab. Repeated violations of the goggle or safety rules and policies may result in a grade of “F” for the course.

PERSONAL ATTIRE Policy

· The clothes you wear to lab must cover your torso and legs and feet entirely. From the lab safety rules:

“ a shirt with sleeves that covers the shoulders and entire torso and either pants or a skirt that covers the entire leg. Tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, midriff shirts, shorts, and short dresses are not acceptable. In general, wearing a T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes will be appropriate to meet the lab safety rules.”

“Shoes that cover the entire foot, including the toes, the top of the foot, and the heel must be worn at all times in the chemistry laboratory. Sandals, flip-flops, slippers, Crocs®, and other open shoes are not permitted in the chemistry lab area.”

• If you fail to wear the proper attire, you will not be allowed to attend that lab.

More General Policies

• If you are more than ten minutes late for the pre-lab lecture, you will not be allowed to do the lab. You will be required to make up the lab or count it as a dropped lab.
• Laboratory work and clean-up must be completed prior to the end of the lab period. Furthermore, you must inventory your lab station’s three drawers and see that missing items are replaced before leaving the lab.
• Lab reports (data sheets) are due to your lab instructor at the start of the pre-lab discussion period the following week. Lab reports turned in late are subject to a 5 point penalty.
• You are required to complete a minimum of 11 lab exercises with a score ³ 2 pts in order to pass CHEM 1215.
• Nov 12^th is the last day to withdraw from class without a grade. If you withdraw from the lab you also have to withdraw from your lecture section. If you withdraw from your lecture class, you also have to withdraw from your lab.
• The grades you receive for labs will be transmitted to your lecture instructor. The lab grades will be included in your overall grade for CHEM 1215.
• You should keep your graded lab reports in case there are any questions about the accuracy of the transmission of those grades to your lecture instructor.

Lab Grades - 130 points

· There are 13 lab exercises worth 10 points each.

· Lab reports (data sheets) will be submitted to your lab instructor who will grade the reports. The lab instructor will forward your lab grades to your lecture instructor at the end of the semester for use in determining your final grade.

· Pass/fail requirement: You must complete and receive a grade of at least 2 points on 11 of the 13 labs in order to pass Chem 1215.

There will be one week in the semester that may be used to make up a missed lab, and we strongly advise you to complete all 13 labs and reports. Make-up labs are late labs and will be penalized 5 pts.

Please understand that the lab grade consists of 130 points. If you choose not to make up a lab, that lab grade will be a zero.

Lab Report Due Dates

Labs are due at the start of the following pre-lab period. Late labs and make-up labs will be assessed a five point penalty. Labs that are turned in after start of the pre-lab period will be considered late, regardless of the reason.

Lab Report Grading Criteria

· To receive full credit, all questions on the data sheet must be answered, appropriate calculations must be shown on the data sheet or on attached sheets of paper (as specified in the lab instructions), results must be within the expected range, and all calculations should be done according to the rules for significant figures.

· You can lose points on labs according to the following criteria:

1. Late lab or makeup lab - 5 point penalty
2. Incomplete lab report (i.e. some questions or calculations omitted) - 1 to 4 point penalty, depending upon how many calculations or questions are omitted
3. Poor results - 0.5 to 2 point penalty, depending upon how bad the results are
4. Calculation errors - 0.5 to 3 point penalty, depending upon how many errors are made
5. Incorrect answers to questions - 0.5 to 1 point each
6. Incorrect use of significant figures - 0.5 to 1 point penalty, depending upon how many errors are made

Note: It would be relatively easy to fall below the 2 point minimum required for passing this class if you submit an incomplete data sheet with a few calculation errors and poor results or incorrect responses to questions. Submitting a late lab means that you should take extra care in making sure the lab is complete and your calculations are correct so that you do not fall below the 2 point minimum.

Formal Lab Reports – 15 points each

You are expected to INDEPENDENTLY write and submit two formal lab reports during the semester. Your instructor will identify the specific lab for which each formal report is required and will provide you with the format for the formal lab report. Each formal lab is worth 15 points.