Physical Science I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

PHYS-1415-002 Physical Science I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Math 0303-minimum grade of C, Accuplacer score of 75, THEA score of 270 or an equivalent score on a state-approved test; RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

Science course designed for non-science majors with focus on elementary education science instruction methods and content. Primary emphasis will be fundamental concepts of chemistry, such as atoms, density, equations, reactions, acids and bases and solutions. May also include integration with physics, geology and astronomy.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Conceptual Physical Science, 4th or 5th Edition, Hewitt, Suchocki, and Hewitt. Pearson/Addison Wesley, 2008/2012.

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\ Lab Manual - custom packaged for PHYS 1415 and 1417 - available at bookstore.

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Supplies

\ Pen, pencil, paper, calculator, large three ring binder, safety goggles, plastic apron

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Student Performance

\ 1.  Have sufficiently developed lab skills.

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\ 2.  Have a basic understanding of chemistry and its everyday applications.

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\ 3.  Explain the relation between atoms and molecules.

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\ 4.  Make simple chemical calculations.

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\ 5.  Have a basic concept of solution chemistry.

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\ 6.  Understand atomic structure and the periodic table.

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\ 7.  Have a basic understanding of the different types of chemical reactions.

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\ 8.  Relate chemistry to other disciplines and understand how it fits into everyday living.

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\ 9.  Develop confidence in presenting chemistry concepts in the classroom.

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\ 1.  To gain a basic understanding of general inorganic chemistry and its applications.

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\ 2.  To learn fundamental theories, concepts, terms and skills to master basic inorganic chemistry.

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\ 3.  To gain an introduction and basic understanding of simple organic chemistry.

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\ 4.  To develop fundamental laboratory skills.

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\ 5.  To provide hands-on activities for use in teaching chemistry basics in the elementary-middle school classroom.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

Please put your cell phones on silent mode during class.  If it is a necessity to have a phone on, please see me about it during the first week of class.  Do not send text messages during lecture.  Do not listen to music playing devices, etc. during class.  Use of electronic devices should be related to the course material currently being discussed.  Any obvious "multitasking" takes away from the learning environment.

Please respect your classmates by arriving on time to class and refraining from side conversations during lecture.  

Please familiarize yourself with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Document and particularly the section on cheating.

CHEATING:  If a student is caught cheating on a test in this class, the test will be taken up and a grade of zero will be assigned for that test.  The grade assigned for cheating may not be the drop grade and a report will be added to the permanent record of the student

TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS USE:  Also according to the Student Rights and Responsibilities document, tobacco and tobacco product use is prohibited inside college buildings.  This includes smokeless products (i.e. chewing tobacco) as well as cigarettes, pipes, and cigars.

 LAB:  Do not eat, drink, or chew gum while in the lab room.  If you need to do any of these during lab time, or to make phone calls, you will need to step outside the room.  Wear closed shoes (no flip-flops or sandals) and pants or skirts that come to mid-calf or longer when we are doing a lab experiment.  Tie back long hair during experiments.  If you are not present for a lab experiment (this includes arriving late after classmates have gotten started), you may not receive credit for that portion of the lab activity.

Grading Criteria

You may monitor your grades through Blackboard.

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There will be an exam at the completion of each unit of study. There will be a comprehensive final exam over the text material. There are no laboratory exams, but prelab reading and preparation is essential to being able to understand and complete the labs.  Homework will be assigned and there will be participation/discussion questions which contribute to the final grade.  These will occur on most Thursdays that are not exam days, and can be given on other days as well.  Most often this takes the form of answering a question in class, but there will be some times when written participation in Blackboard is required instead, or another alternate activity.  There are no make-up exams; if you find out you have to miss an exam, contact the instructor prior to the exam and the instructor may be able to arrange for your test to be taken in the Testing Center.  Any such tests should be completed before the next class meeting.

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The final grade in this class will be determined from the average of all test grades (50%), participation (5%), homework (5%), lab reports (15%), notebooks (5%), presentations (5%), and final exam (15%).  The lowest test, homework and participation grades will be dropped.  The lowest two lab grades will be dropped.  The notebook, presentation, and final cannot be dropped or replaced.  Some extra credit opportunities will be announced.

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Homework assignments and lab reports turned in one class period late will receive a 10-point deduction.  No work will be accepted that is any later than that.  If you are unable to attend class on the day something is due, please contact the instructor by class time in order to have the absence excused.  Otherwise, any assignments due that day will be late and you will get a zero for any participation grade being given that day.

