I. COURSE INFORMATION
A. Course Description:
RVGS Chemistry is the required science course for all second year students. The course explores the fundamental laws, theories, and mathematical concepts of chemistry and uses lab-based modules in materials science to complement and extend traditional topics. Topics studied include: structure and states of matter, atomic theory, types of reactions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, gas laws, descriptive chemistry and molecular structure and function. The laboratory experience is used as a primary means for the understanding and development of chemical concepts Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of data via computer-interfaced equipment, including Vernier probes, LabPro interfaces, and LoggerPro data acquisition software. A variety of software is used to graphically display and statistically analyze this data. Educational technologies used include DVDs, CD-ROMs, laser discs, SmartBoards, Microsoft Office, and the Internet.B. Resources and References:
- Wilbraham, Antony C., Staley, Dennis D., Matta Michale S., and Waterman, Edward L., Chemistry, Prentice Hall, Boston, 2008.
- Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 74th Edition, CRC Press.
- Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, Thirteenth Edition, John A. Dean, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1985.
- The Merck Index, Twelvth Edition, Merck & Company,Rahway, N.J., 1983.
II. GRADING POLICIES
A. Grading Scale:
- A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F <60%
B. Types of Evaluations:
1. Laboratory: the laboratory experience will be the means by which most topics will be introduced. Students will be expected to read all material pertinent to the upcoming laboratory experiment before doing the experiment. Each student will record all information pertaining to the experiment in his/her laboratory notebook. (see Keeping the Laboratory Notebook) 2. Quizzes: Quiz formats may include both traditional (paper and pencil) quizzes and performance-based assessments. 3. Tests: Tests will be given periodically to assess work covered over an extended length of time. Material included on a given test will have been previously assessed using other formats. Generally, three or more tests, including a final, are given per semester. Tests are most often closed book, closed note, individual assessments, but other forms including open book, cooperative work, or take-home may be used on occasion. 4. Homework/Classwork: Homework will be checked on a regular basis; however, not all assignments will be collected. It is the student's responsibility to complete all work assigned. Unless otherwise stated, homework should be completed before the beginning of the class period. Long-term problem sets may be collected and graded; opportunities will be provided for students to ask questions before the due date of the assignment.5. Time Management/Participation: This category includes an evaluation of class participation and attention to others in discussions and working cooperatively with others during experiments and group projects. A rubric will be provided to students to inform them of the expectations of the instructor
6. Safety: The students will be evaluated on how well they follow laboratory safety rules and practice correct (safe) laboratory techniques.C. Semester Grade Determination:
Laboratory Reports
Quizzes
Tests
Homework/Classwork
Time Management
Safety25%
20%
30%
15%
5%
5%D. Final Grade Determination:
- Each Semester: 50%
III. COURSE POLICIES
A. Competency Mastery:
The students will be made aware of what competencies and enabling objectives are being covered at any particular time. The assignments, quizzes, and tests will reflect the content of the competencies and enabling objectives. Students who obtain a 70% score or greater on a quiz or test will be considered to have minimally achieved the particular enabling objectives and competencies in question.B. Class Policies and Procedures:
1. Late work - Ten percent per day will be deducted for work turned in late, up to a max of fifty percent, unless the instructor has granted an extension because of extenuating circumstances. A signed note from a parent/guardian must accompany all late work acknowledging that he/she knows it is being turned in late. 2. Assignment schedule - Information relating to the course including class schedule, assignments, due dates, etc. can be found on the GSC website (http://www.files.chem.vt.edu//RVGS/GSC/GSC-home.html) It is expected that students will check the calendar on a regular basis and record assignments in their daily planners. 3. Flash drive - Each student should have his/her own USB "flash" drive for use in this class. When a group of students is doing a cooperative activity on an RVGS computer, each student should save the data and/or results on his/her flash drive and file server account immediately after the activity is concluded. Nothing should ever be saved on the hard drive of the computer being used. 4. Homework may include written work and/or reading assignments. It is just as important to do all reading assignments as it is written ones. Failure to do so is usually apparent during the progress of the class, in class discussions, lab preparation, and reports, quizzes, and tests. 5. Laboratory safety is of vital importance. Safety rules will be followed at all times. A student's failure to follow safety guidelines will result in his/her dismissal from the laboratory for the remainder of the experiment. A second dismissal will require a meeting of the student with Dr. Shelly and the instructor. 6. Help needed - The instructor serves as a facilitator for student learning. Help often takes the form of an answer to a question, or a leading question, or teacher-student group brainstorming. Students are reminded that after-school appointments and workshops are available when extra help is needed. All GSC instructors are committed to helping students one-on-one when needed and are available for help before or after school with prior notice and scheduling. It is important to schedule an appointment to insure that the instructor will be free to help. 7. The Student Performance Strategy will provide the guidelines for intervention in the event that a student's classroom performance drops below a B. 8. Food and drinks are allowed only with permission of the teacher in the desk area of the classroom. The same rule goes for iPods, cell phones, etc. 9. Students are expected to follow the RVGS policies related to computer usage and respect for school and individual computer files. The guidelines listed in the "Computer Technologies Policy Perspective" will be rigorously followed. 10. The policy stated in the RVGS Student Handbook on absences and tardies will be rigorously followed. 11. Work is due on the first day the student returns to class after an absence, unless illness prevents it (and the instructor has been contacted). It is expected that the student will initiate contact with the instructor, prior to the date when the work is due, to work out agreed upon deadlines for turning in late work in the case of extenuating circumstances. 12. Interim reports will be distributed three times each semester to report student progress. Students will be informed of their progress informally at various points throughout each semester and grades will be posted online and updated every two to three weeks. 13. Class instructional methods will include the use of cooperative learning, small and large group projects, computer-aided-instruction (CAI), and laboratory experimentation. Some of the laboratory experimentation will be done individually, other will be in groups of two to four students. 14. Cheating is not tolerated at RVGS. All students are expected to submit individual work, unless specific permission has been given by the instructor to work with others or use notes on a quiz or test. Cheating includes copying a work from any source (another student in the class, a student who attended the class in a prior year, a text, or the internet) and representing it as your own. Any student who knowingly assists another in cheating (Ie.g. letting the student copy his paper) is subject to administrative action as well. Electronic communication devices of any sort that are visible during a quiz or a test without the teacher's permission will automatically be viewed as evidence of cheating, which will result in a grade of zero for the assessment and possible dismissal from RVGS.