CH-106: Chemistry and the Arts

Course, prefix, number, & title: CH-106 Chemistry and the Arts

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3 class hours, 2 laboratory hours

Credits: 4

Course Description in college catalog:

This course offers a general background in the connections between chemistry and the arts. Topics include light absorption and reflection; the nature of color; additive and subtractive color mixing; separation of mixtures; properties of paints and pigments; preservation and authentication of art objects; common chemical hazards; and the principles of photography. The laboratory component applies chemical theory and techniques to practices involved in creating works of art. Students use modern laboratory instrumentation and methods such as chromatography to make and examine materials used in art. This course is required for the A.A.S. degree in Digital Art and Design and is recommended for students in programs offered by the Art and Photography Department. This course satisfies the laboratory science requirement for the A. A. degree. Completing CH-106 is equivalent to completing CH-103 and CH-104. This course may not be used as part of the Mathematics or Science concentration in A.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum and is not open to students who have completed CH-151, CH-152, CH-251 or CH-252.

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

This course is required for the A.A.S. degree in Digital Art and Design and is recommended for students in programs offered by the Art and Photography Department. This course satisfies the laboratory science requirement for the A. A. degree. Completing CH-106 is equivalent to completing CH-103 and CH-104. This course may not be used as part of the Mathematics or Science concentration in A.S. in Liberal Arts and Sciences curriculum and is not open to students who have completed CH-151, CH-152, CH-251 or CH-252.

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

1. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

Students will be introduced to the relevance of chemistry as well as the fundamental understanding of the materials used in art; become knowledgeable in how to properly and safely handle potentially hazardous chemicals that artists use in their daily operation; apply the scientific method to explore natural phenomena such as the principles of light and color, and erosion of metal sculptures and architectures; work in groups of two to perform experiments and gain hands-on experience correlating theory and practice involved in works of arts; perform experiments, gather, analyze and interpret data and draw conclusions related to works of arts such as photography, painting, textiles and metal etching; document their findings in effective written laboratory reports; identify and apply research ethics and unbiased assessment in gathering and reporting scientific data when writing laboratory reports and research paper.

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

The general guidelines for assessing grades are as follows:

• Examinations, Assignments, Oral presentations and Classroom Performance 50%
• Laboratory Work 25%
• Final Examination 25%

The distribution may be changed at the discretion of the individual instructor.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window.

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.