Miramar logo & link

Main Page

Syllabus Policies Grades
Calendar Hints Labs
Chem 100/100L Syllabus, page 4 - Details - Updated June 17, 2008

Chemistry 100/100L Syllabus, page 4 - Lab Details

Safety is the most important aspect of CHEM 100L. Please read the safety rules in Experiment 01 and on your Check-In sheet.

Violation of any safety rule may result in dismissal from class. If dismissed, you lose credit for the lab.

Get to lab on time. Additional safety rules will be presented each day for specific experiments. Please arrive on time. This is a safety-related requirement. If you arrive late, see me before you begin working on your experiment.

You must be present for each "pre-lab" safety and orientation discussion. If you miss the pre-lab talk, please see me before you begin working on your experiment.

Pre-Lab Quizzes will be given periodically to ensure that you are prepared to do the experiment. Lab quizzes often begin promptly at 6:00 pm have fixed ending times, regardless of your arrival time. There are no make-ups for lab quizzes, regardless of whether or not your absence is excused.

Lab make-ups might be possible during the other lab period at Miramar: (1) if your absence is excused, (2) with my prior approval, (3) with the prior approval of the other lab instructor, and (4) only if the other class is doing the same lab experiment. Plan ahead as much as you can!
mole
Completing your labs: You may leave early if you have submitted your lab report(s) and/or problem set(s) and your work area is clean.

Lab Reports. Your lab manual includes removable pages for reports and problem sets. Please fill them out during the lab period as you are doing your experiment. Lab assignments are due before you leave.

You are responsible for laboratory safety. You will be handling glassware, fire, and chemicals which may be flammable, corrosive, reactive, and/or otherwise toxic. The most frightening aspect of this is that your classmates (some of whom may not have read the lab manual nor listened very well in the pre-lab discussion) are handling the same dangerous materials. Each student must be responsible for following all safety rules.

Suggestions for Lab To do well in the lab , you must prepare for each experiment. Before you walk in the door, read the lab manual and try to envision what you'll be doing. Write the procedure in your own words, draw pictures, write a step-by-step procedure, and think of questions for the prelab discussion. Your time spent planning for each experiment will pay off in efficiency, speed, accuracy, and safety while you're in the lab.

Lab Partners. Typically, you will be working with a single lab partner. This may, but does not have to be the person with whom you share an equipment drawer. For some experiments, we'll work in larger groups, as specified during the pre-lab discussion.

Dress for Lab. Wear old clothes. In general, if you would be sad to see a piece of clothing or jewelry dissolve or become permanently stained, then don't wear it to lab (or wear a lab apron over it). Required clothing includes shoes with tops and safety goggles. Latex gloves and lab aprons are optional and available in the campus bookstore.

gogglesGoggles. You must wear goggles whenever anyone in the room is working with chemicals or lab equipment. Must be ANSI Z-87 certified safety goggles (not glasses with side-shields) are required.

Lab Drawers (or "lockers"). Groups of two students share lab equipment in a locked drawer. During check-in, you will sign a paper saying that you will return the drawer with all of the equipment in good condition at the end of the semester. Check-in is your opportunity to make sure it is all present and in good condition when you get it. Each "locker group" must purchase a lock from the Miramar Bookstore to place on the drawers. This provides easy access and security.

Before you leave.

  • Read the whiteboard. Check for announcements, new assignments.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Clean up your benchtop.
  • Wipe down the balances, if necessary.
  • Return borrowed equipment to original location.
  • Pour chemicals into the appropriate hazardous waste container.
  • Grade points will be deducted for messy benchtops.
  • Don't forget to pass in your report(s).