Pre-AP Chemistry Syllabus 2015-2016
Mr. Husted – Rm V-104
Teacher website: http://mhs.springbranchisd.com (click faculty  teachers  science  John Husted
Course Description: Pre-AP Chemistry is designed to allow students to study the mechanisms of matter and chemical
reactions. Upon completion of the course, the student should have a clear understanding of the history of chemistry,
explored the uses of chemistry in various careers, gained an ability to cope with chemical questions and problems related
to current issues, and an understanding of laboratory safety. The student will also have the educational foundation
needed to excel in AP Chemistry or any other college level chemistry course. To achieve these goals, part of the class
time will be spent in the laboratory.
ONLINE Textbook: Modern Chemistry, by HMH. You will be given the website, log-in and password
information for the online textbook in class.
Assessment Strategies: The 9 week grades are composed of three parts:
1. Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Laboratory assignments
4. Homework
50%
25%
20%
5%
Exams – The students will be able to show their mastery of a topic many different ways. Students will answer
multiple choice questions, write short answers and solve problems that may contain multiple steps and/or parts.
After the first exam all exams may be cumulative (take notes and keep them all year!). Expect 2 or 3 tests
each 9 weeks.

Exam Retakes – If you score below a 70% on a test you are strongly encouraged to take a retest. In
order to retest you must turn in a request to retest form to me according to the retest policy and you
must attend at least one tutorial over the material. The highest grade that can be recorded in the
grade book for a retest is a 70%.
Homework – Homework is assigned almost daily. All homework assignments will be turned in on Friday and
students will get one homework grade per week. Failure to complete homework may result in lower quiz and
test scores.
Labs – Lab work is a major part of the chemistry class.
 The wearing of goggles, aprons and closed toed shoes and following proper lab procedures are of
extreme importance. Failure to comply will result in a zero lab grade.
 Follow all safety rules on your safety contract.
 Some labs may have lab quizzes and some tests will have questions from the lab. Make sure you
understand what was done in the lab so that you can answer these questions.
 If you are absent on the day of a lab you will need to make it up quickly, labs have to be cleaned up
and materials put away in a timely manner. A time can be arranged with the instructor.
 Breaking equipment means you have to pay for it according to the current prices for the equipment.
All assignments, will be due at the beginning of class on the Friday of the week they
are assigned. Work may be turned in late with a 10% deduction per day. After two
days the grade becomes a zero
Make-up Work – It is the student’s responsibility to get and complete any missed work. If you are absent you
will need to turn in your assignment according to the district policy.
 Assignments due on the day of your absence must be turned in on your first day back.
 1 day missed = 1 day to make-up assignment, 2 days missed = 2 days to make-up assignment
 Science Scheduled Make-up Day for tests, retests, labs and quizzes is Wednesday morning
(7:00 am - 7:40 am) or Thursday afternoon (3:10 pm - 4:00 pm)
 If you miss the day of a review, you will still take the test on the scheduled test day.
Academic Integrity
All students are expected to uphold the honor code. Copying any work is academically dishonest. All students
involved will receive a zero for the assignment and be subject to appropriate disciplinary action for cheating.
 Cheating is defined as:
o Giving or receiving information or help on a test
o Possession of any unauthorized material during a test
o Copying another student’s assignment
o Knowingly allowing another student to copy from his/her assignment
o Submitting duplicate work or having someone else complete an assignment on behalf of the
student.
o Plagiarism, the use of another’s idea or products as one’s own.
Materials – You will need the following every day in class:
 Pencils
 Scientific calculator
o I have a class set of graphing calculators, but the number of students in each class exceeds
the number of calculators. You will need to have your own calculator for use at home to
complete assignments and in class.
 Chemistry Reference Material (example: periodic table)
 Binder 1.5’’ – 2’’
 Spiral notebook
 Roll of paper towels for labs (classroom donation)
Class rules and Procedures
1. Be prepared and on time. Always bring your class materials listed above.
2. No eating or drinking in class.
3. Follow all safety rules on your safety contract.
4. Have respect for your teacher and peers. No talking while the teacher instructing or others are
contributing to class discussions.
5. Use the restroom and get water before you come to class. DO NOT come to class and immediately
ask permission to leave. The answer will be no.
6. You are not allowed in the chemical storeroom, behind the teacher’s desk, or in cabinets unless
instructed by the teacher.
7. Cell phones, I-pods, MP3 players and any other electronic devices are to be turned OFF during
instruction, labs and activities unless we are using them in the lesson for educational purposes and I
have given you permission to use your device. Misuse of electronic devices during instructional
time will result in the items being confiscated and turned in to your principal.