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ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY
 
 Instructor: Dr. Dorcas Okor
 
TEXTBOOK:   Chemistry, Steven S. Zumdahl and Susan A. Zumdahl, 5th Edition   (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000)
MATERIALS:   Chemistry, Steven S. Zumdahl and Susan A. Zumdahl, 5th Edition   (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000)
 
Very Important: Textbook and materials MUST be brought to class everyday
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION: AP Chemistry is a second year high school chemistry course designed for students who want to earn college credit while still in high school. The curriculum is consistent and equivalent to a freshman general chemistry course as established by The College Board. Students will be rigorously prepared for the national AP exam usually administered in May.
The exam is 180 minutes long: Section I consists of 75 multiple choice questions (90 minutes, 50%) and section II is made up of free-response questions (95 minutes, 50%). Calculators are only allowed during the first 55 minutes of section II.Emphasis will be placed on understanding of basic concepts, chemical calculations, as well as qualitative and simple quantitative application of principles. The exam is constructed using the following percentages as guideline for question distribution:

  • Structure of Matter – 20
  • States of Matter – 20%
  • Reactions – 35-40%
  • Descriptive Chemistry – 10-15%
  • Laboratory – 5-10%
TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY: AP Chemistry should be an exciting experience for students and an opportunity to acquire college level responsibilities. The content is a little over freshman chemistry with special emphasis on problem-solving, clear critical and analytical thinking. The lab sessions would be considered another opportunity for a hands-on review of concepts taught in theory. Lab activities will focus on understanding of the basic principles of the experiments, proper techniques, accurate observations, data collection and analysis, drawing correct and reasonable inferences, as well as effective communication.
Lab write-ups must follow proper format for reporting laboratory scientific investigations. Each student must maintain a lab notebook throughout the year. Very often colleges and universities ask to see a record of lab work to give freshman credit for AP chemistry. You will design, prepare standard solutions, and carry out some labs with minimal help from me. Working well with others to help one another is an essential part of scientific investigations. Scientists work together to solve problems andScientists are very honest.
 
WORK LOAD: Plan on spending at least 1 hour outside of class for each hour in class. You will have to do practice problems almost every night. “Practice Makes Perfect.” The key to success in this course is Planning, Patience, Persistence, and Practice.
 
Click here to download the "Safety Contract"
 
COURSE OUTLINE
FIRST SEMESTER
Chapter Title Approx. Time
1 & 2 Foundations and Nomenclature 1 day
3 Stoichiometry 2 days
4 Reactions and Solution Stoichiometry 12 days
5 Gases 10 days
6 Thermochemistry 5 days
7 Atomic Structure and Periodicity 10 days
8 Bonding: General Concepts 10 days
9 Covalent Bonding: Orbitals 10 days
10 Liquids and Solids 10 days
11 Properties of Solutions 10 days
22 Organic Chemistry 5 days
 
SECOND SEMESTER
Chapter Title Approx. Time
1 & 2 Foundations and Nomenclature 1 day
3 Stoichiometry 2 days
4 Reactions and Solution Stoichiometry 12 days
5 Gases 10 days
6 Thermochemistry 5 days
7 Atomic Structure and Periodicity 10 days
8 Bonding: General Concepts 10 days
9 Covalent Bonding: Orbitals 10 days
10 Liquids and Solids 10 days
11 Properties of Solutions 10 days
22 Organic Chemistry 5 days
 
**GRADING PROCEDURES
  First Semester Second Semester
Tests 40% 45%
LABS 15% 15%
DAILY GRADES 25% 15%
FINAL EXAM 20% 20%
AP MOCK EXAM   5%
 
SCALE: Consistent with County scale
*These percentages are subject to change by the instructor or county as deemed necessary.
**All science students will have the opportunity to earn up to 5 points on their final average by entering a project in the PHS Science Fair. The fair will be held on _____________, December ____,20____ after regular school hours. Students must attend one of two meetings that will be held on September ________, 20___ to be eligible to enter a project.
 
***REMEMBER: TEN POINTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE FINAL AVERAGE BECAUSE OF THE DEGREE OF DIFICULTY OF THE COURSE.
 
Click here to download the "Safety Contract"

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