SCI 465, Principles of Scientific Inquiry
Fall 2012
ROSS 2280
Tuesday - Thursday 4:30-5:45 PM
CRN 10541
Instructor
: Dr. Courtney Willis
Office
: Personal Office
Physics Department
Hours
0232F Ross Hall
0232 Ross Hall
: TR 4:00 – 4:30
other times are very irregular but conferences can usually be arranged at convenient times by
appointment via email. If you do not find me in my office please check with the secretary in the
Physics Department offices. I generally keep her informed as to where I can be found.
Office Phone : 351-2561
EMAIL
Physics Department: 351-2961
Home Phone : 353-2079 Cell 313-6069
: courtney.willis@unco.edu
Course Objectives:
This is a “capstone” course which means that it is not just another course. It is one you should
take professionally. If you are expecting a course where you memorize something for a few days until a
test and then forget it, please sign up for another course. I will expect professional behavior both in the
classroom and on assignments. Rather than just memorizing facts in this class we will try:
To examine science as a “way of knowing” through experiencing scientific inquiry via course
project, activities, readings, and discussion.
To understand the interrelationships between science, scientific discoveries, and society.
To provide content necessary to enable teacher licensure students to address K-12 Colorado
Model Content Standards in Science.
Material in this class will be presented at the “400” level. Therefore, you are expected to reflect
senior-level thinking and work in completing your assignments. You are also expected to regularly
contribute from your past experiences to class discussion.
Textbooks:
1.
What Science is and How it Works, by Gregory N. Derry.
An review electronic copy may be available at:
2.
Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy, by Robert M. Hazen, James S. Trefil
An review electronic copy may be available online.
3.
Step - Ball - Change, by Jeanne Ray
Course Web Page: http://www.unco.edu/nhs/physics/faculty/willis/CourseInfo.htm
Topics:
It is impossible to complete a scope of the sciences in a single course. Therefore, we will focus our
efforts on major issues and “discoveries” in the sciences (biology, physics, chemistry, and earth
systems) in the context of the course project. The general presentation of topics is as follows:
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The nature of scientific inquiry
A system approach to science
Physics
Flow and conservation of energy
Electromagnetic spectrum
Sound and Acoustics
Chemistry
Organization of elements
Nature of matter
Earth Science
Plate tectonics
Geologic Time
Climate
Biology
Diversity of species
Natural selection
Your goal is to approach each topic as an inquiry challenge. You will be provided with ample
opportunities to collaborate with your colleagues, achieve new levels of frustration (a good thing!), and
accomplish much with your intellect. In the end, you will become a better scientist in order to better
teach others to become scientists.
Grading:
Method of Assessment
Approximate weight
Course project
15%
On-line quizzes
20%
Class discussion/homework 30%
Report and Presentation
15%
Final exam
20%
Additional information concerning on-line quizzes will be presented in the first week of class.
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
100 - 90
-A
89 - 80
-B
79 - 70
-C
69 - 60
-D
less than 60
-F
Doing only what was asked is not “A” quality work. Future teachers should strive to go beyond
simply going through the motions. Assignments that are not collected the day they are done in class are
expected to be typed. If there are mathematics involved you may leave a blank spot and put them on in
pencil after you have run off the paper. Homework is not the time to get creative with fancy fonts etc.
You should use Times Roman or Courier fonts at 12 pitch. Your creativity should go into the paper not
the way it looks. Depending on the assignment, daily work can be single spaced but the more formal
papers should have a cover page and be double spaced. Longer papers (especially the book report and
project) should follow the APA style recommendations. This is the style most commonly used for
educational writing. You may consult the following web page for more information:
http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/apa/ It is strongly recommended that you keep electronic copies of all
typed homework until the end of the semester.
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Online Quizzes:
This course will utilize Enhance,EDU, a web-based course supplement, for delivering much of
the material, managing on-line quizzes and discussion, and posting assignments and papers. Weekly online quizzes will be posted at least two days (usually Friday evening) in advance of the deadline (usually
first meeting of the week). It is advised that you don’t wait until the last minute to complete the quiz, as
technical difficulties may arise and prevent you from completing the quiz on time. The quizzes and
answers will then be available for you to review after the first class meeting of the week until the Friday
of that week (see below). The questions and answers to each quiz will not be available after the Friday
following the quiz going on line. If you want to review them you must make a copy at the appropriate
time.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Quiz #1 goes on-line about 6PM
Quiz #1 is due before class time.
