CHEM 290 Outline

THE KING'S UNIVERSITY

TERM:

2020-21 Fall

COURSE NUMBER:

CHEM 290

COURSE TITLE:

Sustainability and the Flow of Matter and Energy

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Peter Mahaffy

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 3)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the flow of matter and energy in our lives, and how that relates to sustainability. The course includes an introduction to the science of climate change and other Earth system processes, to sustainability frameworks such as the Planetary Boundaries framework, and to the key role of chemistry in understanding challenges and working toward solutions.

This course meets the common curriculum requirement but does not meet major/concentration requirements in chemistry.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Middlecamp, Chemistry in Context. 8th Edition (subsequent editions are too expensive!) ISBN:
9780073522975, Mandatory, Essential to Pass the Course
Chemistry in Context on-line learning centre. You will be asked to regularly make use of resources
(figures, interactive animations, on-line quizzes, supplemental material) available on the textbook web site
at: http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/007352297x/student_view0/index.html You will also make use
of interactive resources for the updated textbook at
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/undergraduate/chemistryincontext/interactives
.html
Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics software: Spartan Student and Odyssey Student, 25-user site
licenses available on campus computers. During COVID, individual time-limited licenses will be available.
Safety glasses
Access to Moodle: http://moodle.kingsu.ca and to other electronic resources, including a comprehensive
suite of learning resources created at the King’s Centre for Visualization in Science at www.kcvs.ca
including planetaryboundaries.kcvs.ca, www.explainingclimatechange.ca and www.isotopesmatter.com.
Additional required readings and guides for class and laboratory sessions will be provided to you as the
term progresses.

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:


Laboratory	15%
Midterm Exam I	15%
Midterm Exam II	15%
Final Exam	25%
Project 1 - Anthropocene, Planetary Boundaries, Systems Thinking	8%
Project 2 - Chemistry Imagined	12%
Problems, Participation, Attendance	10%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To develop understanding of and appreciation for the importance of chemical substances and processes in
everyday life.
To make connections among the macroscopic, molecular, and symbolic levels of understanding of chemical
substances and processes.
To place chemistry and human activity in the context of global interdisciplinary work to define and quantify
our planetary boundaries.
To use understanding of the molecular/material basis of sustainability to tackle global sustainability
agendas, starting at a local level.
To introduce toxicology and risk assessment of chemical substances in the environment.
To equip you with tools and confidence to make responsible science-based decisions about chemical
substances and processes.
To develop a deeper understanding of the processes of science.
To develop basic competence and confidence in the use of laboratory techniques.
To be aware of the professional responsibility of chemists for the materials they make, and to make
conscious ethical choices about their potential uses and abuses.
To encourage positive, constructive interaction and collaboration within the classroom and laboratory
learning community.

COURSE CONTENT:

Introduction, Course Objectives
Anthropocene Epoch & Matter, Energy, and Sustainability
Planetary Boundaries, the Air We Breathe
The Air We Breathe
Ozone Layer and Novel Entities Planetary Boundaries
Climate Change Earth System and Planetary Boundary
Powering our Planet: Energy from Combustion
Energy Alternatives: Solar and Wind
Fresh Water and Ocean Acidification Planetary Boundaries
Novel Entities, Plastics, and Microplastics Planetary Boundaries

LAB OUTLINE:

Covalent Bonds, Molecular Shapes and Models, Computer Molecular Modeling (Spartan and Odyssey)
Preparation & Properties of Gases in a Breath
Climate Change Earth System and Planetary Boundary
Project 1 Presentations
Energy and water
Pollutant Gases
Working session on Chemistry Imagined Presentations
Building a Conductivity Detector & Testing for Ions
Chemistry Imagined: Student Presentations
Classification and Identification of Common Plastics

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.