BarrenCountyHigh School

Course Syllabus

HONORS CHEMISTRY(WKU CHEM 105/106)

fall 2012

INSTRUCTOR – William Fant

CONTACT INFORMATION -

Email –

School phone – 270-651-6315

Planning time – fall semester – 1st block (8:00 – 9:30)

COURSE DESCRIPTION –

This course is a college level introduction to general chemistry. The class can be taken to earn dual credit (high school and college) for a $220.00 fee to WesternKentuckyUniversityOR solely as required coursework at BCHS. This course is also a pre-requisite for students who wish to enroll in WKU CHEM 107/108 and/or AP CHEMISTRY.

***More information concerning dual-credit is provided in the

WKU SPAN CHEMISTRY PROGRAM handout***

Chemical calculations are a major focus of this course. Attention should be given to significant figures, precision of measured values, and the use of logarithmic and exponential relationships. Critical analysis of the reasonableness of results is expected of the students.

PREREQUISITES-

Integrated Science

Honors Biology

MATERIALS NEEDED-

notebook

scientific calculator

3-ring binder

CLASS SCHEDULE/TIME-

This class will meet for a 90 minute block each day for the entire semester (18 weeks). One to two days each week will be devoted to laboratory work and experimentation.

Students in a college chemistry course should expect to spend at least five hours a week in individual study outside of the classroom.

INTERNET COMPONENT –

There will be frequent coursework to be completed online outside of scheduled class time. These are required assignments, if you do not have internet access at home arrangements will need to be made to use computers after school (in the school library, science department) or the public library.

TEXT- (provided)

Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry by Hein, Best, Pattison and Arena, 9th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2009.

COURSE OUTLINE-

Topic 1: An Introduction to Chemistry

Topic 2: Standards for Measurement

Topic 3: Classification of Matter

Topic 4: Properties of Matter

Topic 5: Early Atomic Theory and Structure

Topic 6: Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds

Topic 7: Quantitative Composition of Compounds

Topic 8: Chemical Equations

Topic 9: Calculations from Chemical Equations

Topic 10: Modern Atomic Theory and the Periodic Table

Topic 11: Chemical Bonds: The Formation of Compounds from Atoms

Topic 12: The Gaseous State of Matter

Topic 13: Properties of Liquids

Topic 14: Solutions

LABATORY GOALS –

All labs will be required activities that will be scheduled in advance. Students should

expect to spend one to two 90 minute blocks each week working in the laboratory.

Labs will exhibit the following components:

Safety – proper handling of chemicals and equipment

Physical Manipulations – proper use of equipment

Processes and Procedures – becoming familiar with general types of chemical laboratory work

Observations and Data Manipulation – using equipment to make accurate measurements, calculations are made from data expressed using correct significant digits

Communication, Group Collaboration, and the Laboratory Record – students are expected to work together with a partner tocollect, process and manipulate data and to developaformal report* of your conclusions.

*explanation of lab report components and scoring will be provided on separate document

AFTER SCHOOL-

I will be available to help students with questions/problems and for make-up work on most afternoons from 3:00 – 4:00. Please schedule with me in advance.

ONLINE RESOURCES-

My teacher website @ for class information, announcements,assignments, files, links and images.

“Follow” bchsapchemistry on twitter keep up with important information and dates.

GRADING PROCEDURE-

Grades will be determined using a “point system” in which all graded work will be

assigned a point value. The individual student’s average will be determined using the

scalebelow:

Exams – 40% (timed,chapter/unit exams)

Labs – 20% (reports and quizzes)

Quizzes – 30% (timed,announced and un-announced formative assessments)

Homework/Class work – 10%(online problems & other)

STUDENT WORK -

Full credit is awarded only for work that is submitted on-time.

Work will be accepted up to ONE DAY LATE with a 50% penalty.

CLASSROOM RULES-

Be Prompt – Students should be in the room, seated, and quiet at the class bell.

Be Polite – Students will exhibit behavior that is respectful to the others in the classroom.

Only the teacher will dismiss the class at the end of the period.

Be Prepared – Students must bring all required materials (textbook, pencil, paper,

calculator, notebook, and any assignments due) to the class every day.

Be Dependable – Students are responsible for completing all assignments missed due to

absence.

Be Careful – Students are not to tamper with lab equipment or be in the lab area except

during lab experiments.

Be Responsible – Students will obey all school rules in the classroom.

DISTRICT POLICIES

Attendance Policy: Students have the same number of days as missed to make up assignments and/ or tests due to an excused absence. (ex. if you miss class on a Monday, you must make up your work on Tuesday) Work may be made up before or after school and must be scheduled with the course instructor.

Semester Test Policy: According to BCHS SBDM policy, all students are required to take semester exams which count as 1/10 of the overall course grade.

Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort. Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or interpretations taken from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course work. Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.

The successful chemistry student will:

1)take good notes

2)study daily (look over notes and complete homework)

3)not only memorize, but UNDERSTAND

The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.

I have read the course syllabus for HONORS CHEMISTRY

(WKU CHEM 105/106) and I understand the expectations and requirements for this course.

Parent Signature ______

Student Signature______