Course Description: Honors Chemistry
Honors Chemistry is a rigorous introductory-level science course. This course broaches general
chemistry topics then examines each topic more thoroughly than in general chemistry. Due to
this course’s heavy math component, students are expected to excel in algebra and mathematic
problem solving. Topics include symbols and metric system, matter, formulas, chemical
equations, atomic structure, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, nuclear chemistry, gasses, solutions,
bonding, acid-base theory, oxidation-reduction, pH, equilibrium, and organic chemistry. Weekly
laboratory experiments and activities complement theory while emphasizing safety and science
writing skills. The emphasis of this course is on understanding chemistry concepts—NOT memorizing and
regurgitating material. Students should focus their studies on grasping the big picture rather than
on small details. The core of this course is a college preparatory course and its rigors will reflect
a movement towards college level work; the honors augmentation activities should be similarly
advanced in concept, level of thinking, and demonstrated effort. At the end of the year, students
will leave with a foundation in chemical principles and concepts. In addition, a goal of this
course is to prepare students for the Introduction to Research course.
This course is structured as an add-on component to the South Carolina Virtual School Program’s
College Prep Chemistry. The structure is in keeping with the constructivist approach of
individuated learning leading to authentic, student-led research in the junior/senior years.
Required Materials:
Textbook: online
Composition Notebook
Notebook/Binder paper
Scientific Calculator or graphing calculator
Lab Gear (lab coat, goggles, long pants, and covered shoes)
Class Expectations:
1) Be on time; when class starts you should be in your seat ready to go.
2) Be prepared; bring necessary materials to class and be ready to work.
3) Be attentive and think before you speak.
4) Have respect for yourself, others, and equipment.
5) Leave food, gum, and drinks outside the classroom.
Late Work Policy:
Due to the nature of the honors course as an augmentation to the CP course, due dates will be
non-negotiable. If an assignment is not turned in when it is due and there has not been a
conference to arrange for alternative arrangements, the grade for it will be a zero. This includes
students who miss class for legitimate reasons. The zero is incentive to make the work up in a
timely manner. These students will have ONE WEEK from the day grades are posted to make
up work. Late work will receive only half credit MAX.
Lab Policies:
First and foremost, Labs are a privilege. They are a hands-on and (hopefully) fun way to
demonstrate and learn chemical concepts. If students do not care for lab equipment or violate
safety rules, the student will be disenrolled from the honors course and will only receive
Chemistry CP credit. So…TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, YOUR EQUIPMENT &
SURROUNDINGS, AND BE SAFE. On any actual lab days (does not apply to virtual labs), students are required to wear appropriate
lab wear. This includes safety goggles, closed-toe-shoes, and long pants. Failure to wear these
things may result in the student being disenrolled from the honors course and only receiving
Chemistry CP credit. For lab safety, see handout and rules for the site visited. Chemistry CP Curriculum Topics:
Intro to Chem/Scientific Method Focus/SI
Measurement/dimensional analysis, significant figures
Matter and Energy
Gases
Atomic Structure & Periodic Table
Bonding (intermolecular, intramolecular, and geometry) & Compounds
Chemical Reactions/limiting reagents/precipitate
Nuclear Chemistry
The Mole
Stoichemistry
Grading:
The activities of Honors Chemistry will be due concurrent with the Chemistry CP schedule, and
all course assignments will be graded Met/Not met. Projects will be culminating tasks that will
(hopefully) be fun and will help students review for the cumulative exams. Students will be
expected to turn these in a week before the cumulative exam. Any miscellaneous projects or
dissections will be included in this category. Meeting all requirements for Honors will result in
the grade for Chemistry counting under the “honors” QPR values.
Honors Augmentation to Chemistry CP curriculum:
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the completion of a variety of activities, and to meet
checkpoints with the instructor throughout the year. The honors curriculum student must
complete a total of sixteen deliverables covering different standards from the below list of 25.
The plan for these sixteen activities must be completed and signed by the student and teacher by
Q1 progress reports. Activities used to explore the standard can vary, but must include as a
minimum:
- one capstone paper conducting a review of scientific literature about a topic related to a
standard
- six virtual labs, including lab report
- three hands-on chemistry experiences including practicum evaluation
- three mini-projects
Standards to be explored:
The following standards will be met in Honors Chemistry. These standards will be met through
labs, projects, and field experiences, and are in addition to the standards for Chemistry CP.
Students should familiarize themselves with the Honors Chemistry standards so that they are
able to articulate standards met in their field based assignments.
C-2.7 Apply the predictable rate of nuclear decay (half-life) to determine the age of materials.
