Chemistry Manual 2012-2013 - Edison State College

Blake Schmidt - Introduction Page 3
Course Syllabus
This syllabus outlines the expectations
students will need to meet in order to be
successful in chemistry. This syllabus should be
considered as a supplement to Charlotte
County Public School's policies as described in
the “Code of Student Conduct.” You are
responsible for knowing and following these
guidelines.
Point Breakdown: Each quarter
grade will be based on points
earned in the following categories:
Tests & Quizzes…………………….70%
Participation……………...….…….20%
Lab Reports…………………….……10%
Semester grades will be based on
35% for each quarter and 30% for
the semester examination.
Participation: Major concepts will be broken down into units (see Basic Plan of Attack). Each unit will consist
mainly of laboratories and whiteboard classroom discussions. The fundamental concepts will be developed
during these exercises. Each student is expected to participate in a positive manner toward the development
of these concepts and to maintain a notebook. Students begin with a 75% (C) for participation. Each positive
contribution adds to this score. Minimal participation will result in deduction, and negative participation (e.g.
disruptive behavior) will result in major deduction (see Participation in Appendix).
Tests and Quizzes: Students should expect to be quizzed for understanding as concepts are developed. Each
unit may have one or two small quizzes and they may be unannounced. The overwhelming majority of points
for this category, however, will be earned during tests. Each unit concludes with a test. Note that 70% of a
quarter grade will be based on two or three tests. There will be an opportunity during office hours to earn
back up to half of missed test points for most, but not all, tests. To repair a test, students will need to answer a
new set of questions similar to those missed on the test. The total percentage of points earned back on the
test will be determined by the percentage of questions answered correctly (100% correct = 50% back, 75%
correct = 37.5% back, 50% correct = 25% back, 10% correct = 5% back, etc.). Students are encouraged to
review their test with the instructor during office hours prior to attempting to answer the new questions. Test
repair will be available during office hours for the entirety of the quarter in which the test was given.
Lab Reports: Students are expected to write a complete PPOWR lab report for each lab. All lab reports are due
the next school day following the completion of a lab. Each lab report will be assessed quickly for completion
as a participation grade. Three lab reports will be formally assessed for content each quarter. Students will
choose the three lab reports they submit for grading, but these must be submitted on the normal due date for
that lab. Students can not submit lab reports for formal grading after that lab's due date.
Academic Honesty: To make this class work its best, I encourage you to discuss and process information with
friends, family, Google, and even Wikipedia (I especially recommend Wikipedia). At the same time, you cannot
attempt to claim someone else’s work or thoughts as your own. You must give credit where credit is due:
Always provide a reference. Make sure you are familiar with the difference between an acceptable
paraphrase and plagiarism (see Appendix). I take cheating very seriously and will not tolerate plagiarism. Any
plagiarized assignment will receive a failing grade and further action may be warranted depending on previous
record (i.e. course failure). Consider yourself duly warned.