Instructor: Mr. Bill Chessman
Phone: 412.208.3405
Email: wchessman@pittcentralcatholic.org

Email is the most efficient method of reaching me.  
For best results: email me.

Behavioral Expectations
1.Follow the instructor’s directives
2.Arrive to class on time and prepared
3.Accept feedback without the need for redirections
4.Use appropriate language
5.Respect all school materials and property
6.Remain seated during class with the proper posture
7.Avoid horseplay or outbursting
8.Keep conversations related to academic materials
9.Treat all staff with respect and appropriate interactions
10.Treat all peers with respect and appropriate interactions
11.All Central conduct and dress codes are enforced

Academic expectations
1.It is recognized that a sufficient base of factual material
  is both desired and appropriate for science mastery.  However, 
  given the limited instructional time allotted, students will
  be  encouraged to master the basics through independent study.
  The majority of classroom time will be devoted to hands on 
  laboratory investigations, preparations, instructional videos,
  group projects, discussions, and other active learning 
  experiences.  Therefore it is best to consider this course as
  a partial independent study program. The students are 
  expected to assume greater responsibility for their mastery 
  of the basic material.  
2.Bring the textbook, notebook, folders, and a writing implement 
  to class.  
3.It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor 
  of missed assignments, tests, quizzes, homework, or 
  laboratories.  Please schedule a time to catch up.

Grading
1.An objective scale is used to determine grades.
2.A semester grade scale usually is based on 900 -  1200 total 
  possible points.  A student can obtain a rough estimate of 
  their grade by dividing the number of points they have
  accumulated by the number of total possible points.
3.Extra credit is built into the various quizzes, tests, and 
  assignments. Assume that no extra credit assignments are 
  acceptable.
4.Central Catholic’s grading scale is used.
5.Some assignments will be delivered electronically
6.Most assignments are available on-line absent students should
 check the website for missed work.




Course description

Chemistry is meant to provide a survey of the realm of the science
 of matter, within the context of an experimentally based 
 curriculum. Independent study along with participation in
 classroom activities is required to enhance student comprehension
 and appreciation of the subject matter.  Homework, discussion of
 reading (both the text and supplemental handouts), lab reports, 
 quizzes, and group work are required.  At the end of the year 
 the students are expected to have improved their ability to read,
 think, speak, and write in a scientific manner.

Expected topics

1.	Principles of chemistry including themes of basic chemistry, and biochemistry
2.	Mathematical knowledge including dimensional analysis, the metric system ratios, stoichiometry, and the logarithmic scale.
3.	Analytical and critical thinking tools including, the periodic table and its trends, graphing data, interpreting graphs, and using graphs to describe matter.
4.	Describing matter including classifying and separating, mixtures, elements, compounds, homogenous and heterogeneous solutions
5.	Naming ionic and covalent compounds and using formulas to describe a variety of chemical reactions including, combustion, synthesis, decomposition, single and double replacement
6.	Molar relationships including defining a mole, Avogadro’s number, converting units to molar units, problem solving, preparing solutions of varying concentrations, and percent composition
7.	Gases and their properties including describing gases, the gas laws, the ideal gas law, STP, pressure, volume, and temperature.
8.	The kinetic and molecular theories of matter.
9.	Composition of the atom including the electron, proton, neutron, isotopes, orbital theory, Bohr’s and Rutherford’s experiments.
10.	Nuclear chemistry including half life, radioactive dating, and decay
11.	Thermodynamics including properties of energy, heat, specific heat, exothermic, endothermic reactions, and enthalpy
12.	Acids and Bases including the pH scale, neutralization, titration, and the various definitions of acids and bases.
13.	Electrochemistry including oxidation and reduction, and simple voltaic cells
14.	Environmental aspects of chemistry



Thank you, please contact me with any questions.  Let’s have a successful year.