Scientific Inquiry: Physical Sciences
SC 133 with SC133L
(required concurrent enrollment) Spring Semester, 2010
Lectures Monday, Wednesday AC4424 11:00 a.m., Labs, Thursday, AC 4414
165 minutes
Mr. John C. Bell,
Assistant Professor
How to contact Mr. Bell
Office: AC 4410
Office Phone: 503-589-8178
E-Mail: jbell@corban.edu
Home Phone (prior to 9:30 p.m.) 503-749-3189
Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:30 - 8:50
Tuesday: 1:00 - 1:50
Thursday: 8:00 - 8:45
I will be available in my office at other times. Drop by and visit.
1. Description - Scientific Inquiry: physical sciences focuses on the nature and practices of science. The course also presents the history and context for the development of understanding of astronomy, physics, and chemistry through studies of selected topics. Energy is a unifying theme of these topics. Through the study of God’s creation, the student will also be challenged to better understand their Creator. Specific subject knowledge will be developed and applied. Concurrent enrollment in SC133L is required.
2. Nature of the course: Science is far more than a study of facts and laws. It provides methods of investigation of astronomy, physics, and chemistry. Closely tied to science is technology, the application of scientific interpretation. You will be expected to demonstrate a familiarity with accepted scientific interpretations, the use of scientific methods, and the application of laws of science. Scientific interpretation of creation is found in relationships which are often most descriptively expressed as mathematical relationships. You will practice finding and applying mathematical expressions for observable relationships. Science seeks to describe creation and through this we can see not only the hand of the creator but learn more of the character and person of God. You are expected not only to give credit to the creator but give expression of walking with God by your relationship to his creation.
3. Course Goals
a. The students will survey topics in astronomy, physics, and chemistry.
b. The students will conduct experiments and present analysis for each experiment.
c. The students will use real life situations for interpretation and application of scientific principles
d. The students will understand the correlation between science and the Bible.
e. The students will predict outcomes using the transformation of energy.
4. Learning Materials
a. Text: The text for this course will be available as lecture notes with lab manuals in the Corban College Bookstore. These notes are required for all students. Students wishing to have additional printed materials are encouraged to utilize the library. Reading a variety of printed materials is recommended. Search for texts in astronomy, physics, and chemistry and use the index to find subject area specific explanations. One can also profit by identifying the related chapter in a book through the table of contents. Read such chapters covering the related materials. It should be understood, the provision of the required text is made for two primary goals: to give a Biblical focus on the materials, and to provide a significant savings to the student.
b. The
course web site http://defiant.corban.edu/jbell and Converge contain
valuable
resources for students. The syllabus, calendar, assignments, and other
supporting
documents will be available through these sites. The powerpoint
presentations for each
lecture will
be available after the lecture.
c. The instructor will from time to time utilize your corban.edu email account. You are encouraged to review your mailbox regularly. The instruction will also communicate using Converge. You should maintain your accounts for both of these valuable services.
d. Study habits: It is the expectation of the instructor that each student will maintain timely study habits. This includes all readings, assignments, and review of notes to be done in a responsible manner. You are expected to read before each class session and review after each session.
5. Evaluation
a. Grading: One grade will be given for lecture and laboratory work.
i. Unit Tests: Astronomy, Nature of Science, Thermodynamics and Sound , 17% of grade on Wednesday, February 24. Light, Mechanics, and E&M, TBA; 17% on Wednesday, March 31.
ii. Final Exam: comprehensive with focus on Chemistry and Waves, April 28, 10:30 am : 27%
iii. Assignments:
Homework and data reporting forms 12% Homework will be due Jan 22, Feb
5 & 19, March 5 & 19, and April 16
iv. Lab Reports - 13 labs with 12 reports 27%
b. Minimum scores for grades are as follows: A 92%, A- 90%, B+ 88%, B 82%, B- 80%, C+ 78%, C 72%, C- 70%, D+ 68%, D 62%, D- 60%. Below 60% a grade of F will be recorded.
c. How levels of demonstrated skills and performance relate to a student’s grade: For a C, one must know the fundamental principles presented in the course. For a B, one must interpret various situations using the principles presented in the course and should characterize the role of scientific inquiry in the establishment of these principles. For an A, one should personally demonstrate scientific inquiry with a low level of prompting for a variety of topics.
d. Three tests are anticipated. Two of these exams will be given during the semester. The scheduled dates are Wednesday, February 24, and Wednesday, March 31. These tests will have 25 multiple choice tests and will last only 20 minutes. They will be given in the last portion of the lecture on the scheduled days. The final exam will be approximately 50 questions in length and will be comprehensive in nature. The final will be given per the Registar's schedual which is anticipated to be April 28, 10:30. The final will last 45 minutes.
