Inorganic Chemistry
Data-Driven Curriculum: Foundations → Hubs → Capstones
Course Description
This course uses a curriculum derived from knowledge graph analysis of 7 inorganic chemistry textbooks (8,756 chunks, 5,374 concepts, 2,885 prerequisite relationships). Instead of following traditional chapter order, we identified:
- 32 Actionable Foundations — concepts with no IC prerequisites that enable everything else
- 13 Hub Concepts — knowledge bottlenecks where prerequisite chains converge
- 5 Major Capstones — integration endpoints where all threads come together
The result: you learn foundations first, navigate through hubs, and integrate at capstones. Every concept has a clear "why" because you've already learned its prerequisites.
Prerequisite: CHEM 301 with minimum grade of D
Textbook: Descriptive Inorganic, Coordination and Solid-State Chemistry, 3rd Ed., G. E. Rodgers (Cengage)
Student Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome | Level | Assess |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explain periodic trends (electronegativity, ionization energy, atomic radius) using quantum mechanical principles | Understand | E, Q |
| 2 | Predict geometry, magnetism, and color of coordination compounds using Crystal Field Theory | Apply | E, Q, C |
| 3 | Name coordination compounds using IUPAC nomenclature and draw structural isomers | Apply | E, Q |
| 4 | Calculate lattice energy using Born-Haber cycles and predict solubility trends | Apply | E, Q |
| 5 | Compare reactivity patterns across main group families and predict products of characteristic reactions | Analyze | E, C |
| 6 | Analyze structure-property relationships to explain why specific compounds are used in applications | Analyze | C, P |
Assessment key: E = Exam, Q = Quiz, C = Case Analysis, P = Presentation
Assessment and Grading
| Component | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Midterm Exam 1 (Foundations & Hubs) | 20% | MC + short answer; SLOs 1, 4 |
| Midterm Exam 2 (MO, CFT, Applications) | 20% | MC + short answer; SLOs 2, 3, 5 |
| Weekly Retrieval Quizzes | 15% | Best 10 of 12; 10 min at start of Thursday class |
| Case Analyses (2 written) | 15% | Structure-property analysis; SLOs 5, 6 |
| Application Presentation + Peer Eval | 10% | 10 min + Q&A; SLO 6 |
| Comprehensive Final Exam | 20% | MC + short answer; cumulative |
Grading Scale: A: 90–100% | B: 80–89% | C: 70–79% | D: 60–69% | F: <60%
Course Schedule: Data-Driven Sequence
The order below is determined by prerequisite analysis, not textbook chapters. Q = Quiz at start of class.
| Wk | Day | Topic | Active Learning | SLOs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tue | Intro: Data-driven curriculum; why this order? | Card sort: foundation vs capstone | — |
| 1 | Thu | Electron configuration; quantum numbers | Predict configs from periodic position | 1 |
| 2 | Tue | Atomic orbitals; shapes and energies | Sketch orbital boundaries | 1 |
| 2 | Thu Q1 | Periodic trends: electronegativity, IE, radius | Predict & explain trend graphs | 1 |
| 3 | Tue | Ionic bonding; lattice energy concepts | Rank compounds by lattice energy | 4 |
| 3 | Thu Q2 | Born-Haber cycles | Calculate ΔHf from cycle | 4 |
| 4 | Tue | Oxidation states; redox fundamentals | Assign oxidation states in complexes | 1, 4 |
| 4 | Thu Q3 | Thermochemistry: stability predictions | Predict spontaneity from ΔG | 4 |
| Wk | Day | Topic | Active Learning | SLOs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Tue | HUB Redox Chemistry — electrochemical series | Predict reaction spontaneity | 1, 4 |
| 5 | Thu | MIDTERM EXAM 1 (Foundations) — SLOs 1, 4 | ||
| 6 | Tue | HUB Acid-Base — Brønsted-Lowry & Lewis | Classify acids/bases by mechanism | 1, 5 |
| 6 | Thu Q4 | HSAB principle; hard/soft acids and bases | Predict complex stability | 5 |
| 7 | Tue | MARDI GRAS — NO CLASS | ||
| 7 | Thu Q5 | Acid-base in IC: oxoacids, pH predictions | Rank oxoacid strengths | 5 |