C-2.8 Analyze a decay series chart to determine the products of successive nuclear reactions and
write nuclear equations for disintegration of specified nuclides.
C-2.9 Use the equation E = mc2 to determine the amount of energy released during nuclear
reactions.
C-3.6 Identify the basic structure of common polymers (including proteins, nucleic acids,
plastics, and starches).
C-3.7 Classify organic compounds in terms of their functional group.
C-3.8 Explain the effect of electronegativity and ionization energy on the type of bonding in a
molecule.
C-3.9 Classify polymerization reactions as addition or condensation.
C-3.10 Classify organic reactions as addition, elimination, or condensation.
C-4.7 Summarize the oxidation and reduction processes (including oxidizing and reducing
agents).
C-4.8 Illustrate the uses of electrochemistry (including electrolytic cells, voltaic cells, and the
production of metals from ore by electrolysis).
C-4.9 Summarize the concept of chemical equilibrium and Le Châtelier’s principle.
C-4.10 Explain the role of collision frequency, the energy of collisions, and the orientation of
molecules in reaction rates.
C-5.5 Analyze the energy changes involved in calorimetry by using the law of conservation of
energy as it applies to temperature, heat, and phase changes (including the use of the formulas q
= mcΔT [temperature change] and q = mLv and q = mLf [phase change] to solve calorimetry
problems).
C-5.6 Use density to determine the mass, volume, or number of particles of a gas in a chemical
reaction.
C-5.7 Apply the ideal gas law (pV = nRT) to solve problems.
C-5.8 Analyze a product for purity by following the appropriate assay procedures.
C-5.9 Analyze a chemical process to account for the weight of all reagents and solvents by
following the appropriate material balance procedures.
C-6.8 Use the hydronium or hydroxide ion concentration to determine the pH and pOH of
aqueous solutions.
C-6.9 Explain how the use of a titration can determine the concentration of acid and base
solutions
C-6.10 Interpret solubility curves to determine saturation at different temperatures.
C-6.11 Use a variety of procedures for separating mixtures (including distillation, crystallization
filtration, paper chromatography, and centrifuge).
C-6.12 Use solubility rules to write net ionic equations for precipitation reactions in aqueous
solution.
C-6.13 Use the calculated molality of a solution to calculate the freezing point depression and the
boiling point elevation of a solution.
C-6.14 Represent neutralization reactions and reactions between common acids and metals by
using chemical equations.
C-6.15 Analyze the composition of a chemical sample by using gas chromatography.
Important Dates: (Subject to change)
Quarter 1 ends:
Fall mid-term exams:
Science Fair:
Quarter 3 ends:
Spring final exams:
Descriptions of Honors Augmentation Deliverables & Rubrics:
Review of Literature Paper
This is a “research paper” (review of existing literature) about a topic associated with one of the
24 listed “honors standards,” with an Abstract, Introduction, Review of Literature, Proposed
Study, Methodology (these two sections provided if this course is to be entry into research),
Discussion/Directions for Future Research, and Conclusion(s). The paper should be 10-12 pages
in length, including the Title Page, Abstract, Works Cited and Bibliography. Each student also
will create and present a PowerPoint presentation to accompany this paper that summarizes the
review. This is an introduction to the capstone paper concept which is utilized in the authentic
research program. While the paper is not due until the final quarter, the topic, draft bibliography,
thesis statement, draft abstract, outline, and draft report will be due during the year to ensure the
process is learned.
Virtual Labs & Lab Reports
The student will conduct a minimum of six individual experiments using an online virtual lab
simulator and write up each lab using standard format.
A standard lab report includes: MLA header (with additional two lines stating date performed &
lab partners/virtual lab used); Title; Introduction; Hypothesis; Materials; Procedures; Data;
Analysis (calculations/graphs/error); and Conclusions/Discussion. Raw data are attached to the
end of the report. A standard lab report will be typed using single space or 1.5 (not double). Use
of a pencil is OK for drawings and sketches only. Write or type on both sides of the paper. When
a mistake is made on the original data sheet, draw a single line through the mistake, and then
write the correction. NO WHITEOUT NOR ERASING (this insures all data is original). The
report is treated as though it were a manuscript being submitted to a scientific journal for
publication. Make it clear, concise, and legible.Write the section headings and place in order. It is
not acceptable to write “Data (See next page)” and then write the follow up or discussion
questions. Discussion about the parts of a standard lab report follows:
TITLE: A title that describes the lab.
