Lab Results

40

Lab Quizzes & Exams

50

Technique

10

TOTAL

100

(i)

Lab Results:  this area includes the evaluation of your preparatory work (see example given on the next page) which is done right in the lab manual before coming to the lab [can affect your final grade by up to 8%], homework questions which are usually due at the beginning of the next experiment [15%], the quality of your synthesized products (for solids – the colour, crystalline shape, degree of purity and dryness and information on the label are evaluated) [10%] and lab reports [15%]. *NOTE:  anything that is being marked, must be recorded in ink or typewritten!

(ii)

Lab Quizzes & Exams:  there will be a two-part final exam.  The first part is a written exam on a Thursday evening near the end of the term (SEE SCHEDULE), testing your knowledge of lab terminology, observations, equations of reactions, technical skills and deductive reasoning. This exam will probably be about 60 minutes long and there may be some TRUE/FALSE style questions as well as some short answer style questions. [THIS FINAL EXAM WILL BE WORTH 30-35% OF THE FINAL GRADE FOR THIS COURSE].  During the last week of term, you will have the second part - a practical exam.   For this, each student will be given a task - similar to something previously done in the course - to perform in a specific length of time.  However, during the practical exam, the students cannot use their lab manuals. [5-10%] In addition to these scheduled exams, there will be several short, 5 – minute quizzes written at the beginning of some labs.  These quizzes will contain questions dealing with the material on the experiment you will do that day, based on information in the lab manual and on the videos for that experiment [10%]. ALL QUIZZES AND EXAMS MUST BE WRITTEN IN INK.  ANYTHING WRITTEN IN PENCIL WILL BE GIVEN A ZERO.

(iii)

Technique: your teaching assistant is asked to evaluate your progress in regards to the development of good laboratory technique every day that you are in the lab.  This evaluation is done on a comparative basis.  They will be looking to see if you are well organized, efficient, independent and meticulous.  Each student is responsible for keeping his/her own workspace clean as well as an extra assigned area in the room.  Failure to do so will result in the loss of "Technique" marks.  In addition, students are expected to finish their experiments (including cleanup, and preparation for the next experiment) within the scheduled time period.  Failure to do so could also result in the deduction of “Technique” marks.  Any “Technique” mark above 7.0/10 is considered acceptable; lower than that means that the student is not performing up to our expectations.