Dr. Sharon M. Palmer
Textbook, Chemistry: Principles and Reactions, Masterton and Hurley,4th edition
In order to study chemistry, you must learn how to make measurements, pose and test hypotheses, design and carry out experiments, interpret experimental findings, and communicate and defend a scientific argument. Carrying out experiments serves to illustrate both the scientific method and specific chemical concepts. Homework and interpreting your experimental findings will help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I hope that you will be experiencing science as empirical, dynamic, and relevant to your everyday lives.
Specific course content is illustrated in the outline below. This amounts to roughly one unit every two weeks! This will require that you spend a significant amount of time reading and studying outside of class on a daily basis. It is very important that you do not fall behind.
Course Outline:
Trimester 1:
Trimester 2:
For each unit, you will:
| Quizzes/Tests | 40% |
| Labs | 25% |
| Exam | 20% |
| Homework | 15% |
Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory periods, and to arrive on time.
Required Course Materials; bring to class every day:
You will not be excused to retrieve these from your locker once class has begun. I will let you know if you should bring your textbook to class; in general, they may be left at home.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned date. Do not expect to print out an assignment in class on the day that it is due. If an assignment is not turned in at the beginning of class, it is one day LATE. Assignments turned in one day late will be docked 20% the first day, 40% the second day, and may be turned in on the 3d day for half-credit. No later homework will be accepted. In the case of excused absences, homework may be turned in upon your return to school for full credit.
Bathroom passes are for occasional use and may not be used during the first five or last ten minutes of class, while a test is being taken, or while instructions that you must hear are being given. Plan accordingly.
The successful student will:
Class Participation is not a formal part of your grade. However, please note that class participation can, in some circumstances, affect your grade. You will be evaluated on how well you follow the laboratory guidelines and to what extent you contribute to a positive learning environment in general. Coming to class tardy or without your notebook, pencil, or calculator, and excessive use of passes will count against you.
Please remember that if you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed! You can contact me or a classmate or check the website during your absence and make an appointment to see me after school upon your return. Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up promptly (or else you will fall behind). Note that it is difficult to make up laboratory work. You must make arrangements to complete lab work and turn in your lab report within one week of your absence. Work not made up promptly will not receive full credit. See Student Handbook for additional information.
You are expected to make every effort to be in class on Test days. If you miss a Test due to an excused absence, please contact me (or have your parent/guardian do so) that morning to let me know you will be out, and you will take the make-up Test on the day that you return to class – after school, during a Directed Study period, or, if necessary, instead of class that day. If you will miss a test due to a planned absence, you must make necessary arrangements in advance. If you are absent only part of the day, it is your responsibility to make arrangements in advance to turn in homework and take the Test that same day.
Please contact me if you need extra help – and don’t delay. I will be available daily after school, and will have one period a day that is generally unscheduled. In addition, please note that conversations about make-up work, individual grades, scheduled absences, or other personal problems cannot be held during class time.
From outside of school, you can reach me most easily at palmers@arps.org or by leaving a message at 362-1537.
For parents, e-mail is probably easiest.
You are encouraged to work together on homework, lab reports, and other assignments. However, everyone must complete one’s own assignments, and all written work must be yours and yours alone. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and will be referred to the administration, as described in the student handbook.
Laboratory Safety. Since we work regularly with chemicals and glassware, laboratory safety is an extremely important part of this course. All safety rules must be followed at all times. Students engaging in unsafe conduct will receive a zero for the assignment and will be subject to removal from the laboratory along with further disciplinary consequences
NO FOOD OR DRINK WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE CLASSROOM (with the exception of clear, colorless water bottles, but not in the laboratory section). It is unsafe to eat or drink in a chemistry laboratory. Discard your coffee cups, soda cans, and food wrappers before you enter the classroom. No exceptions.
DO NOT bring cell phones, CD/MP3 players, headphones, or other electronic devices to class. Remove your headphones before you enter the classroom. I don’t want to see or hear cell phones. These items will be confiscated and returned to your parent/guardian, or to you at the end of the trimester.