AP® Chemistry Syllabus
2015 - 2016
Textbook
Chemistry (AP Edition) (2014), Steven S. Zumdahl and Susan A. Zumdahl, 9th edition,
Brooks/Cole (CENGAGE), Belmont, CA; ISBN 9781133611103
Laboratory Manuals
Advanced Chemistry with Vernier (2004) J. Randall et. al., 1st edition, Vernier Software &
Technology, Beaverton, OR, ISBN 1929075367
AP Experimental Chemistry Lab Manual (2004), Stephen Zumdahl and Susan Zumdahl,
Houghton Milfflin Harcourt Company (CENGAGE), Belmont, CA, ISBN #9781133611493
Class Notebook
It is recommended, but not required, that you have a 1½” or 2” binder to store your notes. All
of the lecture notes are given out prior to the start of the chapter. Moreover, it is also a good
idea to have a 1-subject notebook to take additional notes in.
Course Description
Material is covered very rapidly in this course. Typically, each class session will begin
with students working and explaining previously assigned homework problems on the
white board. New material is then presented using PowerPoint slides. Each student will
be issued power point notes at the beginning of each chapter. In addition, the power point
slides may be available on the school website for out-of-class inspection.
Laboratory practice is an integral part of this course. Most lab reports will be a worksheet that
each individual student hands in. This worksheet will include hypothesis, data, discussion
questions and conclusion. The Guided-Inquiry lab reports will be a single group lab handed in
that includes the same as above in addition to a detailed, step-by-step procedure. Each lab
group will be required to make 1 presentation of a lab, in lieu of the formal lab report, during
the year. This presentation can be by poster, powerpoint, or other pre-approved creative
format.
Assessment
Reflecting the “test preparation” nature of the course, marking period grades will weight
tests heavily. The evaluation and percentage are given below:
Tests: 65%
‘Do Now’ Quizzes: 10%
Laboratory Reports: 10%
On-line Assignments: 10%
Class Participation: 5%
No extra credit projects will be available; however, an extra credit question will appear on most
tests.
Homework and “Do Now” Quizzes
Homework will be assigned every class meeting and posted on my school website. Open-note,
open homework ‘Do Now’ quizzes will be based upon the homework assignment. Keep in
mind, you will have a limited amount of time to complete the quiz. So it is in your best interest
to do the problems at home so you are able to follow your work for the quiz. ‘Do Now’ quizzes
may also be two-problem no calculator problems. This type of quiz will be on topics we have
previously covered and where you may use your notes. The only difference is you will not be
allowed to use a calculator and you MUST show your work.
On-Line Assignments
Each student will be given a password for an on-line web-based learning account associated
with our course on Learnerator.com. Generally, the on-line assignments will be assigned at the
beginning of the chapter and due by the end of the chapter. The students will work on them
outside of class at their own pace. The assignments can be additional questions, questions with
tutorial and graphic interactions, or on-line quiz type of assignments. There will be a penalty
for late submission of the assignment.
Study Assistance
I will be available before school (from 7:00 AM until 8:00 AM) and after school by appointment.
Summer Assignment
Chapters 1 - 5 and 7 which was largely a review of sophomore chemistry, was covered by the
problem set during the summer. The problem set for these chapters are due on the first day of
school. We will further review these topics during the first few days of class.
Schedule
Block scheduling format with each block 83 minutes long meeting every other day.
Date
Sep
Sep/Oct
Oct
Nov
Nov/Dec
-Jan
Jan
Feb
Mar
Mar/Apr
Apr
Apr
Apr
Apr
May 2, 2016
May/Jun
Chapter
1-5, & 7 Safety, Matter & Stoichiometry, Solution Chemistry,
Atom and Periodic Trends and the Gas Laws; Initial Labs
6 Thermochemistry
17 Spontaneity, Entropy, and Free Energy
12 Chemical Kinetics
13 Chemical Equilibrium
Winter Break Assignment
14 Acids and Bases
Review and Mid-Term
15/16 Acid-Base Equilibria and Solubility and Complex Ion
Equilibria
18 Electrochemistry
8/9 Chemical Bonding, Molecular Structure, Hybridization
and Molecular Orbital Theory
10/5 (last parts) Intermolecular Forces – solid, liquid, gas
11 Properties of Solutions (time permitting)
Spring Break – Study for AP Exam
AP Exam Review, Practice, & Final Exam
AP Chemistry Exam
Experimental Laboratory Investigations/SAT Chem Test Prep
Blocks
8
6
5
8
6
-4
4
12
8
7
5
3
-4
1
9
AP Chemistry Labs
“Hands-on” laboratory investigations are performed wholly by groups of 3-4 students
using the Vernier laboratory data acquisition system. Generally, each experimental
lab occupies a full block (83 minutes). The inquiry labs will require two (or more) blocks to
complete. Lab reports may be of worksheet-style, formal lab report, or group presentation.
You may want a composition notebook to write in data and procedures for your labs. However,
this is not a requirement.
AP® Chemistry
2015 - 2016
Description
Material is covered very rapidly in this course. Typically, each class session will begin
with a ‘Do Now’ quiz on HW and notes. We will then work and explain assigned
homework problems on the white board. New material is then presented using
PowerPoint slides. Each student will be issued power point notes at the beginning of
each chapter. In addition, the power point notes will be available on the school website
for out-of-class inspection.
Laboratory practice is an integral part of this course. Laboratory reports should be kept
together in a binder as it may be necessary to show this to college admission
administrators as proof of having taken an experimental chemistry course.
I have read and understood the course description, material requirements, grading
policy, topics list and lab requirements.
Student Name (Please Print)
Student signature and Date
______________________________________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian Name (Please Print)
Parent/Guardian Signature and Date
______________________________________________________________________________
Parent Email Address and Contact Phone Number