LENAPE TECHNICAL SCHOOL
HONORS CHEMISTRY COURSE SYLLABUS
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Honors Chemistry is an extension of the chemistry program for those students who have demonstrated a special aptitude
and/or interest in Academic Chemistry or in Advanced Chemistry during their junior year. The course is taught at the
community college level and is designed to expand the problem-solving and laboratory skills acquired in the junior-year
chemistry course. The course is recommended for all qualified students who intend to pursue an associate or a
bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or the allied health professions.
After a review of basic chemistry, topics of a more advanced nature are presented in greater detail than in a basic
chemistry course. Extensive coverage will be given to organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry.
The prerequisite for this course is approval of the instructor based on superior performance in the junior-year chemistry
course. The 1.5 credit, weighted class meets five extended learning periods weekly for three trimesters.
For many years, Honors Chemistry was accepted by California University of Pennsylvania for three college credits
through their “CalU in the High Schools” program; however, California University discontinued this program
statewide, and we (along with many other high schools across Pennsylvania) lost this value-added component of our
academic program. Lenape’s administration is investigating an articulation agreement with Butler County Community
College so that students enrolled in Honors Chemistry may receive college credits at Butler County Community
College for successfully completing this course.
II. INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY:
Students will be given challenging assignments and projects to insure their preparedness for university level chemistry
and chemistry as used in the technical workplace. At every opportunity, the course content is integrated with and applied
to the various technical programs. Quantitative and qualitative laboratory exercises integrated with the course
material require greater precision and accuracy than in a basic chemistry course. They provide students with the
opportunity to use analytical techniques and instrumentation not usually accessible in basic chemistry (e.g.,
gravimetric analysis, spectrophotometry, and separation science -- paper, thin layer, radial, high pressure liquid,
and gas chromatography). Students will often work in teams, but will complete individual assignments in relation to
the team’s work.
III. COURSE GOALS:
1.) Demonstrate a working knowledge of laboratory equipment and safe laboratory procedures.
2.) Use literacy and numeracy skills to accurately collect, organize, analyze, and present laboratory data.
3.) Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of basic chemistry – atomic structure, the Periodic Table, chemical bonding,
and chemical equations
4.) Complete, balance, and use oxidation-reduction equations.
5.) Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of solution chemistry.
6.) Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of chemical equilibrium.
7.) Use thermodynamics to predict reaction spontaneity
8.) Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of fundamental organic chemistry.
9.) Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of basic biochemistry.
10.) Use chemical concepts to conduct and explain water and soil tests.
11.) Safely complete a demonstration of a chemistry concept to the class.
IV. MAJOR COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS:
1.) Laboratory Reports
Each student will submit a written report for every laboratory exercise completed using the assigned format.
2.) Soil and Water Testing
Student teams will conduct soil and water tests for the community. The class will be responsible for designing
promotional materials for the project and for distributing them throughout the community.
3.) Chemistry Demonstration Project
Each student will research a demonstration to illustrate a chemistry concept. They will then organize all required
materials for the demonstration and present it to the class. A written report consisting of a preliminary report and
a final detailed report will be submitted. Students will complete formal evaluations of demonstrations done by
their classmates.
V. ASSESSMENT PLAN:
Performance standards for the course are based on the total points accumulated out of the student high score for each
assessment. Points come from the following assessment methods (performance indicators):
 examinations (objective, essay, problem-solving, and laboratory practical) – approximately 55%
 quizzes – approximately 5%
 laboratory reports – approximately 10%
 homework assignments – approximately 5%
 projects –soil and water testing and chemistry demonstration projects and others – approximately
10%
 class notes – approximately 10%
 writing assignments – approximately 5%.
Lenape Technical School’s Grading Scale:
A
92—100
Well exceeds required standards
B
84—91
Meets or slightly exceeds required standards
C
77—83
Passing grade, but does not meet some required standards
D
70 – 76
Passing grade, but meets only minimum required standards
F
69 or lower Failing – does not meet minimum required standards
I
Incomplete work
VI. TEXT:
Brown, Theodore L., H. Eugene LeMay, Jr., and Bruce E. Bursten. Chemistry: The Central Science, 11th ed. Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2006.
Other reading assignments may be assigned.
VII. COURSE CONTENT:
A. General Chemistry Review -- atomic structure; ionic and covalent compounds; chemical equations;
stoichiometry; gas laws
B. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
C. Solution Chemistry -- concentration units; colligative properties
D. Chemical Equilibrium -- reaction rate; LeChatelier's principle; equilibrium constants – Keq, Ka, Kb, Ksp
E. Acids and Bases -- Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis concepts; pH; buffers
F. Thermodynamics -- enthalpy; entropy; free energy
G. Organic Chemistry -- hydrocarbons; structural and geometric isomers; substituted hydrocarbons;
optical isomers; reactions of hydrocarbons; esterification reactions; oxidation
reactions of alcohols and aldehydes; and, polymers
H. Biochemistry -- carbohydrates; lipids; proteins; nucleic acids; chromatographic separations; and,
biotechnology
I. Soil and Water Chemistry -- laboratory testing class project
J. Demonstration Project – student-designed chemistry demonstration
VIII. STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:
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Attend class on a regular basis (minimum 95% attendance is STRONGLY suggested)
Study and prepare for exams and quizzes
Complete ALL class assignments, lab reports and projects on time
Maintain a notebook in a neat and organized manner
Participate in all class discussions and problem-solving sessions
 Participate in group problem-solving sessions
IX. REQUIRED SKILLS:
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Work independently and in groups to complete projects
Organize information into a useful format
Communicate ideas and information for different audiences and purposes
Use laboratory equipment to make measurements
 Use computers and technology to collect and/or process laboratory data
X. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 You MUST have a three-ring binder notebook. This will allow you to organize your work. Notes will be
collected at the end of each unit of study.
 Homework and lab reports are extremely important components of chemistry. They provide opportunities to
practice and reinforce skills and concepts. It is imperative that you make time to complete homework assignments
and lab reports.
 LATE WORK POLICY: AS A RULE, NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED IF IT IS NOT TURNED IN
WHEN IT IS COLLECTED FOR YOUR CLASS! IF YOUR WORK IS NOT ON TIME, YOU WILL
RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT.
 All makeup work MUST be completed within three (3) days of your returning to school from an absence.
Any assignment that you had before being absent is due upon your return if it was collected. It is YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY to arrange to make up all work, including lab exercises that you miss. If you tend to
miss a great deal of school (more than two or three days per grading period) please understand that you will
have great difficulty in this course.
 There will be ABSOLUTELY no eating, drinking or chewing gum in the lab. These activities are especially
dangerous and could lead to injury or death if you were to ingest a toxic substance by mistake. During class, you
are permitted to drink water. Special allowances may be granted by your instructor for certain special occasions.
 Book bags are NOT to be brought into the classroom or laboratory areas. These constitute a safety hazard
in the lab and when placed in aisles.
 At the end of a grading period, a PERFORMANCE BONUS MAY be added to your point total based on your
assignments completed, number of periods in attendance, lack of lab safety violations, compliance with class
rules, etc.
XI. STUDENT HELP:
If you need help with any class work, you are welcome to see me before school, after school, during my preparation
period, or during the Friday TAP/CCR enrichment period
NOTE TO STUDENTS: I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A PRODUCTIVE AND EXCITING SCHOOL YEAR!
BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS!
Parent Signature______________________________ Student Name_____________________________(printed)