AP Chemistry
Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor
Classroom
Phone
Email
Tutorials
Mrs. Y. Jay Phillips
S-231
281-920-8000 ext. 6165
[email protected]
THE best way to contact me
Every day during Lunch
because I’m socially awkward
OVERVIEW:
AP Chemistry is designed to provide the student with the equivalent of an introductory first year course
sequence in COLLEGE CHEMISTRY. The course is designed for college-bound students who either would like
to earn college credit (by AP examination) or would like to prepare for college chemistry while in high school.
This is accomplished through an intensive, in-depth approach.
It is highly recommended that the student take the College Board's Advance Placement test in Chemistry
as a capstone activity for this course. The score on the AP exam will be evaluated by the College Board and
reported to the colleges of the student's choice. Scores of 1 or 2 on the test will generally not qualify the student
to receive college credit. Scores of 3, 4 or 5 (the maximum score possible) will generally allow the student to
place out of freshman courses. The amount of credit granted varies by grade and by university. The grade
earned in the class is independent of the Advance Placement exam.
The laboratory portion of this class is to be the equivalent of a college laboratory experience. Because
some colleges require proof of the laboratory portion of the course before granting credit, all students will keep a
record of all laboratory experiments in their binder.
Because of the nature of this course and the amount of new material that will be covered, a strong
preparatory background in Pre-AP Chemistry is a requirement. The topics that I expect that you already know
include:
 Atomic structure
 Chemical Periodicity
 Electron configurations
 Behavior of gases
 Bonding
 Mole concept
 VSEPR theory
 Mole calculations
 Acid-base reactions
 Stoichiometry
 Nuclear chemistry
 Making and interpretation of graphs
 Chemical Nomenclature
 Making observations from laboratory
experiments
 Chemical reactions (predicting, writing and
balancing)
The nature of Chemistry requires the student to know certain basic facts that MUST be committed to
memory. Mathematics is an integral part of this class. Problem solving strategies will be stressed throughout the
year and this course also requires the student be able to solve problems WITH and WITHOUT a graphing
calculator (using estimation).
TEXTBOOK & ONLINE RESOURCES:
The materials for this course are from numerous texts and online resources. The students will be given access to
necessary resources as every unit is introduced. Helpful resources are:
 Chemistry, Ninth Edition, AP Edition by Steven S. Zumdahl and Susan A. Zumdahl
 https://apchemistrynmsi.wikispaces.com/
REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Laptop

Writing utensils (pencils and different colored pens as needed)

Notebook paper

Graphing Calculator

Binder with tabs and/or dividers for class materials (the binder should have a divider tab for each unit)
GRADING:
 70% Major Grades: Tests, Major Quizzes, Lab Reports
 30% Minor Grades: Homework, Daily Assignments, Minor Quizzes
Within a grading period there will be generally no more than three major tests. Quizzes are randomly given each
cycle. Most tests will be in AP format and will be graded according to AP standards. Formal lab reports are
required for some, but not for all laboratory exercises. Instructions for formal laboratory reports will be explained
in class. Homework will be assigned as needed; due dates for each assignment will be announced in class.
RETAKE POLICY:
 Retakes are to be given approximately one week after the original test grade has been posted on
Gradespeed
 If a student scores higher on his/her retake, the retake grade will replace the original test grade (maximum
of 75 per Pre-AP/AP grading policy).
 If a student scores lower on his/her retake, the average of the original test and the retake will be recorded
as the final average for that assignment.
In addition, retakes will be given only to those students who have emailed a retake request to the instructor on
time by designated date and time (as informed by the instructor during class and as posted in the classroom or
the HUB).
Units
Labs
 Determination of Relationship Between the
Concentration of a Solution and the Amount of
Transmitted Light Through the Solution
Stoichiometry
 Determination of Mass Percent of Copper in
Brass
 Determination of the Empirical Formula
Types of Reactions
Determination of Percent Peroxide
Electrochemistry
Electroplating
 Calorimetry
Thermochemistry and Thermodynamics
 The Hand Warmer Design Challenge
Determination of the Rate Law of the Fading of
Kinetics
Crystal Violet using Beer’s Law
General and Solubility Equilibrium
 Make the Colors of the Rainbow
 Acid in Fruit Juice and Soft Drinks
Acid-Base and Buffer Equilibrium
 Acid-Base Titration
 Preparation of an Effective Buffer
Atomic Structure and Periodic Trends
Virtual Lab
 What’s in That Bottle?
Chemical Bonding
 Foiled Again
Gases
Determination of the Universal Gas Constant R
States of Matter and Intermolecular Forces
May the Force Be With You
AP Exam Review
Mock AP Exam
*The order of units covered and specific laboratory exercises are subject to change.