ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL

CHEMISTRY I HONORS

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

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OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

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

Vocabulary Assignments:

  1. Write on only one side of the page.
  2. Number each term.
  3. Define each term, followed by a sentence using the term.
  4. Underline the tern in the definition and in the sentence.

 

Study Questions/Problems Assignments:

  1. Write on only one side of the page.
  2. You do not have to copy the questions.
  3. You do not have to answer in complete sentences.
  4. Show your work on all calculations.
  5. Circle, or box in, all numerical answers.
  6. Use the proper units, as required, for all numerical answers.

Lab Report Assignments:

  1. Write on only one side of the page.
  2. You do not have to copy the questions.
  3. You do have to answer in complete sentences.
  4. Show your work on all calculations.
  5. Circle, or box in, all numerical answers.
  6. Use the proper units, as required, for all numerical answers.
  7. All drawings, including graphs, and labels must be done in pencil.

 

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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