CHEMISTRY LABS RULES AND SYLLABUS
1. Safety
Following safety rules is crucial and protects you against  the sad consequences of accidents. These consequences may  include loss of sight, severe skin burns, poisoning, even death.
The  safety rules will be discussed in detail  by the instructor during the first week of the labs. They are also listed in the Chemistry Lab Safety Agreement that every student must read,  sign and return to the instructor and in the lab packets.
Improper attire (shorts, sandals, revealing clothing) is grounds for immediate dismissal from the laboratory without the benefit of a makeup lab. Willful or negligent  violation of the safety rules will result in the loss of three (3)  points  for the first  two times. The third-time offender will receive a failing grade.

2. Necessary supplies
 a.  OSHA-approved safety goggles or glasses with side-shields - mandatory ( do not put them in the drawers).
 b.  A roll of paper towels per pair of students, given to the instructor - mandatory.
 c.  It is recommended that students have lab coats  or  aprons.

3. Attendance
Attendance in the lab  is mandatory.  No points are awarded for attending the lab with the exception of the three (3) points  the first week (these are NOT bonus points!)

4. Assignments
Lab assignments include:
-prelab questions
-lab report
-postlab questions.

All lab assignments are to be written in pen  (not the erasable variety) or typed, and must be written in comprehensible English, using complete  sentences, correct  spelling and grammar. The assignments must be legible.
Use of word processor is mandatory for the  students with illegible handwriting ( if the instructor comments that she/he cannot read student’s handwriting-the student should submit typed assignments in the future).

Each student must submit a unique lab report.
The group work is allowed in discussing the problems but each  individual must use his/her own style and words in the report/prelab/postlab.

For the prelabs  and postlabs,  complete answers  to all  questions must be given.
“Complete”  means that the explanations, not just short  answers  must be included and all  calculations must be shown, wherever applicable.

The lab report consists of :
-  a completed data sheet and observations -  data must include units. Observations usually concern noted procedural deviations and possible error sources.
   Data sheet will be initialed by the instructor before the student leaves the lab every week.
- all pertinent calculations (show all calculations including formulas) and results - calculations are to be  labeled (label clearly indicating what is calculated) and organized; calculations must include units
- discussion of the results - state the results first, then provide  possible error sources and discuss their effect on the   final  result
The well organized piece of  work is expected.
On occasion, you may be asked to write a formal report, in which case the format will be outlined differently.

Any  questions concerning the assignments  should be asked during the week preceding the experiment, not five minutes before the lab.  That is why the instructor’s phone number or e-mail is  provided in the first session.

Assignment due dates:
The answers to prelab questions are due on the instructor’s desk on the day of the experiment, before the  introductory talk, which means in the first minutes of the lab session.
      Late prelabs will not  be accepted.
The postlab and the report for the previous week’s experiment  are due at the same time as the prelab for the current  experiment (see above).
Reports and postlabs may be turned in one (1) week late with a loss of 30% of the points.
Reports/postlabs  that are more than one week late will not be accepted.

5. Grading
The pre- and postlab is  worth four (4) points each, unless specified otherwise. The lab report is worth five (5) points. To be awarded full credit for the report the students must write an exhaustive  discussion of results.  If a  formal report is requested, it is worth 10 points.
Unannounced quizzes  may  be administered   during the semester,  before the lab begins.
Final Grades
100-94% = A;     93-90 % = A-;   89-85 % =  B+;    84-80% =  B;   79-75% =  B-; 74-70% = C+; 69-66 % = C;     65-62% = C-;      61-59 % = D+;  58-54 %= D;  53-50% = D-;     <50%= E

6. Equipment check-in and check-out
Each pair of students in every lab section will  check into the drawers the equipment received at the beginning of the semester and fill out the standard equipment sheet.
PRINT  both names, the lab section  (e.g. Chem 1230-002), the drawer # (e.g. # 14, 14 A) and the lock combination (e.g. 12-24-36, 14-32-56) on the back of the sheet. Return the sheet and the lock tags to the instructor.
One equipment sheet will be used for more than one section.
Each pair of students will use the same equipment sheet at the end of the semester  to check the equipment, then wash the glassware,  replace missing items and return any excess items to the instructor. The last class to perform the experiment in a given room this semester will return the equipment to the stockroom.

7. Care of lab equipment
- Each pair of students is assigned two drawers: top- for the  glassware and the bottom one-  for the metal    equipment. The drawers and equipment are shared among several  lab sections.  It is crucial that the students take good care of the equipment,  clean glassware   properly with soap, brush  and water, restock it  when broken,  and that the drawers are locked after each lab.
- Do not  leave any personal items in the drawers ( lab coats, goggles, etc.).
- Any  additional equipment provided on the cart each week must be returned to the cart after the experiment and not     placed in the drawer. The additional glassware must be washed, and thermometers cleaned and turned  off.
- The students are required to report to the lab instructor  problems such as broken, missing and dirty glassware, too     many  items, metal clamps thrown together with glass, drawers not locked at the  beginning  of the lab session, etc. Two (2) points will be deducted from the score of the pair of students that used the drawer  last.

8.  Make-up labs
Please always notify the instructor or lab coordinator  in advance if you will not be able to attend the lab.  Following proper notification, you may  be allowed  to perform the missed experiment with  another lab section that  week, subject to space  availability . Your postlab, report and prelab is due in that lab, with your lab section and your instructor’s name written  next to yours. The make up instructor will submit it to the instructor of your section. Your data sheet must be initialed by this instructor before you leave the lab or you will not be granted any credit.  The last week of labs is scheduled for make up lab for the students who had one  absence (illness,  unavoidable business trip  or a documented jury duty).   The lab that may not be made up is the first meeting in the semester.