SYLLABUS
COURSE:
COURSE ID:
COURSE HOURS:
SEMESTER:
TEXTBOOK:
Energy in the Natural Environment; PSC1515 Honors
546631
TR 9:50-11:05 am
Spring, 2010
Physical Science, seventh edition, Customized (by B.W. Tillery).
ISBN: 0-07-729587-0
ROOM:
3343
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES: None
COREQUISITES: None
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
E-MAIL:
TELEPHONE:
WEBPAGE:
Michael McGauley
Chemistry and Physics department / Room 3291, Cubicle # 16
mmcgaule@mdc.edu (preferred method)
305-237-2687
http://faculty.mdc.edu/mmcgaule
OFFICE HOURS:
See Moodle
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The goal of this course is for the student to appreciate the Earth as a system and
understand the flow of energy between the various sections of the planet. In addition, the
student should gain awareness of the environmental issues that shape our planet and our
place on the planet. The first section of the course will deal with the principles of science
including physics and chemistry. The second section will utilize the information learned
from the first section in explaining how the Earth was formed and how each of the
Earth’s systems interact with one another following the flow of energy. The last section
of this course will focus on environmental and ecological issues.
This course will cover most aspects of the physical sciences including chemistry,
geology, ecology, physics, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy. This course is for
non-science majors and fulfills the physical science requirement for the A.A. degree.
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
See Moodle
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Subjects and important dates:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
PHYSICS
What is science?
Motion
Energy
Heat and Temperature
Waves
Electricity
Exam I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
CHEMISTRY
Light
Atoms
Chemical Bonds
Chemical Reactions
Water and Solutions
Nuclear Reactions
Exam II
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
EARTH and SPACE
The Universe
The Solar System
Earth in space
Rocks and Minerals
Plate Tectonics
Exam III
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
CLIMATE and ECOLOGY
Atmosphere
Weather and Climate
Earth’s Waters
Ecology
Exam IV
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 22 (from Tiller Integrated Science)
IMPORTANT DATES:
Last day to drop class with full refund – January 11, 2010
Last day to drop while still receiving a “W” – March 17, 2010
Final Exam – April 27, 2010 (9:50-11:20 am)
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GRADING POLICY
Homework counted towards final grade:
Average of Exams = 80%
Average of Homework = 20%
Homework NOT counted towards final grade:
Average of Exams = 100%
Percentage
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
<60%
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Syllabus contract
All students are required to register in MOODLE. When there, you are required to
complete the “syllabus contract” that ensures you understand the important details
of this class. This contract must be completed by January 11, 2010. If you do not
complete this assignment, I will drop you from the class!!!
Exams
There are 5 exams and the combined Moodle quiz score worth 100 points each (see
below). I drop the lowest score and average the rest.
Exam's I-IV (100 pts each)
Each exam has questions covering the applicable chapters (see above).
Study guides are available for each chapter (see Moodle). A make-up
exam for Exam’s I, II and III can be taken if you have appropriate
documentation however the make-up exams are generally much harder
and must be completed within one week of the regularly-scheduled exam.
There are no make-ups for Exam IV.
Final Exam (100 pts)
A short answer, multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank exam will be given
during ‘final exams week’ that will cover everything taught throughout the
semester. There are NO make-ups for the final.
Chapter quizzes (100 points)
Each chapter has an associated chapter quiz found in Moodle worth
various points. The combined points from the chapter quizzes will replace
your lowest exam score. If the lowest score is the chapter quizzes, I only
average the remaining 5 exams.
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Homework (total of 180 points)
There will be several homework assignments throughout the semester. All
homework will have a due date associated with it and homework is required to be
turned in on time. When I give out the answers to the homework (whether in class
or in Moodle, whichever comes first), I do NOT accept late submissions. I will drop
the lowest homework score. I will let the homework count 20% of your course
grade if the points help.
COURSE / DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES:
Office hours:
Please refer to Moodle, my faculty webpage or my office door for up-to-date office
hours. I encourage you to stop by if you are having problems in class. Room #3326
also offers help with math, physics and chemistry in the event I am not in my office
when you need me.
Exams:
Exams must be taken on the assigned date, in class. If an emergency comes up that
force you to miss an exam, I will require documentation to allow you to take a
make-up.
If you arrive late for an exam and a student has already left, you will not be allowed
to take the exam. Make sure you arrive ON TIME!
Moodle:
All students will be required to register in Moodle (instructions will be given). All
announcements, grades, assignments and other pertinent information will be posted
there. Although future involvement in Moodle is not required for grade purposes it
will give you an opportunity to increase exam scores (see Extra Credit) and will
also serve as evidence of your involvement in the class.
Attendance:
Attendance will be taken every class. Attendance is taken in the event you receive
an incomplete or failing grade. Attendance does not count toward your final grade
but I can’t overemphasize the importance of attending class. Students who regularly
miss class fail this course.
The only exception to the “attendance” grading policy is my “drop policy.” Any
student who misses more than 3 classes in a row will be dropped from the course
unless the student communicates with me beforehand or I see you entering Moodle.
Lateness:
If you must be late to class enter the room causing the least amount of disturbance
as possible.
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Student progress:
All grades and scores are posted on Moodle. This is where I keep the official grade
book so it is imperative you check this often for mistakes.
Cell phones and pagers:
Cell phones and pagers must be turned off or placed on silence mode while in class.
It is disruptive and rude when these devices go off during lectures. Cell phones and
pagers may not be removed from your bag at any time during exams.
Conduct in class:
Please remember you are in a college environment. Laughing, talking and giggling
with each other during a class lecture is unacceptable. I encourage you to get to
know your classmates and I encourage you to set up study groups but keep in mind
that social interaction should be done outside of class.
Academic honesty:
It is also expected that students will conduct themselves in an academically honest
and ethical manner according to the academic Code of Conduct (printed in the
student handbook). Those caught cheating will receive A ZERO on the appropriate
exam. If you are caught cheating more than once you will be removed from the
course.
Students with special needs:
The college tries to accommodate everyone with special needs (contact me or the
ACCESS Department and we will try to accommodate your needs as best we can).
Incompletes:
An Incomplete or “I” grade may only be issued at my discretion and if you
document your inability to finish the course under the following conditions:
1.
2.
3.
You are passing the course at the time of request
Most of the work has been completed before the emergency, AND
Circumstances are beyond your control.
Extra credit:
In addition, 20 points will be added to your lowest exam score for attending a nightviewing at Sadowski State Park on March 20, 2010 (Saturday) at 8:00pm. Be sure
to get the time off if you want to attend. No other extra credit is given!
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