COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE:                                                                          AP Chemistry

INSTRUCTOR:                                                                B. Davis

SCHOOL YEAR:                                                             

 

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION                                     

       A. COURSE GOALS:

              1. An eighteen unit laboratory science earning one science credit in which the subject matter of Chemistry is presented in a manner which is consistent with curricula established by the College Board. Curricula demands will simulate materials covered by a 1st year college Chemistry program and will cover concepts students will be accountable for on the spring AP Chemistry Test

 

       B. STATE ESSENTIAL LEARNINGS

              1. The student will understand and use scientific concepts and principles.

              2. The student will conduct scientific investigations to expand understanding of the natural world.

              3. The student will understand and use effective practices in scientific communication and measurement to build and demonstrate understanding.

              4. The student will apply science knowledge and skills to solve problems or meet challenges.

              5. The student understands how science knowledge and skills are connected to other subject areas and real life situations.

 

       C. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

              1. The student will understand and use scientific rules in calculations.

              2. The student will understand and relate differences between atoms, molecules and ions.

              3. The student can correctly use stoichiometric calculations in problems.

              4. The student correctly demonstrates reaction processes in solution systems.

              5. The student will understand and use gas laws.

              6. The student will be able to perform a number of standard mathematical calculations involving thermochemistry.

              7. The student will be able to utilize existing atomic structure laws to make valid behavior predictions.

              8. The student understands the nature of bond types.

              9. The student can identify important properties of solids and liquids.

              10. The student can use solution properties to make behavior predictions.

              11. The student can describe and relate kinetic behaviors.

              12. The student uses equilibrium in predicting solubility behavior .

              13. The student relates equilibrium to acid/base behaviors.

              14. The student can describe how buffers work

              15. The student can relate free energy to chemical behavior.

              16. The student can make valid predictions of change electrochemistry.

 

II. MATERIALS USED

       CHEMISTRY 5th Edition by Zumdahl

       KAMIAK AP CHEMISTRY LABORATORY MANUAL and Course References

       VERNIER –LOGGER PRO

       ACD LABS- CHEM SKETCH, SHOW 3D

       MICROSOFT OFFICE-WORD (word processing)

       MICRSOFT OFFICE-EXCEL (spreadsheet)

       MICROSOFT OFFICE-EXPLORER (Internet explorer)

 

III. EQUIPMENT and MATERIALS SUPPLIED by Kamiak

       A. Text materials, lab equipment, and computer software will be made available for use. It would enhance student opportunities for exploration and learning if the software tools were available in the home setting.

 

IV. CLASS MANAGEMENT

       A. Scoring

              1. This course is an 18-unit course.

 

              2. Each unit grade will be from a percentage grade in the range of 0 to 100 and will be based on class scores coming from 80 points on unit quiz and/or Quarter Test a notebook consisting of unit work, which will normally be worth 20 points

 

              3. Points over 100 will carry over to a final test at the end of the year.

 

              4. In addition to the unit test and work, students may contribute to their total score at test time by one of the following extra credit methods. Each method carries points.

                   a. Each unit carries participation/citizenship points. Unexcused absences, failure to complete work, test in a timely manner, disruptive class behavior, or other behaviors all place these points at risk (5 pts)

                   b. By peer editing and correctly formatting their lab in a type written manner (5 pts).

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              5. A quarter grade will be the average of the unit percentage grades within that quarter. A semester grade is the average of all unit percentage grades and will be assigned on the following scale:

 

Unit Points                                          Grade Point       Letter Grade

100-94                                                   4.0                        A

93-90                                                     3.7                        A-

89-87                                                     3.3                        B+

86-84                                                     3.0                        B

83-80                                                     2.7                        B-

79-77                                                     2.3                        C+

76-74                                                     2.0                        C

73-70                                                     1.7                        C-

69-64                                                     1.3                        D+

63-60                                                     1.0                        D

59-0                                                        0.0                        F

 

          B. Testing

              1. Since a test's purpose is to measure an individual student's performance, no interaction between students will be permitted during a testing period. Students who are observed in any interaction before all tests in the class are completed and returned to the instructor will be given a zero on the test.

 

              2. For all students, a final test will be given after the completion of all units. The final will be 10 % of the total grade. The test will be over the course objectives. Unit points over 100 apply to the final score.

 

              3. A retest option will be available for those students scoring below a unit score of 70% on any Chemistry work.  All retesting must be completed within 5 days of the unit exam. The maximum unit score utilizing the retest option will be 70%. If no unit work is turned in, the maximum will be a 60%.

 

       C. Daily Work

              1. Unit daily assignments will normally consist of a combination of daily activities, homework problems and laboratory reports of experimental work from the lab manual.

 

              2. The assignment(s) for each unit is indicated on that unit sheet and/or will be announced in class. Web information is available from the following websites.

General class assignments and assignment calendar-

 

http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/staff/davisca/

 

 

              3. Notebooks containing this work should be current at all times. Work not copied by due date will be deemed late.

 

              4. The assignments must be completed satisfactorily and prior to the unit exam. See guidelines for acceptable lab report, notebook structure and extra credit format.

 

              5. After completing a unit work and unit grade sheet should be transferred to your regular note book for reference use. Your unit grade sheet is your permanent record of achievement and should be kept in case of grading errors.

 

       D. Student Responsibilities

              1. Unit test dates will be posted and/or announced approximately 1 week in advance. It is the student’s responsibility to plan for this.

