SYLLABUS: General Physical Science - Daytime
Summer 2013 (133)
PHSC 1114 - 101
General Physical Science
Call Number: 31287
Lecture: Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:50 AM in room MC 523
Lab:
Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:20 PM in room MC 539
Professor: Claude E. Bolze
Cubicle No.: MC 527
Phone No.: 595-7246
E-mail: cbolze@tulsacc.edu
Tulsa Community College
Science and Math Division
Tulsa, OK 74119
Cubicle Hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 7:30 to 9:00 AM and Noon to 12:30 PM
Science and Mathematics Division
Chairman: Dr. Connie Hebert
Office No.: MC 620 and Phone No.: 595-7334
Course Prerequisite:
One year of high school algebra, or MATH 0013 (Beginning Algebra), or equivalent.
Textbook:
An Introduction to Physical Science, 13th edition
Authors: Shipman, Wilson, and Higgins
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, ISBN-13: 978-1-133-10909-9 or ISBN-10: 1-133-10909-8
Catalog Description:
A study of the basic principles and concepts of physics and nuclear science, chemistry, astronomy,
meteorology and geology. The course relates these basic sciences to man's physical world at an
introductory level; and is intended primarily for the non-science major.
Lectures 3 hours. Laboratory 2 hours.
Prerequisite: One year of high school algebra, or MATH 0013 (Beginning Algebra), or equivalent.
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Course Objectives:
General Physical Science is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
1. Students develop an appreciation of the workings of science in their daily lives.
2. Students gain a general knowledge of the five physical sciences:
Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Meteorology, Geology.
3. Students apply the scientific method to problem solving.
4. Students review some specific aspects of the history of physical science.
5. Students develop a working vocabulary of scientific terms.
Teaching Methods:
General Physical Science is a lecture and lab course. Lectures will generally follow the textbook plan,
presenting material in the same sequence as the textbook. Students are encouraged to read the
appropriate textbook topics before they are presented in lecture. Students are required to read all
assigned textbook chapters.
The lecture material and laboratory material will be correlated. The laboratory is designed to show the
practical application of principles examined in lecture. Most labs will allow the student to generate
scientific data through experimentation, practice math skills while analyzing the data and thereby
comprehend the relationships within the scientific principles.
Most lab periods will begin with instruction, and then students will work through exercises at their
own pace. Lab exercises, while graded, are not tests; therefore, students are encouraged to work
together and ask as many questions as necessary to understand the concepts presented.
Audio-visual aids and field trips will be used to supplement the lectures and laboratory activities.
Evaluation Techniques:
Exams:
There will be a total of 5 exams. The final will not be comprehensive. The exams will be a
combination of multiple choice and matching questions. The exams will include both lecture and text
material. The 5 exams will comprise 50% of the final grade.
Homework:
Five homework assignments will be made. One assignment for each of the five physical sciences.
The homework will be Short-Answer Questions and Exercises from the textbook. The Short-Answer
Questions will require short answers and the Exercises will require calculations. Each assignment will
be worth 20 points. Each question is worth 1 point and each exercise is worth 2 points. The
homework can be handwritten on notebook paper or typed. Each homework assignment will be due
the day of the exam. The homework will comprise 25% of the final grade.
Labs:
Laboratory assignments will be worth 10 points each and are to be handed in at the end of each
laboratory. The lab grades will comprise 25% of the final grade.
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Attendance Policy:
Past experience has shown that regular and prompt attendance is vitally important for successful
completion of this course. Those students who decide not to complete the course must withdraw
themselves from the course. Failure to complete work does not constitute a withdrawal from Tulsa
Community College and those students will receive a grade based upon the points earned at the end of
the semester.
Student Conduct:
Cheating, violating the integrity of examinations or plagiarism will not be tolerated in this course and
will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Responsibility and Conduct for Tulsa
Community College.
Course Withdrawal: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration
of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course
('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines.
Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,”
which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
Communications:
Email communications: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex:
bob.buck@mail.tulsacc.edu). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be
sent to your MyTCC email address; and you must use MyTCC email to send email to, and receive
email from, the instructor regarding this course.
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations
arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also
posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu).
General Education Goals: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain
skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a
backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking,
Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
Classroom Etiquette: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs,
and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is
essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other.
Syllabus Changes: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be
notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
Students with Disabilities: TCC provides accommodations for qualifying students in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information, students may contact the
disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
Electronic Devices: All electronic devices must be turned off and stowed during class. This
includes TVs, radios, lap tops, cell phones, blackberries, teaberries, etc. Unauthorized use of any
electronic device will be punished by the device encountering a sharp blow from a geopick.
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Institutional Statement: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information
contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester
information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website:
www.tulsacc.edu
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others
about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not
condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community
College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty.
Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of
disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member
may:
 Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a
substitute assignment or test;
 Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
 Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively
withdraw the student from the class;
 Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by
submitting such request to the Dean of Student Services.
