Course

The Structure of Matter

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Chemistry
Course code
CHEM 1110
Credits
4.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
36
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course offers a brief review of stoichiometry and the treatment of experimental data, then focuses on the modern view of atomic structure, theories of bonding and molecular structure, kinetics, organic chemistry including nomenclature, conformation of alkanes and substitution reactions. A practical laboratory component is an integral part of the course.
Course content

1. Introduction and Review

Scientific measurements, significant figures; the mole, formulas, stoichiometry.

2. Atomic Structure

Development of atomic structure; fundamental particles; quantum theory of radiation; the quantum mechanical model of the atom; Planck, Heisenberg, orbital shapes, sizes and energies, electronic configurations; periodic properties: ionization energy, atomic size, electron affinity.

3. Bonding and Molecular Structure

Ionic bonding; covalent bonding: Lewis structures, electronegativity, polarity, resonance, shapes of molecules; Valence Bond Theory: hybridization, orbital diagrams; Molecular Orbital Theory: shapes and energies of molecular orbitals, bond order, intermolecular forces, and hydrogen bonding.

4. Chemical Kinetics

(Review: basic factors affecting reaction rates) concept and definitions of chemical reaction rates, rate constant and reaction order, integrated rate laws for zero, first and simple second order reactions, half-life; collision theory and activation energy, reaction profile diagrams, mechanism and rate equations, SN1 and SN2 reaction mechanisms, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.

5. Organic Chemistry

Nomenclature; identification and physical properties of common functional groups, conformations of alkanes, Newman projections, ring flipping, conformations of substituted cyclohexanes, R/S and E/Z system of nomenclature,  SN1/SN2 reactions and mechanisms and carbocation stability.

Options: Organic compounds involved in human physiology and anatomy may be discussed.

Laboratory Content

The following laboratory experiments will be selected from the following list and performed during the lab period:

  1. Laboratory Safety
  2. Preparation of Reagents and Equipment for the Laboratory
  3. Volumetric Techniques: A Review of Titration
  4. Synthesis of Alum
  5. Back Titration
  6. Atomic Spectra
  7. Synthesis of ASA
  8. Chromatography
  9. Preparation of Geometric Isomers
  10. Preparation and Analysis of Potassium Hydrogen Maleate
  11. Molecular Geometry
  12. Synthesis of an Azo Dye 
  13. Electrolysis of Water
  14. The Molar Mass of Magnesium
  15. A Guided Inquiry Investigation of Vapour Pressure 

 

Learning activities

The course will be presented using lectures, problem sessions and class discussion. The laboratory course will be used to illustrate the practical aspects of the course material.  Close coordination will be maintained between laboratory and classroom work whenever possible.  This will be accomplished by discussing laboratory experiments in class and, when necessary, by using the lab period for problem solving.

Options: Students will be encouraged to view course material in the context of teaching through a combination of class presentations, cooperative learning and tutorials. Current educational technology, such as research using the Internet, molecular modeling software and data analysis with spreadsheets, may be employed.

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Lecture Material (75%)

  • Two or three in-class tests will be given during the semester (30% in total)
  • A final exam covering the entire semester’s work will be given during the final examination period (30%)
  • Any or all of the following evaluations, at the discretion of the instructor: assignments, quizzes, class participation [5% maximum],presentations, research assignments, group work (15% in total)

Laboratory (25%)

Written reports for each experiment or activity will be handed in and graded.  These reports may be of various types: complete reports, short reports (handed in on report sheets) or written research assignments.  In addition, activities, such as written quizzes or online assignments, may be evaluated. Qualitative and quantitative results of experiments performed on unknown samples may be graded. 

Note:

A student who misses three or more laboratory experiments will earn a maximum P grade.

A student who achieves less than 50% in either the lecture or laboratory portion of the course will earn a maximum P grade.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the students will:

  1. Carry out measurements using the correct number of significant figures with precision and accuracy.
  2. Solve stoichiometry problems of the following types: gram-gram, solution stoichiometry, limiting reactant, problems involving two simultaneous or two sequential reactions.
  3. Explain the Bohr Theory of atomic structure.
  4. Give the electronic configuration of any of the common elements in the periodic table.
  5. Given a periodic table, explain relative sizes, ionization energies, and electron affinities of the elements.
  6. Explain and be able to apply the following concepts to covalent bonds: dipole moment, electronegativity, and percent ionic character.
  7. Draw Lewis structures for a given molecule.  The molecule may exhibit resonance, or expanded valence shells.
  8. Use the VSEPR theory to predict the geometry of any polyatomic molecule.
  9. Given the formula of a polyatomic molecule, use the Valence Bond Theory to describe the types of bonds, the type of hybridization of central atom, and draw a diagram showing orbital overlap and geometry.
  10. Use the Molecular Orbital Theory of bonding to describe the bonding in any diatomic molecule involving atoms from the first row of the periodic table or any homonuclear diatomic molecule involving atoms from the second row of the periodic table.
  11. Given the formulas of two compounds, list the types of intermolecular forces that apply to each molecule, and predict which will have the higher boiling point.
  12. Solve problems of the following types, given a list of selected equations: order, rate constant and activation energy of a chemical reaction.
  13. From the formula of an organic compound, give the IUPAC name.
  14. Given the formula of an organic compound, draw diagrams of all possible isomers, and describe each type of isomer.
  15. Be able to name and identify the common functional groups.
  16. Be able to draw the lowest and highest energy conformations of alkanes via Newman projections and cyclohexanes in 3D indicating axial and equatorial bonds and 1,3-diaxial interactions.
  17. Given a compound with a stereogenic centre, be able to identify it using the R/S system of nomenclature.
  18. Be able to provide the mechanism of either an SN1 or SN2 substitution reaction indicating the structures of all transition states & intermediates including the stereochemical outcome of the reaction.
  19. Given a list of carbocations, be able to rank their relative stabilities.