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The final grade will be assigned based on your final average as follows:  90=A, 80=B, 70=C, 60=D, and less than 60 is failing.  Grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number; final grades will not be curved.

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There are no make-up assignments for this class. There is another section that meets on the same day as your class, at a different time. With prior arrangements, you may come to the other class, on the same day, if  you must miss your scheduled class.  Please inform the instructor if you will need to do this.

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Attendance

\ All students are expected to attend class regularly.  Lack of attendance will affect the grade because of missed lecture material and missed participation questions and labs.  If a student will not be able to attend class, the instructor should be notified at or before class time.  Exams can only be made up at the instructor's discretion and require a doctor's note or other documentation; if you have a one-time conflict that you know about in advance, inform the instructor before the exam day so you can take the exam in the testing center.  Lab activities which require using chemicals or other hands-on equipment cannot be made up.  Students may be able to attend class with the other section if necessary, with instructor permission.  It has been shown that students who attend class regularly have a higher success rate (i.e.- passing rate) than those who chose not to attend class.  If a student finds it necessary to drop this class, it is his/her responsibility to complete and submit the appropriate paperwork. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE INSTRUCTOR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DROPPING A STUDENT FROM THIS CLASS! The last day to withdraw from this class is November 18, 2014.

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Calendar

Additional Information

OTHER INFORMATION (GENERAL NOTES):  Assignments will be given for reading material in preparation for lecture and for homework assignments.  There will be small group activities throughout the semester.  Some will be during lecture and others during the lab.  There will be four (4) in-class exams.  These tests will be comprehensive and may contain true/false, matching, completion, short answer, multiple choice, and/or problem solving.  Homework assignments will be due on most Tuesdays.  Lab reports are due a week after the lab is done; do not wait until the last minute to do all the lab questions!

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TEACHING TECHNIQUES:  I will be using several teaching techniques in this class.  Of course, there will be the traditional lecturing for basic content.  I will keep this to only a portion of what we do in class; there will be breaks for problem solving, discussion, and practicing what you have learned.  There will be posted notes for you and these will be correlated to the lecture material.  In-class practice and lab work are often done in small group format.

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You will find that I often will not directly answer your questions.  Instead, I will ask you a question that will help you develop an appropriate answer to your original question. This is called the Socratic Method and helps students formulate ideas using the previous knowledge they already  possess.  It also helps you develop critical thinking skills you will need in all aspects of your life. 

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You may find yourself called upon during class, at the board working problems with other students, or perhaps leading a short discussion.  All of these are techniques that you can use in your classrooms if you teach in the future.  This is an interactive class and EVERYONE will be asked to participate often!

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HOMEWORK GUIDELINES:  Homework must be neat and legible.  It may be done by hand or on the computer.  If I cannot read it, no credit is given.  All homework problems involving calculations must have all work shown and your chosen answer circled or otherwise clearly marked.  Work may be done in either pen or pencil; please do not use red. You are allowed to work together on homework, but I encourage you to take responsibility for your own answers as this will help you prepare for the exams.

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LAB REPORTS:  Labs must be done using the lab workbook; it is best to tear out the pages.  If you photocopy the pages, this must be done before anyone writes on them.  While you may have partners for the lab, you need to turn in the work in your own handwriting.  Any work found in violation of this policy will receive a zero.  You are responsible for all questions, including prelab and postlab, associated with the lab activity unless instructed otherwise.  (Usually a detailed list of what you are responsible for will be posted on Blackboard and/or in class for each lab experiment.)   Lab reports are due one week after the experiment.  Anyone not present for the experiment will not be allowed to receive credit for the portions of the report involving the hands-on activities.

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NOTEBOOKS:  Each student will keep a notebook (three-ring binder) to contain handout material, homework, class notes, lab reports, and other materials from the class.  The cover will include topics relevant to chemistry and interests of the student and will be part of the notebook grade.  The criteria for grading of the notebooks will be covered by another handout.(to be posted on Blackboard).

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CLASS PRESENTATIONS:  Each student will be required to make a presentation to the class with a partner.  This presentation will be a lesson covering some topic appropriate for chemistry in the elementary classroom.  It will include handout material, expenses, teacher notes, and will be grade appropriate as determined by the student.  The 20-minute presentation should include an activity for the class to do in small groups, and either handouts for everyone or a Powerpoint/Prezi presentation (or both!).  Additional information about this assignment will be posted on Blackboard. 

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