Grade Scale
Grade Distribution
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
Exams
= 50%
Homework
= 25%
Lab Exercises = 25%
Late Assignments and Make-up Test Policy:
Exams:
Exams may be made-up at the professor’s convenience. Make-up exams will be more rigorous.
Homework:
Homework will be accepted late, however, 2 point will be deducted from the grade for each class
meeting the homework is late.
Labs:
There will be no make-up for labs involving the use of lab equipment. However, a take home lab
worth half credit can be arranged at the student's request. Labs not involving the use of lab equipment
will be accepted late, however, 2 point will be deducted from the grade for each class meeting the
assignment is late.
A simple calculator will be helpful for completing the Lab and Homework assignments.
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Tentative Schedule
June 3 – June 10: Physics Chapters 1-4
June 12: Physics Exam - Exam 1
June 12 – June 19: Chemistry Chapters 5, 9-13
June 24: Chemistry Exam - Exam 2
June 24 – July 1: Astronomy Chapters 15-18
July 3: Astronomy Exam - Exam 3
July 3 – July 10: Meteorology Chapters 19-20
July 15: Meteorology Exam - Exam 4
July 15 – July 22: Geology Chapters 21 -24
July 24: Geology Exam - Exam 5
July 4: No Class – Independence Day.
Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade: Friday, July 12.
How to Calculate Physical Science Grade
Grade Scale
Grade Distribution
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
Exams
= 50%
Homework
= 25%
Lab Exercises = 25%
Your Exam Points x 0.50 = Exam Points
Possible Points
Your Homework Points x 0.25 = Homework Points
Possible Points
Your Lab Points x 0.25 = Lab Points
Possible Points
Extra Credit is added to only Your Points and is not added to the Possible Points.
Grade = (Exam Points + Homework Points + Lab Points) x 100
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Physical Science Schedule
Summer 2013 (133)
Monday
Syllabus
June 3
1
The Scientific Method, 1-4.
Chapter 1 - Measurement, 1-21 and Appendix I-VI, A-1 – A-l4.
Exercises, p. 24: 5, 9.
Lab – No Lab.
Wednesday
June 5
2
Exercises, p. 24: 7, p. A-11, Extra.
Extra: Using the powers of 10 notation and conversion factors, calculate the
number of seconds in the lifetime of a 70 year old person.
Chapter 2 - Motion, 26-40. Velocity Acceleration Acceleration of Gravity
Exercises, p. 47: 5, 11.
Lab - Measurement.
Monday
June 10
3
Chapter 3 - Force and Motion, 49-71. Newton’s Laws of Motion #1, #2, #3
Newton's Law of Gravity Archimedes Principle and Buoyancy Momentum
Exercises, p. 76-77: 9, 23.
Chapter 4 - Work and Energy, 78-98.
Work Energy Power Kinetic and Potential Energy
Conservation of Energy Forms of Energy
Exercises, p. 102: 3 p. 103: 25 Cost of using electricity.
Review for Physics Exam.
Lab - Density
Wednesday
June 12
4
Physics Homework Due and Physics Exam.
Chapter 10 - Nuclear Physics, 256-262.
Elements Atomic Nucleus Nuclear Stability Radioactivity
Lab - Specific Heat.
Chapter 5 - Temperature and Heat, 104-121.
Monday
June 17
5
Review Specific Heat Lab and Chapter 5 - Temperature and Heat, 104-121.
Exercises, p. 132: 3.
Chapter 10 - Nuclear Physics, 262-289.
Nuclear Reactions Fission Fusion
Exercises, p. 293-294: 1, 5, 23, 25.
Lab – Pendulum, calculate g.
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Wednesday
June 19
6
Chapter 9 - Atomic Physics, 227-252.
The Atom Dual Nature of Light
Chapter 11 - Electron Configuration, 309-310.
Chapter 11 - The Chemical Elements, 296-309.
The Periodic Table of the Elements Compounds
Mole and Avogadro's Number - Section 13.5, p. 375-378.
Review for Chemistry Exam.
Lab - The Periodic Table.
Monday
June 24
7
Chemistry Homework Due and Chemistry Exam.
Chapter 16 - The Solar System, 444-469.
Components Kepler's Laws History
Lab - Kepler's Second Law of Planetary Motion.
Wednesday
June 26
8
Chapter 16 - The Solar System, 470-473.
Origin
Chapter 17 – Moons and Other Solar System Objects, 490-502.
Comets Meteors Asteroids
Chapter 18 - The Universe, 515-524 and 531-537.
Cosmology Stars Life Cycle of Stars
Lab - Place and Time.
Chapter 15 - Place and Time, 415-438.
Monday
July 1
9
Chapter 15 - Place and Time, 415-438.
Chapter 18 - The Universe, 507-515 and 524-534.
Sun Galaxies Quasars Hubble's Law
Chapter 17 - The Moon, 477-490.
Features Origin Eclipses Tides
Review for Astronomy Exam.
Lab - Hubble's Law.
Wednesday
July 3
10
Astronomy Homework Due and Astronomy Exam.
Chapter 19 - The Atmosphere, 542-547 and 554-561.
