The University of Texas at Pan-American
PSCI 1421.03 – Physical Science I Syllabus (Fall 2013)
Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how
you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan
Tom Landry
Instructor: Mrs. Martha Casquete
Office: Science Building (SCNE 3.136)
Phone: (956) 665 - 2171
Website:
Email: casquetem@utpa.edu
Class Time:
MW 5:45 - 7:00 PM
Class Location: HSHW 1.402
TEXT BOOK: An Introduction to Physical Science (13th Edition)
Class Website: marthacasqueteutpa.weebly.com
Office Hours: T & R 11:00PM - 1:00 PM
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce the concepts and principles of physical science to non-science and
elementary school pre-service teacher majors, surveying topics from physics, meteorology, and astronomy.
This course includes three laboratory hours per week for reinforcing, through experiment, the concepts taught in
the lecture.
Student learning Outcomes, Core Curriculum, and Objectives:
Physical Science is the general study of natural laws and includes areas such as Astronomy, Chemistry,
Geology and Physics. At the end of this course students will be able to:
 To recognize scientific and quantitative methods used by physical scientists, and apply these
methods in lecture classes to develop critical thinking skills within the Physical Sciences.
 To recognize scientific and quantitative methods used by physical scientists, and apply these
methods in laboratory portion to develop empirical and quantitative skills within the Physical
Sciences.
 To recognize approaches used by physical scientists to communicate findings and interpretation,
and apply these approaches in the laboratory portion of the course to develop communication
skills within the area of the Physical Sciences.
 To develop teamwork skills in the laboratory portion of the course, to be able to work effectively
with others and support a shared purpose or goal.
 To develop teamwork skills in the lecture classes to develop the ability to consider different points
of view.
 To identify and understand the basic natural laws that governs the movement of matter.
 To identify and understand fundamental physics concepts such as momentum and energy.
 To identify and understand the general properties of our atmosphere.
 To identify and understand the general properties of astronomical objects.
Course Philosophy:
Undergraduate study requires responsibility, dedication and self-discipline on the part of the student. You are
responsible for your own learning (and your own grade). I view myself as just one of the resources available to
you in your learning process. I will present short lectures to highlight key points, guide class discussions, and
answer student questions. To succeed in this class, you need to utilize all available resources and these three
primary methods of learning.
1
1.
Readings and lecture to present the course content. To learn the key, students must read the assigned
material before class each week.
2.
Discussions to ensure understanding and ability to apply the key concepts of each week. I will initiate
and guide discussions in class each week. Your active participation is essential for your learning (see Grading
Policies & Class Participation). I also encourage you to informally discuss course content with your classmates
and/or email me questions as needed.
3.
Group project and homework assignments to provide practice applying key course concepts. The group
project and homework assignments are designed to ensure that you understand and are able to apply key
concepts from the course. See Grading & Assignments for more detail.
Questions for the Instructor should be emailed directly to me at casquete@panam.edu, identify you by name
and include ‘PSCI 1421’ and the section in the subject line. I will check email daily during the week and
respond within 24–48 hours. Questions about assignments should be emailed two days before the due date to
ensure you receive a timely response.
Course Requirements:
Required Textbook/Course Materials
 An Introduction to Physical Science (13th Edition) by Shipman/Wilson/Higgins
 Calculator, Index Cards (4 X 6 in) and other materials that will be requested throughout the
semester.
 Clicker can be checked out from the Physics and Geology Department
Class Participation and Attendance: All students are expected to prepare for and actively participate in class. I
do not expect ‘perfect’ questions or answers. There is no such thing as a ‘dumb’ question if it aids in learning. If
you have a question, so do other students – so please ask. I believe students have valuable knowledge and
experiences that will benefit others. Excellence means being prepared, involved, and taking responsibility for
your own learning.
Since class participation will be graded, students must attend the entire class period to earn full participation
credit. Students missing more than 3 classes (or significant portions of 3 classes) will have their participation
grade reduced.
Cell phones You will be asked to leave the classroom if you are using your cell phone.
Homework: You are expected to answer all the problems/questions in the homework sets. However, only one
or two problems(s)/questions(s) will be selected for grading. The homework due dates will be posted in
Blackboard. You are encouraged to collaborate with somebody but do not simply copy someone else’s work.
