COURSE: Energy in the Natural Environment; PSC1515

SYLLABUS

COURSE: Energy in the Natural Environment; PSC1515 COURSE ID: 525773 COURSE HOURS: TR 3:30-4:45 pm SEMESTER: Fall, 2009 TEXTBOOK: Physical Science, seventh edition, Customized (by B.W. Tillery). ISBN: 0-07-729587-0 ROOM: 9207 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: None COREQUISITES: None

INSTRUCTOR: Michael McGauley OFFICE: Chemistry and Physics department / Room 3291, Cubicle # 16 E-MAIL: [email protected] (preferred method) TELEPHONE: 305-237-2687 WEBPAGE: 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

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 1, 2009 Last day to drop while still receiving a “W” – November 3, 2009 Thanksgiving – November 26, 2009 Final Exam (cumulative) – December 15, 2009 3:30–5:00 pm

2 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 Grade 90-100% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D <60% F

Syllabus contract (10 points) 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 September 2, 2009. If you do not complete this assignment, I will drop you from the class!!! The 10 points for this assignment is added to your chapter quizzes (see below).

Exams There are 5 exams and 1 quiz score worth 100 points each (see below). I drop the lowest score and average the rest.

Exam's I-IV (100 pts each) A multiple choice exam will cover 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 NOT multiple-choice and must be completed within one week of the exam. There are no make-ups for Exam IV.

Final Exam (100 pts) A multiple choice 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 (including the syllabus contract) will replace your lowest exam score. If the lowest score is the chapter quizzes, I only average the remaining 5 exams.

3 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. 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 Moodle.

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

4 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. 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: In addition, 20 points will be added to your exam scores for attending a night- viewing at Sadowski State Park. Dates and times will be announced later.