The Centers for Learning Excellence (CLE) is all about student success, and successful students work with tutors to gain a deeper understanding of course concepts, writing, APA and other citation styles, time management and more! Schedule an appointment to meet with a tutor today or stop by one of our centers today!

The South Texas College Library has self-paced, interactive tutorials that help students and faculty successfully utilize library resources. Learn more about the library, how to search for information, and how to avoid plagiarism by following writing and citing best practices. 

Some examples include:

For curated content for all things History, see our Chemistry Research Guide (Will open in a new tab). 

Discovery Search is available from that page, so there's no need to go back to the Library's website.

Find a list of databases best suited for your chemistry research needs!

Not sure what citation style to use, or even how to cite books, artwork, and videos in MLA, APA. and Chicago? Check out the Writing & Citing Guide (Will open in a new tab) for assistance with these areas. 

There are also several how-tos from the Purdue Online Writing Lab, and several tools for generating proper citation/bibliographies. 

Important Lab Rules:
The laboratory rules are different for every professor. Please make sure to check your syllabus and/or professor for correct lab rules.

• Wear appropriate clothing and protective attire for all labs.
• Follow safety regulations.
• Record all data on actual lab data sheets.
• Bring hand written summary of procedure before lab.
• Do not use personal pronouns (I, me, we, them, us etc) in lab reports.
• Use pen to record lab data.
• Pre laboratory and post laboratory questions must be answered in complete sentences. Type the question in bold and give space before writing the answer.
• Lab can’t be performed without signing safety contract
• No copying!! Each person must write his/her own report in his/her own words.

 The Laboratory Report:
The laboratory reports are different for every professor. Please make sure to check your syllabus and/or professor for correct report grading criteria. 
Below is a general outline for the laboratory report.

Lab report cover page:

• Title
• Course 
• School
• Term
• Instructor
• Student

General Format for lab report:

1. Objective
2. Materials needed
3. Summary of Procedures
4. Pre lab questions (Type question & Restate question in answer)
5. Data Tables
6. Calculations (type all required calculations.  Be descriptive)
7. Post lab questions (Type question & Restate question in answer)
8. Conclusion
9. Appendix- actual lab manual pages with data and questions answered.

Safety Contract

Student Name (please print)_________________________________

Complete this form and turn in to instructor

I have carefully read the chemistry laboratory safety module.  I have given my answers to the accompanying safety quiz and given the completed quiz to the laboratory instructor an indication of my familiarity with the module.  Whenever I am in an area where laboratory reagents are being used, I agree to abide by the following rules:

1. Wear Safety Goggles.
2. Wear Proper Clothing.
   • Must Wear Eye protection.
   • Lab Coats will be required this semester.
   • No loose clothing.
   • Jeans will be required. No Yoga pants/Leggings. These do not protect against harsh chemicals, Jeans do a better job!
   • Must wear bottoms that will cover all the way down to the ankles. This means No Shorts!!
   • You must wear clothing that covers from the clavicle (collarbone) down to the feet in both a sitting and standing position.
   • The shoulder and upper half of arm must be covered.
   • Closed toed shoes required. Proper shoes will be composed of primarily leather, plastic, and other impermeable material.
   • Skin should not be exposed in from the collarbone down to the toes.
   • Long hair tied back.
   • No Jewelry. This includes watches.
   • Any other requirements the instructor deems appropriate!
3. Use good housekeeping practices.
4. Do only authorized experiments, and work only when the laboratory instructor or another qualified person is present.
5. Treat laboratory reagents as if they are poisonous and corrosive.
6. Dispense reagents carefully.  Dispose of laboratory reagents as directed.
7. Do not eat, drink, use tobacco, or apply cosmetics in the laboratory.
8. Report all incidents to the laboratory instructor.
9. Be familiar with the location and use of all safety equipment.
10. Become familiar with each laboratory assignment before coming to the laboratory.
11. Anticipate the common hazards that may be encountered in laboratory.
12. Become familiar with actions to be taken in the event of incidents in the laboratory.
13. Be familiar with the safety precautions for each experiment.
14. Do not leave experiment unattended.
15. Students with medical conditions are responsible to meet with their respective health care providers to determine proper care and determine if they should drop the course.

Circle the subject:   Chem1411:  General Chemistry I

                               Chem1412:  General Chemistry II

                               Chem2423:  Organic Chemistry I

                               Chem2425:  Organic Chemistry II

                               Chem1409:  General Chemistry for Eng Majors

___________________________                             __________________

Student Signature                                                                 Date

All students in this course will demonstrate complete integrity at all times.

Both 'taking' and 'giving' assistance during an examination or quiz constitutes academic dishonesty. 

Academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, multiple submissions, fabrication, collusion, or complicity will not be tolerated in the course.

Copying quizzes, exams, lab reports, or any other class assignment will result in zero points and the instructor will report the case to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and academic dean.

The student is expected to read and understand the college policy on academic honesty. Detailed information regarding South Texas College’s expectations for student behavior is presented in the online Student Handbook.