| 8 | Tue | HUB MO Theory — LCAO, bonding/antibonding | Build MO diagrams for H₂, O₂ | 2 |
| 8 | Thu Q6 | MO diagrams: homonuclear diatomics | Explain O₂ paramagnetism | 2 |
| 9 | Tue | MO diagrams: heteronuclear; bond order — CASE 1 DUE | Draw MO for CO, NO | 2 |
| 9 | Thu Q7 | HUB Crystal Structures — unit cells, packing | Build unit cell models | 4 |
| 10 | Tue | HUB Crystal Field Theory — octahedral splitting | Predict d-orbital energies | 2 |
| 10 | Thu Q8 | CFT: tetrahedral, square planar geometries | Why is [NiCl₄]²⁻ tetrahedral? | 2 |
| 11 | Tue | CFSE; high-spin vs low-spin; spectrochemical series | Calculate CFSE; predict spin state | 2 |
| 11 | Thu Q9 | Color and magnetism from CFT | Explain why Cu²⁺ is blue | 2 |
| 12 | Tue | HUB Organometallic — 18-electron rule | Count electrons in complexes | 3, 6 |
| 12 | Thu Q10 | Catalytic cycles: hydrogenation, polymerization | Trace mechanism steps | 6 |
| Wk | Day | Topic | Active Learning | SLOs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Tue | CAPSTONE Coordination Chemistry — nomenclature | Naming race (pairs) | 3 |
| 13 | Thu Q11 | Isomerism: geometric, optical — CASE 2 DUE | Draw all isomers challenge | 3 |
| 14 | Tue | CAPSTONE Transition Metals — first row survey | Compare oxidation state patterns | 5 |
| 14 | Thu Q12 | Applications: cisplatin, hemoglobin, catalysts | Case: Why does cisplatin work? | 6 |
| — SPRING BREAK — NO CLASS — | ||||
| 15 | Tue | CAPSTONE Main Group — s-block and p-block integration | Predict products across groups | 5 |
| 15 | Thu | Main group applications; industrial chemistry | Jigsaw: group presentations | 5, 6 |
| 16 | Tue | STUDENT PRESENTATIONS | Peer evaluation | 6 |
| 16 | Thu | COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM | ||
Why This Order?
Traditional curricula teach Coordination Chemistry first. Our knowledge graph analysis shows it has in-degree = 157 (many prerequisites) and out-degree = 0 (nothing depends on it). It's an integration endpoint, not a starting point.
Main Group has in-degree = 368 — it's the ultimate capstone.
Hub Checkpoints
After each hub, you must demonstrate mastery before proceeding. These are not arbitrary gatekeeping—they're prerequisite verification.
| Hub | Checkpoint Question | Must Master Before |
|---|---|---|
| Redox | Balance a redox reaction in acidic solution | Acid-Base Hub |
| Acid-Base | Predict relative acidity using HSAB | MO Theory Hub |
| MO Theory | Draw MO diagram for CO and explain bond order | CFT Hub |
| CFT | Calculate CFSE for d⁶ high-spin vs low-spin | Capstones |
Course Policies
Engagement and Attendance
Tracked through quiz participation. After 2 missed quizzes, I'll check in. After 4 missed classes, mandatory meeting. Students with ≥90% attendance may drop lowest midterm score.
Late Work
- Quizzes: No make-ups (lowest 2 dropped)
- Case analyses: 10%/day penalty, not accepted after 3 days
- Exams: Make-ups only with documented emergency
Electronics
Phones silenced and away. Laptops for notes only.
Academic Integrity
All work must be your own. Violations result in zero and report to Dean. Second violation = course failure.
University Policies
Americans with Disabilities Act
Register with Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (Drew Hall 200, 337-475-5916). Contact me within first two weeks.
Title IX
Report sexual misconduct to Title IX Coordinator or Counseling Center (confidential).
Mental Health
Counseling Center: 337-475-5956 (free, confidential).
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who visit office hours in Week 1 and correctly identify which hub has the highest connectivity will receive 3 bonus points on Exam 1.
"Chemistry is the study of matter, but I prefer to see it as the study of change."— Walter White (Breaking Bad)
This syllabus is a guide and may be modified. Changes announced in class and on Moodle.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."