vcc.ca
CHEM 1150: Chemistry for Engineering
Effective date
January 2027
Department
UT Sciences
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course introduces fundamental principles of chemistry and their application in relevant areas of engineering. Core topics include quantum mechanics, chemical bonding, and intermolecular forces, along with essential concepts in thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and kinetics. The laboratory component reinforces these concepts through quantitative experimentation and data analysis where students develop skills in observation, accurate data recording, interpretation, and scientific reasoning.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of ‘C+’ or equivalent; Pre-Calculus 12 with a minimum grade of ‘C+’ or equivalent.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the organization of the periodic table and predict how atomic properties vary by their location in the periodic table using trends in atomic/ion size, ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity.
- Draw Lewis structures for molecules containing main group elements, predict their three-dimensional geometry and describe a molecule’s polarity using electronegativity and VSEPR theory.
- Compare and contrast different physical states of matter based on their molecular structure and interpret phase diagrams.
- Apply ideal gas law and the van der Waals equation to calculate different variables of pure gases and mixtures of gases under ideal and non-ideal conditions.
- Apply thermodynamic principles to determine the spontaneity of chemical processes.
- Qualitatively describe single-step and multi-step reaction rates and solve problems in chemical kinetics using rate law equations.
- Qualitatively and quantitatively describe how systems in equilibrium change upon exposure to external stress.
- Compare electrochemical and electrolytic cells and examine their applications.
- Perform laboratory experiments safely and accurately, analyze and interpret experimental data and communicate results effectively in written scientific reports.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 90
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 30
Total Hours: 90
Instructional Strategies
The course will be delivered through classroom lectures and discussions, supported by supervised laboratory experiments.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D; Student must pass both the lecture and laboratory components
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
15 |
|
|
Lab Work |
20 |
|
|
Quizzes/Tests |
10 |
|
|
Midterm Exam |
30 |
2 exams |
|
Final Exam |
25 |
|
Course topics
- Review –Significant figures, Unit conversions, nuclear atom model, atomic mass, Stoichiometry calculations, Limiting reactants, percent yield
- Periodicity and Atomic Structure
- Chemical Bonding
- Gases and Ideal Gas Law
- Intermolecular Forces
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Thermochemistry and Chemical Thermodynamics
- Chemical Kinetics
- Electrochemistry
Learning resources
LibreTexts. UBC CHEM 154: Chemistry for engineering. https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_British_Columbia/UBC_CHEM_154%3A_Chemistry_for_Engineering
Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by Nivaldo J Tro
Chemistry: A Molecular Approach by Nivaldo J Tro
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.