Origin Composition Vertical Structure Measurements
Lab - Humidity and Dew Point.
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Monday
July 8
11
Air Motion Local Winds Global Winds Jet Stream
Modifying Wind Bands, 561-565
Ocean Currents and El Nino (583) Atmospheric Energy (548-554)
Blue Sky and Red Sunsets (550) Clouds (565-570) Greenhouse Effect (552-553)
Lab - Weather Maps.
Wednesday
July 10
12
Chapter 20 – Atmospheric Effects – 575-596.
Air Masses Condensation and Precipitation Storms
Thunder, Lightning, and Hurricane
Chapter 20 – Pollution and Waste Water Treatment – 596-606.
Review for Meteorology Exam.
Lab - Topographic Maps.
Monday
July 15
13
Meteorology Homework Due and Meteorology Exam.
Chapter 24 - Geologic Time, 698-718.
Fossils Age of Earth Geologic Time Scale
Chapter 22 - Rocks, 647-667.
Lab - Downtown Geology Field Trip
Wednesday
July 17
14
Chapter 21 – Structural Geology, 610-635.
Earthquakes Earth’s Interior Plate Tectonics
Lab - Locating Earthquakes.
Monday
July 22
15
Chapter 22 – Minerals and Rocks, 640-667
Review for Geology Exam
Lab – No Lab
Wednesday
July 24
16
Geology Homework Due and Geology Exam.
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Homework Assignments: Physical Science
Each homework assignment is worth 20 points.
Each Short-Answer Question is worth 1 point.
Each Exercise is worth 2 points.
For Exercises, must show calculations to receive full credit.
Physics Homework - due June 12.
Chapter 1 - Measurement.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 23: 17.
Exercises, p. 24: 6.
Chapter 2 - Motion.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 45: 3, 13.
Exercises, p. 47-48: 6, 12.
Chapter 3 - Force and Motion.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 73-74: 5, 16, 31.
Exercises, p. 76-77: 10, 24.
Chapter 4 - Work and Energy.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 100-101: 8, 26.
Exercises, p. 102: 4.
Extra Credit (3 pts) - I want you to bring me a bucket of energy.
What would you put in the bucket to accomplish this? Explain.
Chemistry Homework - due June 24
Chapter 5 - Temperature and Heat.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 130-131: 6, 14.
Exercises, p. 132-133: 4.
Chapter 9 - Atomic Physics.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 253-254: 7, 22, 23.
Chapter 10 - Nuclear Physics.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 291-292: 8, 21, 35.
Exercises, p. 293-294: 2, 6, 24.
Chapter 11 - The Chemical Elements.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 320: 13, 19.
Exercises, p. 322: 10.
Extra Credit (3 pts) – Short-Answer Question, p. 131: 9.
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Astronomy Homework - due July 3
Chapter 15 - Place and Time.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 441: 4, 7, 12, 17, 24.
Chapter 16 - The Solar System.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 474-475: 2, 5, 21.
Chapter 17 – Moons and Other Solar System Objects.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 504-505: 3, 4, 10, 16, 20, 31.
Chapter 18 - The Universe.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 539-540: 5, 7, 13, 21, 24, 25.
Extra Credit (3 pts) - How is it possible for a person to celebrate Christmas (December 25)
twice during the same year?
Meteorology Homework - due July 15
Chapter 19 - The Atmosphere.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 571-572: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 21, 22, 27.
Chapter 20 - Atmospheric Effects.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 608: 12, 18, 20, 22, 30.
Additional Questions:
1. Explain why the temperature of the troposphere decreases with altitude, whereas the temperature
of the stratosphere increases with altitude.
2. In what direction does (a) a north wind blow?, (b) a west wind?
3. Which is heavier, a cubic foot of dry air or a cubic foot of moist air?
4. What is the meaning of the dew point temperature?
5. What are the doldrums and the horse latitudes?
6. What does it mean if the dry bulb and wet bulb of a psychrometer read the same temperature?
7. Distinguish between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
Extra Credit (3 pts) - Applying Your Knowledge, p. 573: 1.
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Geology Homework - due July 24
Chapter 24 - Geologic Time.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 720-721: 2, 5, 8.
Chapter 22 - Minerals and Rocks.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 669-670: 4, 8, 14, 16, 24, 27, 31.
Chapter 21 - Structural Geology.
Short-Answer Questions, p. 637-638: 5, 10, 15, 21, 23.
Addition Questions:
1. Distinguish between silicon and silicates.
2. What is the major source of Earth's internal heat?
3. What is the "Ring of Fire"?
4. Describe the composition and density differences between continental crust and oceanic crust.
5. Why is “tidal wave” an incorrect term for a huge ocean wave? What is the correct term?
Extra Credit (3 pts) – The Pacific plate is moving northwestward relative to the North American plate
at a rate of 5 centimeters per year. If this rate and direction continue, at what approximate time in the
geologic future will Los Angeles become a suburb of San Francisco? (Los Angeles and San Francisco
are approximately 600 km apart.).
Must show calculations.
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