Dec 04, 2024  
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT 
    
DRAFT 2025-2026 College Catalog DRAFT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CHM 138IN - Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry

4 Credits, 6 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 3 lab periods
A one-semester course to introduce inorganic and organic chemistry as the basis for the study of some important life processes. Includes the classification, structure, and general chemical behavior of organic and biochemical systems

Prerequisite(s): MAT 092   or required score on mathematics placement test.
Information: This course is adapted to the needs of students in nursing and other health professions.
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  



Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Solve problems using chemical concepts and chemical principles.
  2. Perform experiments with given directions and collect valid scientific data
  3. Identify common functional groups in various structural representations of organic molecules including physical and computer-simulated three-dimensional models.
  4. Predict products that result from characteristic chemical reactions of selected classes of organic compounds.
  5. Describe the composition and function of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in terms of the structure and chemical behavior of their constituent organic functional groups.

Performance Objectives:
  1. Correctly using scientific notation, significant figures and the appropriate unit conversions used in drug calculations.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the atom including its component parts, and the relationship between periodic characteristics and valence electron.
  3. Identify the type of bonds that will form between given atoms. 
  4. Demonstrate the ability to draw Lewis Structures, predict shape and polarity.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to work with chemical equations.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics associated with liquids including those related to intermolecular forces and evaporation. 
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts associated with solutions and mixtures including solubility and the determination of concentration.
  8. Describe the conditions necessary for a reaction to occur and the factors that affect the rates of chemical reactions.
  9. Describe the concept of dynamic chemical equilibrium and predict changes in equilibrium.
  10. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts associated with acids and bases including Arrhenius definitions, pH scale, and buffers.
  11. Demonstrate an understanding of the basics of the chemistry associated with the applications of nuclear chemistry.   
  12. Identify common functional groups in various structural representations of organic molecules including physical and computer-simulated three-dimensional models.
  13. Name fundamental organic compounds using IUPAC nomenclature and write their structural formulas.
  14. Describe the physical properties of simple organic compounds based on differences in molecular structure.
  15. Predict products that result from characteristic chemical reactions of selected classes of organic compounds.
  16. Describe the composition and function of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in terms of the structure and chemical behavior of their constituent organic functional groups.
  17. Explain the roles of representative carbohydrates, fats and amino acids via the principal human metabolic pathways.
  18. Identify the role or action in human health of selected chemical process initiators, facilitators, and regulators, including enzymes, neurotransmitters, hormones, and drugs.
  19. Critically apply the scientific method to data collection and analysis in a hands-on, chemical laboratory setting.
  20. Demonstrate the safe use of chemical laboratory equipment for measuring mass, volume (including a micropipette) and graduated cylinder, temperature, pH measurements, spectrometer, and a centrifuge
  21. Demonstrate the application of chemistry within the health sciences by preparation of solutions, analyzing the use of UV/VIS spectroscopy in the medical field, and analyzing the use of medical test strips.
  22. Demonstrating lab safety including the proper method of working with and heating organic materials, and how to dispose of organic materials and biohazards.

Outline:
I. Inorganic (General) Chemistry

A. Mathematical concepts: Scientific notation; Unit conversions; Measurement using metric length, volume, and mass

B. Matter and energy changes

C. Atomic structure

D. Ions and ionic compounds

E. Molecular compounds

F. States of matter

G. Chemical reactions

H. Solution, electrolytes, concentrations

I. Acids, bases, and buffers

II. Organic Chemistry

A. Introduction to functional groups of organic compounds:

1. Alkanes

2. Alkenes

3. Alcohols

4. Ketones

5. Aldehydes

6. Carboxylic Acids

7. Amines

B. Synthesis and reactions of selected organic compounds

III. Biochemistry

A. Introduction to biological molecules

B. Structure and function of:

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids

3. Proteins

4. Enzymes

5. Nucleic acids

6. Metabolism

7. Protein synthesis

IV.   Laboratory Outline

A. Demonstrate the safe use of chemical laboratory equipment

1. mass

2. volume

a. Micropipette

b. Graduated cylinder

3. temperature

4. pH measurements

5. UV-VIS spectrometer

6. centrifuge

B. Demonstrate the application of chemistry within the health sciences

1. preparation of solutions

2. analyzing the use of UV/VIS spectroscopy in the medical field

3. analyzing the use of medical test strips.

C. Demonstrate lab safety

1. proper method of working with and heating organic materials

2. proper method for disposal of organic materials.

3. proper method of working with biohazards and their disposal