Course Syllabus IB Chemistry
--Course description: IB Chemistry is a pre-university course which requires basic high school scientific knowledge. The course is divided into standard level SL and higher level HL content. The topics are the same for both the levels; the difference is in the depth of the content. The HL students study additional material and will encounter questions of greater difficulty. Both SL and HL students will study two options. The HL students will attend 180 teaching hours while the SL students will attend 150 teaching hours. This includes 60 hours of hands on lab work for the HL course and 40 hours for the SL course. The details of the content are strictly as per the IB Chemistry subject guide. The syllabus is given to every student for reference.
--Course requirements and required materials: The course requirements are a good understanding of high school science and an open mind. The curriculum is concept driven and learning with understanding is encouraged. Students are expected to think critically and develop a scientific mind. Material required for the chemistry course: Higher Level Chemistry by Catrin Brown and Mike Ford
(Pearson Baccalaureate: Developed Specifically for the IB Diploma) [Paperback]
Note taking is advised during the lesson presentation and therefore every student is expected to maintain a notebook. A separate notebook is to be used as logbook during lab work. Students are expected to write lab reports based on data gathered in their logbooks. Lab reports have to be submitted on or before the specified date. Late submission will not be accepted. The teacher reserves the right to award a ‘zero’ for lab reports submitted late. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
In addition to lab reports students are expected to submit completed assignments which will be given regularly. These assignments will help the students to prepare their IB lessons adequately.
--Goals/objectives: Science education at Newman School aims to provide opportunities to students for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and challenge students. Keeping with the aims of the IBO, science education in the school proposes to develop an ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize scientific information among the student community. It also intends to raise awareness of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology. The objective of science education at Newman School is to help students achieve the following: Demonstrate an understanding of:
• scientific facts and concepts
• scientific methods and techniques
• scientific terminology
• methods of presenting scientific information.
Construct, analyze and evaluate:
• hypotheses, research questions and predictions
• scientific methods and techniques
• scientific explanations.
Demonstrate the personal skills of:
• Cooperation
• Perseverance
• responsibility
Demonstrate the manipulative skills necessary to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety.
--Assessment/Grading procedures: Assessment will be carried out regularly in the form of written tests based on the topic studied as well as on the lab work submitted by the student. Tests will be administered to students every week. These will be short tests of 15 minutes duration to check the understanding of the lessons by the student. There will also be a test of longer duration at the end of each topic. The questions for these tests (both weekly and end of topic) will be taken from past IB examination papers. This is done to give adequate practice to the students and train them in tackling the IB examination. The marking will be done strictly as per the mark schemes provided by the IBO. Grades will be awarded taking into account the performance of the student in the written tests as well as their lab reports submitted. Written tests - 76% Lab reports – 24% Total – 100%
Grades will be awarded as per the score of the students.
--Classroom management procedures: Students at the IBDP level are expected to be self-motivated and work sincerely throughout the course. The teacher will always be there to help them but the onus lies with the student to perform. The role of the teacher is to facilitate student learning. Lessons will be presented in different forms but mostly will consist of the lecture-discussion format. Students are expected to participate actively in the class discussions. They are also encouraged to ask questions and clarify their doubt as and when they may arise in their minds. However it is expected that there will be no disruption on the flow of the lecture/ lesson presentation. Every student will be given equal opportunity to participate in class discussions/ clarify doubts.
Students are expected to carry out their investigations in the science laboratory with seriousness and purpose. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely. A ‘zero’ will be awarded for the investigation.