 

              2. The only exceptions to announced deadlines are those arising from circumstances might not be reasonably foreseen (e.g. illness). In such cases the student will need to bring a note from parent or school to teacher and submit work or take test using the following guide.

1 day absent - 1 day after return, 2 days absent - 2 days after return, 3 days absent - 3 days after return, etc.

 

           3. Absences which should have been foreseen (e.g. doctor/dental apt, field trips, etc.) will require the student to take the test or submit work on or before the deadline date by the end of the school day unless prior arrangements are made.

 

              4. Work not submitted due to unexcused absences will be given a zero.

 

              5. Self  imposed timelines will be honored and if not met will be deemed late.

 

              6. Work not submitted on time or by the above stated time line will not be accepted and given a zero grade.

 

              7. Students will have the opportunity to utilize the LSC, homework center or meet with the instructor during agreed upon times to obtain additional assistance. Open work time after school are Tuesday and Thursday.

              Plan period-

 

V. ATTENDANCE POLICY

       A. Please refer to the school policy.

 

       B. Be aware of the 12 day absent per semester limit. If any of these days are unexcused, all appeals for credit will be denied.

 

       C. Use of hall pass is a privilege and is directly related to work ethic. An average letter grade less than a “C” is indication of a lack of work ethic.

 

      D. Release from class time for other than class work is permissible but needs a

pre-signed note from the destination supervisor. Attendance must be marked as absent-school related and is the responsibility of the student to clear this with the attendance office as school related.

 

       E. Only one student may be released at any given time via hall pass.

 

       F. Tardies are converted to 1/2 hr detentions in the ratio of 1 :1. A parent contact will be made. Tardies not redeemed within the unit will be converted to a (-1) score per each tardy and added to the unit total on the final grade

 

       G. Absences without return admittance form or note will earn a 1 hr detention handled by the school. Absences related detentions not cleared or served and returned to the instructor will be converted to a (-5) and added on to the final.

 

       H. Only 6 hall passes releases per student per quarter. Quarterly hall pass forms are the responsibility of the student to keep in their possession, no pass…no release.

 

       I. If for some reason a class cannot be completed, an incomplete may be assigned for a grade. Criteria for assigning an incomplete include documenting parental, teacher and administrative permission on forms specified by the district. Replacement of the incomplete will begin during the following year and semester the incomplete was assigned by reentry to the class.

 

VI. PRIMARY INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS USED:

       A. Lecture, text readings, laboratory work, interactive, demonstrations, audiovisual, teacher developed written materials.

 

       B. Use of Class Time: During this course, there will be time allotted for a variety of activities, some more structured than others. These may include lectures and discussion, lab work, question and answer periods, review sessions, and work time with the opportunity to obtain teacher help. Students who do not use the time appropriately may place their daily work credit at risk. Students who are disruptive may be sent to time out or have other disciplinary action taken. A parent contact will be made.

 

 

 

 

VII. SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND MATERIALS USED

       A. Library resources, audio/visual tapes and CD’s, current publications, Internet access.

 

VIII. ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES USED

       A. One 500 word report per quarter on a topic mutually agreed upon ahead of time by the student and teacher may be done for up to 25 points to be applied to that quarters unit scores. See guideline sheet.

 

       B. Enrichment units/points may be earned upon completion of other additional work as agreed upon ahead of time by student and teacher.

 

XI. OTHER

       A. Safety Code

              Safety: Students will be required to read, understand, and abide by a safety contract in lab. Students failing to practice safe laboratory procedures will not be allowed to work in the lab.

 

       B. Internet Use

              Students may have the privilege of Internet access use. Students failing to use Internet access in a proper manner will be denied access for the rest of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgement of Course Syllabus

Verification of Receipt and Review

Students will review the course syllabus in class with their teacher. At the end of that time, they will sign this page, which verifies their understanding of the course policy and procedures. Within 48 hours of receiving the course syllabus, the student and parent should review the policies together. Once the parent has read and reviewed the syllabus, their signature should go in the appropriate spot below. The student will then return this page to the teacher for their records, and the student will keep the course syllabus for their informational purposes for the year.

Teacher Statement:

I agree to adhere to the requirements as stated in the course syllabus. I pledge to treat all students fairly. I will be available to assist students with course work and assignments on a regular basis or by appointment. I wll inform students and parents of the student’s progress in the course on a regular basis. As needed. I will meet with students and parents to discuss ways that we can all assist with improving student learning.

Teacher name PRINT:

Teacher name SIGN:                                                                                 Date:

Student Statement:

I have read all of the sections of the course syllabus. I understand that I will be held to the grade requirements and due date requirements that are stated in the course syllabus. I realize that working cooperatively with my teacher and fellow students and maintaining a high level or respect for myself and others that I will increase my chances to be successful in this course. I will seek teacher assistance when I need it and will schedule appointments to talk about my grade or work in this class when needed. Furthermore, I understand that my attendance in class is vital to my success.

Student name PRINT:      

Student name SIGN:                                                                                  Date:

Parent/Guardian Statement:

I have read all of the sections of the course syllabus with my student. I understand that all requirements will he consistently maintained throughout the duration of the class. I will encourage my child to obtain help from the teacher when needed and I will encourage them to resolve conflicts or problems with the teacher. I also understand that I am welcome to contact the teacher to check in on the progress of my student.

Parent/Guardian name PRINT:

Parent/Guardian name SIGN:                                                                 Date: