This laboratory course can be elected with, or following, CHEM 130. It is intended that students planning to enroll in CHEM 130 who have had little or no previous chemistry laboratory enroll concurrently in CHEM 125 and CHEM 126. The focus of this guided inquiry laboratory is to foster critical thinking that allows students to design, perform and interpret experiments. In addition, the student acquires technical skills that are required for further advancement in experimental sciences. Although an ability to collect and analyze data in a quantitative manner is developed, the emphasis of the course is to provide a qualitative understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry. This is accomplished by demonstrating that chemical principles are derived from experimental data. The goal is to provide students both with a more accurate picture of the scientific process and also with skills that are relevant to solving real life problems. Much of the course work is done as a member of a team. Student groups each explore the same problem with each group using different reagents and/or conditions. A networked computer system is used to collect, pool and summarize the largely qualitative class data. Student groups address questions which require them to organize the class data using commercial graphing software. Group answers are presented in discussion. The format of the course is organized into three sections. Pre-laboratory reading and questions are completed prior to each multi-period project laboratory. A one-hour lecture provides support for the topics and problems that will be investigated in the laboratory. The second component is performance in the laboratory where team data are shared, analyzed, and evaluated. The third begins in the first hour following completion of each multi-period project lab where groups communicate their findings during a student-led discussion. There are two one-hour written examinations, scheduled for Tuesday evenings, that constitute 30% of the grade. The remaining 70% of the grade is based on the points acquired in laboratory and discussion.

NOTE: Section 100 — Students must also elect one 100 level dis/lab combination of CHEM 125. Combinations are made in consecutive order and are linked. For example: CHEM 125.110 DIS section and CHEM 125.111 LAB section.

Section 200 — Students must also elect one 200 level DIS/LAB combination of CHEM 125. For example: CHEM 125.250 DIS section and CHEM 125.251 LAB section.