Class Syllabus: Introduction to Chemistry
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Online
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Self-Paced / Online
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Course Description
CHEMISTRY: It is Not Your Great-Grandfather's Science Anymore
 Moving beyond the white lab coat and test tube specimen chemistry once was, the science now encompasses a diverse spectrum of branches and sub-divisions.And, while it certainly is fascinating to become acquainted with the many different branches (physical chemistry, organic chemistry, etc) of chemistry that exist, it is reassuring to learn that within the science, as a whole, there remains to be a core compendium of central ideas used across the board.
These central ideas, beginning with atoms and molecules, which are in everything that exists, leading up to the laws of conservation of matter and energy whereby nothing really disappears it simply transfers to another object or is absorbed; are all building blocks to more advanced forms of chemistry. These building blocks will be the focus of this course.
Not only are the tenets of chemistry -- from the states of matter to the laws of thermodynamics -- useful in scientific circles, but they are directly applicable to a wide, wide range of everyday situations from cooking and cleaning to automotive repair and industrial manufacturing.
While you may desire to expand upon your basic understanding of chemistry's main principles and central ideas, it is truly essential that you first master the basic components before bridging out to the more labyrinth levels.
In gaining mastery over the fundamental concepts, you will be able to take in new ideas, theories and principles without losing sight of chemistry's basic teachings.
Course Requirements
All materials are presented within the course lessons. You only need to bring an open mind. As this is an introductory Chemistry course, this course will be open to anyone with at least a 10th grade reading and math level.
Course Outline
I. INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY
- Chemistry: Definition
- Chemistry: Why It Is Important
- Chemistry: Sub-Disciplines
- Chemistry and Biology: Differences and Similarities
II. ORIGINS OF CHEMISTRY
- Chemistry: Historical Perspective
- Organic Chemistry
- Debate about Atomism
- Quantum Chemistry
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- Chemical Industry
III. ELEMENTS OF MATTER OF ENERGY
- Matter and Energy, Properties of Matter
- Physical Properties
- Physical Changes,
- Chemical Properties
- Chemical Changes
- Chemical Changes and Chemical Equations
- Reactants ---> Products
- The Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy
- Conservation Laws
IV. ATOMIC STRUCTURE
- The Modern View of Atomic Structure
- Isotopes, Atomic Numbers and Mass Numbers
- Electrical Activity within an Atom
- The Periodic Table
- Electron Configuration and the Table
V. CHEMICAL BONDING
- How and Why Chemical Bonds Form
- Depth of Ionic Bonding
- Properties of Compounds
- Other Types of Bonding
VI. STATES OF MATTER
- Solids
- Liquids
- Gases
- Changes of State
- Classifications of Matter
- Elements and the Periodic Table
- Mixtures
VII. GASES
- Gases: Definition
- Pressure
- Temperature
- Volume
VIII. SOLUTIONS
- Ideal Solutions
- Solvents
- Solvation
- Concentration
- Types of Solutions
- Solution Preparations (common terms)
- Unique Cases
IX. ACIDS AND BASES
- History and Modern Day Applications (Overview)
- Acids and Bases: Practical Applications
- Acids and Bases: Properties and Examples
- Acids and Bases: Associated Terms
X. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- History
- Characteristics of Organic Substances
- Molecular Structures
- Organic Reactions
- Classification (Nomenclature)
- Sources of Hydrocarbons
- Polymers
XI. OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTIONS
- Oxidation-Reduction (redox): Overview
- Atomical Particles
- Representative Elements: Metals and Nonmetals
- Half Reactions
- Oxidation-Reduction: Recap
- Oxidation-Reducation: Acronyms and Mnemonics
XII. ELECTROCHEMISTRY
- Chemistry and Electricity: History of Connection
- Electrochemistry: Definition
- Electrochemistry: Purpose and Function
- Electrochemistry: Electrochemical Process
- Electrochemical Cells
- Cell Voltage
- Iron Corrosion
XIII. EQUILIBRUIM
- Equilibrium: Definition
- Equilibrium: Guidelines
- Le Chatelier’s Principle
- Equilibrium Constant
- Equilibrium Constant Equations
- Equilibrium: Curtin-Hammett Principle
XIV. THERMODYNAMICS
- Thermodynamics; Definition
- Thermodynamics and Heat: History
- Thermodynamics: The Laws
- Thermodynamics: Scale of Temperature
- Thermodynamics: Systems
- Thermodynamics: Parameters
- Thermodynamics: States
- Thermodynamics: Processes
Grading Policy
Complete the course with 70% or higher and you'll receive a Certificate of Course Completion.
Course Materials
Recommended books:
Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides); by Clifford C. Houk, Richard Post
Link to Chemistry: Concepts 
Chemistry for Dummies; by John T. Moore
Link to Chemistry for Dummies
Illustrated Dictionary of Chemistry (Usborne Illustrated Dictionaries) (Paperback) Link to Illustrated Dictionary of Chemistry Learning Outcomes By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Summarize the origins of chemistry.
- Describe the elements of matter and energy.
- Define and describe the atomic structure.
- Define chemical bonding.
- Define the states of matter.
- Describe gases from a chemist's perspective.
- Describe solutions from a chemist's perspective.
- Describe acids and bases from a chemist's perspective.
- Describe what organic chemistry is.
- Describe Oxidation-Reduction Reactions.
- Summarize what electrochemistry is.
- Define equilibrium.
- Define the Laws of Thermodynamics, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
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