Course Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Kaczmarek

Email: kaczmareks@wellesleyps.org

Office: 358

Office Hours: Mondays, 2:30-3:05 in Room 436 (if Monday is a holiday office hours move to Tuesday)

CONTACTING ME

If I am not teaching a class, I can often be found in the science office, room 352. The best way to get in touch with me is email (kaczmareks@wellesleyps.org); teachers in the science department do not have individual phones. I check my email daily, but my voicemail rarely. 

Dr. K's Schedule:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Block A	ACP Chem 436			AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437		ACP Chem 436
Block B	ACP Chem 436			AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437		ACP Chem 436
Advisory	436	436	436	436	436	436	436
Block C		ACP Chem 436	ACP Chem 436		ACP Chem 436	ACP Chem 436
Block D	1. lunch	AP Chem 437 1. lunch	AP Chem 437 2. lunch	DR          437 2. lunch	2. lunch	2. lunch	PLC 1. lunch
Block E	AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437		AP Chem 437		AP Chem 437	AP Chem 437
Block F	ACP Chem 436		ACP Chem 436	ACP Chem 436	ACP Chem 436	AP Chem 437	DR 437

Office Hours: Mondays from 2:30 pm - 3:05 pm in room 436 (unless otherwise announced)

 

Instructor's Welcome

Back to School Night Slides

 

Welcome!

Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of a college freshman course in general chemistry. We will cover a broad range of fascinating topics, making the course fun yet very rigorous; it requires a high level of dedication from the students. It is intended as a second-year high school chemistry course, and assumes a thorough mastery of the topics in sophomore chemistry. The curriculum is based on the guidelines of the College Board. For information about the course content, a complete description can be downloaded at the College Board website (www.collegeboard.org).

MATERIALS

Textbook: Chemistry, Zumdahl. Students are expected to read the relevant chapters for each unit as we progress through the year. The cost of a replacement book is $210.

Computer: Laptops are now required for all students in WHS, and this is a computer-friendly class. You will need your laptop for note-taking, writing labs, etc.

Software: You should install the Graphical Analysis program on your laptop. It will allow you to collect data on your computer in lab. 

Calculator: You will need a scientific or graphing calculator every day.

AP Chem review book: While not required, I strongly recommended buying one of the AP Chemistry course preparation books currently on the market by Barron’s, Princeton Review, Kaplan, etc. Each student should select one based upon personal preference. Please buy it at the beginning of the course and use it regularly throughout the year, not just to review before the exam.

Closed-toed shoes: For safety, students must wear closed-toe shoes to every class.  Keep a pair in your locker.

GRADING

Tests/Quizzes (60%). There will be a test/quiz every 2-3 weeks. Test questions will be in the style of AP test questions.

Labs (30%). All laboratory reports must be typed and double-spaced. Due dates will be announced in class and will vary depending on the length of the write-up. Late labs will receive half credit.

Homework (10%). Homework will be assigned almost daily. When none is assigned, students should study the material on their own.

Please note that we do not offer make-up tests, test corrections, or extra credit assignments in AP Chemistry. All grades are calculated using the above percentages.

PROJECT

All students in AP Chemistry must complete a project after the AP exam.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Please review the policies in the student handbook. These policies will be followed in the event of an academic integrity violation.

Occasionally you may be asked to share your lab data with another classmate. Should this occur, DO NOT share your entire lab document with the other student; copy the required data into an email and send it to the other student. If you share your entire lab and the other student copies your work, both you and the other student will be in violation of the academic integrity policy.

GROUP WORK

Most lab assignments and projects will be done in small groups. For these assignments, ALL group members are responsible for ALL parts of the assignment. The entire assignment must be done as a team; do not have different parts of the assignment completed by different group members. "Divide and conquer" leads to a poor-quality product and means that you have only learned the material from the part you completed.

If you feel a group member isn't contributing enough to the work, first talk honestly with that group member. If this doesn't work, tell your instructor as early in the assignment as you can. The instructor will speak with the student and take measures to rectify the situation.

TARDINESS

Lab for this class starts at 7:30 AM. At this time traffic can be heavy; this is not a valid excuse for tardiness. If you have a written excuse for being late, take it to the office before coming to class. If you are late without a written excuse, come directly to class.

MISSING CLASS: If a student misses class for any reason, they must take the initiative to ask a classmate for class notes, announcements, and make up missed work.

SAFETY

You will be handling hazardous chemicals in this class, so it is imperative that the class environment remains calm and quiet. No running, sitting on lab benches, or roughhousing of any kind. Safety glasses must be worn at all times during lab. There will be no food, drink, or gum in lab.

LAB SAFETY GUIDELINES

Wellesley High School

1. Serious, responsible behavior is expected in the laboratory at all times.
2. You are expected to follow all directions given by your instructor at all times.
3. Safety glasses must be worn when work involves toxic chemicals or the possibility of eye contact from material being used. If the instructor informs you that safety glasses are required for this lab, you MUST wear the goggles. Contact lenses are not always allowed since some chemicals which can get stuck behind the lenses cannot be removed easily. Some safety goggles may be worn over prescription glasses.
4. Know the location and understand the usage of the following safety features of the classroom: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, safety shower, eyewash, and emergency exits.
5. Sandals are not permitted in the laboratory. Feet must be completely covered to protect against injury from spilled chemicals or broken glass.
6. Long hair must be tied back to avoid contact with chemicals, flames, and equipment.
7. Eating and drinking are prohibited in the laboratory.
8. Report all accidents and injuries to the instructor immediately.
9. Food is not allowed on the lab benches.
10. Do not return unused portions of chemicals to the reagent bottles. This could contaminate the chemicals. Measure materials carefully and consult instructor on the proper disposal of each chemical.
11. Clean up all spills immediately. Broken glass must be disposed of in the marked container. Always consult your instructor on the proper way to handle cleanup of spills.
12. DO NOT perform any experiments that are not authorized and supervised by the instructor. DO NOT use any equipment in the laboratory for any purpose other than how you have been instructed.
13. Never taste chemicals in the laboratory. When smelling chemicals, “waft” the smell toward you by waving your hand. Do not put your nose directly into the chemical.