AP Chemistry 438 Course Syllabus

Course Description Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. A separate AP Chemistry laboratory class is used extensively as a means to discover and develop understanding of the facts, principles, and theories that are the framework of this science. Since a quantitative mathematical approach is used frequently, success depends upon the ability to use mathematics. An AP chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of a normal general chemistry course usually taken during the first year of college. Advanced Placement (AP) gives you the chance to try college-level work in high school, and to gain valuable skills and study habits for college. If you get a "qualifying" grade on the AP Exam, there are many colleges worldwide that will give credit or advanced course placement for your efforts. It is my intent over the duration of this course to prepare you to be successful in passing the AP Chemistry test the afternoon of Wednesday, May 15, 2007. Additional information on the Chemistry AP Exam can be found on the web at: http://www.collegeboard.com/. As we start the school year, we have 148 class days until the exam; so much effort will be required to be prepared.

Course Requirements Concurrent enrollment in Chemistry AP Laboratory and recommendation of previous science teacher is a requirement for this class. You need to practice safe lab practices to maintain enrollment in both the lab and lecture course.

Course Components This is a one-year college level chemistry course. This course will be extremely demanding and requires serious student commitment and dedication. This class will primarily have lecture/demonstration format. Students will meet twice a week in the laboratory. We will cover approximately 18 chapters prior to the May AP Exam and another 2 afterwards. In recent years, one in five AP chemistry students have decided to change to the regular chemistry course early in the semester. This is a challenging course that requires dedicated effort that many students involved in many interests and other challenging courses find less important.

Successful completion of this class will require that you have effective study habits. Success in this course depends on you understanding chemistry which is achieved by doing the homework, doing well on exams and quizzes, developing effective study/support groups, and asking questions. These practices will ensure success in this course and will enhance your chances of doing well on the AP test.

On-Line Text Book Go to website http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_brown_chemistry_9/1,4647,169060,.html Use pulldown “Jump To” bar to select desired chapter Select “echapter” from bottom of left side bar Use pull down “Select Location” to find desired section of textbook. Select “Online Text” - from top right hand side of page. Ms. Fox can show you how to access the early chapters of your textbook

Teacher Ms. Karen Fox – Can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. I do not check phone mail so please have your student tell me if you wish for me to call you. My class schedule is: Period Course Room 1st Physics C-110 2nd Chemistry AP C-122 3rd Chemistry AP C-122 4th Planning C-124 5th Chemistry AP C-122 6th Chemistry Lab AP C-122 Students needing to discuss the class or to obtain additional help can arrange a mutually convenient time before school, during lunch, or after 6th hour many days. I am very pleased to be here and am happy that you have chosen to take this class. I hope you will join me in my fascination of chemistry. Assessment and Grading Procedures Grading will be a straight 10% scale. 93% and higher = A, 92.9%-90% = A-, 89.9%-87% = B+, 86.9%-83% = B, 82.9%- 80% = B- etc….. A student’s marking period grade will be based on what percentage of the possible points they earn on all labs, homework, tests, quizzes, weekly reviews, and projects. Each semester there will be a final exam worth 20% of the semester grade. The lab grade will be incorporated into the course grade, regardless of which lab teacher you have. Late assignments will not be accepted. Each student will receive one personalized coupon for allowing him or her to turn in one assignment late each semester. If they lose the coupon, no substitutions may be made. If unused, the coupon may be redeemed for extra credit on the final. If you are in the building the day an assignment is due, you are expected to turn the assignment in. Assignments can be given to the general office to place in my mailbox. Following any excused absence, make-up quizzes and tests may be short answer, assay, and problem format. All makeup tests must be taken during lunch in C-122 within a week of the original exam or you will receive a zero for the grade. All tests taken will require use a non-programmable calculator. Lab classes meet regularly 6th and 7th hours. Most weeks, you will have lab twice a week. At the beginning of the year, your lab period will be designated, usually either Tuesday-Thursday or Wednesday-Friday. Students are expected to come to lab class on time, and prepared to work efficiently. Make-up labs need to be scheduled and involve your lab partner(s). Make-ups will generally occur on Mondays during your normal lab period. Lab Reports will generally be due on the Thursday of the week after a lab has been completed. Early in the school year, Weekly Reviews will be assigned and collected. These will provide an ongoing cumulative, ongoing review, which will aid the student preparing both for the semester final and the AP Exam. Expectations  Please let me know in class if you want to see  Attendance is very important for your success in me for extra help or any other reason. this course. Per the Pioneer Attendance Policy, you will receive a 2% reduction in grade for  There is an expectation that you have every unexcused absence. Every third tardy successfully completed either AC Physical will result in a reduction in the final quarterly Science or a 1st year chemistry course prior to grade of 2%. enrolling in AP Chemistry at Pioneer High School. It is expected that you have a good  When you are absent, it is your responsibility to grasp of general chemistry from these previous determine what you have missed. You will experiences. Material from these classes will be have as many days as you were absent to finish used as a basis in this class. any make-up work. Make-up work will only be accepted on excused absences.  This course is run to prepare you and your classmates to be successful in taking the AP  There will be a seating chart that will be used Chemistry exam. It will be very fast paced with early in the year until I get to know everyone. much emphasis on practicing the concepts You must sit in this seat whenever there is a necessary to learn the material in a typical substitute teacher. college level chemistry course. If individual  Calculators are not required but are very help is necessary to have you grasp material that convenient. They may be used on exams. All others have learned, we will schedule time to tests taken will require using a non- meet individually to help you get back on track. programmable calculator.  I expect you to be respectful of your classmates,  NO CELL PHONES heard or visible during and your instructor. I expect you to treat class. If I see a cell phone out on the day of an yourself, the room, and equipment with care and exam, regardless of the status of your test, you in a safe manner. will receive a ZERO on the exam. Cell phones  I expect that you have selected to be in this will be collected and given to the class course and anticipate that you will come to class principal. prepared, on time, and with a positive attitude.  I expect you to have approximately an hour of  I expect you to leave the classroom and lab homework per night. clean.  I hope at the year-end that you will share my  I expect you to follow all directions, safety fascination with chemistry. rules, and practice good housekeeping. If not,  You and your parent/guardian must sign and you will be removed from the class/lab and return the Syllabus and laboratory Safety receive a zero on any activities for that day. Requirements form prior to the first lab.  Replacement documents will cost $0.25.