e. Absence from a test: Absence from a scheduled test must be cleared with the instructor prior to the day of the test. If a rescheduled exam is to be permitted, arraignments will be made at that time. In the event of major sickness, a make-up text may be permitted. All make-up tests must be completed within one week.
f. The tests will be graded in a norm referenced process with the raw scores converted to numerical scores prior to being reported to students.
g. Tests will be maintained in the office of the instructor for the remainder of the course and may be inspected by the student.
h. There
will be 6 written assignments and 12 lab reports submitted by the
student
during the semester. At the conclusion of each lab experiment, each
student team
must also submit a copy of their data. The course evaluation will be an
additional homework credit.
i. During the Spring 2010 semester, 13 lab opportunities will be offered for the students. It is required for each student to complete the second lab experience and report. Eleven additional experiences and reports are required. A student completing 13 reports, will have the lowest score dropped. For all other students 12 grades will be reported and averaged. Students completing less than 9 lab experiences and reports will receive a failing grade.
6. Course Requirements
a. Assignments and Reports: All assignments will be available on the course web site and/or Converge. All papers are to be submitted in a workman like fashion. They are to be on full size paper, single sided, dark (blue or black) ink or pencil for problems, typed for written work. Your name, box number, and date of submission should appear on the top right hand corner of each sheet. Papers will be accepted for 24 hours after the due date with a 50% penalty.
i. Submitting
assignments/papers: All papers are due at 5:00 p.m. and may
submitted by placing them in the drop box located at the faculty
office. All
assignments submitted to John Bell must have Bell written in a
prominent
location at the top of the first page. Assignments which have been
saved as
word perfect, word, excel, or rich text format (rtf) may be submitted
via
e-mail. Documents submitted in other formats may be graded. Documents
submitted as text in an e-mail will not be graded. E-mail submissions
must
arrive in my box by 5:00 pm of the due date. Warning! These files must
be named using the proper coding or you will not receive credit.
All
electronic submissions must be saved using your last name first initial
A
for assignment L for lab and two digit number for which assignment or
lab. For example, Joe Student would save assignment 3 as follows:
StudentJA03. Do not use spaces and observe capitalization standard.
If
your file does not have the proper file extension as supplied when the
file
is saved, the instructor will not be responsible for reading the paper.
Students at times will rename files after they have been saved. This
does
not change the format and may cause the file extension designation to
be dropped.
Not all submitted papers will be accepted.
Papers slid under my office
door are ignored. Papers submitted on a day when you were not in class
are not accepted. If you will not be in class, turn in your assignment
at
least one day in advance or have your medical excuse certified by the
school nurse. Papers handed to me in class are not considered
properly
submitted and may not be graded.
ii. The course includes six Friday assignments due by 5 pm. These will be available on the internet. Assignments are made available during the week they are due. For homework assignments 2 through 6, the student will receive half of the total credit for the assignment for submitting their work. The remaining credit will be received through the evaluation of their work via an on-line quiz. The student is to retain a copy of their assignment which is to be used to answer Converge quiz questions after completing the assignment. The quiz feedback will assist the student in understanding the assignment.
iii. As noted earlier, the assignments may be submitted on paper or electronically. Students are expected to show their work and to give appropriate explanations for their work. This requirement is for your benefit. By demonstrating your solution process, you will more fully test your personal understanding. I want you to know how you arrived at your answer. In reality, the answers are not significant, the solution process is. Students are also urged to maintain copies of your work.
b. Lab is an integral part of this course. The lab experiences are designed to foster a clearer understanding of experimental practices. The lab experiences are also designed to develop your understanding and applications of physical science principles. In numerous experiences, simple experiments are treated in a more sophisticated manner to foster a deeper understanding rather than taking an sophisticated experience and developing manipulative skills.
i. Attendance in the Lab: Students are expected to attend all lab experiments. Students are not given the opportunity to make up missed labs. Students are not allowed to miss lab except for excusable reasons. It is best to attend another lab session if you miss a lab period, however this option is only as space is available and should be prearranged. Students who anticipate missing more than three labs during the semester for any reason including excused absences and college activities should take this course during a different semester. A lab may be excused but cannot be made up. Missing more than two labs for any reason may be reflected by a 3% reduction of your course grade. Missing more than three labs (of the required 12) for any reason will be considered as grounds for an automatic F in the course. Students are required to be on-time for the beginning of each lab. It is essential for students to participate in the introductory experiences. Students arriving late for lab tend to focus on performance and omit the steps which lead to understanding the activities. Students who leave lab without spending 150 minutes are also failing to take full advantage of the opportunities for learning. Students having additional time, should consider conducting additional trials.
ii. Lab Teams: Students are expected to work individually or in pairs for all lab experiments. Students working in groups of three may be docked 50% of their grade. If an odd number of students arrive for lab, at least one student will be expected to work individually. There have been rare exceptions due to special conditions but these will always be originated by the instructor and not the students.
