Fall 2025 - CHEM 121 D300
General Chemistry and Laboratory I (4)
Class Number: 5700
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Surrey
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Instructor:
Rebecca Goyan
rgoyan@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of B, or CHEM 109 or 111 with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM 110 and 115, both with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Atomic and molecular structure; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; elements; periodic table; gases, liquids, solids, and solutions. This course includes a laboratory component. Students with credit for CHEM 120 or 125 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.
COURSE DETAILS:
Please note, this course outline was accurate at the time of publication but it subject to change.
Mode of Teaching
3 lecture hours/week; 1 tutorial hour/week; 4 lab hours/week on alternate weeks
Lecture Topics:
| Introduction | ||
| Atoms, Molecules, and Ions | Ch. 2 | |
| Stoichiometry | Ch. 3 | |
| Chemical Reactions | Ch. 4 | |
| Gases | Ch. 5 | |
| Thermochemistry | Ch. 9 | |
| Atomic Theory | Ch. 12 | |
| Midterm Exam | ||
| Bonding Concepts | Ch. 13 | |
| Covalent Bonding Orbitals | Ch. 14 | |
| Liquids and Solids | Ch. 16 | |
| Solutions | Ch. 17 | |
| Nuclear Science/Radiochemistry | Ch. 20 |
Laboratory Experiments:
| Exp. 1 | Chemical Reactions and Equations I | |
| Exp. 2 | Chemical Reactions and Equations II: A Sequence of Copper Reactions | |
| Exp. 3 | Redox Titrations: Analysis of Commercial Bleach | |
| Exp. 4 | The Molar Volume of a Gas | |
| Exp. 5 | Thermochemistry: Use of Hess' Law | |
| Exp. 6 | Intermolecular Forces: Evaporation and Vapour Pressure |
Grading
- LON-CAPA 10%
- CANVAS Quizzes 5%
- Tutorials 5%
- Term Tests (3) 30%
- Lab 20%
- Final 30%
NOTES:
Grading Notes: All labs must be completed in order to pass the course. Students must pass both the lecture and laboratory components individually to obtain a passing grade in CHEM 121.
REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance of In-Person Laboratory Sessions: It is mandatory for students to attend all in-person laboratory sessions. If you are unable to attend an in-person laboratory session due to illness, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss alternative arrangements.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Required Materials
- Non-programmable, non-graphing calculator
- Lab coat and safety glasses/goggles
REQUIRED READING:
Lab manuals will be distributed during the first laboratory session.
Steven S. Zumdahl & Donald J. DeCoste. Chemical Principles. 8th Edition. 2017. Publisher: Cengage Learning.
ISBN: 9781305581982
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.