CIP Code:  40.0502  
HEGIS Code:    1909  
	METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 
	Office of Academic Affairs 
 
	REGULAR COURSE SYLLABUS 
 
SCHOOL:   Letters, Arts & Sciences 
DEPARTMENT:  chemistry 
SEMESTER(S) OFFERED:   Fall  
PREFIX & COURSE NUMBER:   CHE 320  
COURSE TITLE:   Survey of Physical Chemistry Laboratory 
CREDIT HOURS:   1   ( 0 + 3 ) 
CONTACT HOURS:  Lecture  0 	Lab  45 	Internship   0 	Practicum   0  
RESTRICTIONS (VARIABLE TOPICS COURSES):   None 
PREREQUISITE(S):   CHE 300, MTH 141, PHY 201 
COREQUISITE(S):   None 
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: 
 
Laboratory explorations of key concepts in thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics and  
electrochemistry.  Technical writing is emphasized, students are expected to use a personal  
computer to complete lab reports. 
 
REQUIRED READING MATERIALS  (Title, Author, Publisher, Copyright Date): 
 
Survey of Physical Chemistry Lab.  Manual, DePoy, Kinkos Publishing, 1992. 
 
 
SPECIFIC (MEASURABLE) STUDENT BEHAVIORAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 
 
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to: 
 
1.	a.	Prepare a sample for combustion in a bomb calorimeter.  Assemble the bomb  
calorimeter, "Charge" the bomb. 
	b.	Measure the heat of reaction by isothermal and adiabatic calorimetry. 
2.	Determine the boiling points of a volatile liquid at various applied pressures. 
3.	Experimentally determine a rate law, rate constant, Ea for a chemical reaction. 
4.	Assemble an electrochemical cell. 
5.	Prepare and interpret graphs of experimental data using various computer programs. 
6.	Compare experimental techniques as to efficacy and accuracy. 
7.	Prepare a cogent lab report. 
 
OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT (Major Topics and Subtopics): 
 
I.	Experimental Determination of Thermodynamic Quantities 
	a.	Bomb Calorimetry 
	b.	Isothermal Calorimetry 
II.	Equilibria 
	a.	Phase Equilibria - Vapor Pressure of Pure Liquid 
	b.	Acid Dissociation Constants/Thermodynamic Quantities and Structure 
III.	Electrochemistry - Temp. Dependence of E 
IV.	Kinetics - Determination of Specific Rate Law. 
 
EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE: 
 
Students are evaluated on the basis of 5 formal lab reports, participation in peer review and  
group meeting, and work ethic (attendance, preparation for lab, adequate documentation of  
lab work, adherence to lab safety guidelines). 
 
Copies retained by Dean and Department Chair 
 
Revised 9/94:	Academic Affairs-Curriculum-Regular Course Syllabus 
					(s:\wpform\acadaff\currculm\regsyl.wp)