Homework Assignments

• Homework 1 - due 9/22/07 (pdf)
• Homework 2 - due 10/06/07 (pdf)
• Homework 3 - due 10/29/07 (pdf)
• Homework 4 - due 11/04/07 (pdf)

• Solutions to Homework 1
• Solutions to Homework 2

Mini-Essays

• Mini-Essay Descriptions
• The Mini-Essay Grading Guide
• All sources MUST be cited at the end of the document.
  • For on-line sources follow the American Chemical Society (ACS) guidelines found here: http://www.an.psu.edu/jkl1/chem/citing.html. This MUST include an "accessed" date.
  • For print sources (such as the text) any standard format will do (MLA, ACS, etc.) (See A. C. Buehler Library College Writing and Citing Guide)
• The Mini-essay peer review form can be found by following this link: Review an Essay

Mini-Essay Descriptions

Topics for the mini-essays will be chosen via on-line preference form: on-line preference form. Topics must be selected by Tuesday, September 4th, and will be assigned a few days later.

The mini-essays are intented to be short. Thus, it is best to narrow your topic. Perhaps do some initial reading, then decide exactly what aspect of the issue you would like to focus on. The best essays do not try to cover the entire topic, but rather focus on an idea or issue within the topic that interests the writer.

There are several approaches you may take. For example, you may argue for a particular viewpoint, or you might take a more neutral informational approach. Some topics may lend themselves more towards one approach or the other.

• Mini-Essay 1 Suggested Topics
  • Dangers of Fireworks
  • Light Pollution (i.e. from big cities)
  • Haze from Pollution in our National Parks
  • Brown Skies = Photochemical Smog
  • Safety or other ethical concerns of gemstone mining.
  • The history of the use of a particular paint pigment (choose one).
  • The caveman's palette - ancient pigments
  • A topic of your own choosing, approved by the instructor in advance

• Mini-Essay 2 Suggested Topics
  • The discovery of mauvine and the birth of the synthetic dye industry
  • How the development of synthetic indigo impacted indigo exporting nations
  • Hazardous and toxic elements found in paints (for example, high levels of lead in paint on toys from China, also an issue in home renovation)
  • Environmental impact of waste from chemical synthesis.
  • The role of chemistry in the authentication of artwork and identification of artifacts - identification of pigments. (pick a specific artifact or pigment)
  • The role of chemistry in the authentication of artwork and identification of artifacts - identification of inks (pick a specific artifact or type of ink)
  • The role of chemistry in the authentication of artwork and identification of artifacts - radiodating (pick a specific artifact or technique)
  • A topic of your own choosing, approved by the instructor in advance
  The Mini-essay peer review form can be found by following this link: Review an Essay

Chemistry 105 Home
Elmhurst Chemistry Home
Elmhurst College Home