ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY

SYLLABUS

I. COURSE INFORMATION

A. Course Description:

1. Topics include:

This course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. Chemistry is usually described as the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Advance Placement Chemistry picks up where GS Chemistry stops. It will include in-depth study of such topics as thermodynamics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, kinetics, oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry. The fundamentals of spectroscopy and chromatography will be introduced and laboratory experimentation will incorporate the use of VIS, AA, FTIR, and UV-VIS spectrometers. Laboratory experimentation, class lecture and discussion, and group activities will be the primary means by which information will be communicated. Science-Technology-Technology issues as they relate to the Roanoke Valley and on a more global scale, will also be studied. Emphasis will be placed upon the acquisition of data via computer-interfaced equipment, as well as the graphical portrayal of, and statistical analysis of data through the use of a variety of software.

2. Interdisciplinary relationships:

Since chemistry is described as the study of matter and the changes it undergoes, and we, and everything around us are composed of matter, it is important to also include the interrelationships of chemistry with the other scientific disciplines. Interdisciplinary relationships of chemistry to biological systems, physics, geology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science will be included. Human impact on the environment from the use/misuse of chemicals will be incorporated into each of the major concepts studied, as well as in the STS activities.

B. Printed Resources/Media Resources:

• Chemistr & Chemical Reactivity, Fifth Edition, John C. Kotz and Paul M. Treichel, Jr., Brooks/Cole Pubishing, New York, 2003.

• Journal of Chemical Education, American Chemical Society, selected issues.

• Chem1Ware:  Software, Chem1Ware Ltd., selected programs.

C. References:

• Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 65th Edition, CRC Press.

• Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, Thirteenth Edition, John A. Dean, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1985.

• The Merck Index, Twelfth Edition, Merck & Company,Rahway, N.J., 1966.

II. GRADING POLICIES

A. Grading Scale:

A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F <60%

B. Types of Evaluations:

1. Laboratory:  the laboratory experience will be the means by which most topics will be introduced. Students will be expected to read all material pertinent to the upcoming laboratory experiment before doing the experiment. Each student will record all information pertaining to the experiment in his/her laboratory notebook. (see Keeping the Laboratory Notebook)

2. Competency-based tests:  these become summarizing tests and cannot be retaken. There will typically be four each semester.

3. Enabling Objective Quizzes:   these are quizzes that will cover one or more objectives. One retake will be allowed on these quizzes. The "retake" policy is that for a quiz grade below 70% a student may take a retake for a maximum of 75% for that quiz. This retake must occur within one (1) week of when the evaluation is returned. Be aware that the end-of-semester date may not allow the full week for some objectives retakes. Enabling objectives assessment may also include evaluation in the laboratory or other non-traditional ways.

4. Homework/Group/STS:  homework will include, but not be limited to problem sets, short essays on an assigned topic, and lab book checks. Science-Technology-Society. Students will be involved in an extended STS project each semester and will also participate in a variety of STS related activities. These can include, but not be limited to, Adopt-A-Highway cleanups, letters to the editor regarding STS issues, letters to elected/appointed officials regarding STS issues, attendance at conferences, lectures, or other activities of an STS measure.

5. Class Participation/Time Management:  class preparation, time management, courtesy and attention to others, contribution to class discussion, and attitude are all important for success in class.

C. Semester Grade Determination:

Laboratory Competency-based Tests Enabling Objective Quizzes Homework/Group/STS Time Management/Class Participation

30% 30% 20% 15% 5%

D. Final Grade Determination:

Each semester:  50%

E. Bell Curve Statement:

Chemistry students do not compete with each other for grades; therefore grades will not be "curved" to conform to a bell curve.

III. COURSE POLICIES

A. Competency Mastery:

Students will be made aware of what competencies and enabling objectives are being covered at any particular time. The assignments, quizzes, and tests will reflect the content of the competencies and enabling objectives. Students who obtain a 70% score on a quiz or test will be considered to have minimally achieved the particular competencies and enabling objectives in question. The competencies can be accessed at http://www.chem.vt.edu/RVGS/APChem/APChem-home.html.

