CHEM 091: Introduction to Chemistry
Chemistry 091 is designed to provide background for students who intend to enrol, either simultaneously or subsequently, in a university-level introductory general chemistry course. Students who do not have the equivalent of BC high school Chemistry 12 may be allowed to use this course to fulfill that prerequisite.
Through studying chemistry in this course and the university-level courses that follow, students will learn chemical facts and concepts that can be used as tools to better understand the world.
Chemistry is the study of the properties of materials and their transformations. The science of chemistry contributes to our comprehension of the environment by explaining many natural processes and the interactions of various forms of matter. Chemistry is involved in the development of many technological processes including food preparation, health care, electronics and other manufactured materials. As well, chemical analysis is important in assessing the impact of various technologies. Chemical knowledge is central to gaining an understanding of other science and applied sciences disciplines.
The starting point will be a review of basic concepts such as significant figures, precision in measurement, chemical symbols, molecular formulas, calculation of yields from chemical equations, simple nomenclature, and solution concentrations. Students will then study the factors that determine the speed of chemical reactions and how dynamic equilibria are established when forward and reverse reactions occur at equal rates. Finally, students will focus on two fundamental types of chemical reactions, those determined by the reactions of acids with bases (acid-base chemistry) and those determined by the transfer of electrons (electrochemistry).