iii. Use of materials and equipment: The students are expected to carefully use and maintain all lab equipment, and not waste any laboratory supplies.
iv. Lab Reports will include: title, purpose, procedure, observations/data, analysis, error, conclusion. A description of lab reports is included in the text. Lab Reports not including clearly rewritten (not xerox) data tables and/or under two pages in length will not receive a full score.
v. Reports: Lab reports are due on Wednesday by 5 PM in the faculty office. If a student misses the Wednesday the lecture, the report should be turned in the previous Tuesday or with an accompanying medical excuse from the school nurse.
c. Data Reporting Forms: While conducting each experiment, the students are responsible for recording a complete copy of the observations and data for themselves. Each team is also responsible for completing one copy of the data reporting form found in the back of the text. These forms are to be handed in prior to leaving the lab. If the experiment is not complete, the form is still to be submitted prior to leaving the lab. The forms are submitted by placing them on the table to the right of the door as you exit the lab. If you return to complete the lab, you may add the additional observations to your form but the forms stay in the lab.
7. Conduct: The Corban College student handbook addresses the issues of honesty, dress, conduct, respect for others, and other areas which will directly influence your success in Scientific Inquiry: Physical Sciences. It is best for you to become familiar with your handbook.
a. It is appropriate to point out any work which you submit, you are representing to be your own. Resources appropriately cited are exempt from this. When you submit an assignment or lab report, the work is to be your own. This extends beyond the manual calculations to the analytic assessment. The instructor would much prefer to see your struggles and limitations than an outside expert’s assessment. The answers are not the goal, your work is the goal. Please represent your efforts honestly and completely. As a part of this, please show your calculations or samples of calculations which are repeated.
b. Seating in the lecture: Students are required to sit in the front of the lecture hall. Empty rows and seats in the front detract from the learning environment. Students and instructors are both responsible to contribute to a positive learning environment. Students will move to the front to make this contribution.
c. Evaluation is a frightening process for some students. You are not an expert in the physical sciences (if your are, you should be in another course) but a student practicing scientific inquiry using the physical sciences as your platform. The evaluation process attempts to give you numerous opportunities for success rather than requiring universal expertise. Even an “A student” should experience success and failure. You are invited to discuss your fears with the instructor.
d. Eating and/or drinking during class is disruptive. If you need to eat or drink, do it outside the lecture hall. Even your hydration can be delayed during our time together. The ubiquitous water bottle craze does not need to overflow into the lecture hall. To place your water bottle in view, is to grant your permission to use the bottle for any spontaneous lecture demonstration I desire.
e. Eating or drinking is absolutely forbidden in the laboratory. You will not even consider bringing anything which you intend to consume into the laboratory. Additionally, do not munch on your pen, pencil, or other items.
f. Conduct in the Lab: Students shall not to bring any food, drinks, coats, hats, or backpacks into the lab. Shelves are available outside the lab to store these items during the lab. Students are not to wear open toed shoes in the lab and will be expected to wear goggles for the entire lab period whenever chemicals are being used. Bulky, loose fitting, clothes are not appropriate. Footwear should encase the foot, provide reasonable traction, and protect the foot. Clothes should protect the student and not endanger. Long hair is to be secured. Dark glasses are not necessary. Some labs are safest if students remaining standing. Seating in the laboratory will be limited and rarely available. Do not import any stools or chairs.
g. Cell Phones: Cell phones are not to be used in any manner during lecture or lab. Students may not use cell phones as calculators. Students having difficulties controlling their cell phones may forfeit them for the duration of the day.
8. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. Each student should mark the roll sheet for each lecture they attend. Students are responsible for all announcements, assignments, and handouts from lectures. Contact a classmate or the instructor if you have a question.
a. Absences Allowed: A student is allowed to be absent from a maximum of 6 lectures. All types of absences, personal, medical, or college program related will be counted as absences. Absence from any portion of a lecture may be considered as an absence from the entire lecture. Students missing more than 6 lectures for any reason may receive an automatic F for the course.
b. Recording attendance: Each student is required to initial the roll sheet circulated at the start of each class. Students are not permitted to mark another person’s attendance unless that student has a certified disability.
c. Students are expected to arrive on time for class. Please be courteous to your instructor and fellow classmates
9. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. I attempt to anticipate those areas where students experience the greatest difficulty. I have selected topics to cover in class and have reserved some topics for coverage outside of class. As you work through the course material, it is expected that you will be challenged. Too often we resort to mindless mnemonics in place of substantive understanding. This practice robs the student of any hope for understanding. Diligence is necessary. The course will also move rapidly from one topic to another. One must continue to address identified difficulties at the same time new materials are being taken up. I will assist students who come to my office.
10. Accommodation of disabilities: Any student who feels he or she may need special provisions for any type of disability should see the Director of Student Services, Darren Milionis, who will help make any necessary determination and accommodations for your academic support.