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 with skills that are relevant to solving real life problems.

NOTE:

• Section 100 — Students must also elect one 100 section LAB combination of CHEM 125.
• Section 200 — Students must also elect one 200 section LAB combination of CHEM 125.

Any questions regarding enrolling for this course should be directed to the Chemistry Student Services Office at chemundergrad@umich.edu.

Course Requirements:

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.

Intended Audience:

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.

Class Format:

The CHEM 125/6 lecture section sections will be recorded and may be viewed by students in asynchronous fashion, remotely.