Chemistry for Technicians

This one-semester chemistry course includes both lecture (three hours) and laboratory (three hours) sessions. The lecture sessions deal with the practical aspects of chemical principles, and the laboratory sessions relate to the practical applications of chemistry and the development of the necessary hands-on basic techniques and skills necessary for water analysis. Topics include matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical formulae, the mole, simple chemical reactions and solution chemistry. An emphasis is placed on developing problem solving skills. The laboratory sessions include a topic on lab safety and safe procedures and practices are continually stressed throughout the semester, specifically prior to performing each laboratory. The experiments involve sample preparation, use of the analytical balance, solution preparation and standardization, analysis of samples by various procedures, the use of glassware and the use of simple instrumentation (Spectronic 20, Conductivity, DO & pH meters).