The goal of this text is to provide many examples and practical applications of the fundamental topics for the first semester of general chemistry at the college level. Following a summary of the most relevant topics are worked examples to try to make understanding chemistry easier and more fun. At the end of each chapter are exercises designed to help reinforce the concepts. Chemistry can be one of the most challenging classes for a student. It requires excellent reading comprehension, conceptual, spatial, quantitative, and problem-solving skills. The future well-being of our country and, indeed, the whole world will depend on good problem-solvers who can look at new situations and make wise decisions. As an educator, I feel that it is important to challenge students and do all that I can to encourage them to develop these problem-solving skills.

About the author

During the spring of 2005 Jeanne Kuhler taught approximately 300 students in 3 courses. Then during the fall, 2005 through spring, 2006 academic year, she was responsible for approximately 1100 students in 6 courses. Students gave Dr. Kuhler an overall average grade of "A" for teaching each of these 9 courses, according to university-administered evaluations.

Below are samples of comments provided by students on these evaluations for Dr. Kuhler:

"I pray I get her again."
Chem 140a Student

"Dr. Kuhler was fun and very understandable. She made the course very good."
Chem 339 Student

"I liked the study guide and it is very helpful. Dr. Kuhler made chemistry interesting."
Chem 140a Student

"Dr. Kuhler made a subject that I hate fun and easy to understand."
Chem 339 Student

"Dr. Kuhler explained the material in a very straight-forward way. Things were thoroughly explained."
Chem 339 Student

"I've had Dr. Kuhler for 3 classes so far, and I feel very lucky. She's one of the best professors at SIU."
Chem 339 Student

"Dr. Kuhler was a wonderful instructor. I was afraid of chemistry at first, but she made it very easy to understand and enjoyable."
Chem 200 Student

"What I liked best about the course was Dr. Kuhler's down to earth way of teaching. I was terrified of chemistry but she taught it in such a wonderful way, it was even comical at times."
Chem 140a Student

From August 1995 to 1998 Dr. Jeanne L. Kuhler worked on her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at Texas Tech University, completing it in August 1998. She has worked in the pharmaceutical and plastics industries, co-authored several chemical publications, and been awarded recognition for her dedication to teaching.

Testimonials

"I enjoyed her class this semester and I enjoyed having her as a teacher."
Litney Koch, SIUC Student

"Doc Kuhler is a fantastic teacher. I understood chemistry thanks to her help."
Amy Wilson, SIUC Student

"Professor Kuhler is a wonderful teacher. I understood chemistry because of her. I enjoyed her lectures and her kindness and gentleness. I hope that she does not decide to leave anytime soon."
Whitney McCoy, SIUC Student

"Doc Kuhler was our most helpful professor and really cares about her students.
We enjoyed having her as a teacher."
Hilary Habel, SIUC Student