SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Course Code: SCH4U1
Course Name: Grade 12 Chemistry
Level: University
Instructor: Mr. Wynhofen
Period: ONE
Room Number: 241
Course Overview:
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of organic chemistry, the structure and properties
of matter, energy changes and rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, and electrochemistry. Students will further develop their
problem-solving and investigation skills as they investigate chemical processes, and will refine their ability to communicate scientific
information. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of chemistry in everyday life and on evaluating the impact of chemical technology
on the environment so that students to learn to be reflective, critical, and creative thinkers, as well as discerning believers. They can then
make appropriate decisions in light of Gospel values and Church teachings. Through labs and experimentation, students learn to be
collaborative contributors to an interdependent team, respecting the rights, responsibilities, and contributions of others.
Specific Strands of Study and Overall Expectations include:
A. Scientific Investigation Skills and Career Exploration [Incorporated throughout course.]
A1. demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas of skills (initiating and planning,
performing and recording, analyzing and interpreting, and communicating);
A2. identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe the contributions of scientists, including
Canadians, to those fields.
B. Organic Chemistry [Chapters 1/2 ~ 12 classes]
B1. assess the social and environmental impact of organic compounds used in everyday life, and propose a course of action to reduce the
use of compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment;
B2. investigate organic compounds and organic chemical reactions, and use various methods to represent the compounds;
B3. demonstrate an understanding of the structure, properties, and chemical behaviour of compounds within each class of organic
compounds.
C. Structure and Properties of Matter [a) Ch. 3 - Atomic Theories (~9 classes) ; b) Ch. 4 - Chemical Bonding (~9 classes)]
C1. assess the benefits to society and evaluate the environmental impact of products and technologies that apply principles related to the
structure and properties of matter;
C2. investigate the molecular shapes and physical properties of various types of matter;
C3. demonstrate an understanding of atomic structure and chemical bonding, and how they relate to the physical properties of ionic,
molecular, covalent network, and metallic substances.
D. Energy Changes and Rates of Reaction [a) Ch. 5 - Thermochemistry [(~8 classes) ; b) Ch. 6 - Kinetics (~4 classes)]
D1. analyse technologies and chemical processes that are based on energy changes, and evaluate them in terms of their efficiency and their
effects on the environment;
D2. investigate and analyse energy changes and rates of reaction in physical and chemical processes, and solve related problems;
D3.demonstrate an understanding of energy changes and rates of reaction.
E. Chem. Systems and Equilibrium[a) Ch. 7 – Chem. Systems and Equ’m [(~12 classes) ; b) Ch. 8 - Acid-Base Equ’m (~12 classes)]
E1. analyse chemical equilibrium processes, and assess their impact on biological, biochemical, and technological systems;
E2. investigate the qualitative and quantitative nature of chemical systems at equilibrium, and solve related problems;
E3. demonstrate an understanding of the concept of dynamic equilibrium and the variables that cause shifts in the equilibrium of chemical
systems.
F. Electrochemistry [Chap. 9 ~ 9 classes]
F1. analyse technologies and processes relating to electrochemistry, and their implications for society, health and safety, and the
environment;
F2. investigate oxidation-reduction reactions using a galvanic cell, and analyse electrochemical reactions in qualitative and quantitative
terms;
F3. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of oxidation-reduction reactions and the many practical applications of
electrochemistry.
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students.
Resources:
Evaluation
Efforts willBreakdown:
be made to meet the individual learning
needs of students.
[TERM = 70% ; EXAM = 30%]
[K = Knowledge ; I = Investigation ; C = Communication; A = Application]
% Overall
1. Tests (7)
a) Knowledge (20% of term) -----------------------------------------14.0
b) Investigation (20% of term)----------------------------------------14.0
c) Communication (10% of term) -------------------------------------7.0
d) Application (10% of term) ------------------------------------------7.0
STSE
2. Labs & Assignments
a) Investigation (15% of term) ---------------------------------------10.5
b) Knowledge (5% of term) --------------------------------------------3.5
b) Communication (5% of term)---------------------------------------3.5
3. STSE Portfolio
a) Application (15% of term)-----------------------------------------10.5
4. Final Exam -----------------------------------------------------------30
[Exam Breakdown: K= 25%; I = 35%; C = 15%; A = 25%]
The course will use a variety of resources
including video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications
and a variety of print sources. The textbook,
Nelson Chemistry 12, will be distributed to
students during the first week of the course. The
text and all other resources assigned to students
are the responsibility of the student. Any
damage incurred will result in payment for
replacement. Replacement cost for the text is
$104.
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking/Investigation
Communication
Application
25%
35%
15%
25%
The above is reflected both in the term work (70% of
the final mark) and the summative work (30% of the
final mark). Summative work consists of the Final
Exam only.
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in
process & evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be
utilized. Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific
skills and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Level
Category
Knowledge/Understanding

Knowledge of facts & terms
Understanding of concepts & relationships

Thinking/Investigation


Critical thinking skills
Creative thinking skills
Inquiry Skills

Communication


Communication of ideas and information
Use of symbols & visuals
Oral & written communication

Level 1:
50-59%
Level 2:
60-69%
Level 3:
70-79%
Level 4:
80-100%
-Limited
display of
knowledge,
skills and
ability to
apply
concepts
-Some
success in
displaying
knowledge,
skills and
application
of concepts
-Considerable
display of
knowledge
skills and
ability to apply
concepts
-Thorough
understanding
of concepts and
ability to
communicate,
think creatively
and apply
concepts
Application




Applications in familiar contexts
Transfer of concepts to new contexts
Making logical conclusions and predictions
Use of technology
Making connections

Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like working independently, team work, organization, work habits and homework, and
initiative are assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating specific criteria to be achieved to
receive each of the following letter grades:
E –Excellent
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
MISSELANEOUS ITEMS:



*



LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments submitted after the Primary Due Date established by the teacher will be accepted with a
penalty of 5% off for the first day late, 10% off for the second day late, and zero for subsequent days.
MISSED TESTS: DON’T BE ABSENT FOR TESTS!...if unavoidable:
*Missed test #1  Student will write on the day he/she returns to class…with acceptable excuse (e.g. Funeral, serious
illness, surgery etc.) and note from parent/guardian.)
*Missed test #2  Student will not be permitted to write test - weight of test will be added to final exam.
*Missed test #3 = ZERO!! **Regardless of what the excuse may be!!
PLAGIARISM in ANY FORM reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the assignment, and a referral
to the student’s Vice Principal. All citations and bibliographies should conform to MLA style.
ATTENDANCE/PUNCTUALITY: To be successful in this class, coming to class daily and on time is ESSENTIAL!! (At 5 lates
an assignment will be given. Subsequent lates will result in parental contact and VP intervention.
UNIFORM  Student’s are expected to be in full uniform at all times!! Noncompliance will result in VP intervention.
PED’s  Not permitted in the school. This is a Board policy.
FOOD  No food in class. Water is permitted.