COURSE: Energy and the Natural Environment; PSC1515

SYLLABUS

COURSE: Energy and the Natural Environment; PSC1515 COURSE ID: 473272 CLASSROOM: 2105 COURSE HOURS: TR 5:40 – 6:55 pm SEMESTER: Fall, 2008 TEXTBOOK: Physical Science, seventh edition, Customized (by B.W. Tillery). ISBN: 0-07-729587-0 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: None

INSTRUCTOR: Michael McGauley OFFICE: Earth Science Department / Room 3291, Cubicle #16 TELEPHONE: 305-237-2687 E-MAIL: [email protected] (preferred method) WEBPAGE: http://faculty.mdc.edu/mmcgaule OFFICE HOURS: See WebCT

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 WebCT

1 COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Subjects and important dates:

I. PHYSICS What is science? Chapter 1 Motion Chapter 2 Energy Chapter 3 Heat and Temperature Chapter 4 Waves Chapter 5 Electricity Chapter 6 Exam I

II. CHEMISTRY Light Chapter 7 Atoms Chapter 8 Chemical Bonds Chapter 9 Chemical Reactions Chapter 10 Water and Solutions Chapter 11 Nuclear Reactions Chapter 13 Exam II

III. EARTH and SPACE The Universe Chapter 14 The Solar System Chapter 15 Earth in space Chapter 16 Rocks and Minerals Chapter 17 Plate Tectonics Chapter 18 Exam III

IV. CLIMATE and ECOLOGY Atmosphere Chapter 22 Weather and Climate Chapter 23 Earth’s Waters Chapter 24 Ecology Chapter 22 (from Tiller Integrated Science) Exam IV

IMPORTANT DATES:

Last day to drop class with full refund – September 3, 2008 Last day to drop while still receiving a “W” – November 4, 2008 Labor Day Holiday – September 1, 2008 (does not affect class) Thanksgiving – November 27, 2008 Final Exam (cumulative) – December 18, 2008 5:40-7:10pm

2 GRADING POLICY

Activities Points Syllabus quiz 20 Points Earned Grade Exam I 200 >899 A Exam II 200 800-899 B Exam III 200 700-799 C Exam IV 200 600-699 D Homework 180 <600 F Total points 1000

Syllabus quiz (20 points) All students are required to register in WebCT. When there, you are required to take the “syllabus quiz” that ensures you understand the important details of this class. This quiz must be taken (with a perfect score) by September 2, 2008. If you do not complete this assignment, I will drop you from the class!!!

Exam I-IV (200 pts each) A multiple choice exam covering applicable chapters (see above). Study guides are available for each chapter (see WebCT). A make-up can be taken if you have appropriate documentation however the make-up exams are NOT multiple-choice.

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 on WebCT), I do NOT accept late submissions. I will drop the lowest homework score, however.

Final Exam (200 pts) A multiple choice covering everything covered in the class. If you wish to take the final, it will replace the lowest score of Exam’s I, II, III and IV. A study guide will be made available.

COURSE / DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES:

WebCT: All students will be required to register in WebCT (instructions will be given). All announcements, grades, assignments and other pertinent information will be posted there. Although future involvement in WebCT 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.

3 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. I may also take attendance into account if you are within a few points of the next grade.

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 WebCT.

Lateness: If you must be late to class enter the room causing the least amount of disturbance as possible.

Student progress: All grades and scores are posted on WebCT. 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).

4 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. You are passing the course at the time of request 2. Most of the work has been completed before the emergency, AND 3. Circumstances are beyond your control.

Extra credit: Prior to each exam, chapter quizzes will be posted on WebCT. Each one is worth between 3 and 6 points. When you take these quizzes, those points will be added to the appropriate exam as a curve. You can take the quizzes as many times as you wish and the due date will be the previous Sunday before the applicable exam at midnight. There is a study guide for each chapter which is also the same study guide used for the applicable exam. When these quizzes close, THEY DO NOT REOPEN!

In addition to the chapter quizzes, 30 pts will be added to your class score for attending a class outing, details to come later.