AP Chemistry
(acoldwell@horton.ednet.ns.ca)
1. The Opportunity
For the 2008-2009 school year the AVRSB Virtual Advanced Placement Initiative is offering an unique opportunity to students who plan to pursue a post-secondary university education. Through the use of a virtual component, highly motivated, wellorganized students with an appropriate academic background are being invited to enroll in an Advanced Placement Chemistry credit course during their grade 12 year. Before studying AP Chemistry, all students should complete Advanced Math 11, or Math 11 and Chemistry 11. Most students will have completed these courses prior to entering grade 12. These students would be invited to enroll in AP Chemistry which is to begin in September 2008. They would be eligible to write the AP Chemistry examination in May 2009. In addition to obtaining a grade 12 advanced placement credit for high school graduation, and easing the transitions for students from high school to university, many universities grant advanced placement and/or credit upon successful completion of the AP examination.
2. The Instructor:
Anita Coldwell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Math, a Bachelor of Education degree with a specialization in secondary science, and a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum Studies. Anita began her career teaching Math in North Carolina (1 year) and in Annapolis County (2 years). Anita has been teaching Chemistry for 8 years at Horton High School. Anita is a member of the AVRSB Chemistry Lead Team and has attended many Chemistry conferences and in-services.
3. The Commitment:
Students will be supplied with a text book, on-line web support, Chemskillbuilder software, instruction on-line and clear expectations regarding outcomes and expectations. Evaluations will include regular assignments to be submitted on-line or by email each week. Students are expected to respect virtual course times and appointments as well as attend regularly scheduled lab sessions at Horton High School.
4. Materials
• • • scientific calculator a memory stick or portable data storage device would be an asset textbook: Chemistry(8th Edition) by R. Chang (w/ CD-ROM)
5. Web Site
I have permission to use a Web site which supports this course, AVRSB AP Chemistry. This Web site has been set up by Mark Richards, a former Virtual AP Chemistry teacher. You can reach it through the following link: http://www.horton.ednet.ns.ca/staff/Richards/APChemistry/APIndex.htm Check the Web site daily for assignments, PowerPoint lectures, and many other resources.
AP Chemistry Course Expectations and Outline
6. LABS AP Chemistry has a strong laboratory component. Through completing labs virtually and through participating in scheduled lab days at Horton, students will be exposed to a wide range of Chemistry experiences and complete the AP Chemistry laboratory component of the course. Because some institutions require a record of the laboratory work done by an AP student before making a decision about granting credit, placement or both, in the chemistry program, students should keep a lab binder or portfolio of all completed labs. 7. HOMEWORK • Reading: Very Important! Read the textbook and web resources regularly, stay up-to-date to be prepared. • Assignments: There will be assignments for each unit of the course and will be posted on the web site. Assignments will include online ChemSkill Builder exercises and written assignments which will be emailed to me on a regular basis. • Lab Assignments: As stated above, labs must be completed within one week after completion of lab activity in class, so consider this part of regular homework. • Projects: There will be one major project given each term. 8. TESTS Tests are composed of AP exam questions and AP-style exam questions. Tests will take between 1 – 1.5 hours to write and time will be limited just as it is on the AP Exam. Test questions will be based on class notes and the Chang text. 9. GRADING Grades will be calculated on a percentage basis. The value of each individual assignment varies, and is dependent on how many of that type of work is assigned each term. Each student earns their grade based on the quality of work they complete. Students will be given 1 week to complete each assignment.
Assignments Labs 20% 20%
Students will be given 1 week to complete each lab. Labs will be completed at Horton High School during scheduled lab afternoons. (possibly 5 – 6 times a year)
Dates for these tests and outlines will be provided on the AP Chemistry website. They will be 1.5 hours in length and will be written in a secure location at your school. A take home exam will be given at the end of the AP course. Each Term will have a project. This could range from a paper, an electronic presentation, a model, or a research assignment.
Tests
40%
Exam Project/Paper
10% 10%
10. EXTRA HELP I am available for extra help by appointment. Please schedule at least a couple days ahead of time.
AP Chemistry Course Expectations and Outline
AP Chemistry Timeline 2008– 09
Course Sequence It is very difficult to develop a course sequence that pleases everybody. In our case the students may still be partaking in chemistry classes in their own schools so trying to come up with a sequence that meets the needs of all involved is difficult. During the first half of the year the course will cover topics that are similar to the N.S curriculum. Following January exams the course will continue with topics unique to the AP curriculum. September to the end of January (subject to a change in sequence) • Thermochemistry • Solutions • Chemical Kinetics • Chemical Equilibrium • Acids and Bases • Electrochemistry Special AP Units • Free Energy, Entropy – To be completed during the Thermochemistry unit • Buffers - To be completed during the Acids and Bases unit • Hydrolysis - To be completed during the Acids and Bases unit • Rate Laws - To be completed during the Chemical Kinetics unit February to the end of mid-May (subject to a change in sequence) • Structure of Matter o Organic Chemistry o Atomic Theory Atomic Mass, Atomic Number, Mass Number Isotopes Electron Energy levels, atomic spectra, quantum numbers Periodic Relationships o Chemical Bonding Binding Forces Molecular Models Special AP Units • Nuclear Chemistry • Gases • Liquids and Solids
AP Chemistry Course Expectations and Outline