This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of chemistry as a foundation for allied health fields including Nursing and Allied Health programs. It is an introduction to general principles of inorganic chemistry including measurements, atomic structure, bonding, nomenclature, states of matter, solutions, and nuclear chemistry. The course also includes topics in organic and biochemistry including hydrocarbons, organic functional groups, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids.
Concurrent enrollment in CHM 138L is required.
Prerequisites
Reading proficiency as established by District Policy.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Classify matter and identify the changes it undergoes.
- Apply the concept of dimensional analysis to solve problems.
- Write, balance, and interpret chemical equations.
- Determine the number of subatomic particles in a given atom or ion.
- Identify types of atomic and molecular bonding.
- Construct a Lewis structure for a covalent compound.
- Use the mole concept to solve stoichiometry problems.
- Describe properties of gasses as applied to the medical community like respiration.
- Describe the intermolecular attractions in liquids and solids as applied to blood chemistry.
- Identify properties of acids and bases as applied to the medical community.
- Explain the concepts of nuclear chemistry as applied in nuclear medicine.
- Describe the characteristics of organic compounds and the role they play in chemical reactions.
- Describe the biological importance of amino acids, and carbohydrates.
- Explain the importance of proteins and enzymes to body chemistry.
- Explain how DNA expresses genetic information.
- Describe basic metabolic reactions.
- Safely perform laboratory activities.