INTRODUCTION: About two paragraphs describing background information pertinent to the
lab - one that gives a clear picture of your independent variable and another explaining relevant
information on the dependent variable. This section includes a specific statement of the question
or problem under investigation, and statements about other goals of the laboratory exercise. Why
is this question important? How does this question relate to the "real world" Do a literature
search on the topics and incorporate this information into your introduction. Be certain to cite
your sources. Clearly state the purpose of the experiment at the end of the section.
HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis section consists of a statement predicting the outcome of the
experiment based on that hypothesis. Use the “if…then….because” format.
MATERIALS: This section consists of a list of materials, including the quantity of each one,
required to carry out the experiment. If it is helpful, a diagram showing experimental apparatus
can be shown.
PROCEDURES: The procedures section describes each step in the experiment in enough detail
so that a stranger can read it and perform the experiment. Make the rewritten procedure short and
concise, but make sure it demonstrates an understanding of the experiment.
DATA: Data is usually presented in a Data Table that includes titles, headings, and units.
ANALYSIS: Brief and concise formal presentation of data. All calculations must be neatly
presented with a subheading that describes the purpose of the calculation. Show the algebraic
form of the equations (with variables defined), show the data substituted into the equation
(include units) and show one sample calculation for each equation. All graphs should include a
title that describes the data being plotted and axis labels that include the units of the data being
plotted. Some graphs will have a curve (or line) fit to the data. In cases such as this one include
the formula and parameters for the curve.
DISCUSSION: This is the critical analysis section - the place to interpret and evaluate your data
and to speculate on other possibilities. The discussion should answer the questions posed in the
purpose section of the laboratory and should also indicate whether the hypothesis is supported by
the results. If the results do not support the hypothesis the possible reasons for the discrepancy
should be noted and discussed (i.e., sources of error). Discussion of the results should include
new questions that arise and if applicable, the discussion should also consider any possible
changes needed in the design of the experiment. Refer directly to your results using data from
your tables and graphs to support your conclusion. For example, “As seen in Table 1, the
relationship between temperature and pressure is linear, with a slope of 5.”
WORKS CITED: Use standard MLA format.
RAW DATA: Clearly and neatly labeled. Include original sketches and data. Use only ink for
recording notes. Do not whiteout or erase any mistakes. You may cross out any erroneous
markings, but they must remain legible. The original data are attached to the end of the report.
Field Assignment and Evaluation
The student will conduct a minimum of three practical observations or experiences of actual
chemistry use in the community, related to the standards noted above. These visits must be
approved in advance by the instructor. This experience is to be documented using the practicum
evaluation form attached. (currently in separate file)
Mini-Project
The student will conduct a minimum of three scientific projects related to the standards noted
above. These projects will be actual construction, action, or research, from authorized sources as
noted in the attached list or approved in advance by the instructor. The product will vary based
on the activity, but will include as minimum documentation the mini-project evaluation form
provided. (currently in separate file)
Resources:
Virtual Resources for labs
http://www.chemcollective.org/vlab/vlab.php
http://www.chm.davidson.edu/vce/index.html
http://www.virtlab.com/Chapters/ChaptersIntro.aspx (not free)
http://onlinelabs.in/chemistry (lists many more free resources)
Research/Review of Literature & Mini-project Ideas
http://www.sciencegeek.net/Chemistry/taters/directory.shtml
http://www.nclark.net/Chemistry
http://dissertation.blogspot.es/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2337321_write-scientific-literature-review.html
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/recommender_interest_area.php?
ia=Chem&dl=9
http://www.education.com/science-fair/high-school/
Facilities for practicum/observation (POC/phone)
The following sites have expressed willingness to allow PSA Honors Chemistry students to
observe chemistry in the community for the Practicum Observation. The names in parentheses
are the persons that you should contact before your visit. Visits to these or other sites must be
approved in advance by the instructor.
Barling Bay (Tom Ruff/)
NOAA (Dave Eslinger/)
Paradise Pool & Spa (Mary Hampe/)
MUSC pathology lab (Dr. Janice Lage, dept chair; Trudie Shingledecker
Administrative Coodinator, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine; 165 Ashley Avenue, MSC908;
Charleston, SC 29425; (843) 792-1086)
GEL Group, LLC NChasn (Joe Coffey, environmental engineering & analysis, 843-556-8171)
Alcoa Mt Holly ( , Al smelting; 572-3700)
Charleston Water Service ( , 727-6856)
BreathePureAir (1236 Folly Road, 1-800-551-8544)
Clemson Historic Preservation Lab (Carter Hudgins; 292 Meeting St, 937-9596)