COURSES > 2071_11082 - FP 0001: INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTS AND SCIENCES > SYLLABUS
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Syllabus
(Last Updated: 31 October 2006)
Instuctor
Joseph J. Grabowski
joeg@pitt.edu
412-624-8632
Chevron Science Center, Room
705
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
(UTA)
Alexa Ray
ajr33@pitt.edu
724-544-9046 (cell)
Meeting Time: Thursdays, 11:00-11:50pm
Meeting Location: Thaw Hall B9
This one-credit, non-letter grade seminar course is designed to give first-term freshman an
orientation to the Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and is part of the Scientific
Leadership in Medicine and Research Learning Community. All students in this section of FS1 are
also enrolled in General Chemistry 1 (Chem 0110, MWF 2:00-2:50, Prof. Michael Golde), General
Chemistry 1 Lab (T 1:00-4:50, TA ??), and Introduction to Ethics (Phil 0300, MW 11:00-11:50,
Prof. Michael Thompson). All Introduction to the Arts and Sciences activities are designed to give
students advantages in their long-term quest to become a leader within the scientific or medical
community.
Course Requirements:
**Attendance is mandatory.
** Students must complete the assignments and activities described below by the assigned
date/time.
** Students need to participate in class discussions and share equally in group efforts.
Course Materials:
http://courseweb.pitt.edu -- check several times a week for updates and complete course details.
This syllabus is a work in progress and subject to change. Check this syllabus/web site before
starting any specific assignment, for the latest updates. Email Prof. G. or Alexa if you have a
question.
Class Roster with Pictures
http://www.pitt.edu/~joeg/FS1/07-1_FreshmanStudies/students.htm
If your picture is not posted above, be sure to have one taken by Alexa during class.
[A] General Assignment - due no later than Nov. 16
Assignment: Attend a CULTURAL event of your chosing (email JJG for 'approval' first) and write
a one page paper (i.e., hardcopy, 12-point font, single-spaced, one full page in length) on what it
was and what you experienced from it. Some options include the Freshman Trips as arranged by
the Freshman Studies office and described on the Freshman Programs web site (see Links at
left). The following was snagged from the Freshman Programs web site:
A&S freshmen enjoy free concerts, operas, plays, movies, etc. through the Freshman Programs
Office. Trips include dinner and lecture or discussion. Some of our events for this upcoming year
are listed [on our web site], more events will be listed soon. To sign up for an events come to B4
Thaw Hall. You will need to bring your Pitt ID and a $10.00 deposit (your deposit will be refunded
during the trip). Please bring the exat amount. Space is limited on each trip, so sign upearly to
reserve a seat. For more information call 412-624-5759.
[B] General Assignment - Distinguised Faculty Lectures
Assignment: Attend any one of the four lectures and then on the Discussion board, post a 3sentence (or more) observational statement AND pose one question you wished the presenter
had addressed. The details of these lectures are posted on the Freshman Programs web site (see
tab at the left). As of 8/30, the dates of the seminars are 9/29, 10/13, 10/27 and 11/3. Note,to
receive credit for this assignment, you must both post to the Discussion Board for that seminar
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AND return the "token" from that seminar to me (both within one week of the actual seminar).
Update 10/4/06. The "Science is Fun" chemistry demonstartion on October 24th at 7:30pm in
Soliders and Sailors Hall can also be used to meet the requirements of this assignment. Complete
details on the demonstration are available here:
http://www.chem.pitt.edu/documents/2006_FaradayLecture.pdf. Prof. Shakhashiri is probably the
country's best chemistry demonstrator.
[C] General Assignment - Science Neighborhood Crawl
In your assigned groups of 4, go to your assigned Pittsburgh science-related facility and take
photos of the area, layout, public entrance, and if allowed, the interior (make sure that all
members of your group are in at least one picture each). Use these pictures as the basis of a
poster that will be presented to the class on 10/12. The class will then vote on the best one which
will be entered in the IA&S1 Poster contest (due date is 10/25 -- giving us an opportunity to revise
and improve our poster so our class can win the competition!). Your poster should also include an
organizational chart of the top leadership.
You can request poster board and other needed items from the Freshman Studies office, or
purchase needed material, save the receipt, and we will reimburse you (in reasonable amounts).
Only one Poster Contest submission per class. Prizes will be awarded in a number of categories
to be determined.
