This course is designed as part of the General Education science component. Course objectives are to 1) teach students to distinguish between science and pseudoscience through analysis of methodology, 2) understand the difference between science and technology, 3) appreciate the historical and philosophical background of science, and 4) understand the role of science in creating and solving current societal problems. Topics include the scientific method, statistical analysis, measurement and interpretation, and scientific writing, illustrated with selected topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and related sciences.
Prerequisites :
ENGW 1302, MATH 1314; Science majors cannot take this course for credit.
Course requirements :
All students are responsible for
1) six in-class ‘quizzes’ (40% of course grade),
2) a mandatory comprehensive final examination (25% of course grade),
3) one (minimum) to three (maximum) written assignments at my option (15% of course grade),
4) a couple of hands-on / laboratory assignments (10% of course grade), and
5) class participation (10% of course grade).
The quizzes will consist of a combination of short-answer and essay questions and will include calculations. Anything covered in class is fair game for the exams. It is open season on knowledge! Quizzes (20 – 25 minutes maximum) will be announced in advance and administered at the beginning of the lecture. When possible, these will be scheduled at the last lecture of the week.
Feel free to bring a calculator but not one built into any device with wireless capability. Be certain that you have the appropriate type of batteries and know, in advance, how to use the calculator.
Academic dishonesty :
Refer to the Academic Integrity section of the current Student Handbook
Drop deadlines :
01 Feb 2012 : last date for unrecorded drop
02 Apr 2012 : last date to withdraw
Disabilities :
If you have a medical, psychiatric or learning disability and require accommodations in this class, please let me know early in the semester or as soon as you are eligible. You will first need to provide documentation of your disability to the Student Disability Services Office located in Moody Hall 155 in Academic Planning and Support Services.
Do not hand me the 504 accommodation form in class. Stop by my office so that we can briefly discuss your specific needs.
If you plan to take your final exam at the testing center, set up a testing appointment which is as close to the scheduled exam time as is possible. Provide me with at least 24 hours lead time after scheduling your exam.
If you plan to take your quizzes at the testing center, have them completed before the end of the week in which they are administered.
Grading :
The course grade will be determined by : average of six (6) in-class quizzes {40%} + mandatory comprehensive final exam {25%} + written assignment(s) {15%} + average of hands-on / laboratory assignments {10%} + class participation {10%}.
Put in the time necessary to do the job right the first time. There will be no make-up quizzes, dropped grades, early administration of exams, nor any extra-credit work.
Letter grades will be assigned as follows :
A >= 90.0%
79.9% < B < 90.0%
69.9% < C < 80.0% acceptable, college-level work - a C is not a failing grade
59.9% < D < 70.0%
F < 60.0%
The grades will not be curved. Your grade will be based on your performance and not on your effort, per se. In my experience, course grades reveal little about your worth as a human being. They are indicators of your performance in a particular course, at a particular time in your life. Try not to take them personally.
Incomplete :
A grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be given only in exceptional cases in which extenuating circumstances that occur in the last 10 days of the semester interfere with the completion of final course work.
In addition,
1) You must be up-to-date on all other work and exams.
2) You must be maintaining at least a C average.
3) You must have an acceptable attendance record up to that point.
Work must be completed and the grade received in the Office of the Registrar by October 1 for all summer-term courses, March 1 for all fall semester courses and July 1 for all spring semester courses, or a grade of “F” will be entered on the transcript. (see Undergraduate Bulletin)
Final exam dates :
SCIE 2320.02 : (meets TTh 1400 – 1515 hrs) Wed 09 May 2012 1330 – 1530 hrs
SCIE 2320.12 : (meets MWF 1100 – 1150 hrs) Wed 09 May 2012 1115 – 1315 hrs
SCIE 2320.13 : (meets TTh 1230 – 1345 hrs) Thu 10 May 2012 1115 – 1315 hrs
“Students are not required to take three final exams on any one day. If three officially scheduled exams fall on the same day for any student, she/he has the option of taking one of her/his choice on another day during the exam period, agreeable to both instructor and student. If such a day cannot be satisfactorily determined, the instructor will give the examination on the day before or after the scheduled period. If one of the three exams was not originally or officially scheduled for the same day, the student should work out an agreement with the instructor, making the change for a mutually satisfactory alternate day. The student is required to notify the instructor of the course that needs an alternate exam period by April 11th.”