Course Syllabus

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Syllabus Chemistry A

Welcome

Welcome to Chemistry A! We’re so glad you’re here.

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

In this introductory chemistry course, students will explore chemistry and learn how it influences our daily lives. Lessons focus on the scientific method, theories, and scientific laws; matter and change; scientific measurement; atomic structure and the periodic table; electrons in atoms; ionic, metallic, and covalent bonding; chemical names and formulas; and chemical quantities. Students will engage in both virtual experiments and ones that can be conducted in your very own lab.

Course Essential Questions


Essential Question 1

What is chemistry?

Essential Question 2

How is matter described in chemistry?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Safe Chemistry at Home
  • 1.1: Use scientific thinking instead of motivated reasoning when doing science.
  • 1.2: Plan investigations using proper safety precautions in chemistry labs.
  • 1.3: Recognize the structure and function of equipment in a chemistry lab.
  • 1.4: Apply the system of the engineering design process to lab design.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Design a Lab

You will create your lab at home.

2: Scientific Notation, Significant Digits, and Calculators, Oh My!
  • 2.1: Read analog scales for any lab equipment correctly.
  • 2.2: Recognize significant figures.
  • 2.3: Correctly use a scientific calculator to solve problems involving significant figures and scientific notation.
  • 2.4:  Estimate the correct placeholder when writing an answer that contains significant figures.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

3: Dimensional Analysis and Percent Error
  • 3.1: Use the correct units in every measurement for the remainder of the course.
  • 3.2: Use the train track method for dimensional analysis.
  • 3.3: Use the GUESS method for solving algebraic equations, including percent error.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

4: The Particulate View of Matter
  • 4.1: Recognize if a substance is an element, compound, or mixture and explain how you know.
  • 4.2: Identify chemical and physical properties and recognize those changes in a given substance.
  • 4.3: Explain the differences between plasma, gas, liquid, solid, and BEC states of matter and how energy relates to what phase of matter will exist.
  • 4.4: Use chemical symbols, formulas, and equations to describe matter.
  • 4.5: Describe logical steps to separate different types of mixtures.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Physical and Chemical Changes Lab

You will perform several activities to determine physical and chemical changes.

5: Atomic Theory
  • 5.1:  Explain the discoveries that led to the modern quantum mechanical model of the atom.
  • 5.2:  Identify isotopes and calculate the number of protons and neutrons from that information.
  • 5.3:  Calculate the charge on an atom and write its ionic formula.
  • 5.4: Use atomic number, mass number, relative atomic mass, and charge to describe particular isotopes.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Build a Model of the Atom

You will build a 3-Dimensional model of the atom.

Midterm Exam

6: Inside the Electron Cloud
  • 6.1: Describe the quantum mechanical model of the electron cloud using terms such as energy level, sublevel, and orbital.
  • 6.2: Write short-hand and long-hand electron configurations for common elements, including Cu, Ag, and Au.
  • 6.3: Explain how the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, Hund’s rule, and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle relate to core and valence electrons.
  • 6.4: Calculate speed, frequency, and wavelength for electromagnetic radiation.
  • 6.5: Relate the structure of the electron cloud to the emission spectrum of atoms.
  • 6.6: Connect the photoelectric effect and energy of a photon to quantum mechanics.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

7: The Periodic Table
  • 7.1: Describe the historical development of the periodic table.
  • 7.2: Classify elements into their correct groupings based on metallic properties, reactivity, families, and blocks on the periodic table.
  • 7.3: Explain what causes the periodic trends of ionization energy and electronegativity and predict elemental relationships based on those trends.
  • 7.4: Explain what causes differences in size for atoms and ions, predicting relationship trends using the periodic table and electron transfers.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Period Table Video You will create a video, demonstrating your understanding of the periodic table. 

8: Ionic and Metallic Bonding
  • 8.1: Find charges for monatomic cations, anions, and multiple-charged ions using the periodic table and knowledge of valence electrons.
  • 8.2: Analyze the chemical principles of ionic and metallic bonding related to the octet rule and energy stability.
  • 8.3:  Write formulas and names for ions and ionic compounds.
  • 8.4: Draw and interpret electron dot diagrams for monatomic ions and their compounds.
  • 8.5: Identify the connection between the properties of ionic and metallic substances and their electron configurations.
  • 8.6: Identify systems and surroundings when discussing the movement of heat for bond formation and breakage.

25 multiple-choice questions 

No Assignment

9: Covalent Bonding
  • 9.1: Explain the difference between ionic, polar, covalent, and nonpolar covalent bonds.
  • 9.2: Name and write formulas for covalently bonded compounds, including acids and hydrates.
  • 9.3: Draw electron dot diagrams that include single, double, and triple bonds for polyatomic ions and molecular compounds.
  • 9.4: Name and write formulas for ionic compounds containing polyatomic ions
  • 9.5: Recognize the type of matter based on the formula. Categorize compounds based on their chemical formulas.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Beauty Product Analysis

You will analyze chemicals in everyday products in your home. 

10: The Mole
  • 10.1: Explain the characteristics and definition of a mole.
  • 10.2: Determine the molar mass of a substance.
  • 10.3: Convert between the count, mass, and volume of particles.
  • 10.4: Determine percent composition and empirical formulas.

25 multiple-choice questions 

Assignment: Kitchen Mole Invasion

You will capture a mole in your home.

Final Exam

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 156
Lesson Quizzes 250
Midterm Exam 300
Final Exam 300
Total 1, 006

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

No textbook is required for this course.

Materials

  • While labs are "kitchen chemistry," accidents do happen. Get a pair of chemical splash safety glasses that "stick to your face".
  • Composition Style Notebook (pages sewn in)
  • SCIENTIFIC Calculator (make sure it has an EE key. It doesn't need to be graphing. These are usually about 20 US dollars.)
  • Lab Materials.  Most items can be purchased at local stores.  An Amazon Shopping List is also provided at this link for your convenience. 

 

View all Lab materials

Lesson 2: Separating Mixtures Lab

  • Beaker or clear plastic cup
  • Filter paper (coffee filter cut into strips works well)
  • Metric ruler (can print on paper using https://www.printablerulers.net/
  • Pencil
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Green marking pen (permanent works best)
  • Tape
  • Clear plastic wrap (optional)

Lesson 6: Periodicity in Three Dimensions

  • Disposable plastic drinking straws
  • Scissors
  • Metric ruler
  • Permanent marker
  • 96 – well spot plate (or modeling clay or floral arrangement foam)

Lesson 7: Solutions Containing Ions

  • Tap water
  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • D-cell batteries (1.5 V)
  • Copper wire
  • Beakers or clear cup for water
  • Tape

Lesson 11: Kitchen Chemistry

  • Paper cups (can substitute with beakers or plastic cups)
  • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
  • Water
  • Vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Spoon
  • Eyedropper or pipet

Lesson 12: Household Stoichiometry

  • 2 plastic cups (can substitute with beakers)
  • Vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Balance

Amazon Shopping Link

Balance $12

Plastic Pipette $4

Spot Plate, 96-well $5.50

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due