Durham Continuing Education

Pine Ridge Night School

Chemistry, Grade 12 University Preparation (SCH4U)
Teacher: C. Donis
Course Description
This course enables students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of organic chemistry, the
structure and properties of matter, energy changes and rates of reaction, equilibrium in chemical systems, and
electrochemistry. Students will further develop their problem-solving and investigation skills as they investigate chemical
processes, and will refine their ability to communicate scientific information. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of
chemistry in everyday life and on evaluating the impact of chemical technology on the environment.
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Grade 11 University Preparation (SCH3U)

Units of Study & Overall Expectations

Structure and Properties of Matter

assess the benefits to society and evaluate the environmental impact of products and technologies that apply
principles related to the structure and properties of matter

investigate the molecular shapes and physical properties of various types of matter

demonstrate an understanding of atomic structure and chemical bonding, and how they relate to the physical
properties of ionic, molecular, covalent network, and metallic substances
Organic Chemistry

assess the social and environmental impact of organic compounds used in everyday life, and propose a course of
action to reduce the use of compounds that are harmful to human health and the environment

investigate organic compounds and organic chemical reactions, and use various methods to represent the
compounds

demonstrate an understanding of the structure, properties, and chemical behaviour of compounds within each
class of organic compounds
Energy and Rates of Reaction

analyse technologies and chemical processes that are based on energy changes, and evaluate them in terms of
their efficiency and their effects on the environment

investigate and analyse energy changes and rates of reaction in physical and chemical processes, and solve
related problems

demonstrate an understanding of energy changes and rates of reaction

Chemical Systems and Equilibrium

analyse chemical equilibrium processes, and assess their impact on biological, biochemical, and technological
systems

investigate the qualitative and quantitative nature of chemical systems at equilibrium, and solve related problems

demonstrate an understanding of the concept of dynamic equilibrium and the variables that cause shifts in the
equilibrium of chemical systems
Electrochemistry

analyse technologies and processes relating to electrochemistry, and their implications for society, health and
safety, and the environment

investigate oxidation-reduction reactions using a galvanic cell, and analyse electrochemical reactions in
qualitative and quantitative terms

demonstrate an understanding of the principles of oxidation-reduction reactions and the many practical
applications of electrochemistry

Textbook
McGraw-Hill Ryerson Chemistry 12 (2011)
We will primarily be using an electronic version of this textbook. We will also get hard copies of an older textbook that will
be used in class. Students are reminded that these textbooks are on loan only and that they are expected to return the
textbook in the same condition they received it. Students are to return their textbook on the day of the exam at which
point they will have their deposit returned.

Course Schedule, Notes & Website

Notes, power point presentations, useful links and assignments will all be posted on the class website. You can find a
schedule of lessons, assigned readings and upcoming due dates as well as a discussion forum where you can post
questions to your classmates or me. Since my availability to you outside of class is very limited, this is the best way to get
extra help when you need something clarified.
If notes or other handouts are posted the day before class then it is expected that you will print them out ahead of time and
bring them to class. If you have a valid reason for not being able to print notes on a regular basis then alternate
arrangements can be made.
Website:

donis.weebly.com

Assessment
Assessment is the process of gathering information (formally and informally) from a variety of sources (including
assignments, day-to-day observations, conversations/conferences, demonstrations, projects, lab performances, group
work, and tests & quizzes) that accurately reflects how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a course.
This information helps teachers identify students strengths and weaknesses in their achievement of the curriculum
expectations, as well as, guide immediate and future instruction. As part of the assessment process, teachers will provide
students with timely and descriptive feedback to facilitate improvement.
All student work will be assessed and evaluated based on four categories that are outlined on the achievement chart for
science. The percentage weight for each category is as follows:
Knowledge & Understanding
Thinking & Inquiry
Communications
Application

40%
30%
15%
15%

Course Work:
Final Exam:

70%
30%

70% of the final grade will be based upon evaluations conducted throughout the course. This portion of the grade will
reflect the student's most consistent level of achievement throughout the course, although special consideration will be
given to more recent evidence of achievement. 30% of the final grade will be based on a summative evaluation
administered at the end of the course. In this class, it will consist of a final exam. All four categories will be assessed on the
exam.

Attendance & Missed Assessment

Attendance and punctuality is of utmost importance. If you know you will be absent from class then inform the teacher
ahead of time to discuss what will be happening in class that day. It is the STUDENTS responsibility to obtain and complete
any notes or activities they missed in class.
An absence from a major evaluation (test, presentation, assignment, etc.) must be discussed with the teacher PRIOR to the
absence so that alternate arrangements can be made. A doctors note must be presented if a student misses a major
evaluation unexpectedly. The student should be prepared to write/present/hand-in their work the next class. Students must
make all attempts to submit work on time. It is better to come to class and not miss any instruction even if you have not
completed an assignment. Work will not be accepted once it has been discussed, taken up or returned.

How to Be Successful
Succeeding in any course usually requires much effort and responsibility on the part of the student. Students must develop
the necessary skills to be a life-long independent learner if they wish to succeed at a post-secondary institution or in the
workforce. Here are some tips to be successful in this class:

Attend class. It is important that you attend every class. A single class is like half a week of classes during the day.
Even if you show up part way through the night, it is better than missing the whole class. COME TO CLASS, even if
you dont have an assignment finished.
Be prepared. That means coming to class with a binder, paper, pencil, pen, textbook, calculator, ruler and some
coloured pencils/highlighters.
Read ahead. Even if you just skim through the notes or textbook readings for the next days class, you will likely
understand some of the material and then the teacher can clarify what you didnt understand.
Ask questions. If you dont understand something, ask. Do it in class or on the discussion forums.
Tap all resources. If you didnt understand a concept then seek clarity in all the possible places. Ask the teacher
(via the discussion forums or in class), ask a friend/classmate/family member, double check the textbook, get a
tutor or simply Google the topic. There are a ton of resources out there; its just a matter of finding them.
Do your homework. Homework isnt assigned to waste your time but instead, to consolidate your learning. Do as
much of the homework as you need so that you feel you are meeting the success criteria. Try the hard questions
first, if you get those you likely understand the more basic ones (and youll save yourself time).
Summarize and Simplify. Sometimes even your class notes can be dense. Write out your own notes for every lesson
that summarizes all the key idea. Some goes with the textbook. A single sentence for each power point slide or for
each paragraph you read is a starting point, though you may need to write more. The key is keeping them short
and in your own words.
Review regularly. Constantly reread your notes whenever you get a chance.
Keep a question log. As you read through your textbook/notes, keep a log as to things you dont understand. Split
your page in two, a small column that has the page number/lesson number and a larger column where you write
questions you have from the readings. You can bring up these questions at the beginning of class. When you
eventually have the answers, fill in the log.
Get some sleep. It takes time to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory. This time occurs during
R.E.M. sleep. While pulling an all-nighter might seem like a good idea, very little of that information will be
retained long term. So while you might ace the test, you will likely forget most of it by the time the exam comes.
Try, try hard! How much effort you put into your learning is directly proportional to how well you do.