Ans. to Quiz #1 available after class until Fri. eve.
Quiz #2 goes on-line about 6PM
Ans. to Quiz #1 available until about 11PM
To get credit for the quiz you must click on the submit button. Just answering the questions is not
enough. It is suggested that you check you scores regularly to make sure your are doing everything
properly. Dr. Willis will not accept the excuse at the end of the semester that you just checked your
scores and for some reason 5 of them are missing.
Enhance.EDU is accessed from the class web homepage:
http://www.unco.edu/nhs/physics/faculty/willis/2Class info/Copy of default.htm
First-time Login Instructions
Login with your student ID for both student ID AND password. You will then be asked to
provide some additional information and you MUST change your password at this time. I
suggest that you make it easy to remember like you last name or something. It is not possible to
retrieve forgotten passwords you must remember it!
Class Discussion/Homework:
Class discussion is probably the most important learning environment for this course. Scientists
rarely work alone, despite society’s stigma that scientists are unsocial intellects working in some smelly
lab. You are strongly encouraged to form friendships and exchange emails and phone numbers that will
enable you to work on assignments outside of class especially with your table members. If you miss
class on the day an assignment is given or an activity is done you will probably NOT be allowed to
make it up. Homework assignments will not be accepted late without prior approval BEFORE class. If
you are allowed to make up an assignment, Dr. Willis in not responsible for keeping track of it. Missed
class assignments and quizzes will receive a zero score.
Review Paper:
You will be asked to read a science book and give a presentation concerning this book. More
details concerning this assignment will be given in advance of the deadline.
Course Project:
You will apply your understanding of the various science interrelationships in a course project.
More details concerning this assignment will be given in advance of the deadline.
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Final Exam:
The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec.11, 2012 or Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 from 4:15
AM to 6:45 PM. The day of the Final exam will be decided by class vote on the Sept. 4 meeting of the
class. Students will be expected to take the exam at the decided time and should NOT make plans that
conflict.
Student Expectations
A. Student are expected to regularly attend class. Absences greater than professional teaching
responsibilities will probably have a detrimental effect on you final grade.
B. Students are expected to read assignments in text and related literature.
C. Students are expected to participate in classroom discussions and activities.
D. Students are expected to turn in assignments on announced due dates. Dr. Willis will not be
responsible for your missing work if it is not turned in at the proper time.
E. Students are expected to actively participate in group functions and fulfill other group
responsibilities.
F. Students are expected to take tests and quizzes on the days they are given
G. Students are expected to be responsible for their own work and be thoughtful of others.
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to
contact the Disability Access Center (970) 351-2289 as soon as possible to better ensure that
accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Students with accommodations must discuss the
accommodation with Dr. Willis prior to the day of their application.
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Date _____________________________
Name ___________________________________________________________________
__________
(y/n)
I have read the Science 465 Syllabus/information webpage.
__________
(y/n)
I have signed on to ENHANCE,EDU (see: physics.unco.edu/sci465) with my personal
information.
T
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1. Dr. Willis' office is on the second floor with the other math offices.
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2. Since this is a college class and students should take responsibility for their own
learning, Dr. Willis does not care if you attend class only that you take the tests when
scheduled.
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3. Dr. Willis is available for questions from about 7:30 or 8:00 am most weekdays.
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4. A majority of the grade in this class will be determined by our weekly quiz grades and
the final examination.
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5. Dr. Willis is planning on some group activities during the semester.
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6. Dr. Willis considers a grade of 63 to be a low but passing grade.
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7. The reason Dr. Willis has only provided his office phone number is because he
doesn't want to be bothered at home.
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8. Dr. Willis is willing to communicate with students via EMAIL.
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9. This is a large crowded classroom so Dr. Willis does not expect to have many
questions or discussions during class time, only office hours.
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10. The questions and answers to this week’s on-line quiz will be available all semester.
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