NOTE:  AP Chemistry is a college level course.

1.1    Textbook- Your text is Chemistry by Masterton/Hurley. Since your text is frequently needed for reference, bring it to class each day.  In addition there is a Study Guide which you may use without writing in it . You need to ask for this if you want one.  If you are having problems do ask!

1.2    Notebook- A separate notebook for AP Chemistry should be used for recording lecture notes, important formulas, frequently used constants and common equations.

1.3    Three-ring Binder (for handouts) -Since some colleges require laboratory records for advanced placement, lab handouts and reports should be placed in a separate lab folder I will supply.  These will be left in the room after grading.  Other class handouts could be stored in the binder.

1.4    Calculator- A good scientific calculator is needed for a problem-solving course.  Bring your calculator to class with you. You can use the calculators in the room on test or your non-graphing calculator but you may not use graphing calculators on test, sorry.

1.5    Pens/Pencils, Etc. - A good supply of notebook paper, graph paper and writing utensils is a must for any serious student.  NOTE: Only blue or black ink or a #2 pencil is acceptable for written work that you intend on presenting for evaluation.

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2.1    Course Objectives- A general statement of our goals for AP Chemistry students as suggested by The College Board's AP course description.  A list of objectives appears after 5.0 in this hand-out.

2.2    Course Outline- A brief description of the material to be covered (includes order of presentation and text references).

2.3    Unit Objectives- Each unit of study is based on specific objectives.  Evaluation materials are designed to measure your understanding of these objectives.  AP homework assignment sheets include a list of readings, exercises IN the chapter, problems at the END of the chapter, and labs to aid your study of unit materials. The dates these are due are on the sheet. Do NOT save them for the end of the chapter, do them on the day they are assigned.
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3.1    Reading- You are responsible for reading assigned sections of your textbook.  On occasion, you may also be asked to read sections from other textbooks articles or handouts.

3.2    Lecture Notes- Lectures will frequently clarify or enhance the assigned reading.  Materials presented will appear on quizzes and tests.  Take notes and review them often. There will be a number of notes handed out during the year. Save these in your binder

3.3    Problem Sets- For each unit, exercises in the chapter and problems at the end of the chapter will be assigned.  Again do these the day they are assigned.  Problem/exercises sets will be graded or quizzed on.  (10% of your grade on each unit will be from problem sets)

3.4    Quiz Sets- Short quizzes may be given to measure your daily class participation.

3.5    Laboratory- Each unit will try to include at least one lab activity.  A formal lab report will not be turned in for every evaluation, however unless told otherwise assume I want the full formal report.  Each person does their own lab write up-- see lab report sheet [GO TO LAB WRITE UP STUFF].

3.6    Tests- Exams in AP Chemistry are designed to help prepare you for college exams as well as evaluate your class achievement.  Tests are largely problem-solving questions and short essays.  Some tests may include multiple choice items.  Be prepared for college level questions.  (Your exam grade is 40% - 60% of the unit grade.)

3.7    Other Assignments- Occasionally you may be asked to complete written assignments not previously listed.  These may include oral or written reports, article reviews, special problems, etc.  Some may be required while others are voluntary.
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4.1    Scale- AP Chemistry is a weighted grade course.  Grades will be calculated on a total point system.  Your percentage of total points will determine your letter grade using the following scale:

A = 90 - 100%
B = 80 -89%
C = 70 -79%
D  = 60 - 69%
F  = 59% or less

Quizzes - missed quiz may be harder.

Labs- make-up is ASAP after school, before school, or at lunch or study hall. Materials available for 1 week only.  You must tell before you can come in to make up the lab, do not assume I sleep here!.

Field Trip- material/test not completed due to your participation in a field trip is due the day you return.  If you go on a field trip, band trip, etc. you must get the assignment in advance.  All work is due the day you get back.  If a test is scheduled the day you return you must take it.  If you miss a test due to a field trip, etc. you must take it the next day during the school day on your own time (such as study hall or perhaps from the class whose trip you were on), not class time or my time after school.  The above holds for labs also.  I will not beg you to make up work missed by being absent or on a field trip.  You must take the responsibility to see it is done and I check it.

Plan your time well.  No additional time will be given if you "did not have time to finish."

4.3    Late Work- In general, a 25% deduction will be made for each day an assignment is late, except homework where I do not take late work.  Once an assignment has been returned to your classmates, late work is worth only 50% of its original value.  Assignments more than five days late will not be accepted.

4.4    Prolonged Absence- If you are absent for three or more consecutive days, special arrangements may be made for completing missing work.

4.5    Semester Grade/Final Exam- At the end of each semester you will take a comprehensive final exam - 20% of your semester grade.  The final will not raise or lower your daily average more than one letter grade.  Final exams may be multiple choice.
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At this level in your educational career, it is assumed that you understand those behaviors that are acceptable in the classroom situation.  Behavior that is unacceptable will result in appropriate disciplinary action.  Expect school policies and procedures to be enforced.  Your help and cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

You will receive "weekly points" provided you are on time, work as directed in class and lab, wear your goggles, act in a reasonable manner, and don't use locker passes.  If you are late you will have a detention in addition to losing points, you will come in and clean my overhead, thanks.

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Your success in this class rests on YOU.  Your ability and WILLINGNESS to learn and apply concepts covered.  Assignments are designed to enable you to accomplish this.  DO THEM THE DAY ASSIGNED!!!  I expect you to do some homework every night.  Time on task is very important in a science course.  You can't cram a chapters worth of Chemistry in your head in one night!  If you have problems ask questions in class, in study hall (lower resource center will have people to help you, see me for times), before or after school.
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1.    To build upon and to improve understanding of fundamental concepts of physical science
       (Chemistry/physics).

2.    To contribute to the development of the student's abilities to think and to express
        his/her ideas, orally and in writing, with clarity and logic.

3.    To improve problem-solving ability and to provide rigorous practice in application of
        mathematical principles.

4.    To provide laboratory experiences in which students use quantitative data to make
        calculations and to interpret results.

5.    To provide an opportunity for students to receive college credit by taking the
        Advanced Placement Examination.

6.    To promote understanding and appreciation of the importance of science in
        today's world.

7.    To prepare students for further study in the sciences.

 

Maintained by: Chris Weilemann Lee Marek