Instructor: Vinay Medhekar

Email: medhekarv@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6365

Office Location and Hours: Health & Science - Room: 121. T&T before and after class and lab by appointment.

Additional Contact Information: None

Course introducing chemistry. Topics may include inorganic, organic, biochemistry, food/physiological chemistry, and environmental/consumer chemistry. 

Textbook: Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 14th Ed. By Timberlake, Pearson Publishing.

This book is not required for successfully completing the assignments and giving exams for this class. The textbook is recommended for additional reference use only. All assignments and exams are based on the material presented in the lectures including the videos and studying this material should give you thorough understanding of the subject material.

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Computer with Internet access and Web Camera Scientific calculator (no cell phones allowed on exams)

Basic Skill competency in reading, writing, and math required.

1. Define the fundamental properties of matter.

2. Classify matter, compounds, and chemical reactions.

3. Determine the basic nuclear and electronic structure of atoms.

4. Identify trends in chemical and physical properties of the elements using the Periodic Table.

5. Describe the bonding in and the shape of simple molecules and ions.

6. Solve stoichiometric problems.

7. Write chemical formulas.

8. Write and balance equations.

9. Use the rules of nomenclature to name chemical compounds.

10. Define the types and characteristics of chemical reactions.

11. Use the gas laws and basics of the Kinetic Molecular Theory to solve gas problems.

12. Determine the role of energy in physical changes and chemical reactions.

13. Convert units of measure and demonstrate dimensional analysis skill

*Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.

*Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

*Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

*Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. This does not include collaborating on assignments or tests. No copying or cheating on tests and assignments will be tolerated, see Academic Honesty point below. 

1. Define the fundamental properties of matter.

2. Classify matter, compounds, and chemical reactions.

3. Determine the basic nuclear and electronic structure of atoms.

4. Identify trends in chemical and physical properties of the elements using the Periodic Table.

5. Describe the bonding in and the shape of simple molecules and ions.

6. Solve stoichiometric problems.

7. Write chemical formulas.

8. Write and balance equations.

9. Use the rules of nomenclature to name chemical compounds.

10. Define the types and characteristics of chemical reactions.

11. Use the gas laws and basics of the Kinetic Molecular Theory to solve gas problems.

12. Determine the role of energy in physical changes and chemical reactions.

13. Convert units of measure and demonstrate dimensional analysis skill

Dates Assignment/Exam Nos.

8/30/2026 Discussion 1

9/6/2026 Discussion 2

9/13/2026 Discussion 3 Exam 1

9/20/2026 Discussion 4

9/27/2026 Discussion 5

10/4/2026 Discussion 6

10/11/2026 Exam 2

10/18/2026

10/25/2026 Discussion 7

11/1/2026 Discussion 8 Exam 3

11/8/2026 Discussion 9

11/15/2026 Discussion 10

11/22/2026 Discussion 11

11/29/2026 Discussion 12

12/6/2026 Assessment Exam 4

12/11/2026 Graduation/Grades due

December 6th, 2026

90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F

Discussions 50%

Exams 40%

Assessment 10%

1. Any graded work that is not submitted by the due date will NOT be accepted and will result in a zero, with the exception of extenuating circumstances including medical, family, automobile and technology issues. Other circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the instructor. All circumstances will require valid documentation of the issue.

2. Technology issues require a screenshot or picture of the screen taken immediately and sent via email immediately so the issue can be resolved.

3. All assignments must be turned in through Blackboard (BB) in the designated location. Work sent via email will not be accepted unless there is an extenuating circumstance.

4. Any graded work may only be submitted once regardless of the due date. Only this first submission will be graded.

5. Only regular scientific calculators are permitted during exams. All other electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, headphones, etc. are not allowed.

6. Academic honesty is required and any student found in violation of this policy will not be tolerated. All suspected instances will mandate an entire review of all completed work in the course.

7. Full grade is earned only when complete steps are shown in arriving at the answers. The student can get full grade if the steps are shown correctly but the final answer could be wrong due to simple mistakes.

None

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Any changes will be communicated via email, or in a course announcement

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.