Enrico Fermi High School (Enfield, CT)

Enrico Fermi High School (Enfield, CT) Advanced Chemistry (Course # 297) – Course Expectations 15-16

UCONN CHEM1127Q-811L General Chemistry 1 (Fall, 4 credits) & CHEM1128Q-810L Gen Chem 2 (Spring, 4 credits)

Mr. Schultz (Room B214), 763-8800 x760-6774, [email protected]

TEXT BOOK  Masterton, W. L. & Hurley, Cecile N., Chemistry: Principles and Reactions. 6th Ed. 2009

GOAL - Provide an in depth knowledge of 1st year college chemistry, leading to receiving UCONN credit.

Alignments with EFHS’s Mission Statement & Expectations: emphasis on problem solving (dimensional analysis & calculations), chemical knowledge so students understand and can be productive members of the complex technological society we live in, and the use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of data.

UCONN Course Description - Designed to provide a foundation for more advanced courses in chemistry. Atomic theory; laws and theories concerning the physical and chemical behavior of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions. Properties of some of the more familiar elements and their compounds. Quantitative measurements illustrating the laws of chemical combination in the first semester lab. Equilibrium in solutions and qualitative reactions of the common cations & anions in the second semester lab.

Course Details

1) The course is difficult and fast paced. You need to keep up daily. If you do not understand a topic, ask me right away, before it snow-balls into real trouble.

2) In particular, to begin the year you need to memorize the names and formulas of many substances. If you do not learn them, you will be unable to do problems all year. And research on the brain and learning shows that you only have so many available spots in working memory, and you need these working memory spots to solve problems. The names and formulas need to be in long term memory.

3) Mathematical problem solving techniques and processes are emphasized throughout the course. In particular, we use the unit conversion method (dimensional analysis, factor label method, unit analysis, etc). If you have problems with math skills, please see me and we will get you whatever help is needed.

4) A hands-on LAB is performed pretty much every week. Labs are due two days after we complete them.

5) Partner activities are used to allow learning from each other & seeing different presentations of topics.

6) QUIZZES – There will be a quiz each Friday, even if I do not announce it. Chapter quizzes will be given, and then the large UCONN tests will cover 2 – 3 chapters.

7) READING – You should read each Chapter even if I do not specifically assign it.

8) ACADEMIC INTEGRITY – While we will often work with partners, our goal is to help each learn. Never should 1 student do the work and another copy it. That is not group work. Also, cell phones may never be used during tests and quizzes, not even as a calculator.

9) Students are welcome to stay in my room during their 2nd Period study halls to do work and get help. 10) HOMEWORK will be assigned most days and be due the next day. Completion of homework is a must to perform well in this class. Putting in the extra effort to look at examples, read the book, & check the web-sites may be required to get homework done.

Homework grading will be scored 0 – 2, based on completeness. The overall homework grade will be a percent of the total homework points. If you did not complete the homework, I will give you part of the missed points if you complete it (even by writing down the solutions as we go over them in class). Even numbered problems, whose answers are in the back of the book, will be assigned. In addition, the syllabus lists UCONN and Textbook problems that should be completed for extra practice and review. Their solutions are on the Internet. Links are on my website.

Some of the time, we will use an on-line homework system called OWL. It gives immediate feedback and assistance if you cannot do a problem correctly the 1st time. Sometimes you will receive no credit until the problem is correct. I get immediate reports on the completion and quality of your work.

11) Additional Resources - Numerous internet resources exist to assist in learning chemistry. Links to many are provided at my website. Use of the UCONN site requires a UCONN issued ID & password, which you should have been provided.

12) SAFETY - The main concern in labs is SAFETY. If a student violates any guidelines of the LAB SAFETY CONTRACT the student will not be allowed to complete the lab and will receive a ZERO.

13) SHOWING WORK – In ALL cases, ALL work must be shown to receive full credit for a problem. This is for your benefit because it allows you to identify, understand, and learn from mistakes. In addition, the process of dimensional analysis works best when the units can be clearly followed through out the problem.

14) FERMI GRADING – Grades are based on the following:  Fermi Tests/Quizzes (40%) – Chapter Tests & Weekly Quizzes  UCONN Tests (25%) – 2+ periods long, cover 2 - 3 chapters, very challenging  Labs (25%) – Weekly, most just fill in data & answer questions. A couple require full reports.  Homework (10%) – as noted above

15) UCONN Grades may differ from tour Fermi grade & will be determined by whichever plan below provides a better grade. Plan 1 Plan 2 3 UCONN Tests 45% 25% UCONN Final 25% 45% UCONN Labs 15% 15% Fermi Tests/Quiz/HW/Labs 15% 15%

16) ABSENCES – When you return from an absence, check with me. It is your responsibility to see me to obtain any missed assignments. You are responsible for getting any notes you missed.

17) EXTRA HELP – I’m in B214 or the office behind it before and after school and 4th Period. On Mon, Tues, Wed I have Hall Duty 6th Period, so I can provide help then if you find me. 2nd Period on Friday you all have Study Hall and that is pretty much an Advanced Chem study hall every week. I will be available for help and you are always welcome. If these do not work, please let me know.