Sites: See the Groups web page for who is which group and where you are going.
Targets: Carnegie Science Center; History Museum; Children's Museum; Zoo; Inclines. (If you
have other ideas please check with Prof. G.).
Supporting Resources:
** Bus schedules are available in 204 Brackenridge Hall, WPU Lobby, and on-line
(http://www.portauthority.org/ride/pgSchedules.asp).
** Posters from previous years on display in Thaw B4.
** Poster board is available in the Freshman Programs Office.
Judging: Will take place week of October 30th.
The poster shoud portray the 'essence' that is at the heart of the neighborhood that was visited.
Posters must include:
~ The name of the neighborhood visited
~ A minimum of 10 photos from the trip
~ Captions for the pictures
~ List of buses used
~ Interesting facts about the neighborhood
~ Creativity
Guidelines and Submission Form is here.
Mtg 1: 31 August 2006
Scientific Leadership: The Scientific Method of Inquiry
Introductions.
Email and Pitt Accounts
Syllabus.
Assignment [D, Due 9/7/06]: Spend at least 5 minutes (time yourself!) exploring the Pitt Arts web
site (see Links tab at left) and post one sentence on the appropriate Forum in the Discussion
Board area about something on the web site that you noticed or interests you.
Assignment [E, Due 9/7/06]: Print out the Syllabus page for this course (this page) with your
name in the top header and the date and time in the footer. {See hints during today's lecture.}
Turn in the hardcopy at the start of the 2nd class meeting. Be sure to identify the browser you are
using (write it somewhere on your hardcopy -- along with your name!).
Assignment [F and G, Due 9/7/06]: Complete the Time Analysis Worksheet in Module 2 under
the "FP Modules" tab at left and turn in the completed form at the start of the 2nd class meeting
[F]. Notes: (1) Enter a check mark for each of the listed activities that are required for each of
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your courses (be sure to list the courses at the top of each column) (2) For each checked item,
estimate the amount of time that activity will require each week. (3) Total the number of hours
down AND across. Only list as separate courses, those classes for which you will receive a grade
(i.e., do not list recitation and lab as separate entities from Chemistry Lecture). For the 10
activities listed for each class, just one on the entire page will have the "most" hours needed per
week -- list this one activity on the Discussion Board [in Forum G] so we can ascertain how the
class needs to spend their time.
Assignment [H, Due 9/14/06]: Register for the on-campus Science 2006 conference to be held
on 5-6 October 2006. Complete details, including on-line registration, are available on the
conference's web site: http://www.science2006.pitt.edu. To get credit for Assignment H, turn in
your name badge AFTER the seminar, to Prof. G.
Contact Alexa if you have any questions or need any help with Blackboard.
In-class activity: The Scientific Process relies on Data, Prior Knowledge & Beliefs, and
Inferences.
(Topic 1 - Transition to College; Topic 2 - Academic Skills and Services)
Mtg 2: 7 September 2006
Scientific Leadership: Teamwork
Collect Assignments E and F
Next Week
Reminder -- Assignment H (see Meeting #1)
Poster (Assignment C)
In-class activity: Study Groups
(Topic 1 = Transition to College; Topic 2 = Academic Skills and Services )
Mtg 3: 14 September 2006
Scientific Leadership: Designing for Success
Assignment [I, Due 9/21/06]: Determine the percentage of your email quota space that you have
used up and post that amount and date on the Discussion Board Forum for this assignment.
Assignment [J, Due by the start of class today]: Read the short essay, "The Five Senses of
Effective Science Leaders" by Douglas Llewellyn and Tiah McKinney, and published in the
September/October 2005 issue of NSTA Reports (p. 29) AND post on the appropriate Discussion
Board Forum a one sentence reason for the one (of the five) senses that resonanted most with
you.
Profesor Thompson and Professor Golde will attend today's session and participate in a
discussion that has the goals of:
(1) Allowing the students to get to know them outside of the normal large lecture setting.
(2) Reaffirm specific strategies students should enact to ensure success in these two courses.
(3) Reiterate methods to use small study groups to reach a higher level of attainment more
efficiently than without such.
