ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
CHEMISTRY I HONORS
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Honors
Chemistry is a college preparatory course in which the student receives an
introduction to fundamental chemical theory as a foundation for the study of
the more important elements and their compounds. An emphasis on modern chemical theory and its practical
application demand a closely correlated laboratory program. This course is intended to stimulate and challenge
the talented student who plans to be a science or engineering major in
college. The student must have an
excellent mathematical background and is expected to continue in science
courses. Honors chemistry emphasizes
the fundamental unifying concepts of chemistry and is based on
experimentation. This experimentation
should enable the student to discover concepts and to better understand how the
scientific enterprise moves forward.
The
specific objectives of this course are to:
• Give the student a general
knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry in preparation for college
chemistry. This is to include the following:
1. An understanding of theories and
technical terminology.
2. A development of laboratory
techniques.
3. A development of skills in:
a. Chemical bonding
b. Ionization
c. Atomic structure and
configuration
d. Principles of chemical reactions
e. Periodic table and properties of
elements
f. Solutions and their
concentrations
g. Elementary organic chemistry
h. Basic qualitative analysis
• Help the student understand
relationships between theory and practice.
• Help the student develop a logical
reasoning process by which problems can be solved.
• Extension of the material in depth
rather than scope.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry is
the study of the composition and behavior of matter. This study involves
laboratory investigations of the changes that take place in matter and the
causes of these changes. It is the function of chemistry to organize the
observations of both common and planned experiences into useable sets of
theories. Chemistry is a laboratory oriented course which includes observation
of natural phenomena, terms, basic concepts, models and theories.
This course
should develop the student's understanding of:
1.
The
methods and techniques used by chemists in their work.
2.
The
relationship of molecular structure of a substance to the chemical behavior of
that substance.
3.
The
application of chemical principles and concepts that are relevant to both
familiar situations.
4.
The
magnitude and effect of errors in laboratory measurements.
The laboratory
program is used as a method of inquiry into the topics discussed and not merely
as a confirmatory exercise. The students should do individual work in
performing chemical tests, manipulating laboratory apparatus, making
observations of chemical change, and reporting experimental results. Laboratory
experiences are the heart of chemistry, but they should be strongly supported
by the quantitative problem work. The majority of these problems should be of
the type which require reasoning from a chemical concept rather than numerical
substitution into an algebraic equation.
This course provides a more mature presentation of
chemical science content and more extensive individual laboratory experiences
that the regular class. The topics treated in this program are treated with
considerable depth.
COURSE OUTLINE
THEME: The properties of matter
are a consequence of its structure.
1. Science of Chemistry
2. Organization of Chemistry
3. Chemical Formulas and Equations
4. Phases of Matter
5. Solutions
6. Chemical Reactions
7. Nuclear Chemistry
8. Carbon and Its Compounds
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Each
student will abide by those rules and regulations found in the St. Joseph High
School Student Handbook, including the grading policy and late/make-up
rules. In addition to the handbook
rules and regulations, the following additional rules and regulations apply to
this class:
Classroom Rules:
1. Be in class on time. Once you arrive, be seated in your assigned
location and remain there.
If
you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you will be considered tardy.
No loitering is permitted in the room or the hallway. You must
make your drink and restroom stops during the between class breaks.
Upon being seated, prepare to take
part in the assignments for the day.
2. You must arrive for class prepared
with all of the necessary daily supplies to carry on class work.
Your required daily supplies
include: your covered textbook, a pen, a pencil, clean loose-leaf
notebook paper,
and any other supplies the teacher has
indicated are necessary for that day's class work.
3. Always display proper and courteous
conduct at all times, and give due respect to each of your classmates. Cooperation is a must!
4. Papers you submit for class must be
properly prepared to receive credit.
Assignments may be typed if you
like.
Handwritten papers must be neat and
in ink, unless specified otherwise. The
ink color should be black or blue.
For assignments use only clean,
loose-leaf notebook paper. Grammar and
penmanship are necessary in this class.
5. Food and drinks are NOT
permitted in this class.
Use your talents in this course in such a manner that it
truly reflects your capabilities and honesty. In addition to the rules and
regulations listed on this page, you will be given a supplemental set of
laboratory safety rules and regulations that will be in effect, along with
these, during laboratory time.
Consequences:
1st Offense – Warning
2nd Offense – Warning, parents contacted
3rd Offense – go to the Dean of Students
GRADING PROCEDURE
Course
Grades:
The assessment of a student’s learning during the classroom
portion of this course may consist of formal tests, lab reports, problems,
study questions, vocabulary, and pop quizzes. For each grading period, all
grades will be of equal value and the student’s average will be derived by
adding together all grades and dividing by the total number of grades.
Laboratory
Grades:
The laboratory
portion of this course constitutes a major part of the study program. Consequently, laboratory grades will be
derived in a manner that reflects actual laboratory activities. Lab reports will be prepared for each
assignment so that the student understands the principles and his/her progress
may be checked regularly. In addition
to the lab report, there will be an assessment of laboratory techniques and
knowledge gained by the student. The
lab reports will be prepared in the manner required by the instructor. The
assessment of techniques will be teacher observations during the laboratory
time as to whether the student worked/did not work, or demonstrated knowledge
of the procedure provided by the instructor.
The assessment of knowledge may include any of the following: (1) a test
before or at the beginning of the lab, (2) a verbal quiz by the teacher of each
student during the lab work time, (3) a test or lab practical the day the lab
report is turned in.
GENERAL RULES FOR ASSIGNMENTS
Study Questions/Problems
Assignments:
Makeup/Late Work:
The makeup policy is
that the student will have one day for each day absent to make up missed
assignments. It is the responsibility of
the student to get a list of any work missed while absent immediately upon
their return. Failure to make up missed work will result in a zero being
recorded for that assignment. Clearly mark any make up work “Makeup” before
turning it into the teacher. Late work will be accepted up to one week (5
school days) after the assignment is due, if there is time in the semester.
There will be a ten (10) point penalty per day for late work.
Homework and other class
related information will be posted at: http://schoolnotes.com/77901/jmoore1.html
throughout the school year.
If you have any problems with the
work given in this class, please feel free at any time to ask me for help. I
will be available daily before school for additional tutoring. Tutorials after
school will be arranged by appointment.
INSTRUCTOR:
Mr. Jim Moore
ROOM: Welder Hall, Room 4
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