Laboratory Expectations for the General Chemistry 1 Laboratory

A college science class is different from other courses you will take because it includes a laboratory component that adds a hands-on application of lecture concepts and experimental techniques. A science class with a laboratory component is like having two classes in one. There are materials and assignments for the lecture and lab. Lecture assignments include reading the textbook, working practice problems, completing exams, and other assignments. Lab assignments include pre-lab and post-lab assignments, reading the lab manual, watching pre-lab lecture videos, completing experiments, and writing lab reports. The syllabus and semester schedule outline all of the assignments for both the lecture and laboratory components of this course.

Preparing for Lab

Read the entire lab, including the experimental procedure.

Reading the entire lab will prepare you for what we are doing each week in lab.  It will make it easier for you to complete the experiment and will improve your understanding if you come to class with a basic knowledge of what we will be doing. This will also help prevent possible lab accidents because you will already be familiar with the lab experiment and any safety issues.

Check the semester schedule to see which lab we will be completing this week. DO NOT assume the labs appear in the lab manual in the order we will be doing them.

View the prelab videos/complete the readings posted on Brightspace.

There may be reading/videos outside of the experiment in the lab manual to complete before lab.  This may include the prelab lecture video.  This video will include any special safety issues, provide background information on any specific lab technique we will be conducting, provide example calculations for the week’s experiment, and outline the post-lab assignment.

Complete the prelab assignment.

This will prepare you for the experiment by asking you questions about the concept we will be exploring and any calculations you will need to complete in the post-lab based on your experimental data. Prelab assignments are due at the start of the lab period when we will be completing the experiment.

Ask your instructor questions.

I am a resource to help you in this class.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the experiment or the prelab video or assignment.  I recommend you contact me before the start of lab and not as you walk in the door for the lab.  I will be preparing for class at that point and won’t likely be able to dedicate time to answer your questions then.  I have office hours listed at the top of the syllabus can meet with students outside of office hours by appointment. Feel free to drop in and ask me during office hours or connect with me to make an appointment.  I am happy to help you.

During the Lab

Work with your partner to complete the experiment.

You will be paired with another student to complete the labs. You are there to support each other and help each other complete the experiments together. You will not be asked to work alone on an experiment, even if your partner is absent for the day. You will be paired with someone else in the lab to complete the experiment.

Record all of your data neatly and completely (including all units!) in your laboratory notebook.

Each experiment will have a data table designed to help you record and organize your data. Be sure to use proper significant figures (we will learn about this in lecture), include the proper metric units, and write neatly. Your data (qualitative and quantitative) will help you complete the post-lab assignments and write lab reports. The better your data, the easier it will be for you to complete this work.

Work Safely

Follow the safety procedure outlined in the safety lab and prelab lecture video. Be attentive and intentional as you complete your lab work. Never leave an experiment unattended during the lab.

Ask your instructor questions.

If you have any doubts during the lab, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You don’t need to know everything when you walk into the lab. You are here to learn, and I will do whatever I can to help you do this.

After Lab is Complete

Complete the post-lab assignment.

This will be explained by your instructor in the prelab lecture video and/or in the assignment section at the end of the experiment. Post-lab assignments are due by the end of the lab period unless otherwise stated by your instructor.

Ask your instructor questions.

I have repeated this three times now. I am serious about students asking questions. It’s how we learn. I am here to answer your questions.