Course Overview

General Chemistry II (CHEM 116) – Spring 2025

This course is the second semester of college-level general chemistry, designed for students pursuing majors in Biology, Chemistry, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, and Pre-Med. It is a prerequisite for Organic Chemistry and covers advanced topics in physical and analytical chemistry.

• Course Code: 21:160:116

• Credits: 4

• Instructor: Dr. Xinbo Lau

• Textbook: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (Free online access)

• Prerequisites: General Chemistry I (160:115) and Pre-Calculus (640:114)

Course Structure and Grading

Assessment Components

• Exams: 3 in-class exams (lowest score dropped; top 2 count for 400 points, 40%)

• Quizzes: 13 quizzes in recitation (best 10 count for 200 points, 20%)

• Homework: Online assignments via Canvas (100 points, 10%)

• Final Exam: Cumulative, mandatory (300 points, 30%)

• Total Points: 1000

Grading Scale:

• A: 85.0–100%

• B+: 80.0–84.99%

• B: 70.0–79.99%

• C+: 65.0–69.99%

• C: 55.0–64.99%

• D: 50.0–54.99%

• F: 0–49.99%

Course Topics and Weekly Outline

Main Topics Covered

The course covers eight chapters from the OpenStax Chemistry textbook, focusing on the following areas:

• Liquids and Solids

• Solutions and Colloids

• Kinetics

• Chemical Equilibrium

• Acid-Base Equilibria

• Equilibria of Other Reactions

• Thermodynamics

• Electrochemistry

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will:

• Understand solid state structure, reaction kinetics, reaction equilibrium, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and electrochemistry.

• Apply concepts of solution concentration and colligative properties to determine molar mass.

• Perform calculations involving aqueous acids and bases, including titrations, buffer chemistry, and precipitation reactions.

Key Academic Policies and Resources

Academic Integrity

• All students must adhere to Rutgers University's Academic Integrity Policy.

• Violations are considered serious offenses and may result in disciplinary action.

Accommodations and Support

• Office of Disability Services (ODS) for students with disabilities

• Office of Title IX and ADA Compliance for pregnancy, gender, or sex-based discrimination

• Dean of Students for absence verification and temporary conditions

• Program in American Language Studies (PALS) for ESL support

• Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance for confidential support

• Campus Awareness Response and Education (CARE) Team for crisis support

• Counseling Center for mental health and well-being

Learning Resources

• Rutgers Learning Center (tutoring services)

• Writing Center (tutoring and writing workshops)

Expectations and Responsible Behavior

• Regular attendance and active participation are required.

• Students are responsible for tracking assignment due dates and exam schedules.

• All class-related information will be sent to Rutgers email accounts.

• Absences must be communicated to the instructor; extended absences require verification.

Important Dates

• First Day of Class: 1/21/2025

• Add/Drop Period: 1/21/2025 – 1/30/2025

• Spring Recess: 3/15/2025 – 3/23/2025

• Last Day of Classes: 5/5/2025

• Final Exam: 5/9/2025, 3:00PM – 6:00PM (Cumulative, covering Chapters 10–17)

Summary of Covered Chemistry Topics

• Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces (Ch. 10)

• Solutions (Ch. 11)

• Chemical Kinetics (Ch. 12)

• Chemical Equilibrium (Ch. 13)

• Acid and Base Equilibrium (Ch. 14)

• Aqueous Equilibrium (Ch. 15)

• Chemical Thermodynamics (Ch. 16)

• Electrochemistry (Ch. 17)

Additional info: The syllabus aligns with the standard topics for a second-semester general chemistry course, focusing on physical chemistry concepts and their applications in aqueous systems, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry.