Northwest Upper School Chemistry Course Description (2015-2016)
Teacher: Lucas Monkkonen
Course Aims
Welcome to Chemistry! The main two goals for the year are:
1) developing critical and creative thinking from a scientific perspective
2) understanding the basic principles of chemistry
In a nutshell, we will begin our exciting exploration into the world of the chemistry by first examining
atoms and molecules, and then learning how atoms and molecules interact and react with each other in
a multitude of ways! The basic structure of this class will include class lectures, discussions, and group
activities to learn the class material. A major emphasis will be placed on laboratory work. Labs are
meant to reinforce chemistry concepts, teach laboratory technique, and teach how to effectively
maintain a lab notebook.
Textbook
The book used in this course will be Chemistry, the Central Science (12 edition). Students will be allowed
to check out a school copy of the textbook to leave at home, and there will be a class set available to the
students here. More details concerning textbooks will be discussed in class.
Grading
Grades will be determined by the following: class participation, quizzes (2-3 per quarter), lab reports
(every Friday), and tests (~ 1, depending on the subject matter).
Class Policy
I expect you to show up to class motivated, on time, and ready to engage with me and your peers in a
thoughtful and respectful way to create a comfortable, exciting, and productive learning environment!
Learning chemistry is challenging and I want you to come ready to learn collaboratively with me and
your fellow students as well. We all have something we can learn from each other. Also, the appropriate
lab attire must be worn during labs.
Office
My home base is in the physics lab (the same room where class is).
Late work, extensions, attendance
Communication with me and planning ahead are extremely important! I expect you to anticipate if
there will be an issue or question with any of these things, and I expect you to contact me ahead of time
(at least 2 days in advance). I am more understanding with your situation if you communicate with me
before you are late, miss class, etc. Please tell me in person, but if this is not possible for some reason,
send an email.
Rough Course Outline
Quint 1 and 2: the “nuts and bolts” of chemistry (written in no particular order)
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What are atoms and molecules?
Writing chemical formulas and naming compounds
Basic lab technique
The periodic table
Types of reactivity
Writing chemical reactions
Balancing chemical equations
Predicting reactivity
Stoichiometry
Quints 3 and 4
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Thermodynamics
Green chemistry
Nuclear energy
Acids and bases
Gas Laws
Quint 5
 Organic chemistry
 Molecules and covalent bonding
 Lewis structures
 Intro to organic reactions
 Enzymatic catalysis—(if time permits!)