Catalog
Description
|
An integrated science and math course for the non-science
major. The course investigates science and the scientific method
through
selected topics in the traditional fields of biology, chemistry,
physics
and earth and space science. Math topics are integrated as appropriate.
Topics
include the human body, sound and waves, electricity, astronomy and
geology.
A hands-on, student centered approach is taken. Lab and lecture are
integrated with the course meeting for 90 minutes three times a week. |
|
Credits
|
3 semester hours |
Course
Objectives
|
To stir an interest in and provide an understanding of
the natural world. To prepare elementary education students to teach
science. |
|
Topics
|
Biology: animal and plant classification, cells,
genetics.
Physics: simple machines, sound, waves, light, magnetism,
electricity.
Space Science : the earth, the solar system, orbits,
stars.
Earth Science : plate tectonics, maps and mapping,
landforms, the Richter scale, weather and climate.
Chemistry : geometric solids and crystals, periodic table,
acids and bases, oxidation and reduction.
Other: habits of the mind, lab safety, data collection,
tessellations. |
|
Prerequisite
|
<none> |
|
Instructor
|
John J. Lynch, Ph.D.
Office: 110 Donahue Hall
Office Phone: (304) 243-2287
Home Phone: (304) 292-6987
Cell Phone: (304) 376-6987
E-mail Address: jlynch
wju.edu
Office Hours: <see schedule> |
Required
Items
|
Integrated Science; Tillery, Enger & Ross; 2nd
ed. |
|
Classes
|
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:15 to 9:45 a.m. in
105 Acker Science Center. |
|
Notebook
|
Lab notebooks will be
collected with Exam 4 and graded. This is to ensure that students make
good use
of class time. |
Homework
Assignments
|
Homework assignments will be e-mailed regularly to
students. Homework assignments will be collected at the beginning of
class on the day they are due--at 8:00 a.m. Students are encouraged to
visit, phone, or
e-mail the instructor with any questions regarding the homework
assignments. Students are also encouraged to discuss the homework
assignments with other students. The lowest homework score will be
discarded. Homework answers will be available
online. |
|
Exams
|
Four exams will be administered on the following
days:
Exam 1: Friday, February 10th
Exam 2: Friday, March 10th
Exam 3: Friday, April 7th
Exam 4: Friday, April 28th
There will not be a comprehensive final exam. All exams
are closed-notebook and closed-textbook
|
|
Attendance
|
Students are expected to attend all classes.
Good class attendance is highly correlated with good grades. It is the
responsibility of a student to inform the professor of the cause of any
absence in advance
. If the cause of the absence occurs suddenly, a student must inform
the
professor as soon as possible. Freshmen and upperclassmen on academic
probation
are permitted no more than six absences. |
|
Group Project and Presentation
|
Two weeks at the end of the semester are reserved for
group projects and presentations. |
|
Workload
|
Students are expected to spend an average of one hour in
study and preparation for every hour of class. |
|
Grading
|
The following weights will be used in determining
students' numerical scores:
8% Attendance and Class Participation
8% Notebook
24% Homework Assignments
15% Group Project and Presentation
45% Four Exams
The two lowest of the four exams scores will carry a weight of 7.5%
each while the other two will carry a weight of 15% each. The
following scale will be used to convert numerical scores into letter
grades:
A : 90 - 100%
B : 80 - 90%
C : 70 - 80%
D : 60 - 70%
F : 0 - 60%
|
Tutoring
|
The Academic Resource Center (ARC): Ignatius
Hall, Ground Floor, 243-4473, (http://www4.wju.edu/arc).
The ARC offers discipline-specific assistance at no cost to enrolled
students. Assistance is offered in one-hour appointments, in regularly
scheduled
study groups, or by special arrangement. In a typical semester, 90% or
more
of the students who use the ARC finish in academic good standing.
|
Academic
Integrity
|
Plagiarism or cheating makes a student liable for an F
for the course. Students should refer to the Student Handbook for a
complete description on academic integrity. |
|
ADA
|
If a student has a disability and anticipates needing any
type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please
advise the office of Academic and Student Affairs. |