Organic Chemistry Syllabus 2017-2018 Instructor Information: Teacher: James Poindexter Room: Belle Vernon Area High School, Room 412 Contact: Phone: 724-808-2500; ext.2412 Email: james.poindexter@bellevernonarea.net 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 2 nd 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 - 90-100 B - 80-89 C - 70-79 D - 60-69 F - 0-59 Assignments per Quarter: 3-4 tests approximately 100 150 pts. each 15 homework assignments approximately 10 pts. each 7 weekly quizzes 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. Home Access Center: Grades will be updated every Friday afternoon on the Home Access Center. If you lost or cannot remember log in information, please contact our Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500 ext. 1108. Schoolwires (Website): The Home Access Center 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 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Unit #1 Atomic and molecular structures Unit #3 Reactions of Hydrocarbons (cont d) Unit #6 Carboxylic Acids Unit #8 Biochemistry (Part I)
I I I I Unit #2 Introduction to Hydrocarbons Unit #4 Alcohols and Phenols Unit #7 (Part I) Ethers and Chiral Carbons Unit #9 Biochemistry (Part II) Unit #3 Reactions of Hydrocarbons Unit #5 Aldehydes and Ketones Unit #7 (Part II) Stereochemistry Unit #10 Coordination Chemistry IV. IV. IV. IV.