Course Details

• Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.
• Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis

By the end of this course, students will be able to draw upon:

• relevant scientific models
• representations at the macroscopic, submicroscopic (small particle), and symbolic levels—including mathematical formulae
• qualitative and quantitative reasoning skills

...to demonstrate their understanding (at honors level) tht:

1. “Atoms: Matter consists of atoms that have internal structures that dictate their chemical and physical behavior.”
2. “Bonding: Atoms interact via electrostatic forces to form chemical bonds.”
3. “Structure and Function: Chemical compounds have geometric structures that influence their chemical and physical behaviors.”
4. “Intermolecular Interactions: Intermolecular forces—electrostatic forces between molecules—dictate the physical behavior of matter.”
5. “Chemical Reactions: Matter changes, forming products that have new chemical and physical properties.”
6. “Thermodynamics: Energy is the key currency of chemical reactions in molecularscale systems as well as macroscopic systems.”
7. “Measurement and Data: Chemistry is generally advanced via experimental observations.”
8. “Visualization: Chemistry constructs meaning interchangeably at the particulate and macroscopic levels.