WBCS Chemistry - Course Syllabus & Expectations - 2007-2008
TEXT: Chemistry for Christian Schools, Cox, et. al.,©2001

STUDENT NEEDS: Each student will need to provide their own scientific calculator.
One can usually be found locally for between $10-15. Each student will
need an individual notebook of his/her liking.
The instructor will provide:
(a) a textbook
(b) a Course Syllabus & Expectations
(c) periodic assignments, subject to change and/or modification
(d) directions and materials for labs
(e) __________________________________________________________
(f) __________________________________________________________

OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVE: After completion of this course, the student should
have mastered basic chemical principles and be able to apply those principles
to solving problems in the classroom, from the textbook, and through
laboratory experiments.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of reading assignments, written
homework assignments, laboratory reports, and other assigned materials,
demonstrated either orally or on a written quiz, the student will:
show an understanding of the nature of chemistry
define the relationship between matter and energy
know the difference between a law and a theory
use the metric system correctly
solve problems using the factor-label method
know the difference between accuracy and precision
be able to classify matter by its properties
be able to identify chemical and physical changes
know the formula and oxidation numbers of common elements and ions
accurately write chemical formulae
be able to write and balance a chemical equation
be able to identify common reaction types
define the mole
be able to find formula mass
be able to use the mole concept in chemical calculations
know modern theory of atomic structure
define and use the four quantum numbers
write electron configurations and electron dot diagrams
know the historical development of the Periodic Table
be able to predict periodic trends in ionization energy, atomic and ionic size, electronegativity
be able to predict bonding type
be able to write Lewis structures for covalently bonded compounds
know how polarity contributes to chemical properties
be able to use the kinetic theory to describe the states of matter
know the differences between solid., liquid, gas, and plasma
be able to use Charles' and Boyle's Law to solve gas law problems
be able to apply the concept of the molar volume to solving problems
know the factors involved in the solution process and solution rate
be able to calculate various solution concentrations
know the differences between acids and bases
know several different theories used to describe acids and bases
be able to perform calculations to find the unknown concentration of an acid or base
be able to identify simple organic compounds

METHOD OF EVALUATION: Recognizing differences in learning styles, students will be evaluated in
several different ways. Each component of a student's grade will be "weighed" differently, as
determined by the instructor, and shared with the student approximately one week before the end of a
grade reporting period. A student's grade will be based upon:
(a) classroom participation and appropriate classroom behavior
(b) skill quizzes - given as required to insure knowledge of certain basic facts
or concepts - an example of this type of quiz would be a quiz on the symbols of
certain common elements
(c) "pop" quizzes - are unannounced, usually covering material from the previous
day or covered earlier in the class session - this type of quiz usually will
have a point value no greater than 10 points
(d) regular quizzes - usually given weekly, covering the material learned during
the week and reviewing previously learned material - approximately 15 to 20
minutes in length with the point value of a particular quiz ranging from 20 to
40 points
(e) classwork - problems are often solved as a class or in small groups in the
classroom - students can be graded on this work, either collected at the end of
the class session or as an attachment to the home work assignment collected the
next day
(f) homework - HOMEWORK IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE - it will either be “spot”
checked or collected daily, all homework is graded based as much upon a good
faith effort on the part of the student to do the homework rather than the
absolute accuracy of the work - graded homework usually has a point value of 5
or 10 points - late work will receive a reduced grade - homework more than two
days late will earn a grade of zero
(consideration is given for approved class absences)
(g) BONUS POINTS - bonus points are given at the discretion of the instructor for
superlative classroom performances, either individually or collectively, OR for
other specific activities - 1 BONUS POINT is equal to 0.25 points added to the
term average - no student may acquire more than 12 BONUS POINTS during a grade
reporting period

MAKEUP: Make-up for missing classes, quizzes, or tests will be at some time mutually agreeable between
the student and the instructor. It is expected that the student make up all work in a time frame equal to
the number of days absent. (For example, if one day is missed, the student has one day to make up
missing work). Special arrangements can always be made for EXTRAORDINARY circumstances. The
instructor is usually in the building by 6:30 AM. The instructor will usually check his email at 5:00 PM
and 7:30 PM for academic questions. The address is:
      wbcs-burt @ charterinternet.com (do not include spaces when entering this address)