Course Form (revised 8-2009)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Applied Arts and Sciences
Course Title
Integrated Physical Science II
Prefix and Course #
SCN176N
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Integrated Phys. Science II
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Ashley Preston
Richard Bayless
Phone/ email :
243-7915
ashley.preston@umontana.edu
243-7824
Richard.bayless@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Cathy Corr
Other affected programs
Dean:
Date
Barry Good
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere YES
in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with
existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://msudw.msu.montana.edu:9030/wfez/owa/musxfer.p_CCN_MAIN
UK—Natural sciences have not yet been addressed by common course numbering as near as I can tell???
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U SCN 176 Integrated Physical Science II 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., or coreq., M095. An
introduction to the basic principles of environmental and earth sciences, organic and biochemistry,
the life sciences, and the theory of evolution. Course emphasizes the scientific method and process
of science.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
Development of SCN176 Integrated Physical Science II is prompted by several things. As originally
conceived, SCN175 Integrated Physical Sciences was a 4 credit, fully integrated science course. In response
to credit caps in various programs, the credits were decreased to 3 and the scope was narrowed
accordingly. The scope and content were further narrowed to address concerns expressed by ASCRC when
the course was reviewed for its N designation.
The loss of content in SCN 175N prevents it from meeting program needs and severely limits student
exposure to the breadth of science they will encounter in the real world as citizens, consumers, and working
professionals. SCN176 is comprised of the content eliminated from SCN175 as well as additional topics not
previously covered in SCN175 due to time constraints.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
YES
NO
X
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
course’s common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
Integrated Physical Science II
SCN176N
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title:
Semester Credits:
Professor:
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Office Hours:
SCN 176N Integrated Physical Science II
3
Ashley Preston
HB Building “Office”, College of Technology
243-7915
ashley.preston@umontana.edu
Course Description: SCN176N Integrated Physical Science II 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq. or
coreq. M095. An introduction to the basic principles of environmental and earth sciences, organic
and biochemistry, the life sciences, and the theory of evolution. Course emphasizes the scientific
method and process of science.
Course Overview: SCN176N offers an introduction to the scientific method as a tool for
understanding natural phenomena. The course begins with an examination of the scientific
method, introducing students to methods of observation, data collection, experimentation,
validation, interpretation, and theory building. Science is presented as an ongoing process that
aims to construct a seamless web of knowledge about the workings of the world around us and the
universe as a whole. SCN176 takes an integrated approach to the presentation of basic concepts in
the earth and environmental sciences. Topics include: earth in space; plate tectonics and basic
geology; weather and climate; the hydrological cycle; organic and biochemistry; evolution and the
nature of living things; ecology and the environment. In each instance, connections between the
branches of science are emphasized, focusing on real-world situations and applications.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand and critically evaluate the merit of basic scientific claims and /or findings
encountered in education, the workplace, the marketplace, or the media.
2. Identify and differentiate between observations, hypotheses, theories, and laws (e.g., to
understand the scientific method and its relationship to creativity, logic, and intuition).
3. Gather information, interpret observations, and quantify data on natural phenomena.
4. Recognize patterns in natural processes and structures; formulate and test elementary
predictions based on pattern recognition; draw conclusions and construct hypotheses
and/or theories.
5. Understand the meaning and broader significance of the basic principles and concepts
of the major scientific disciplines.
6. Make connections between the different sciences to construct an integrated web of
knowledge about the natural world.
7. Conduct independent research when faced with a problem or question.
8. Apply scientific methods and principles to real-world situations; assess the social,
economic, political, environmental, and ethical impacts of scientific findings or research
agendas.
Required Text: Tillery et. al. 2008. Integrated Science, 4th edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
ISBN 978-0-07-340448-6
Drop/Add Policy
http://www.umt.edu/catalog/policy_procedure.htm
Academic Honesty Policy
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic
penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review
online at http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm?page?1321.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodations in this online course. To request
course modifications, please contact me as soon as possible. I will work with you and Disability
Services in the accommodation process. For more information, visit the Disability Services website
at http://www.umt.edu/dss/ or call 406.243.2243 (Voice/Text).
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is required. Students are expected to attend every class, to come on time, be
prepared, and to hand in all work assignments on time. If you cannot make a test, you must
contact me BEFORE the test date, and you will be expected to make up the test BEFORE the
regularly scheduled test date. Class attendance and participation is expected and will impact
grades. Make-up tests can be scheduled in the ASC and require 48 hour advance notice.
Assessment Methods and Grading
1.
Five Unit Tests
2.
Science News
One Introductory Science News ‘Project’ will introduce you to the scientific
literature you will use for your summaries.
Five summaries must demonstrate an increasing ability to read, interpret,
and evaluate current scientific research and publications.
One Final Science News ‘Project’ will evaluate the skills you have
developed during the term.
Oral summary presentation; attendance; participation
A comprehensive Final Exam
3.
4.
Unit Tests (5)
Science News ‘Projects’ (2)
Summaries (5)
Attendance/Participation
Comprehensive Final Exam
50%
10%
15%
10%
15%
Grading Scale
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 – 79
D = 60 – 69
F = 59 and below
Science News Projects, Summaries and Oral Presentation:
There are six objectives.
1. To give students an opportunity to follow/develop a personal interest in science.
2. To familiarize students with the language and methods of professional science through reading
peer reviewed material — as opposed to the ‘popular press.’
3. To develop the ability to summarize major scientific findings and communicate these insights to
others.
4. To give students some experience with oral communication of technical material.
5. Enable others to share and benefit from the work and interests of each individual class member.
6. To demonstrate that principles learned in the book apply to real life discoveries, inventions and
research projects.
Many publications in the COT and UM library may be used for Summaries. The minimum
requirements are that the publication be peer reviewed and that the article be published after
November 2008. Credit will not be given for news stories or science articles from the ‘popular
press.’ All summaries should be typed, double spaced and have a citation that will allow me to find
the article. For your first summary please include a copy of the article summarized.
The ASC provides free writing tutors. I urge you to consult them for writing your summary and to
help you with citations.
Oral Presentations may be given on any peer reviewed article. Be prepared to give your
presentation by the first opportunity on the schedule.
Topical Outline SCN176
Scientific method and process
Earth in space
Earth: the rock cycle, the interior, plate tectonics, geology
Weather and climate
Water cycle
Organic and biochemistry
Nature of living things
Theory of evolution
Ecology and environment
Class Schedule
Week 1
Course Introduction
Chapter 1: What is Science
Week 2
Chapter 1 cont’d
Review of basic physics/chemistry; begin Chapter 14
Week 3
Chapter 14: Earth in Space
Week 4
Chapter 15: Earth
Week 5
Chapter 16: Earth’s Surface
Week 6
Chapter 17: Earth’s Weather
Week 7
Chapter 18: Earth’s Waters
Week 8
Chapter 19: Organic and Biochemistry
Week 9
Chapter 19: (cont’d)
Week 10
Chapter 20: The Nature of Living Things
Week 11
Chapter 20: cont’d
Week 12
Chapter 21: The Origin and Evolution of Life
Week 13
Chapter 22: The History of Life on Earth
Week 14
Chapter 23: Ecology and the Environment
Week 15
Chapter 23: cont’d
Wrap-up/Review
Week 16
Final Exams
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.