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Chemistry 101 and 102 provide a general background in the factual basis and principles of chemistry. The 101-102 sequence is a prerequisite for advanced courses such as Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. These first year chemistry courses explore chemical phenomena and principles with emphasis on developing an understanding of chemistry and an appreciation of what chemists do. You must commit yourself to learning the basic vocabulary of chemistry. You will acquire skills in dealing with chemical phenomena and principles and in manipulating mathematical expressions that describe chemical behavior.
What I am especially interested in accomplishing is to break down any barriers that might exist in your path to learning chemistry. Once we do that we will be free to appreciate what chemistry and in general science can do for us. I would also like you to develop good study habits and skills so that you can fulfill your intellectual and emotional capabilities. Your instructor (if you have an instructor other than me) and I need to be informed about what is working, what is not, and what you are indifferent about what we do.
To be curious about ourselves and the world around us is the nature of human beings. This is the driving force in chemistry, to know. What we don’t know we may find uninteresting or even worse, what we don’t know we may be afraid of. As we learn more about the world, the more interesting, the less threatening, and the more awesome it becomes. I hope that during this semester your curiosity will show you just how exciting and enjoyable chemistry is.
