Success in chemistry, according to veteran science teacher Professor Frank Cardulla, doesn't require any special intellectual gifts or talents or advanced mathematical skill. All it requires is a genuine understanding of the ideas that students encounter in the high school chemistry classroom. If students truly understand what they are learning, they will do more than just succeed in high school chemistry; they will find lasting success as they continue to study chemistry in college and beyond.

In Chemistry, 2nd Edition, Professor Cardulla offers 36 carefully designed lectures that provide a solid foundation for future success by giving students a deep and thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and problem-solving skills needed in the study of chemistry. He has created the perfect course for students who are struggling in their high school chemistry class, for students who simply want to perform better, or for home-schooled students. Even those long out of high school have reaped the benefits of Professor Cardulla's lectures—thousands of our adult customers have purchased and enjoyed the first edition of this course, finding it a useful tool for gaining a better understanding of chemistry.

Learning that Lasts

When students replace rote memorization with a real understanding of what is happening in the problems they encounter, chemistry comes alive. They experience the excitement of grasping the ideas behind the problems and the confidence that comes as they master what they might think of as intimidating material.

That's what happens in Chemistry, 2nd Edition. Through his clear and engaging lectures, Professor Cardulla demonstrates how students can use everyday common sense and logic—intellectual skills they already possess—to truly comprehend the concepts and problems encountered in introductory chemistry. Using examples and analogies drawn from real life, he takes the intimidation out of chemistry and makes this often challenging course accessible for all students.

A Comprehensive Chemistry Course

The course opens with several lectures that outline the instructor's teaching philosophy and demonstrate how students can use logical thinking to help them solve chemistry problems. In subsequent lectures, Professor Cardulla applies these problem-solving skills to key topics in introductory chemistry:

• The periodic table
• Balancing chemical equations
• Elements, atoms, ions, and isotopes
• Density
• Equilibrium
• Le Chatelier's Principle
• Stoichiometry
• Titration
• Molarity
• Acids and bases

To bring these topics to life, Professor Cardulla makes use of visual aids, including illustrations, graphs, demonstrations, and diagrams that support learning and help students gain a deeper understanding of key concepts.

The result is an effective, carefully crafted course that gives students the tools they need to master the basics of high school chemistry. Chemistry, 2nd Edition can be used as a stand-alone introduction to chemistry or in conjunction with a high school chemistry course.

Hands-on Problem Solving

As Professor Cardulla explains, true comprehension of chemistry comes only when students wrestle with the problems themselves. As a result, these lectures are filled with problems that give students ample opportunity to apply the concepts they've learned and strengthen their general problem-solving skills.

With each problem, students are encouraged to stop the lecture and work with the concepts presented to find their own solutions. Afterward, they return to the lecture, where Professor Cardulla presents a thorough and clear explanation of how to find the correct answer. And since the emphasis is on comprehension rather than memorization, Professor Cardulla often provides different methods for solving these problems. He discusses the merits and drawbacks of these various methods and how they relate to a deeper understanding of the ideas behind the problems.

A New Edition of One of Our Most Popular Courses

Chemistry, 2nd Edition is an updated and enhanced version of our original chemistry course taught by Professor Cardulla. Based on feedback from our customers, this new edition of our high school chemistry course has been expanded to include

• a new workbook with more than 400 problems and worked-out solutions written by Professor Cardulla;
• new lectures on elements, the periodic table, ions, and isotopes;
• a new unit on titration; and
• enhanced, improved visual aids.

The result is a course that provides an in-depth understanding of key concepts of chemistry while meeting the needs and expectations of today's students.

Masterful Instruction by an Expert Teacher

For students who have had trouble with chemistry or who feel intimidated by the thought of solving problems on their own, Professor Cardulla's teaching method opens up a new world of learning.

His teaching method is shaped by his special sympathy for the students who struggle with chemistry. Approachable and engaging, he is the perfect instructor for students who are facing their first encounter with chemistry or for those who have had difficulty with chemistry in the past and want to strengthen their understanding of this crucial subject. With humor and patience, he guides students to discover their own innate ability to master the fundamentals of chemistry.

As Professor Cardulla says, any student can succeed at high school chemistry. Join him for this engaging and accessible introductory course and discover how high school chemistry can be the "easiest class in school."

About Your Professor

Now retired, Professor Frank Cardulla spent 38 years teaching science at Niles North High School, Lake Forest High School, and Libertyville High School in Illinois. He also taught a science methods course as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University.

Professor Cardulla has received numerous teaching awards. Foremost among them are a Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the National Catalyst Award, and the National James Bryant Conant Award. He also received citations from institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago for being named "most influential teacher" by his former students.