Download Course Description - Belle Vernon Area School District

Organic Chemistry
Syllabus
2013-2014
Instructor Information:
Teacher: James Poindexter
Room:
Belle Vernon Area High School, Room 105
Contact:
Phone:
724-808-2500; ext.2105
Email: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.bellevernonarea.net/bvahs
Required Text: None
Additional Resources:
organic chemistry modeling kit
http://www.khanacademy.org
Course Description:
Organic chemistry introduces students to the chemistry of carbon compounds. Emphasis is on
reactions of hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and natural organic
compounds. Also covered are biochemistry, coordination chemistry and nuclear chemistry. The
reactions, techniques, and procedures learned will be applied in lab exercises integrated into
the 5 classes per week schedule at various points during the course. This course is
recommended for anyone considering a career in chemistry, biology, medicine, pharmacy, or
any health related field.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Show the bonding structure of compounds (ionic and molecular).
2. Be able to identify, draw and name organic compounds and their functional groups.
3. Be able to apply reactions to form and use compounds like alkanes, alkenes, alkynes,
alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, ethers, and amides.
4. Be able to apply reactions to synthesize different organic molecules.
5. be able to show reaction mechanisms for reactions such as free radical substitution,
ionic addition, dehydration to form an alkene, Freidel-Crafts alkylation.
6. Be able to identify chiral carbons and show the three dimensional geometry around the
chiral carbon.
7. Be able to show geometries of molecules with more than one chiral carbon.
8. Be able to identify the major biomolecules and their component monomers. They will
also be able to explain how the polymer molecules are assembled.
9. Identify and name coordination complexes and show their geometries. (Time permitting)
Academic Honesty:
Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be
deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate the completion of an alternative assignment
or a zero on the required effort, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Class Policies and Expectations:
1.
Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings.
2.
You are required to keep a class notebook (the type of notebook is up to you)
containing notes, assignments, and review work. These rules are to be kept in the
front of your notebook. You must also bring a writing utensil to class every day.
3.
All tests, quizzes, labs, and homework will be used to calculate your grade. It will be
found by taking your total points divided by the total possible points and multiplying
by 100 to get the percent.
4.
If there is a curve for any test, quiz, or assignment, then to receive the benefit of the
curve it cannot be taken as a make-up. It can be taken early in the event of a field
trip, school activity, planned absence, etc. to be able to get the curve.
5.
If you are seen with a cell phone (or any similar device) during a test, quiz, etc. even
if you have already turned yours in you will receive a 0 no questions asked. Only
materials needed for class are to be on your desk, everything else (books, purses,
bags, etc.) are to be under your desk during class.
6.
If you are absent the day before a test you are not excused from taking the test.
Tests are announced at least a week ahead of time so that you may be thoroughly
prepared.
7.
You must make arrangements to take any missed tests within 10 school days from
the test or it will become a 0. (The longer you wait, the more difficult the make-up
will be)
8.
If you are attending a field trip, you must let me know at least the day before and any
work due the day of the trip must be turned in before you leave for the trip or it will be
considered late and you cannot receive full credit for late work. You are responsible
for any work missed for any reason, if you have questions just ask for help.
9.
There will be NO extra credit given, ever.
10.
Class participation points will be used in the following manner. Each week you will
be given 10 points for participating and proper conduct. Points will be deducted for
misconduct or lack of participation for reasons that include: having a cell phone or
electronic device out during class (note taking tools like ipads and kindles are
acceptable), being late to class, not having materials, class disruptions, eating or
drinking, swearing, doing work for another class, any other student handbook
violation, etc (this is not an all inclusive list). Once points are lost they cannot be
earned back.
Disabilities:
If you have a disability that requires special accommodations, you need to notify the teacher no
later than the 2nd week of class.
Course Grading Criteria:
Along with the grading scale change for the 2014-2015 school year, the expectation is that 90%
of a student’s grade is determined through formal assessments , and only 10% be determined
by informal assessments.
All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District
grading policy. Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than
having letter grades per each effort. The grading scale is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
-
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
Assignments per Quarter:
3-4 tests
15 homework assignments
7 weekly quizzes
approximately 100 – 150 pts. each
approximately 10 pts. each
approximately 10 pts. each
TOTAL POINTS = 840 Points (approximate)
*Assignments or assessments may vary due to pace of class and individualized
instruction.
Academic Standards:
Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been
adopted by the Department of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in
the process of being implemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance
of the standards and the efforts to meet them.
Edline:
If
Grades will be updated every Friday afternoon on Edline. If you lost or cannot remember log in
information, please contact our Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500 ext. 1108.
Schoolwires (Website):
My website will be updated every Friday. Course Topics, Assignments, and Quizzes and Tests
are also posted weekly. When an assignment is made the information will be updated as
needed.
The following signatures state that all parties are aware of the preceding syllabus.
Student Signature____________________Date_______________
Parent Signature_____________________Date_______________
Teacher Signature____________________Date_______________
Course Outline:
1st Quarter
I.
Unit #1 Atomic and
molecular structures
2nd Quarter
I.
Unit #3 Reactions of
Hydrocarbons (cont’d)
3rd Quarter
I.
Unit #6 Carboxylic
Acids
4th Quarter
I.
Unit #8 Biochemistry
(Part I)
II.
II.
II.
II.
Unit #2 Introduction to
Hydrocarbons
Unit #4 Alcohols and
Phenols
Unit #7 (Part I) Ethers
and Chiral Carbons
Unit #9 Biochemistry
(Part II)
III.
III.
III.
Unit #3 Reactions of
Hydrocarbons
Unit #5 Aldehydes
and Ketones
Unit #7 (Part II)
Stereochemistry
III.
Unit #10 Coordination
Chemistry
IV.
IV.
IV.
IV.