Advanced Placement Chemistry s1

Advanced Placement Chemistry

Northern Highlands High School

Allendale, NJ 07401

Course Description:

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a mathematically intensive second year course that emphasizes problem solving approaches to topics. Areas of study include thermodynamics, atomic theory, chemical bonding and molecular geometry, kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base theory, nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, and organic nomenclature. Students are expected to take the AP examination upon the conclusion of the course.

Prerequisites:

A minimum grade of B in Honors Chemistry/Lab, as well as a strong mathematics background. A summer assignment is required. Suggested co-requisite: Honors Analytic Geometry/Pre-Calculus.

Core Curriculum Standards Addressed In This Course:

Grading Procedure

Grades for the class will be determined using a total points system. Questions about individual grades can be discussed either before or after the designated class period(s).

While there may be exceptions for specific assignments, typical point values for assignments are shown below:

Tests………………………………………..100 pts

Quizzes……………………………………..20-60 pts

Projects……………………………………..40-60 pts

Labs………………………………………...30 pts

Homework………………………………….5-25 pts

Summer Assignment

The summer assignment has two components; work from the text book and the on-line multiple choice quiz found on Quia. This assignment is due at the end of the first week of school, and will be counted as the first test grade of the year.

Homework

Presentation Problems

Student lab groups will double as student presentation groups. More learning occurs during a presentation and explanation process than by sitting and absorbing. Therefore, each presentation group will be assigned a set of problems per marking quarter. These problems will be presented on a scheduled date and be graded out of 25 points for completion, thought process, and explanation (clarity).

End of Chapter Problems (EOC’s)

Problems found at the end of the chapter will be assigned routinely for homework. On the due date, one problem from the set will be selected to be “problem of the day.” This problem will be copied from the notebook and turned in for a grade. The problem of the day is worth 5 points; based upon accuracy and completeness.

Work Over School Breaks

We are expected to cover the ENTIRE textbook before the AP Chem Examination. This requirement necessitates the assignment of topics for independent study over the course of select school breaks.

Extra Help

Extra help will be available before school on Wednesday and Friday from 7:15 - 7:30 am and after school from 2:36 - 3:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. As a courtesy, please let me know when you plan on coming in to avoid any scheduling conflicts.

Dinner and Some Chemistry Homework

Students are invited to return to school from 4:30-6:30 pm on the Wednesday preceding each unit exam for a pot-luck dinner and review session. Questions to homework problems and other issues will be discussed at this point.

Extra Curricular Opportunities

These are not required, but typically fun opportunities available to you this year.

(there may be more as I find out about them)

Science League - Events and practices are held on Thursdays from December - April. Free Snacks!

NJ Chemistry Olympics - Lab-based competition and field trip in May.

Merk State Science Day Test – A chance to show off your smarts and potentially win a free awards dinner.

Chemistry Olympiad- A chance to qualify for the national team and international travel.

Contact Information:

Telephone- (201) 327-8700 x317

E-mail -