Mtg 3.5: 20 September 2006, 4:00-6:00PM
Scientific Leadership: Networking
On Wednesday September 20, from 4 to 6 PM, the Annual Learning Community picnic will be
held on the William Pitt Union patio and lawn. (Rain or shine, but pray for sunshine!) All
current and former Learning Community freshmen, instructors and UTAs are invited to attend.
This year’s freshmen will have the opportunity to meet other current Learning Community
freshmen and past students who participated in the first two years of the program.
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Assignment [L, Due 9/19/06]: While this is an optional meeting of our Introduction to Arts
and Sciences section, I do expect everyone will attend. To get a sense of when we will all be
there, everyone should post on the appropriate Discussion Board Forum when they will there.
Once you arrive please stop by and say hello to me (Prof. G.)
Mtg 4: 21 September 2006
Scientfic Leadership: Value of a Liberal Arts Education
Assignment [K, Due 9/27/06]: Spend at least 5 minutes (time yourself!) exploring the Career
Services web site (http://www.careers.pitt.edu) and post, on the appropriate Discussion Board
Forum, one question that you would like to have this office address for you.
Assignment [M, Due today = 9/21/06]: Obtain a hard copy of one of the following four articles,
read it, put your name on it, and turn it in to Alexa today at the start of class.
z
z
z
z
"'Only Connect': The Goals of a Liberal Education"
"On the Purpose of a Liberal Arts Education"
"This University Brought to You By..."
"Harvard-Bound? Chin up!"
Class discussion questions:
skills of a liberally educated person/leader.
views of a liberally educated person/leader.
skills and views of technically educated person.
examples of a technical education.
required courses of all degreed students.
(Topic 4 = The Value of Liberal Arts)
Mtg 5: 28 September 2006
Scientific Leadership: Publications (Peer-Reviewed)
Assignment [R, Due today = 9/28/06]: Complete the on-line SAILS survey available via the
LINKS tab at the left. You will also need the blue sheet with your "student identifier" and your
"administration code" -- these were handed out at the end of class on 9/14/06. Note that this
assignment requires you to Print a copy of the final web page of the survey - the page that thanks
you for your participation -- and to turn that in to Prof. G at the start of class today.
Hillman Library Tour and Introduction to Access to the Peer-Reviewed Literature. Meet at the
Information Desk, ground floor of Hillman Library at 11:00am sharp. Be ready to ask the librarian
how to search for articles by the plenary speaker you will listen to next week (see Assignment P
for Meeting #7).
Mtg 6: 5 October 2006
Scientific Leadership: Presentations (Oral)
As a class, we will attend the 11:00AM plenary seminar for Thursday, 5 October in the Science
2006 event. Meet, as a group, in the back right-hand corner (from the speaker's perspective) of
the lecture hall. If we can manage it, we'll take a group picture before the start of the lecture, so
be on time!
REMINDER FROM OUR FIRST MEETING:
Assignment [H, Due 9/14/06] Register for the on-campus Science 2006 conference to be held
on 5-6 October 2006. Complete details, including on-line registration, are available on the
conference's web site: http://www.science2006.pitt.edu. To get credit for Assignment H, turn in
your name badge AFTER the seminar, to Prof. G.
Assignment [S, Due by 11:59pm today 10/5/2006]: Post on the appropriate Discussion Board
Forum at least one question that you would have liked today's speaker to have addressed during
his talk today.
Mtg 7: 12 October 2006
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Scientific Leadership: Presentations (Poster); Ethics
Assignment [B], due at the start of class today] Each group will present their "Science
Neighborhood Crawl" poster to the class today and a ballot will be cast to select the one to
advance to the Final Competition.
Assignment [P and Q; due at the start of class today=10/12]. Turn in the hardcopy of the peerreviewed article by last week's speaker (Roger D. Kornberg, Stanford University) with your name
at the top [P]. In order to make sure every class member finds a different article, Assignment Q
requires you to post the citation (Title of article, authors, Journal, Year, Vol, inclusive page
numbers). For this Assignment Q posting, IN THE SUBJECT LINE list the journal, year, issue,
and page numbers (to facilitate each of us identifying a unique paper.
Assignment [T, due at the start of class today] Read the short essay (Colleges Chase as Cheats
Shift to Higher Tech) from the New York Times prior to coming to class today - bring a hardcopy
with your name on it to receive credit for this assignment.
We'll have a selection of Thai food delivered today (due about 11:15-11:20pm), to enjoy as lunch
during our discussions.
