AP CHEMISTRY COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Andy Biersmith
email: andrew.biersmith@morgan.k12.ga.us
Site: https://sites.google.com/a/morgan.k12.ga.us/mr-biersmith-s-homepage/
Course overview: Please visit the course overview on my website
BOOK: Chemistry-Zumdahl, 7th edition
STUDY GUIDE: For Zumdahl, 7th edition
SUPPLIES:
3-ring binder, lab notebook (9.75” by 7.5” composition book- bound and contains at least 80 sheets of graph
paper), scientific calculator, pencils and pens, brain (every day)
CALENDER and READING GUIDE:
There is an AP Chem calendar on my website that will be updated regularly as to major events (tests,
quizzes, and labs) and required readings. Homework will not be posted there. Completion of the readings
prior to discussions in class is very important for your overall conceptual understanding and your grades.
We will never have enough time to cover every topic or type of problem in class. You must work on your
own throughout the year in order to learn enough material to pass the AP exam in May.
GRADING SCALE:
90-100
80-89
70-79
0-69
A
B
C
F
GRADING PROCEDURE:
1. MAJOR UNIT TESTS and MIDTERM (45%)
2. FINAL - Can be exempted if you qualify (15%)
3. DAILY GRADES- homework and quizzes (20%)
4. LAB REPORTS (20%)
HOMEWORK:
I will create a list of practice problems from each chapter that I recommend you complete prior to
class. The more problems you successfully complete, the better you should score on the tests and
quizzes. Be sure to set up and work each problem. Do not take short cuts or leave out steps. When
you come for tutoring, I will expect to see your work. We will work similar problems in class and
you will receive the answers to your homework, but you must do the work. Collect all homework
and notes to use as your study material for the tests and quizzes.
LABORATORY (20% OF YOUR GRADE)
Laboratory is an important component to any science class, particularly to an AP science course.
Due to the nature of chemistry and the advanced nature of the labs that the College Board
requires us to do, lab will require some flexibility on your part. Many of the labs do not fit neatly
into a 50 or 80 minute class period. There will be times where I will ask you and your partner to
come early to class in the mornings to begin lab or to come in on your own time at lunch or after
school to check experiment results. I realize that some of you may have other activities after
school. In these instances I will probably ask you to work with a partner with a similar schedule.
QUIZZES, TESTS, the MIDTERM, AND the FINAL:
Quizzes will be administered at the beginning of class and will be announced. The point value of
each quiz is variable and all graded quizzes will be returned to you in a timely fashion so that you
can use them as study material.
Tests will be given following the completion of each unit and will be worth 100 points. They will
cover material from that unit and related labs. The tests will include both multiple choice and free
response questions taken and modified from previous AP Chemistry exams. Unless a student’s
I.E.P. or 504 plan requires extended time, all tests are to be turned in, completed or not, at the
conclusion of 75 minutes. The AP Chemistry exam in May is a timed event and you must learn to
work under those conditions from the beginning.
The midterm exam is cumulative over the first semester of material. The grade on the midterm
will be substituted for your lowest unit test grade of the first semester. This allows you to redeem
yourself after 18 weeks and also allows you to prove to yourself that you are ready for the second
semester, come what may.
The final exam is worth 15% of your overall grade and will be cumulative over the entire year. It
can be exempted if you meet the requirements put forth by the administration in May.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED FIRST SEMESTER:
Chapter 1, 2, 3
Review Unit (Matter and measurement, atoms, ions, molecules, nomenclature,
stoichiometry) pp 1-115 (IB standards 1and 2)
Chapter 4
Qualitative and Quantitative chemistry
pp 127-170
Chapter 5
Gas properties
pp 179-214
Chapter 7
Atomic structure and Periodicity
pp 275-320
Chapter 8 and 9
Bonding
pp 329-403
Chapter 6 and 16
Thermochemistry, Entropy and Enthalpy
pp 229-265 and pp 749-782
Chapter 10, 11
Liquids, Solids, Colligative Properties
pp 425-518
EXTRA CREDIT- CAN ADD UP TO 10 POINTS TO THE TEST GRADE OF YOUR CHOICE
 Will be offered at the end of each 9 week period
 May be turned in early, but will never be accepted late. Ask for them early
 Assignments are as follows:
1st 9 Weeks- Problems for chapter 18,The Nucleus,
2nd 9 Weeks- Problems for chapter 21, Transition Metals
3rd 9 Weeks- Practice AP exam #1- will take place sometime over spring intercession)
TOPICS TO BE COVERED SECOND SEMESTER:
CHAPTER 12:
CHAPTER 13:
CHAPTER 14:
CHAPTER 15:
CHAPTER 17:
Kinetics
Equilibrium
Acid/Base
Acid/Base buffers
Electrochemistry
pp. 527 – 566
pp. 579 – 612
pp. 623 – 672
pp. 681 – 739
pp. 791 – 829
ABSENCES:
Don’t be absent. Missing class for any reason will be severely detrimental to your understanding of
chemistry. Chemistry concepts build on each other and intertwine throughout the year. If you miss class,
you weaken your foundation for future concepts that will build upon the material you missed.
The same can be said for mental absences. You must maintain your focus and commitment to this class
throughout the year. You cannot expect to score well on the AP exam in May by riding a rollercoaster of
concentration level, constantly tuning in and out of my class as your grades ebb and flow.
Laboratory work must be made up on Wednesdays after school.
Tests and Quizzes must be made up by the next Thursday following the scheduled quiz or test.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE AP TEST:
Here is the basic exam structure:
Section I – 50% of your score - 90 minutes
75 multiple choice questions, no calculator allowed, you may answer all questions without penalty
Section II – 50% of your score
Part A – with calculator – 55 minutes
three problems
one chemical equilibrium problem
two other problems, one of the two may be quantitative analysis of lab data
Part B – no calculator – 40 minutes
Three problems total
Question 4 – writing balanced chemical equations from reactants
Two essay questions, one will be lab based if no there was no lab question in Part A
TUTORING:
I try to always be available on Mondays and Tuesdays after school for tutoring. I will also be free at other
times, you just have to ask. Whenever you decide to come in, make an appointment with me so that I will
know to be waiting for you.
You must get help as soon as you need it. Do not wait until the day before the big test. Be prepared with
samples of your work so that we can figure out where your problems are. Showing up for tutoring and
saying “I just don’t get it”, is a waste of our time.
THE FINAL WORD:
This syllabus may be modified at any time at the discretion of the instructor. Sufficient notice will be given
to you so that you may adjust for changes as necessary.
To do well on your AP Chem exam in May, you must put in consistent effort all year. Even then, you
should begin reviewing material well in advance of the time set aside to review in class. This initial review
can be done on your own, but is much more fun if you form study groups with others.
These study groups can also help you with your homework, your quiz and test preparation, and your lab
reports. I will dedicate a small amount of class time to help you with the initial formation of these groups,
but it is up to you and your peers to make them useful and productive environments.
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE