CHEM 101 PROJECTS

Fast Points may be earned by the following:
1) correctly answering pop quiz questions
2) submitting ">projects on time

All projects are due no later than 5 p.m. on the specified date. No late projects will be accepted. Any project may be completed and turned in early. All projects must be typed, written legibly, or printed from a word processor. Be sure to include your name. If the project consists of more than one page be sure to staple the project together and put your name on all pages. Do not put your project in any sort of binder. Do not use a cover sheet. You may submit your project by electronic mail to deavorj@cofc.edu. Whether you submit a typed copy or a copy via email, please retain a copy on disk or a hardcopy for yourself until you receive your final grade in the course. Each project is worth a maximum of 10 Fast Points.

Fast Points are calculated as following:

Total Quiz Points Earned + Projects   *  100 %
        Total Possible Quiz Points

Project 1 | Project 2 | Project 3 | Project 4 | Project 5

PROJECT 1
You will receive a 5x7" index card. In the upper left hand corner write the last two digits of your student ID number. This is the atomic number of an element to which you are assigned to complete this project. Using the CRC Handbook of Chemistry & Physics, an encyclopedia, the Internet, or CD- ROM, find out and record on the card information about the element, including, but not limited to: discoverer, year of discovery, atomic weight, % natural abundance, most common isotopes, boiling point, melting point, density (or specific gravity), and medicinal and/or industrial uses. Be sure to cite your reference(s). To see the grading rubrick click here.
PROJECT 2
Find a newspaper or magazine article or WWW site (such as Post&Courier, The State, Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report, Popular Science, etc.) that involves chemistry. Do not use a technical journal. When writing the synopsis you should use your own words. Do not cut and paste. To see the grading rubrick click here.

Example for a newspaper article: 1. Title:"EPA to put limits on mercury." USA Today.
2. Author: Traci Watson
3. Citation: USA Today, Sept. 21, 2000, p. 1
4. Synopsis: the Environmental Protection Agency is going to regulate how much mercury power plants release into the environment. Mercury causes about 60,000 babies born per year to have neurological damage. This limitation will cause the price of electricity to increase by about thirty dollars per year and are to be in place by December 2004. The power plants will then take three years to phase in the new limitations.
5. Why you chose the article/Why was it interesting to you.: The article caught my interest as I live near a power plant.
6. One thing you learned from reading the article:
I learned about the economic ramifications of environmental regulations as well as the process that takes place to have new regulations approved.
7. One way that it relates to class or one chemical concept contained in article: We have just studied metals and mercury is a metal. We have also discussed some of the environemntal problems that arise from the use of heavy metals.
8. One question you would ask about the article: What are other medical problems that are caused by ingestion of mercury?

Below is the proper form for a citation of a WWW site: URL (Web Page) Format: Author, if available. Title of page as listed on the site. Address of page (date accessed).
Example: Hsu, D. Chemicool Periodical Table. http://www-tech.mit.edu/Chemicool/ (accessed Jan 1999).

PROJECT 3
Using any resources in the library or elsewhere, besides your textbook, find out some information about a famous chemist or biochemist (people listed in your text, Nobel prize winners, famous African-American chemists, women chemists, or other sources). Be sure to cite your reference(s). Do not cut and paste. To see the grading rubrick click here. Items to include are:
1. Name of person
2. Birthplace and date
3. Death date and place or else state "Still living)
4. Educational background
5. Most significant contribution to chemistry
6. One interesting fact about the person's life
7. One question you would ask the person if you had a chance
8. Citation

PROJECT 4
Write a first person newspaper account as if you were eye witnessing an historical chemical event. Use whatever references you wish, except for your textbook or another person. To see the grading rubrick click here.
PROJECT 5
Newspaper, magazine, or WWW article. See the instructions for Project 2.
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