Online Classes: AP Chemistry

Homeschool Connections is proud to announce that our College Level Chemistry course has received approval from the College Board for Advanced Placement (AP) designation.

To be able to record this course as AP Chemistry, students must be in the live, interactive course that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The instructor, Mrs. Kathy Dutton, will grade the work and record the grade for parents to put on their students' transcripts upon completion of the course.

Note: We also offer Chemistry I as both live, interactive and recorded, independent-learning courses.

Advanced Placement Chemistry: College Level, Part One

(click on course title to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to register for Part Two in the spring.

Registration limited to 15 students.

Class dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 2 to December 18, 2014. No class Nov. 25 or 27.

Total classes: 30

Starting time: 1:00 pm Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific)

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes), plus optional 30 minute Q&A immediately after class.

Prerequisite: 1 year of high school chemistry, Algebra II previous or concurrent (Available through Unlimited Access)

Suggested grade level: 11^th or 12^th grade (younger student only with permission of instructor)

Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester AP Chemistry.

Fee: $275 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $300 after Aug. 1^st for all 30 classes.

Instructor: Kathy Dutton (biography below)

Course description: We will continue studying God's creation at the atomic level and discovering how marvelous it is. This is a college level chemistry class intended to prepare students for AP Chemistry exam. We will delve deeper into topic such as the Structure of Matter, Bonding and Intermolecular Forces, Chemical Reactions, Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Chemical Equilibrium. There will be a substantial lab component to this course.

Course outline: Please email Mrs. Dutton at kathy.l.dutton@gmail.com for the full outline or to ask questions about the course.               

Course materials: 

We strongly recommend checking http://www.bookfinder.com for inexpensive, used texts, which are in plentiful supply. 

Order early to insure that your texts/labs arrive in time to review before the first class.

1.     Textbook: Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change (6th Edition, 2012) by Martin Silberberg, McGraw- Hill Publishers, ISBN-10: 0073402656 | ISBN-13: 978-0073402659.

2.     Answer Key (highly recommended, but optional): Student Solutions Guide for use with Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change (6th Edition, 2012) by Richard Langley and Martin Silberberg, ISBN-10: 0077340213, ISBN-13: 978- 0077340216 (NOTE: Answers to random problems can be found in the back of the textbook. However, the answer key shows how the problems are worked out. Only problems found in the Solutions Manual will be assigned.)

3.     Lab:  Advanced MicroChem (AP Chemistry) Kit from Quality Science Labs, LLC, http://www.qualitysciencelabs.com/advanced-microchem-kit-ap-chemistry-kit (required). Labs will also require some household supplies.

4.     Technology: Calculator (with scientific and logarithmic functions); Computer with Internet access; Microsoft Word and Excel or like programs with graphing functions; Microsoft PowerPoint or like program (highly recommended); Scanner; Ability to save files as a pdf; Headset with microphone (required); and webcam (optional but potentially useful)

Homework: There will be weekly homework, chapter quizzes, 3 to 4 tests per semester test and a final exam. There will also be a substantial lab requirement. A well-prepared student, with good math skills should expect to spend about 10 hours per week on Chemistry. Mrs. Dutton will be available to answer homework or lab questions daily via e-mail.

Advanced Placement Chemistry: College Level, Part Two

(click on course title to register)

Note: Registration limited to 15 students.

Class dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 6 to April 30, 2015. No class Jan. 22, Mar. 31, or Apr.2.

Note: The AP Chemistry Exam takes place on Monday, May 4, 2015. Make sure to find a local testing site through the College Board and register before their deadline if you plan to take this test.

Total classes: 31

Starting time: 1:00 pm Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific)

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes), plus optional 30 minute Q&A immediately after class.

Prerequisite: Advanced Chemistry, Part One (Fall 2014) or equivalent.

Suggested grade level: 11^th or 12^th grade (younger student only with permission of instructor)

Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Advanced Chemistry.

Fee: $275 if you register on or before November 15, 2014. $300 after Nov. 15^th for all 30 classes.

Instructor: Kathy Dutton

See Part One for course description, materials, etc.

Note: This course will be available as a recorded course through Unlimited Access beginning in February 2015. However, they will need to list the course as Advanced Chemistry on their homeschool transcript. Students of the recorded course will still be able to take the AP exam. They will likely be asked for their lab notebook to show the quantity and level of lab work completed before AP credit is granted.

Instructor biography: Kathy Dutton holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, as well as a BA in Accounting from University of Michigan. Her early career involved research, including work with catalytic converts, neurology, and immunology. Mrs. Dutton has nearly 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience across various venues, including at the university, private tutoring, homeschool group classes, and public and Catholic schools.
  Mrs. Dutton graduated her youngest child from the family homeschool last year. She teaches Catholic religious education and Confirmation preparation classes for her parish. Additionally, Mrs. Dutton devotes time to the Flint Regional Science and Engineering Fair, an ISEF-associated fair.