B. Class Policies and Procedures:

1. You are to use a loose-leaf notebook , divided into the following sections:  administrative, notes, homework and class assignments, graded and returned tests and quizzes, laboratory, and miscellaneous. Sections are to be in this order. The laboratory experiments are to be recorded in a bound, quadruled notebook which will follow the guidelines set forth by the American Chemical Society.

2. Essays of more than one-half page must be done on a word-processor or typewriter.

3. Homework may include written work and/or reading assignments. It is just as important to do all reading assignments as it is written ones. Failure to do so is usually apparent during the progress of the class.

4. Laboratory safety is of vital importance! Safety rules will be followed at all times. A student's failure to follow safety guidelines will result in his/her not being allowed to continue the remainder of the experiment. A second such failure to follow safety rules will require a meeting of the student with the Director and me.

5. Daily attendance in class is expected. It is especially difficult to make up missed laboratory work. A note from a parent is required for acceptance of late work. The penalty for late work is a 10% deduction per day late. Normally, one additional day per day of excused absence will be granted for completion of make-up work. Tests should be made up within three school days of the return to school after an excused absence. The policy stated in the RVGS Student Handbook on absences will be rigorously followed.

6. Each student is encouraged to have his/her own USB “flash” drive for storing data, graphs, etc. from class as well as having everything saved on the file server. Nothing should be saved on any hard drive in Room 114.

7. All chemistry problems of a mathematical nature are to contain the setup, as well as the answer. This is on homework, quizzes, tests, and in the laboratory notebook. No credit will be given for an answer without the setup.

8. Students are expected to utilize their student calendar/planner to facilitate the meeting of deadlines for homework, lab reports, or long-term assignments, and to ensure that dates for tests and quizzes are remembered. Information relating to the course including class schedule, assignments, due dates, etc. can be found posted on the RVGS Chemistry calendar which can be accessed at: http://www.chem.vt.edu/RVGS/APChem/APChem-home.html.

9. The computers in the classroom, as well as the computer lab, will be used for a wide range of application, therefore, strict compliance of the technology abuse policy will be enforced. NO GAMES are to be played on any of the computers in Room 114 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

10. Students needing extra help can schedule time before or after school or during the time between the AM and PM sessions. Students may call the instructor at her home until 10:00 pm if they have questions regarding homework, a lab write-up, or test. They may also utilize email by writing to me at MizSibert@siberts.net or provide me with their Buddy Name and use AIM or Google Talk.

11. The Student Performance Strategy will provide the guidelines for intervention in the event that the student's classroom performance drops below a B.

12. Interim reports will be issued at the midpoint of each trimester.

13. Class instructional methods will include, but not be limited to the use of cooperative learning, small and large group projects, computer-aided-instruction (CAI), and laboratory experimentation. Some of the laboratory experimentation will be done on an individual basis, while other will be in groups of two to four students.

14. Alternative assessment methods will be used to evaluate students performance approximately on projects. A rubric will be provided with the assignment so that students will know exactly what is expected of them.

15. The policy stated in the RVGS student Handbook on absences and tardies will be rigorously followed.

16. Time management and class participation is expected of all RVGS students. These skills are assessed and counted as 5% of each trimester's grade. A rubric is provided to students to inform them of the expectations of the instructor. Typical expectations include bringing proper supplies to class (pencils, pens, lab book, homework), listening and participating in class discussions, and using class time appropriately.

17. Cheating is not tolerated at RVGS. All students are expected to submit individual work, unless specific permission has been given by the instructor to work with others or use notes on a quiz or test. Cheating includes coppying a work from any source (another student in the class, a student who attended the class in a prior year, a text, or the internet) and representing it as your own. Any student who knowingly assisting another in cheating (I.e. letting the student copy his paper) is subject to administrative action as well.

18. The student performance strategy and the RVGS Student Handbook will be the basis for any disciplinary action if it is necessary.

19. AP Chemistry Test review sessions will be scheduled on weekends (usually Sunday afternoons) and/or after school each month until March. They will be held weekly during March and April in preparation for the AP Chemistry Test, which is the second week of May. It is expected that students will attend these sessions unless they have a prior commitment.