Honors+Chemistry+Syllabus

=Honors Chemistry 10= Mr. Dahlman Room 103 jdahlman@totinograce.org Ext: 701

Course Description
Chemistry is defined as the science that deals with the materials of the universe and the changes that these materials undergo. The field of chemistry is based observation and experimentation, leading to a greater understanding of the nature of matter.

Chemistry is all around us. The food, clothing, building materials, medicines and sources of energy are products of the application of chemical knowledge. Chemistry can also help us understand the causes and possible solutions to the great problems facing our society like global warming, the energy crisis and pollution.

This course will examine the basic chemical principles governing the materials in nature and how these principles affect how materials interact with one another.

Student Responsibilities/Keys to Success
2. Ask Questions 3. Come Prepared 4. Be Respectful**
 * 1. Work Hard


 * I am more than willing to work with you if you feel you need extra help with any concepts presented or homework given in class. I am available before school, during my open periods or after school. All I ask is that you talk with me first to make an appointment.

Course Requirements
Materials: Textbook: Zumdahl, Decoste. Introductory Chemistry, Houghton Mifflin, 6th Ed, 2008. (Covered) Notebook/Three-ring binder Pencils/Pens Scientific Calculator Lab notebook

You are expected to be in class every day. If you know you are going to be absent, it is your responsibility to talk with your teacher and find out what you will miss. For any excused absence, you have two days to make up missing work. No extra time will be given to complete work missed by an unexcused absence.
 * Attendance:**

The answers to the homework are not nearly as important as how you came up with those answers. You are required to show all of your work on anything you turn in. The maximum score on any late assignment is ½ credit. Any assignment turned in after the test which the covers the assignment’s material will receive no credit.
 * Homework:**

Quizzes will be given about once a week, some will be announced, some will be unannounced. Tests will be given at the end of every unit. There will be a final exam at the end of each semester.
 * Quizzes and Exams:**

The laboratory is an essential component of this class, since chemistry is an experimental science. There are two types of experiments that will be done in class, ChemQuestions and labs. ChemQuestions will be worth 20-30 points each and will be handed out and conducted in the same day. Labs will be 50 points each and more in-depth than the ChemQuestions. Labs will be written up in a lab notebook (see separate handout on lab notebooks). There will be 1 lab per unit and 2-4 ChemQuestions per unit. If you hand in a lab or ChemQuestion late, you will lose 25% per day late. That means if an experiment is four or more days late, it’s a zero.
 * Labs and Projects:**

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. Cheating will result in a zero score on the assignment, a call home and any other appropriate penalties according to the student handbook and the school administration. Working together is highly encouraged, but copying papers and turning in identical homework are considered cheating, not working together. Anything you turn in must be a product of your own thought.
 * Academic Dishonesty:**

There are plenty of points available with regular class assignments, so there should be no need for extra credit. There will be __one__ extra credit opportunity per semester, that’s it. Don’t ask for more. There will be a few points extra available on tests and a few assignments, but do not rely on extra credit to boost your grade. Spend your time doing what is assigned and you won’t have to worry about extra credit.
 * Extra Credit Policy:**

Grading:
45% Exams/Quizzes 30% Labs/Projects 10% Homework 15% Final Exam
 * Weighting:**

A > 93.0% A- > 90.0% B+ > 87.0% B > 83.0% B- > 80.0% C+ > 77.0% C > 73.0% C- > 70.0% D+ > 67.0% D > 63.0% D- > 60.0% F < 59.9%
 * Grade Breakdown:**
 * I reserve the right to adjust the grade breakdown based on the performance of the class, but the grade breakdown percentages will never be greater than what they are now.

Other policies and procedures will be introduced as the class progresses.