A summary of the assignments that have been assigned but not yet completed will be distributed
to each student. Please make sure that all assignments are completed at the level necessary to
acheive the outcome you desire for this course.
Mtg 8: 19 October 2006
Scientific Leadership: Opportunties
OEL Fair: Report to our normal classroom; this is a FP1 required event so be sure to attend. It
will be a great way to hear about other Pitt students' research, internship, and teaching
experiences, and to learn about how to get involved.
Assignment [U, due at the start of class today] Look at the two short video clips (each is 3
minutes and 30 seconds long) posted here: http://136.142.19.170/pitt/index.php. Send Prof. G
an email after you have viewed them and let me know which of the two you liked better.
Mtg 9: 26 October 2006
Scientific Leadership: Getting Started
"Majors, Jobs, Internships, and Networking for First Year Students"
Presenter: Maureen Lazar, Emerging Leaders Coordinator
Assignment: [V, due at the start of class today] Visit the website
http://www.careers.pitt.edu/panthertracs in order to print the "Enrollment Form" for Career
Services; bring the completed form to class today.
(Did you complete Assignment K already? If not, please do so by 10/20 at which time we will
close that forum and email those questions to today's presenter so they can prepare.)
Mtg 10: 2 November 2006
Scientific Leadership: Professional Behavior
Assignment [W]: Due by the start of class today. Participate in the on-line experiment here
http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/esp2.html#aleph3 and email the results and your
explanation/hypothesis for why those results where acheived, to Prof. G (joeg@pitt.edu).
In class today, we will:
-- Review the last two posters.
-- Remind ourselves of where the class is.
-- Discuss one, two, or all three of the following aspects of Professionalism:
E-mail
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Letters of Recommendation (a good reflective essay on such is here:
http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_135.asp and an example
of a fairly typical 'Recommendation form' is avaible at
http://www.pitt.edu/~biohome/Dept/docs/recletter.pdf for Bio Sci.
Facebook & MySpace
You may wish to read one or more of the appropriate sections of Module 3 (available via the FP
Modules link at left) to prepare for today's discussion. We will begin our discussion by "voting" on
which of the three topics to begin with.
(Topic 3 - Academic Integrity and Professional Behavior)
Mtg 11: 9 November 2006
Scientific Leadership: Current Leaders
Today, we will have a panel discussion; the panelist are young leaders in science, at various
states in their careers, and include:
Justin Baca (jtbaca@gmail.com), MD-PhD Student
Adeola Sadik (aos1+@pitt.edu), Senior Chemistry Major, Pre-med student
Prof. Lillian Chong (ltchong+@pitt.edu), Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
Devin Coon (dmc2@pitt.edu), First-year medical student, Pitt (will join us if he gets our of his
PBL episode in time)
To receive credit for today's attendance, you need to make a contribution to the discussion about
what students in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field can do as
"leaders". You can contribute by making an informed statement about your area of interest
supported by peer-reviewed-literature, or by asking an insightful question (i.e., not a "yes/no"
question) of one of the panel members.
Assignment [X]: Due by the start of class today! Find a PAID summer research program at a
specific location (e.g., university, company, etc.) that is NOT in western Pennsylvania, that you
might apply to. Post, on the appropriate Forum in the Discussion Board area, the (i) discipline, (ii)
the hosting organization; (iii) the web site's URL where the program is described; (iv) the
compensation (pay!); and (v) a one-sentence explanation of why you would like to participate in
that program. IMPORTANT - no duplications allowed - so check all prior entries before
completing your own. A good starting point would be this web site:
http://www.igert.org/summer.asp.
Topic 5: Developing Relationships within the Academic Community
Mtg 12: 16 November 2006
Scientific Leadership: Self Assessment
Assignment [Y]: Post, on the appropriate forum in the Discussion Board area, one idea that we
might consider for this course next year, in order to make the course more valuable for freshman.
All posts should keep to the theme of "Scientific Leadership in Medicine and Research Learning
Community". ALSO post one thing that we did this year that you think could be dropped in order
to allocate the necessary time/effort for your new idea.
Course Opinion Surveys will be completed early in class today.
Team competiton-term review. Be sure to review the material from the course before coming to
class today -- your teamates will than you when you help them win the competition. Note - this
will be a team-based, oral final exam for this course.
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