Options: For classes with students enrolled in the Bachelor of  Physical Education and  Coaching  program:

  1. Instructors will be aware that students in this class are seeking a career as teachers and therefore topics may be presented with a pedagogical perspective.
  2. Students may be provided with skills enabling them to explain both quantitative and qualitative topics in the course to an audience of elementary or high school students.

 

Laboratory Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Give the name and describe the use of common laboratory equipment.
  2. Accurately perform standard laboratory techniques using the accepted methods, such as titration, weighing, pipetting.
  3. Give the random and systematic errors inherent in each of the common quantitative techniques which are used in the laboratory.
  4. Write a report based on observations and data obtained in the laboratory using a standard report format.
  5. Given a set of experimental data or using data obtained in the laboratory, apply the appropriate mathematical techniques (e.g. graphical analysis, solution of equations, etc.) necessary to obtain a numerical result.
  6. Using the data, observations or results of an experiment, determine the relationship between experimental variables.
  7. Analyze the overall laboratory experiment with respect to errors inherent in the method or techniques.
  8. Give the theory upon which the experiment is based.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Chemistry, A Molecular Approach by Tro, Fridgen and Shaw

Chemistry 1110 Laboratory Manual, Douglas College

Requisites

Prerequisites

CHEM 1108 (C or better) AND Pre-Calculus 11 (C or better) or equivalent

OR

Chemistry 12 (C+ or better) AND Pre-Calculus 11 (C or better) or equivalent

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for CHEM 1110
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX CHEM 101 (4)
Camosun College (CAMO) DOUG CHEM 1110 (4) & DOUG CHEM 1210 (5) = CAMO CHEM 120 (3) & CAMO CHEM 121 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU CHEM 110 (4)
College of New Caledonia (CNC) CNC CHEM 111 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR CHEM 1XX (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU CHEM 101 (4)
Fraser International College (FIC) FIC CHEM 121 (4)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU CHEM 1110 (4)
Langara College (LANG) LANG CHEM 1XXX (4)
Langara College (LANG) DOUG CHEM 1110 (4) & DOUG CHEM 1210 (4) = LANG CHEM 1120 (4) & LANG CHEM 1220 (4)
Okanagan College (OC) No credit
Okanagan College (OC) DOUG CHEM 1110 (5) & DOUG CHEM 1210 (5) = OC CHEM 111 (3) & OC CHEM 121 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CHEM 121 (4)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU CHEM 1503 (3) & TRU CHEM 1505 (0)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU CHEM 111 (3) & TWU CHEM 198 (1)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) DOUG CHEM 1110 (4) & DOUG CHEM 1210 (5) = UBCO CHEM_O 121 (3) & UBCO CHEM_O 123 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) DOUG CHEM 1110 (4) & DOUG CHEM 1210 (5) = UBCV CHEM_V 121 (4) & UBCV CHEM_V 123 (4)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC CHEM 100 (3) & UNBC CHEM 120 (1)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV CHEM 113 (4)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC CHEM 101 (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC CHEM 1121 (4)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) DOUG CHEM 1110 (5) & DOUG CHEM 1210 (5) = VIU CHEM 140 (4) & VIU CHEM 142 (4)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU CHEM 1st (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
36
Currently enrolled
14
Remaining seats:
22
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A1230
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

CHEM 1110 001 - Must ALSO register in CHEM 1110 L01

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
36
Currently enrolled
13
Remaining seats:
23
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3820
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

CHEM 1110 002 - Must ALSO register in one of CHEM 1110 L02 or L04

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
36
Currently enrolled
18
Remaining seats:
18
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3820
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

CHEM 1110 003 - Must ALSO register in one of CHEM 1110 L02, L03, or L04

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
36
Currently enrolled
21
Remaining seats:
15
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3820
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

CHEM 1110 004 - Must ALSO register in one of CHEM 1110 L02, L03, or L04