Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
Purpose of this Assessment
The purpose of the final assessment for this competency is to demonstrate awareness of environmental science and discuss a specific chemical situation within the context of the subject of chemistry from a list of potential topics.
Items Required for Submission
The item required for submission is a 7-10 page paper in APA format with the four distinct sections detailed below for any of the topics you select.
Step ONE: Introduction (1−2 pages)
Introduce the topic that you selected. Provide whatever background is necessary for discussing the topic and why you picked that particular topic to research. Include a minimum of two quotations, proper citations, in this section as part of the writing requirement.
Step TWO: Context of Chemistry (2−3 pages)
Chemistry is a BIG subject area and contains many branches, including environmental chemistry. Your particular topic happens to belong to the subject of chemistry somehow. Describe where your particular topic falls within the overall subject of chemistry, and what the relationship is between your particular topic and chemistry.
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 1
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric Step THREE: Specific Topic Under Discussion (2−3 pages)
As well as possible, discuss the topic that you selected. What appealed to you about the topic? Try to connect the topic to the chemistry content you just finished reviewing in the competency. Be sure to completely explore all questions asked within the problem description.
Step FOUR: Concluding Remarks (2 pages)
Is your topic a recent problem? If so, project what will happen in the future with that problem. If not, try to identify what is intransigent about the problem that resists a solution. Even if your topic is not a problem, is the interest in the topic fairly recent or more sustaining historically? Try to discuss the topic scientifically, and not just from emotions or opinions; include anything that must be said, and hasn’t been so far.
Step FIVE: Complete Checklist for Submission
Before you submit your work, check to see if you have met the criteria noted below. Did you:
●
✓ Introduce the topic you selected in the Introduction section in your paper and discuss why you picked that topic?
✓ Include two quotations with appropriate citations in the Introduction section?
✓ Situate your particular topic within the overall understanding of chemistry in the Context
section? Is the connection between your topic and the subject of chemistry fairly well
established?
✓ Provide a full explanation of your particular topic in completing the Specific Topic section,
including why it appealed to you? Were all the questions explored from the problem
description?
✓ Include a consideration for your topic over time in the Concluding Remarks? Is the language used
more scientific or more emotional?
✓ Demonstrate professional writing and presentation style by:
· Paraphrasingtechnicallanguageorusingquotationsandcitationstoavoidplagiarism? · Proof-readingyourpapertoensureaccuratespelling,grammarandpunctuation?
· Meetingthespecifiedrequirementsoflengthandformattingspecifications?
· ProvidingcitationsusingcorrectAPAformatifappropriate?
Step SIX: Submit Your Work
Your completed files should be submitted through the Final Assessment page of your competency. Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 2
●
●
● ● ●
Please note, for files smaller than 10MB (e.g., most Word documents), use the corresponding “+UPLOAD STUDENT FILE” button to upload your Final Assessment documents. For larger files of any type (e.g., voice over PowerPoint files, video presentations), please use the optional TEXT EDITOR to provide a URL where your tutorial faculty can download your file.
How you create a download URL is up to you, but various free online providers, including Google Drive and Dropbox, offer this service. Please make sure that the URL you provide can be accessed by anyone with the link. For further instructions on how to create public links for uploaded files, consult the support pages for your chosen provider.
List of Templates/Resources Needed
University online library resources (books, journals, electronic media)
Online Writing and Math Community
APA 7th edition is required for your assignment. Review this comprehensive tutorial, which also contains a template that can be used for your assignment.
o A Guide to Internalizing APA 7th Edition as a Style of Writing Scoring Rubric for Final Assessment
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
Criterion
EMERGING
DEVELOPING
PROFICIENT
EXEMPLARY
Introduction
Not enough detail is provided to understand the problem. No explanation for the topic selection is provided. No quotations are provided or are not cited correctly.
The problem is discussed but may be lacking some detail. The explanation for the topic selection may be too brief or omitted. One quotation is used and cited correctly.
The problem is discussed sufficiently; the rationale for selecting that particular topic is provided. A minimum of two quotations are used; minor discrepancies might exist in how they are cited.
The introduction to the problem is completely discussed, including any motivation for selecting that particular topic. A minimum of two quotations are used and cited correctly.
Chemistry Context
There is little or no connection shown between the topic and the subject of chemistry. The discussion omits obvious topics that should have been included.
The connection between the topic and the greater subject of chemistry is a little vague; some topics that should have been in the
The relationship between the topic and the greater subject of chemistry is made clear enough; most related chemistry topics are included in the discussion.
The topic is situated effectively within the subject of chemistry; discussion includes all related and pertinent chemistry topics.
