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:
· Paraphrasing technical language or using quotations and citations to avoid plagiarism?
· Proof-reading your paper to ensure accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation?
· Meeting the specified requirements of length and formatting specifications?
· Providing citations using correct APA format if appropriate?
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
Principles and Concepts, Level B, Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric
● 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
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.
Final Assessment: Outline and Rubric 7