Course Syllabus

421 Chemistry 10 H Course Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Robin                                              Contact: robinj@wellesleyps.org

 

Course Description: (taken from the Program of Studies)

 

Chemistry at the Honors level is the course that will prepare students interested in taking Advanced Placement Chemistry.  It is an investigation of the theoretical and quantitative aspects of chemistry including chemical bonding, atomic structure, stoichiometry, periodicity, kinetics, and equilibrium.  This course is for self-motivated, independent learners who have shown success with mathematics and high order critical thinking.  Teacher support and class time are focused on development of advanced concepts and skills.  Students are expected to master a conceptual understanding of the behavior of matter at the atomic level, and use this understanding to make predictions and interpret data.  Concepts and ideas are presented through class discussion, readings, demonstrations, and laboratory experiments.  Strong algebraic skills and ability to use quantitative reasoning are expected of all students.  Towards the end of the year, all students are required to complete a group research project.  Nightly homework and readings focus on reviewing and expanding class concepts, problem solving, and preparation for the new material the following day.

 

Course Website:  On Canvas.  All assignments and due dates will be posted on the Canvas calendar.

 

Required Course Materials:

 

Three Ring Binder: All handouts and notes should be kept organized in a 2” or 2 ½” three ring binder, with a clear front pocket, to be used specifically for this class. 

 

Scientific Calculator: Chemistry contains a great deal of mathematical calculations.  You should bring a scientific calculator to every class.  Since phones are not allowed to be used in the laboratory, the calculators on your phones are not an option.

 

Closed-Toe Shoes: Required for double block laboratory periods for safety.  Leave a pair in your locker if necessary. 

 

Textbook:  You will be provided with the textbook Chemistry: Matter and Change.  You will also be given access to an online version of this text.  At the end of the year, you are responsible for turning the textbook back in.  If lost, you must hand in a check for $100 made payable to Wellesley Public Schools in order to receive your grade in this course.

 

Cell Phones: Phones can often become a distraction to a successful learning environment and are strictly off limits during class time.  They are never to be used as a substitute for a calculator in this class.  Please refer to the cell phone agreement on the last page.          

The entire Chemistry Department will be joining the semester pilot this year.             Each semester grade will be assessed as follows:

 

Tests and Quizzes_______________________________70%

Expect about one unit test per month.  You will be given learning objectives that you are responsible for knowing in each unit to help you prepare.

Labs, Activities and Projects___________________30%

Completed lab reports and class activities will be collected on the day of the lab or the next day that the class meets, depending on the lab/activity depth.  Each lab partner must turn in an individual lab report unless stated otherwise.  Labs can be turned in late for partial credit until the day of the exam on that unit.  Labs turned in after this point will not receive any credit.

 

Each Semester will have a Semester Final Cumulative Exam.

 

Each Semester is worth 50% of your grade in the course.

 

You are responsible for checking your grade often, for any discrepancies, on PowerSchool.

 

Tardiness:

 

If you arrive to class after the bell rings, you will receive an unexcused tardy.  Being unexcused tardy three times will lead to a class cut.  However, if you are more than 10 minutes late to class, you will receive an unexcused tardy, which, according to school policy, will automatically count as a class cut.  Double block lab periods for this class start promptly at 7:30 AM.  At this time, traffic can be heavy in the circle; this is not a valid excuse for tardiness.  We will usually take a short break during double block; you will be marked tardy if you do not return to class by the designated time.

 

Missing Class:

 

If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to check for what you missed as well as hand in any material that was due the day you were absent! Check the calendar on Canvas!

 

Extra Help:

 

I am willing to meet whenever we are both mutually available, whether after or during the school day.  Please come speak with me to set up a time.  Outside of our classroom, I can usually be found in the Science Office, Room 358, by the library.