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 3
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
discussion are omitted.
Topic Specifics
Some details of the specific topic are discussed, but either incompletely or focusing on an inappropriate detail. The discussion of the related chemistry may be brief and contain errors.
Most of the details of the specific topic are discussed, perhaps too briefly. The discussion of the relevant chemistry may contain errors or irrelevant facts.
All details of the specific topic are discussed, maybe briefly. The relevant chemistry discussion contains only one or two errors.
The specific topic and its details are discussed thoroughly. All discussion of the relevant chemistry is accurately stated.
Concluding Remarks
No real exploration of the topic over time is presented. Writer comments are predominantly opinion-based.
The topic is insufficiently or inaccurately explored over time. More writer comments seem opinion than scientific fact.
The topic is examined in an historical perspective in an effective way. More writer comments seem scientific fact than opinion.
The topic is correctly framed in terms of a central problem and/or a potential solution and examined from an historical perspective. Writer comments appear to be more scientific in their nature.
Writing Mechanics
The paper lacks clarity and may be confusing; too long or short. Numerous errors in spelling, grammar and/or punctuation. No evidence of adherence to APA formatting.
The paper is somewhat logical and well-written; too long or short. Some errors in spelling, grammar and/or punctuation. Some deviation from APA formatting may be noticed.
The paper is logical, well-written, and the required length. There may be one or two minor errors in spelling, grammar and/or punctuation. APA formatting is followed.
The paper is logical, well-written, and the required length. Spelling, grammar and punctuation are accurate. APA formatting is followed.
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 4
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
Appendix
Project Ideas for P&C Pt. B
Topic #1: Hydrogen as a Fuel Source
Ever since separating water into the elements hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis, many have speculated that hydrogen could eventually become the fuel source for modern society. Is that a realistic claim? Can hydrogen completely replace our use of petroleum and nuclear power as a fuel source?
Topic #2: Comparing Familiar Products
Wood alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol sound like they ought to be related in their chemical families. Discuss each product, including a description of its chemistry, normal use, and how human biology interacts with that product. Are there common features among some of these products, or exceptions to a general rule?
Topic #3: Dangers in Using Chiral Class Drugs
Ibuprofen and about 56% of all pharmaceuticals come from a class of chemicals called chiral molecules. What chemical property determines whether a molecule is chiral or not? How does that create problems when using chiral drugs like ibuprofen?
Topic #4: Effect of Carboxylic Acids on Humans
As a group of chemicals, carboxylic acids are fairly strong organic acids, although not as strong as mineral-based acids like hydrochloric acid. They and their derivatives occur in unusual quantities in nature and lend themselves to a variety of applications by humans. Describe this chemical group and its applications in an organized and thorough way.
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 5
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric Topic #5: How do Glowsticks Work?
You have seen them tossed around at concerts and packed away as emergency supplies. What are glowsticks? How do they work and why? What chemistry is involved? What other properties make the current glowstick design optimal? Could they be ‘recharged’, like batteries, and reused again? Why or why not?
Topic #6: Implications of the Laws of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics describes the relationship between heat and other energy forms. Several central principles called the Laws of Thermodynamics describe the major results, but they also act as physical barriers to making changes in response to societal problems. When put together, what do the Laws of Thermodynamics say about the nature of the universe and its future fate?
Topic #7: Surface Tension and its Applications
One important property of water is the surface tension it creates. What is surface tension in general? What applications are related to understanding surface tension? Specifically about water, what does surface tension explain about observable phenomena?
Topic #8: Capturing and Using Carbon Dioxide
One recent technology development involves being able to ‘capture’ carbon dioxide. What does that mean? How does the technology work? Can the by-products that are produced in the technology be used? Why is this important?
Topic #9: Biomass to Ethanol Conversion
Converting plant matter into ethanol has proven to reduce the need for petroleum, since it can be mixed into the gasolines that are burned. What chemistry is involved in converting biomass to ethanol? What technology is involved in trying to do that in sufficiently large amounts? What is the ceiling for its potential as a fuel source in the future?
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 6
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
Topic #10: Why Do Generic Drugs Cost Less?
What does it mean for something to be ‘generic’? In the pharmaceutical industry, what does it mean for something to be a generic drug? Why do generic drugs cost less? Compared to the ‘name’ brands, comment on their effectiveness, and any potential problems that come from using them.
Topic #11: The Element Beryllium
In the Periodic Table, the fourth element listed is Beryllium. Its name comes from the Greek for ‘sweet’ but it is anything but sweet. Describe its history, how it is manufactured, what it is used for, and any problems associated with working with that element.
