CHEM 1534 Introductory Chemistry Syllabus 010 Fall 2026

Attendance and absences:
• Attendance in both lecture and lab is required. Attendance will be taken each day and, in some cases, may count for credit.
• Attendance at the first lab is mandatory as it includes safety training. A student may not participate in lab if they have not had safety training. If a student misses the first lab, they must contact their instructor to make up the safety training before the second lab. If a student has not completed safety training before the second lab, the student must either drop the course or be institutionally withdrawn.
• Having 3 or more lab absences could result in failure of the course.
• Please inform the instructor of any planned absence from lecture or lab. Some unavoidable absences may be excused at the instructor's discretion.

Homework:
• Homework assignments and their due dates will be in MasteringChemistry.
• Late homework assignments will be penalized 10% per day late, but never more than 50%.

Quizzes and in-class work:
• Quizzes/in-class work may be announced or unannounced.
• These assignments cannot be made up if missed.

Exams:
• Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and free-response questions (where you will be asked to show your work).
• Students may use one (1) 3 in x 5 in handwritten notecard (front and back) as an aid on each exam. The notecard must be turned in with the exam.
• Students may use their own periodic table (purchased from the bookstore) or an instructor approved periodic table. No additional writing is permitted on the periodic table.
• Students must bring their own calculator to the exams. Calculator sharing between students is not allowed. Cell phones or other electronic devices cannot be used as calculators.
• On exam days, students must arrive on time and ready to take the exam. No additional time will be given to late-comers.
• Once the exam has been given, students will not be allowed to leave for any reason until their exam is turned in.
• Cell phones are to be silenced and put away. If a student's cell phone disrupts an exam, the student may receive a zero.
• If a student is found to be cheating on an exam, they will receive a zero on the exam and possibly an F in the course.
• If a student is found using their cell phone during an exam, it will be considered cheating, and the student will receive a zero on the exam and possibly an F in the course.

Missed exams, quizzes, and labs:
• There will be no makeup quizzes. If a student misses a quiz, they will receive a zero. At the end of the semester, students' lowest quiz score will be dropped from their final grade.
• There will be no makeup labs. If a student misses a lab, they cannot turn in their Pre-lab Questions or Report Sheet and will receive zeros. At the end of the semester, students' lowest two (2) Pre-lab AND Lab Report sheet scores will be dropped from their final grade.
• Makeup exams will be allowed only for excused absences at the discretion of the instructor. If a student knows they will be missing an exam ahead of time, the professor may approve a makeup exam at their discretion. The makeup exam may not be the same exam given during class. For unexcused exam absences, the student will receive a 0. 

Final exam:
• The final exam will be cumulative over lecture and lab material and will be multiple choice.
• The final exam date is listed in the course calendar.
• The final exam cannot be taken early or late. In unusual situations, the professor will consider alternatives at their discretion.
• Failure to take the final exam will result in failure of the course.

Laboratory Policies:
• Having 3 or more lab absences will result in failure of the course. It is the student's responsibility to know how many labs they have missed.
• Students must arrive to lab and be ready to begin at the scheduled start time. Students are expected to have read the lab procedures and to have complete assigned Pre-lab Questions before coming to lab. Pre-lab Questions are due at the start of lab and will not be accepted late for any reason.
• Students that arrive after the pre-lab lecture has begun will not be permitted to participate in lab that day and will receive a zero on that day's assignments. This will count as a lab absence.
• Students that do not have proper apparel and/or goggles will not be permitted to participate in lab that day. This will count as a lab absence. Proper apparel and goggles are required for lab regardless of the scheduled activity for that day. The professor does not have loaner goggles to share.
• To receive full credit for a lab activity, students must stay for the entire lab period, unless they are dismissed early by the instructor. A student will only be permitted to leave early if they have finished their assignments and had it approved by their professor. If a student leaves before being dismissed, they will forfeit the points for the lab activity, and this will count as a lab absence.
• If a student does not complete the lab activity in the allotted time, the student could lose points on that day's lab activity.
• Makeup experiments are not an option.
• It is highly suggested to attend every lab and only reserve lab absences for unavoidable situations; do not use lab absences as you would vacation days.

Lab safety:
• Attendance at the first lab is mandatory as described above.
• Students are expected to comply with the KCC Laboratory Safety Rules at all times. These rules will be discussed during the first lab and each student will sign an acknowledgement of receipt and understanding. Students who do not comply will be asked to leave lab and will receive no credit for that day's work.
 

Other policies:
• All work must be submitted by the last regular day of class.
• Electronic devices, laptops, cellphones, etc. are allowed during class for class-related use and only at appropriate times.
• Audio/video recording of lecture is not permitted unless pre-approved by the professor.
• Cell phones must be silent or off during lab and lecture except when pre-approved by the professor. Cell phone usage for non-class related activities (texting, etc.) is not allowed during class.
• Know how to access Canvas and your CC email account. It is important that you have access to the internet for email, MasteringChemistry, and Canvas.