Quizzes: Short quizzes will be given based on a reading assignment or on the topics discussed. It is anticipated
that there will be at least one quiz for each class meeting. There will be no make up for a missed quiz.
Chapter Exams: There will be three exams and a project, each worth 100 points. The exams will be designed
in order to assess both your qualitative and quantitative knowledge about the topics. All exams will be given on
the dates indicated in the schedule for PSCI 1421. The exam will consist of multiple-choice and open-ended
question. There will be no make up for a missed exam. The project will consist in a presentation, instruction
and topics will be posted in the website or blackboard by the fourth week of the semester.
Final Exam: a comprehensive final exam will be given. See the schedule for the date.
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Laboratory Class: in order to pass the course you should be enrolled in PSCI 1421 lab and get a grade at least
65%
Grading System:
You will find below the basis for determining your course grade. (Note that there will be no curves on all
exams)
LECTURE
75 %
Homework & Quizzes
Chapter Exams and Project
Participation
Final Exam
(15%)
(35%)
(10%)
(15%)
LABORATORY
25 %
Grading Assignment: (G = grade)
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Point Range
G ≥ 88
75 ≤ G < 88
65 ≤ G < 75
50 ≤ G < 65
G < 50
Blackboard:
Blackboard (http://onlinelearning.utpa.edu/) will be utilized to augment the teaching of the course. It will be
specifically used by the instructor in making announcements, creating assessments related to advanced reading
assignments, e-mailing students, initiating online discussion, posting course materials (e.g. syllabus, class
schedules, lecture summaries, etc.) and grades. Students are required to have access to Blackboard.
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UTPA POLICIES
Course Drops/Withdrawals:
The last day to drop a class or withdraw from the University is on September 23. After this date, student
remains enrolled in course(s) and receives whatever letter grade (s) he/she earns.
Academic or Scholastic Dishonesty:
Committing an act of academic or scholastic dishonesty is very serious offense and may be the basis for
suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in
whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair
advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. For more information refer to H.O.P 5.5.2 (Student
Conduct Code) at http://www.utpa.edu/newhop/files/pdf. )
Student with Disabilities:
If you have a documented disability, which will make it difficult for you carry out the work as I have outlined
and/or if you need special accommodations/assistance due to the disability, please immediately contact
Disability Services, university Center, Room 322, or the Associate Director at Maureen@utpa.edu, 316-7005 so
that appropriate accommodation may be arranged for you.
Mandatory Course Evaluations period (November 13 – December 4): Students are required to complete an
ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTPA account (https://my.utpa.edu/); you will be
contacted through email with further instructions. The evaluation window closes at 11:59 pm on December 4th,
the last day of fall classes. Students who complete their evaluations by December 4th will have priority access
to their grades.
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Tentative class Schedule (PSCI 1421)
Week
1
Date
8/26 – 8/30
Topics
Introduction
Chapter 1: Measurement
Readings2
09/02/13 (Monday)
NO CLASS – Labor Day
2
9/4
Chapter 2: Motion
3
4
9/9 - 9/13
9/16 – 9/20
Chapter 3: Force & Motion
Chapter 4: Work & Energy
5
9/23 – 9/27
Chapter 4: Work & Energy
Exam 1
6
9/30 - 10/4
Chapter 5: Temperature and
Heat
7
10/7 – 10/11
Chapter 19: The
Atmosphere
8
10/14 – 10/18 Chapter 20: Atmospheric
Effects
9
10/21 – 10/25 Exam 2
10
10/28 – 10/31 Chapter 15: Place and Time
11
11/4 – 11/8
12
Chapter 16: The Solar
System
Chapter 17: Moon and
Other Solar System
11/11 – 11/15
13
14
Chapter 18: The Universe
11/18 – 11/22
11/25 – 11/27 Exam 3
H.E.B Planetarium Visit
November 28-30 Thanksgiving Holiday
15
Final Project Presentation
11/02 – 11/4
December 5-6
Study Days No classes or Exams
16
12/7 - 13
Final Exam
(Comprehensive)
5
Assignments2
6