Chemistry

Mr. Border Period 6 2006-2007 Room 154

Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students of an entry-level college chemistry course. The focus will be on general inorganic chemistry with an emphasis on experimentation and the development of safe laboratory techniques. Each student will be provided the opportunity to develop their study skills with the weekly homework assignments, experiments (guided and individual investigations), and quizzes. Hour exams will be given approximately every three to four weeks.
The first semester will focus on chemical formulas, equations, and stoichiometry. The behavior of ideal gasses will also be introduced. The second semester will investigate the atomic theory, chemical bonding, and solution chemistry emphasizing acid/base reactions and electrochemistry.
Scientific methodology will be employed in experimental and analytical investigations, and concepts will be illustrated with practical applications.

Grading
Quarter grades will be based on the following assessments:

Daily Work/Assignments 20%
Laboratory Reports/Lab Quiz 40%
Unit Projects/Presentations 10%
Section Quizzes 30%

Semester grades will be calculated based on quarter grades and a semester final exam:

Quarter 1 40%
Quarter 2 40%
Semester Final Exam 20%

Daily Work/Assignments
Throughout each unit are non-lab activities and calculations that will be assigned as needed to increase students understanding of topics covered. These will be graded by the instructor on a scale of 0 - 10 based on correctness and completion.

Laboratory Reports
Students will work in groups to investigate chemical concepts in the lab. Students must pass the pre-lab quiz with a score of 80% in order to be able to do the lab. Labs will be graded based on a scoring guide to be passed out at the start of the first lab. If, a student misses a lab because of an excused absence, that student will be responsible for making up that lab at the next scheduled lab makeup. Labs can be made up after school by arrangement. Labs cannot be made up ahead of time.

Unit Project/Presentations
Each unit in the textbook focuses on a particular issue in which chemistry plays a large role. At the end of each unit, students will be expected to summarize their learning through some type of project or presentation. Specifics of each end of unit project and scoring guides will be made available to students at the start of each assignment.

Quizzes
Quizzes should be an opportunity for students to confirm their knowledge, which they have already demonstrated on their homework assignments, in lab, and in their projects. Quizzes will be given at the end of each section. Each quiz will be scored on a 100% basis. Students who receive less than 70% on a quiz are strongly encouraged to re-take the quiz. However, the maximum credit a student may receive for a retake is 70%. Arrangements for a retake must be made the day the quiz is returned to the student. If you are absent from class the day of a quiz, it is your responsibility to schedule a time to take the quiz as soon as possible.

Attitudes/Attitudes
In addition to standard classroom behaviour, students are also expected to follow all safety guidelines while in the Lab. Students who fail to follow the Lab rules will be subject to consequences which could include, but will not be limited to: a reduction in the lab grade, dismissal from that particular lab (resulting in a 0 on that lab), or a referral to the office.