Introduction to Chemistry

The first day of chemistry is always used to discuss the organization of the course you are taking. Most students pay little to no attention to this information and yet it can be vital to their success in the course. The syllabus especially is the CONTRACT by which the course will be undertaken. It contains the rules by which the course will be run as well as the policies that are required by the University. Instructions on how missed assignments and exams will be handled as well as the grading rubric for the course are also presented in the syllabus. It is important therefore that you not only read the syllabus but fully understand its contents.

Syllabus READ ME!

In addition to the introduction to the chemistry course is the introduction to CHEMISTRY as a topic. We will start by defining chemistry.

Chemistry Defined:

Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and the use of these processes to form new substances.

Basically this means chemistry is into EVERYTHING! No matter that exists on earth or in the Universe itself can be described independent of chemistry. This is why chemistry is often referred to as the "central" science.

So that is why we have to know chemistry even if our focus is biology or physics or any other science field. The basis for many of the concepts in those fields is founded in the chemistry of the matter that concerns them.

AND....

Chemistry is COOL!!

 

The other topic that is often covered during the introduction to a chemistry course is the approach you should take to learning chemistry. Everyone knows that chemistry is hard, right? Then if this is common knowledge, why do so many students think they can approach studying for this hard topic the same way they study for an easy humanities course? You know, the wait until the day before the test and study for 24hrs and expect to know it all. Just so we are clear, this method NEVER works in chemistry.

To succeed in a chemistry course you need to READ all the important materials provided repeatedly (think Flashcards) and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and then PRACTICE some more.

Then there is also the way in which you need to practice. In sports we always say you should practice the way you are going to play. In chemistry the same rules apply. Set up your practice in the same manner you will take your exams. Only have your calculator and scratch paper out. Put away your books, computer, phone etc. Force yourself to try to complete the problems without any assistance or "crutches". After making a good attempt, then grade yourself. Assess your mistakes and then TRY AGAIN. When you simply use the book or internet examples to "walk you through" questions, you don't really gain much knowledge since your brain doesn't really have to work very hard to solve the problem. You have to make your brain solve the problem ALL BY ITSELF for the learning and understanding to really sink in.

And yes, the process is frustrating. BUT think about how you learned to ride a bike. You got on and fell off, got back on and fell off again. Eventually you got the hang of it and to this day, whether it has been 1 hour or 20 years or more, I imagine that you are confident that you can still ride a bike. This is what REAL LEARNING feels like. The confidence that no matter how much time has passed you still know and understand the concept and can apply that knowledge to new situations. This is where we want you to be at the conclusion of this course.

So here are some suggestions on how to get there....

How to Study for Chemistry

 

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