Keim, Beth, Chemistry

Organic Chemistry 

Course Information Fall 2022

Mrs. Keim

Welcome to Organic Chemistry!  This packet gives a brief description of the course as well as the standard classroom policies and course expectations.

Course Description

This lab-based course focuses on the chemistry of carbon based compounds. The primary focus will be to understand and appreciate the connections organic chemistry has to the numerous facets of life. Topics will include nomenclature, organic structures and functional groups, reaction mechanisms, synthesis, and analytical techniques. Students who intend to pursue a career in chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, biology, nursing, or veterinary medicine will find this course extremely beneficial.

Evaluation is based upon exams, quizzes, laboratory reports, homework and in-class activities.

Course Requirements

Please come to class prepared to work.  This means bringing all materials necessary for class.  You will need the following items for class:

Notebook – You are to maintain a class notebook.  This could be a three ring binder which can include class notes, handouts and homework assignments. 

Calculator – You need a calculator for all quizzes and exams.  This can be a simple scientific calculator.  

Grading

Nine weeks grades are determined by your performance on various evaluation tools.  The percent that each will make up your grade is as follows:

Homework Policy

Many concepts in chemistry are abstract and to fully understand them, practice is needed.  It is imperative that you complete and keep up with the homework assigned in class.  Homework may be evaluated in the following ways:  

• Collected for a grade 

• Quiz (grade will be placed in quiz category)

• In class discussion (not graded or completion grade)

Late Work

It is the expectation that all students will turn in homework by the given due date.  Late homework is defined as an assignment not turned in by the established due date. All assignments are listed and accessible in the daily agenda and will be announced in class as well.  

Student Make Up Work Procedure 

Absences

In the event that a student is absent from class the student will make arrangements to submit his/her work, take a test/quiz, and get assignments that were missed.

• It is the student’s responsibility to check teacher websites and / or contact the teacher for work. Students are expected to make up all work missed within a time period not to exceed the total number of days absent from that specific class. Thereafter, a 10% deduction may be taken for each class meeting day the assignment / assessment is late following the student’s absence from class.

  • Example: A student is out Monday (A), Tuesday (B), and Wednesday (A). The student will get A day work on Friday, and it will be due two classes later on Thursday. The student will get B day work on Thursday, and it will be due Monday.

• Students are strongly encouraged to make up missed work and keep up with assignments while they are out.

• Extensions may be given at the discretion of the classroom teacher.

Unexcused Absences

If a student cuts class and is unaccounted for in the attendance system, s/he cannot earn higher than half of the credit that was earned for the assignment.  The assignment/assessment is due the class period that the student returns to class.

If you have a class cut during a lab, quiz, or exam you will receive a zero for that assignment

Academic Integrity

Cheating on any class work will not be tolerated.  You will receive a zero on the assignment as well as receiving punishment during the Discipline Code.

If you are found using a cell phone or other electronic device during a graded assessment, you will be sent to an administrator and you will receive a zero on the assessment.

Students may not leave the classroom while an evaluation is taking place.

     Electronic Devices 

Cell phones are to be silenced and put into bags at the beginning of the period.   This is to cut down on distractions and give our full attention to what is happening in the classroom.  On exam days, cell phones will be placed in the phone caddy at the beginning of the class period.You may pick your phone up at the end of the class period.

You will be using your laptop at various times during class.  I would ask that you limit the “multi-tasking” that comes along with using this technology.  

Late to Class

It is important that you arrive to class on time so that class can begin without interruption.  You are permitted 3 tardies per semester.  If you exceed three, you will be assigned detention.  

Bathroom Pass

One person is permitted out of the classroom at a time.   Please sign out on the provided sheet and take a hall pass.  Those who abuse the privilege will have it revoked.

Laboratory Behavior

You will be participating in a variety of labs and activities throughout the year.    The first lab period will be devoted to teaching safety practices in the laboratory.  You will be expected to follow all laboratory safety rules and procedures when working in the lab.  Any infractions will result in penalties that will impact your lab grade.  Also, keeping the lab equipment and lab area clean will be part of your lab grade.