JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dept. of Science, Health Care, and Mathematics
Physical Science, PSCI 120 -- Fall 2001
Course Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
J. Douglas Patterson Office: CLB 302, Hours: MW, 5:00-6:00
VoiceMail: x4268, e-mail: dpatter@jccc.net

COURSE INFORMATION:
Credit Hours: 4 Contact Hours: 6, 3 Lecture, 3 Lab Course Type: Transfer
Description:

This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of physics, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. It is counted toward laboratory science requirements, and is intended for non-science majors. Each week's instruction consists of three hours of class, and three hours of work in a scheduled lab, which includes a one-hour multimedia activity.

COURSE MISSION STATEMENT:
The Physical Science Course is designed to develop a degree of scientific literacy in students so that they can make well informed decision in a democratic society that is grounded in science and technology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To identify the crucial elements in the scientific process of modeling and prediction.
2. To develop a new awareness and sense of knowledge of the physical would in which we live.
3. To develop an ability to apply scientific concepts of the physical world in day-to-day tasks.
4. To gain an appreciation and understanding of the kinds of ideas and knowledge that scientific principles address.
5. To learn both the potential and the limitations of scientific understanding.
6. To develop accuracy in observation, orderliness, and persistence in solving scientific problems.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Lecture:

Students are responsible for material covered in each lecture and for reading text assignments. In this regard, lesson learning objectives are helpful guidelines for studying what is considered important in each lesson. Students should be able to work problems similar to those done during lecture and labs. Students should know the key words at the end of each chapter in the text which were included in the reading assignment. See pages 8-12 for a tentative lab and multimedia schedule.

Students are required to perform each lab and multimedia exercise during the designated lab period. If it is known in advance that a lab or multimedia exercise cannot be done at the scheduled time period, prior arrangements should be made with the instructor to do the lab or multimedia exercise with another class section the week this lab or multimedia exercise is being done. No makeup's will be allowed for missed lab or multimedia exercise. Thus, missed labs and multimedia exercises count as a zero. However, one lab may be missed without penalty. If all the lab exercises are completed the final lab will be added as extra credit to the final score totals. One missed multimedia exersise may be replaced with the average score of the other multimedia exersises.

Unit tests are given in the classroom or lab. Lab tests are given in the lab. If it is known in advance that a test cannot be taken on the date, arrangements should be made with the instructor to take the test early, if feasible. Only excused absences (e.g. family emergencies, or serious illness) will allow students to make up a unit or lab test. A missed test must be made up within one week after the student returns to classes at JCCC. A missed test may be in essay format. It is the students responsibility to contact the instructor and arrange a mutually agreed upon time to complete missed work.

There will be one evening observing session of about 45 minute to observe the Moon, planets, and stars with a high-power telescope. Observing times will be announced in class several weeks in advance. This session will be counted as 10 extra credit points.

Eleven quizzes are scheduled during the semester and are given in the classroom. Quizzes cannot be made up if missed. This a missed quiz counts as a zero. However, one quiz is allowed to be missed. If all quizzes are taken, the las quiz will count as extra credit. Quizzes may be given in any of the lecture periods during the week that they are scheduled.

Around week 7 of the course, students will present a group project. Information regarding this project will be presented to you by your instructor at the appropriate time.

The final exam will be comprehensive and is given in the classroom at the time designated for each section in the class schedule. The final exam cannot be made up without prior arrangement, and will be graded as a zero if missed. However, if an emergency occurs, such as hospitalization or illness, and the instructor is notified before grades are turned in, a grade of Incomplete (I) may be awarded until the exam can be taken and the final course grade determined.

GRADING SCALE:

90 - 100 % = A
80 - 89 % = B
70 - 79 % = C
60 - 69 % = D
Below 60 % = F

1. Students can expect the Physical Science Course to be just as demanding as a course in physics, chemistry, geology, or astronomy. Many of the principles from these other science coursed will also be encountered in PSCI 120.
2. As a Guideline, students are expected to spend two hours of study time each week for each credit hour of class. Thus approximately eight hours of preparations should be spent each week. This includes reading text assignment, working homework problems, and reviewing material covered in class and lab exercises.
3. It is essential that students read the textbook assignments before coming to class, not only to facilitate note-taking, but also to better understand the material covered in class.
4. Although the math used in the course does not go beyond the high school level, it likely will be necessary for students to review math fundamentals in order to grasp scientific principles used in the course. Both the text and the math reviewed in the course should be helpful in this regard.
5. Although grades are not based on classroom attendance, students are strongly encouraged to attend every class. Because of the extent and diversity of the subject material, and the pace at which this material is covered, missing class is very detrimental to success in the course. Students are responsible for obtaining class material and instruction missed due to absence.
6. Students should keep all graded materials that have been returned by the instructor so that they can be used, if necessary, to reconcile the final course grade.

If a student withdraws from the course, appropriate forms must be submitted by the student to the Admissions Office. Otherwise, the student will be kept on the class roster and receive a grade for the course. Time restrictions and procedures for withdrawing from a course are found in the college catalog and credit class schedule for the appropriate semester.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be subject to the appropriate penalties. Please make every effort to avoid dishonesty or the appearance of dishonesty in all course activities. Penalties may include, but not limited to a zero grade for the activity, failure in the course, or dismissal from the college.

Students are encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss any problems they are having with the course. While office hours have been set aside for student discussions, any mutually agreeable time for a student-instructor meeting is satisfactory.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe manner at all times. Unsafe activities are not allowed. Students should realize that their own safety, as well as that of others around them, is each individual's responsibility. Students performing laboratory experiments are responsible for planning and conduction operations in accordance with institutional chemical hygiene procedures, and for developing good personal chemical hygiene habits. Additional safety rules (when required) will be attached to laboratory handouts.

Students in this course who have a disability that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact the instructor and special services as soon as possible to discuss accommodations necessary to complete the course requirements.