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CHEMISTRY
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Chemistry is a laboratory course emphasizing scientific inquiry through the study of materials and their interactions. Because chemistry is a central science with a focus on the processes of interest to others in many fields, the course emphasizes how scientists pursue their investigations and come to conclusions about the results. The laboratory approach emphasizes the use of measurement and analysis. Since all citizens need a background knowledge of chemistry, the skills of scientific investigation and observation are reinforced with sound factual knowledge and practical application.
Critical Components
To satisfy the state graduation requirements, a chemistry course should deal significantly with:
I. Science as a Method of Learning
II. Chemistry as a Discipline for Analyzing and Proposing Solutions to Personal Problems
and Societal Problems Facing Our Civilization
III. Chemistry as the Science of Matter and the Changes in Matter
I. Science as a Method of Learning
Goal:
Students will explain what it is to know something scientifically and be able to contrast scientific knowledge with other kinds of knowledge.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Make and utilize observations of chemical phenomena.
2. Distinguish between observation and inference.
3. Distinguish between fact and opinion.
4. Explain that scientific knowledge is based upon human interpretation of observable phenomena.
5. Identify other ways of knowing and explain how such knowledge differs from scientific knowledge.
B. Goal:
Students will define science as a human enterprise and understand that all scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to critical review and revision.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Explain the role of verification in science.
2. Cite examples of change in our understanding of chemical phenomena.
3. Use criteria for evaluating the validity of chemical knowledge.
4. Propose alternative interpretations of observation of chemical objects or events.
5. Propose alternative hypotheses to account for observations.
C. Goal:
Students will demonstrate the ability to use the skills associated with scientific investigation.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Make and record observations of matter and chemical processes.
2. Group or order matter according to an established scheme.
3. Make inferences based on verifiable (repeatable) data.
4. Make predictions based on repeated observations.
5. Measure in SI units.
6. Report, verbally and in writing, analyses and conclusions based on data recorded in the laboratory.
7. Formulate questions and hypotheses verbally and in writing.
8. Design and implement data gathering procedures for testing hypotheses.
9. Be knowledgeable and practice safe procedures when dealing with chemicals.
II. Chemistry as a Discipline for Analyzing and Proposing Solutions to Personal and Societal Problems of Our Civilization.
A. Goal:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of how chemistry is an important part of the advancement of civilization and how chemistry can contribute to the creation and solution of problems.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Recognize that chemistry has aesthetic as well as practical value.
2. Have an awareness of the affect and role of chemistry in everyday life.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how scientific and technological knowledge and advancements influence economic development.
4. Understand that governmental policies affect the direction and progress of chemistry and that the activities of chemistry affect governmental policies.
5. Realize that the rapid accumulation of scientific and technical knowledge can create serious problems when society accepts new developments without taking time to anticipate the consequences.
6. Have an awareness of the effort and role of chemistry on art and literature.
7. Be able to discuss how progress in science and technology can influence the societal and ethical aspect of culture.
III. Chemistry as the Science of Matter and the Changes of Matter
A. Goal:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of atomic and molecular structure.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the particulate nature of matter.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the periodicity of the elements.
3. Recognize the difference m the behavior of the atoms in chemical and nuclear reactions.
4. Demonstrate a knowledge of the structure and behavior of molecules.
B. Goal:
The student will recognize and understand the role of physical forces in the behavior of matter.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the states of matter.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the changes of the states of matter and the forces involved.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the behavior and properties of various mixtures (solution chemistry).
C. Goal:
The student will recognize and understand the role of chemical forces in the behavior of matter.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Differentiate between the various types of chemical reactions.
2. Write and balance equations for appropriate chemical reactions.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the various chemical bonds.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of reaction kinetics and chemical equilibrium.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of energy changes in chemical reactions.
D. Goal:
The student will be able to use quantitative relationships in explaining chemical processes.
Objectives:
Students will:1. Understand and use the mole concept.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the mass-volume relationship of balanced chemical reactions.
3. Be able to calculate quantities of chemicals needed to prepare standard solutions.
4. Be able to do calculations involved in acid-base chemistry.
