SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS

 

XIDS 2201

Fall 2006

 

Instructor	Dr. T. Ayers	Ms. R. Harris	Dr. N. L. Pencoe
E-mail address	tayers@westga.edu	rharris@westga.edu	npencoe@westga.edu
Office	TLC	Callaway 203	Biology 204
Phone	678-839-6022	678-839-4056	678-839-4036
Office Hours	M/W/F: 10:00 – 12:00	M: 10-11, 1-3	T/R:  9:00 – 3:00
	T/R: 1:00 – 3:00	T/R: 4-5	M/W:  1:00 – 3:00
Faculty Contact for	WebCT	GRADES	LABS & eInstruction

 

COURSE MATERIALS

·                    Hewitt, Paul, Suzanne Lyons, John Suchocki, and Jennifer Yeh.  2006.  Conceptual Integrated Science, 1^st edition. [REQUIRED]

·                    eInstruction handheld remotes (will be distributed to you in class).  Remotes will need to be activated (for a fee) the first week of classes.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Science Foundations is an introduction to the fundamental behavior of matter and energy in living and nonliving systems.  It is intended to serve the needs of non-science majors who are required to complete one or more science courses as part of a general or basic studies requirement.  It introduces basic concepts and key ideas while providing opportunities for students to learn reasoning skills and a new way of thinking about their environment.  The laboratory component of the course allows students to have hands-on experience with scientific ideas and principles.  The course is part of the Core curriculum at the University of West Georgia.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After successful completion of the course, you should:

·                    Have a good understanding of the physical and chemical basis of the universe.

·                    Be able to relate physics and chemistry concepts to geology and biology.

·                    Have hands-on laboratory experience in scientific principles.

·                    Understand the relevance of science in society.

·                    Be better citizens.

CORRESPONDENCE

Please use your “myUWG” e-mail account for all written communication.  E-mails from other service providers (aol, gmail, hotmail, yahoo) will be ignored.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Unannounced quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester.  Any missed quiz is recorded as a zero.  You may not make up a quiz.  Thus, you need to be in class each and every day!

 

CELL PHONE / BEEPER POLICY

Ringing cell phones and beepers are extremely disruptive in the classroom.  If you must bring your cell phone or beeper to class, make sure the ringer is OFF during lecture & while taking exams.  Failure to comply with this request could result in confiscation of your cell phone or beeper.

 

GRADING

Lecture exams (5)*	74% of final grade	A = 100 – 90%
Quizzes#	13% of final grade	B = 89 – 80%
Laboratory#	13% of final grade	C = 79 – 70%
		D = 60 – 60%
		F = below 60
* You must bring a picture ID.
* You must purchase scantron form # 229629 (bookstore)
#Bring a calculator and your handheld remote to all your classes, labs & exams

 

The basic lecture exam is multiple choice.  A few things to remember when taking this type of exam are:

·                    Read each question and all possible answers before making your selection;

·                    Select your answer by using the process of elimination;

·                    Don’t make a mechanical error (if you know the answer is “A”, make sure you mark “A” on your scantron);

·                    Your first impression is usually correct;

·                    Don’t read more into the question than what is there (some questions are actually easy.

 

 

MAKEUP EXAMS

Makeup exams will not be given except in cases of EXTREME emergency.  If you miss a scheduled exam, your grade for that exam is a zero.

 

EXTRA CREDIT / CURVING OF GRADES

There will be no extra credit opportunities or curving of grades in this course.

 

CHEATING

Cheating and plagiarism (look it up) are prohibited.  Any student who cheats or plagiarizes material will receive a grade of “F” for the course.  THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES!!

 

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING

If you are an average reader, you should spend at least 6 hours a week outside class working on Science Foundations.  If you are a slow reader or have trouble with comprehension, you will have to spend even more time.  I cannot emphasize strongly enough that it is important to read about each lecture topic before coming to class.  Students who do this make better grades and get more out of the lecture.  Whatever you do, do not allow yourself to fall behind, because it will be extremely difficult to catch up.

The best overall study approach is to read each chapter quickly at first, like a novel, to get the general gist of things.  Then read it more carefully, noting any areas of confusion.  This is important, because when you come to lecture you will be more perceptive in these areas, and confusion will give way to enlightenment.  After you are reasonably confident of your knowledge, arrange to have a study partner ask you questions.  It is also a good idea to try to explain the material to someone who is not taking the course - to teach it is to know it.

 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

Many students do not realize that:

·                    College courses require you to know several times as much material on the same topic as the high school equivalent.

·                    The rate at which material is presented to you is much faster.

·                    You must demonstrate critical thinking as well as information recall.

 

A FINAL WORD

Science Foundations is tough, but it can also be very enjoyable.  We want to help you as much as we can, but it is up to you to let us know what we can do for you.  Remember, you will get out of this course exactly what you put into it.   GOOD LUCK!