CHE 499: Chemistry Capstone

Course Description

In this capstone contract course, students demonstrate fulfillment of the various outcomes of their concentration courses. Each student will complete the capstone project to demonstrate that the student understands clearly his or her concentration, has mastered the content of the selected field(s) of study, and can synthesize and apply what he or she has learned. The capstone project may take one of several formats: a research paper, scholarly essay, portfolio, presentation of creative work, business plan, case study, or any other mode appropriate to the student’s interest and experience. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned to meet the requirements of the concentration. (3 credits)

Chemistry Concentration

Chemistry is an interdisciplinary subject based on physics and mathematics. Course work at the advanced and upper division levels in chemistry is divided into five sub-areas of the field: Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Analytical, and Biochemistry. Students wishing to pursue graduate work in chemistry should have a minimum of two courses in organic, physical, and analytical chemistry and at least one course in inorganic or biochemistry. Analytical chemistry should include a course in instrumentation with a laboratory. These requirements exceed the concentration requirements, but are strongly suggested for students planning graduate study in Chemistry.

 

Prerequisites

  • Students must have completed most of their concentration courses and take this course in their last semester. Academic Counselor approval is required to register.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who graduate with a concentration in Chemistry will be able to:

  1. use knowledge of general and organic chemistry, calculus, and physics to support upper level courses;
  2. use upper level knowledge in at least three of the five areas of chemistry to provide a broad understanding of the fields;
  3. conduct experiments in at least two different upper division areas of chemistry, in addition to those in basic organic chemistry;
  4. use instrumentation for chemical analysis;
  5. utilize information literacy skills to find and read articles in chemical literature;
  6. write and orally present lab reports and research papers; and
  7. apply ethical principles in implementing decisions.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsPointsWeight

3 Assignments @ 10 points each (Weeks 2, 4 & 6)

30

30%

Capstone Project (Final project) (Week 8)

70

70%

Total

100

100%

Required Textbooks

  • There are no required textbooks to purchase, however, students may find it helpful to refer to materials from previous courses.

Course Schedule

Week

Assignments

1

  • Review course policies found in current Course Schedule at http://www.charteroak.edu
  • Review learning outcomes of the concentration
  • Consider topics and format for project
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project 
  • Begin project work

2

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project
  • Submit Initial Draft of project proposal to Mentor: Assignment worth 10 points

3

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project (as needed)
  • Review Mentor comments regarding proposal

4

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project (as needed)
  • Submit Project Draft # 1 to Mentor: Assignment worth 10 points

5

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project

6

  • Submit Project Draft #2 to Mentor: Assignment worth 10 points
  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)

7

  • Submit Project Draft #3 to Mentor if required or if requested by student
  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)

8

  • Submit Final Project to Mentor for grading: Assignment worth 70 points.
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.