AP CHEMISTRY COURSE SYLLABUS

C. Ericson (email:carolyn.ericson@fortbendisd.com)

The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken
during the first college year. For some students, this course enables them to undertake, as freshmen, second-
year work in the chemistry sequence at their institution or to register in courses in other fields where general
chemistry is a prerequisite. For other students, the AP Chemistry course fulfills the laboratory science
requirement and frees time for other courses. Students in this class will attain a depth of understanding of
fundamentals and a reasonable competence in dealing with chemical problems. The student should be able
to think clearly and to express their ideas, orally and in writing, with clarity and logic. LABS are an important
part of the AP Chemistry course.

Textbook: Chemistry- Zumdahl, 9th Ed. published by Houghton Mifflin Company (2013)
AP Chemistry Edmodo Code: 3gk9am

Supplies Needed for Class:

3 Ring Binder for Notes/Handouts (recommended)
Carbonless Laboratory Notebook, 75 pages minimum (required)
Pencil/Pen/Paper
Scientific Calculator – graphing calculators cannot be used on quizzes and tests
1 Roll Paper Towels

Fall Semester
Ch 1, 2, 3 – Chemical Foundations, Atoms, Molecules, and Ions, Stoichiometry (Summer Assignment)
Ch 4 - Types of Chemical Reactions and Solution Stoichiometry
Ch 5 - Gases
Ch 7 - Atomic Structure & Periodicity
Ch 8, 9 – Bonding: General Concepts
Ch 10 - Liquids and Solids
Ch 11 - Properties of Solutions
Ch 12 - Chemical Kinetics

Spring Semester
Ch 13 - Chemical Equilibrium
Ch 14 - Acids and Bases
Ch 15 – Acid-Base Equilibria
Ch 16 – Solubility Equilibria
Ch 6 ,17 - Thermochemistry and Spontaneity, Entropy, and Free Energy
Ch 18 - Electrochemistry
Review for AP Exam

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
Any behavior that prevents me from teaching you or keeps your fellow students from learning is unacceptable
and will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Be ready to begin class when the tardy bell rings and please look at the agenda that will be posted daily.

Proper care and respect for classroom and laboratory facilities will be expected.

Cell phones can be used for instructional purposes WITH TEACHER PERMISSION – otherwise please do not
have cell phones out in class. On test and quiz days – cell phones (as well as Apple watches and other
electronic devices) must be in backpacks and backpacks and other belongings will be left in the back of the
classroom. No cell phones or electronic devices can be accessed until ALL test papers are turned in to the
teacher. You may not photograph anything in class without my permission.
ABSENCES, MAKE-UP WORK, TARDIES
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check Edmodo calendar and see what assignments are due.
If you are absent on a test day or the day before a test day, you can take the same test within one day as
scheduled with me. If this is not possible, you must arrange with me a mutual time for taking a make-up test.
Late work receives a penalty of 30% for one day late and no credit if late by more than one day.

GRADES
Average will be determined by
50 % Daily Grades – examples of daily grades includes labs, quizzes, and homework*. We will have a
minimum of 11 daily grades. All quizzes will be double daily grades.

*homework grade: We will be using OWL – the online homework program associated with our textbook.
You will have 3-4 OWL assignments per nine weeks.

50% Major Grades - the majority of major grades will be tests. We usually have 3 or 4 tests per
nine week grading period.

Semester average: 1st (or 3rd) 9 weeks grade = 42.5%, 2nd (or 4th) 9 weeks = 42.5%, Sem. Exam = 15%
I do not “bump” any term or semester average – please do not ask me to do so!!

NIGHT LAB
Requirements
You are required to attend night lab. Failure to do so will result in no credit (a zero) being given as your lab
grade. If you are absent from school on your lab day, you must sign up for another session when you return.
If you sign up for a night lab session and do not show up (and you were present at school that day), you must
sign up for another lab session but you receive a 20 pt. deduction on your lab grade.

You will received a detailed separate handout concerning night labs the 2nd week of school.
Night labs will begin the 3rd week of school.

Schedule
Night labs are held after school Tuesday - Thursday. Priority signup is given for students who have a conflict
with 2 of the 3 lab days due to extracurricular activities, sports practices/games, or work to name a few. You
must talk to me about your conflict before you can do the priority signup. With either priority or regular
signup – you may only sign up for yourself.

TUTORING TIMES
Tutoring Times: Monday – Wednesday – Friday 7:00-7:20 am

AP TEST
It is expected, though not required, that you take the AP Chemistry exam in the spring. The AP
Chemistry exam will be given on Monday - May 1, 2017 (morning exam).