Barren County High School
Course Syllabus
CHEMISTRY I – fall 2012
INSTRUCTOR – William Fant
CONTACT INFORMATION Email – shane.fant@barren.kyschools.us
School phone – 270-651-6315
Planning time – 1st block (8:00 – 9:30)
COURSE DESCRIPTION –
Chemistry I is an introduction to the study of substances and the changes in which matter
undergoes. Topics will not only include items that are basic to the study of chemistry, but also
everyday chemical concerns. The student will explore topics such as atomic structure, formulas,
equations, atomic theory, the periodic table, and the mole. Lab work is a fundamental part of this
class.
READING THE TEXT AND UNDERSTANDING VOCABULARY IS A MUST IF YOU EXPECT
TO KEEP UP IN THIS CLASS!!!
PREREQUISITESIntegrated Science
Biology
REQUIRED MATERIALS notebook
scientific calculator
pencils
GRADING PROCEDUREGrades will be determined using a “point system” in which all graded work will be
assigned a point value. The individual student’s average will be determined using the scale
below:
Exams – 40% (chapter/unit exams)
Quizzes – 30% (announced and un-announced)
Labs – 20% (safety, performance, calculations, etc.)
Class Assignments – 10% (homework, classwork)
CLASSROOM RULESBe Prompt – Students should be in the room, seated, and quiet at the class bell.
Be Polite – Students will exhibit behavior that is respectful to the others in the classroom.
Only the teacher will dismiss the class at the end of the period.
Be Prepared – Students must bring all required materials (textbook, pencil, paper,
notebook, and any assignments due) to the class every day.
Be Dependable – Students are responsible for completing all assignments missed due to
absence.
Be Careful – Students are not to tamper with lab equipment or be in the lab area except
during lab experiments.
Be Responsible – Students will obey all school rules in the classroom.
LAB WORK –
Lab work is a fundamental part of any chemistry class. All labs will be required activities
that will be scheduled in advance:
Lab work will exhibit the following components:
Safety, accurate measurements, group participation, calculations,
significant digits and written conclusions
COURSE OUTLINE –
Introduction to Chemistry : Chemistry, Chemistry Far and Wide, Thinking Like a Scientist, Problem Solving
in Chemistry
Matter and Change: Properties of Matter, Mixtures, Elements and Compounds, Chemical
Reactions
Scientific Measurement: Measurements and Their Uncertainty, The International System of Units
(SI), Conversion Problems, Density
Atomic Structure: Defining the Atom, Structure of the Nuclear Atom, Distinguishing Among Atoms
Electrons in Atoms: Models of the Atom, Electron Arrangement in Atoms, Physics and the
Quantum Mechanical Model
The Periodic Table: Organizing the Elements, Classifying the Elements, Periodic Trends
Ionic and Metallic Bonding: Ions, Ionic Bonds and Ionic Compounds, Bonding in Metals
Covalent Bonding: Molecular Compounds, The Nature of Covalent Bonding, Bonding Theories,
Polar Bonds and Molecules
Chemical Names and Formulas: Naming Ions, Naming and Writing Formulas
Chemical Reactions: Describing Chemical Reactions, Types of Chemical Reactions, Reactions in
Aqueous Solution
States of Matter: The Nature of: Gases, Liquids & Solids, Changes of State
The Behavior of Gases: Properties of Gases, The Gas Laws, Ideal Gases, Gases: Mixtures and
Movements
Solutions: Properties of Solutions, Concentrations of Solutions, Colligative Properties of
Solutions, Calculations Involving Colligative Properties
Acids, Bases & Salts: Acid-Base Theories, Acidity, Strengths of Acids & Bases, Neutralization
Reactions, Salts in Solution
Nuclear Chemistry: Nuclear Radiation, Nuclear Transformations, Fission and Fusion of Atomic
Nuclei, Radiation in Your Life
IMPROVING YOUR GRADE!!!
1) TUTORING – I am available most mornings and afternoons to help students with
questions about homework, labs, etc.
RE-TAKING TESTS - You are allowed to re-take any test, to do so, you must first schedule a
time with me for tutoring before you re-take your test. Re-takes will be similar too, but
not exactly like the original test.
2) MAKE-UP LABS– If you have an excused absence on the day of a lab,
you will be able to make that lab up on a day you have scheduled with me the
following week.
3) MAKE-UP CLASSWORK – The biggest problem caused by absences is that students
fail to make up work and this causes their grades to fall. When you miss school, you
have one week to make up any missed work. It is your responsibility to find out what
you have missed on the days you are not present in school and to make this work up
within one week. I will be glad to help you catch up in a tutoring session either before
or after school.
4) LATE WORK – Late work will be accepted up to one week after due date with a 50%
penalty.
DISTRICT POLICIES
Attendance Policy: Students have up to five school days to make up assignments and/ or tests
due to an excused absence. Work may be made up before or after school and must be
scheduled with the course instructor.
Semester Test Policy: Students with any unexcused absences in a course or have been
assigned to ASP are required to take the semester exam which counts as part of the semester
grade.
Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious
offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort. Students must
give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or interpretations taken
from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having
changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Students who commit any act
of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade in that portion of the course work. Acts of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
_____________________________________________________________________________
I have read the course syllabus for CHEMISTRY and I understand the
expectations and requirements for this course.
Parent Signature ___________________________________________________
Student Signature___________________________________________________