AP Chemistry
Course
Description: Advanced
Placement Chemistry is 
designed
to be the equivalent of a first year college chemistry course. While many
required topics were covered in Honors Chemistry, they will of necessity be
reviewed and covered in more depth in this course. Additional topics
include chemical equilibrium, acid-base theory, oxidation-reduction,
thermochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and electrochemistry. Laboratory work
will be designed to complement that already completed in the first year course.
Laboratory emphasis will be placed on these topic mot already encountered.
Textbook: Zumdahl,
Chemistry, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000
Classroom
Policies:
GRADING POLICY
Grades will be distributed among
homework, class work, lab, quizzes, and chapter tests. There will be a
comprehensive midyear and a final exam. Tests/Quizzes will count 60 % of
the term grade. Labs will count 25 % of the term grade. Homework
will count 15 % of the term grade.
| Example
|
Test/Quiz Avg. |
86% |
x |
0.60 |
=
|
51.6 |
| |
Lab Report Avg. |
92% |
x |
0.25 |
=
|
23.0 |
| |
Homework |
72% |
x |
0.15 |
=
|
10.8 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Final |
85.4 |
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
A student's daily work and homework is
extremely important. Students are expected to complete daily/homework
assignments on time and participate in class in a positive manner by
demonstrating each of the following:
-
Having book, pencil, paper, and notebook in class
daily
-
Putting out the best effort daily (taking
notes when appropriate listening intently at other times)
-
Behaving in a mature and studious manner
-
Participating in lab properly
-
Presence in the classroom, the entire class period.
CLASSROOM RULES
-
Be in
you seat before the bell rings and have all class material ready.
-
Observe
all safety procedures.
-
Observe
all rules in your Student Handbook.
-
Individual
grades or problems will not be discussed during class time. If you have a question about a grade or class procedure; please see
me after class.
TEACHING STYLE
In 30 years of teaching high school
science, I have never had a "student" to fail my class. I define a student as one who; comes to class every day, completes all
assignments, is eager to learn, and if needed is willing to stay after school
for extra help. If you fit the
above description of a student, I guarantee that you will pass.
A precise vocabulary is the
foundation of any science. The
terms and phrases that I use in class must convey the same meaning (or image) to
every student. Occasionally we'll
have philosophical discussions, and your vocabulary must also be precise.
The main part of this course is solving mathematical word
problems involving molecules, chemicals, and reactions. Any math technique that you've learned in your math classes is fair game
on the Chapter Tests. I will attempt to go over, in detail, any mathematical
techniques that we use. Just as
your history teacher expects you to "read at grade level" (11th and
12th), I expect you to do "math at grade level".
Chapter
Objectives:
Chapter
Resources:
General
Sources