Experiments in General Chemistry Grade Assessment

The grade for laboratory courses CHEM1075 and CHEM1085 will be

based on lab reports and/or performance in lab. There will be no
midterm examination, nor a final examination. Out of N experiments
initially assigned, only the (N-1) highest letter grade experiments will
constitute the basis for the lab report grade. Since there is the option
to drop an experiment, there are no make-up experiments.
In case of repeated absence special accommodations will be made in the event of
personal/family emergencies, illness, or required participation in university activities.
These events as well as previous absences must be sufficiently documented for
accommodations.

The final lab report grade will be based on a total of N-1 letter grades.
Grading criteria include quality and completeness of the original data
as well as clarity and organization of the notebook and graphs.
Grading of a Lab Report The Basics
1. Heading and Objective
Your printed name, the name(s) of your partner(s), the name of
your teaching assistant(s), the course number and section, the
title and number of the experiment, as well as the date the
experiment was performed.
A summary of the objective or purpose of the experiment in one
sentence, the statement being reasonable, original, and all
encompassing.
2. Apparatus, Reagents, Graphical Abstract
A complete listing of the equipment and chemicals needed to
perform the experiment.
An original graphical abstract (figure & caption) that emphasizes
the main idea of the experiment.
3. Additional Pre-lab Components
Clearly answer all questions listed as the pre-lab.
4. Data and Observations

Data taken and observations made during the lab. If prompted,

provide data in graphical or table form.
Essential information that is not given in or deviates from the lab
manual.
o Observations can include anything that can be perceived
with the senses including sight, sound, smell, and feel.
Never taste, or touch any chemical or reagent unless
directly instructed to do so.

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5. Calculations
Follow the outline given in the lab manual.

Use calculators, graphing tools, and/or spreadsheets to generate

graphs and to calculate standard deviations. Make a reference to
any software used for data processing.

State the final results based on the purpose of the experiment.

Refer to the appropriate graphs and R-squared values, and to

standard deviations and percent errors when drawing
conclusions.

6. Discussion
Address the key questions of section A.2.9 of the lab manual.
o Are the expectations of the graphical abstract justified?
Address the abstract drawn and evaluate whether or not it
achieved the ideas or preconceptions about the
experiment. A simple yes or no will not suffice. Thus, the
quality of a graphical abstract will not be judged per se, but
directly influences your discussion. Further, it can be
expected that an outstanding graphical abstract might
outweigh minor omissions.
o What is the most important aspect of the experiment?
Think about how the objective applies to the experiment.
What is the purpose of the experiment? Was it fulfilled?
What is the chemical concept behind the experiment and
does the data support this? Why or why not.
o How can the experiment be improved?
Address any errors that may have arisen during the
experiment. Also, list any improvements that could be
made in the set-up, instructions, procedure, or your own
techniques as a chemist. Feel free to be honest and
evaluate your own work.
Grading of a Lab Report Important Details

The Heading and Objective are graded on an all or nothing

basis. Only complete answers will receive credit.

The Heading and Objective, list of Apparatus and Reagents, the

Graphical abstract, and the pre-lab questions constitute pre-lab
components and must be signed at the beginning of the lab by
the instructor. Only properly signed and dated pre-lab
components will receive credit.

The data and observations must be signed at the end of the lab
by the instructor. Only calculations and discussions based
on signed data will receive credit.
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Make sure that the lab-report is clearly written in blue or black

ink and complete. If certain information cannot be found
something that often occurs due to poor handwriting, sloppy
presentation, or print that is too light no credit will be
awarded for that work.

Remember that lab reports are due at the beginning of the class.
The reports together with additional material such as computergenerated graphs should be already stapled and ready to turn in.

If pages of the lab report get lost since they were not properly
secured, you will not receive credit for the missing part of the
work.

Original lab report pages, loose leaf, or printer paper not

accompanied by the carbon transfer pages will not be accepted;
only the carbon-transfer pages from the laboratory notebook.

See Section A of the laboratory manual if you have any further

questions about the format of the report.

Letter Grade Assignment Important Details

Each report will be graded by up to three graders and assigned an
average of all the letter grades received. Letter grades will be based
on completeness, clarity, and organization as well as the guidelines
listed below:

A Sections one through six are included and addressed in full.

Report is turned in on time, legible, and well organized.

Calculations, data tables, and graphs all include appropriate
units. The Pre-lab component and calculations are essentially
correct.

B Pre-lab component or calculations are essentially incorrect.

Report is missing at least one complete section, or lacks

organization. Examples include but are not limited to; heading is
missing a component, objective is not original, list of reagents is
not complete, graphical abstract has been copied from manual,
data is not in graphical or table format, observations are not
listed, calculations, data tables, and graphs do not include units,
or are difficult to decipher, and discussion does not address
three key points.

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C Report is missing at least two sections. Examples include

but are not limited to; heading is missing a component, objective

is not original, list of reagents is not complete, graphical abstract
has been copied from manual, data is not in graphical or table
format, observations are not listed, calculations, data tables, and
graphs do not include units, or are difficult to decipher, and
discussion does not address three key points..

D Report is missing at least three sections, is written in pencil,

or is illegible. Report is missing three signatures. Examples

include but are not limited to; heading is missing a component,
objective is not original, list of reagents is not complete,
graphical abstract has been copied from manual, data is not in
graphical or table format, observations are not listed,
calculations, data tables, and graphs do not include units, or are
difficult to decipher, and discussion does not address three key
points.

F Student did not submit report by due date.

Lab Performance
If the lab performance contributes to the final grade, a proper
announcement will be made at the beginning of the course. Teaching
assistants evaluate lab performance by assigning a letter grade. This
assignment is independent of lab report work. Individual TAs will
provide details.
Determining the Final Grade
The lab reports constitute the basis for the final grade. There will be no
midterm examination, nor a final examination. The N-1 relevant letter
grades are converted into grade points (A: 4.00, B: 3.00; C: 2.00; D:
1.00; F: 0.00). The final grade is determined from the average grade
points per experiment, and if applicable, suitably adjusted for lab
performance.
Code of Academic Conduct
All sections of CHEM1075 and CHEM1085 strictly adhere to the code of
academic conduct of Newcomb-Tulane College:
http://tulane.edu/college/code.cfm (last access: April 15, 2013).

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