Physical Science 101

Introducing to Physical Science

Welcome to PS 101, Introducing Physical Science!This class is an introduction To the fundamental physical science concepts of chemistry, physics, astronomy, Geology, and oceanography and how they apply to everyday life.

• Physics is the search for laws that describe the most fundamental aspects of nature:– Matter– Energy– Forces– Motion– Heat– Light– Other phenomena

• All natural systems, including planets, stars, cells, and people display these basic phenomena, so physics is the starting point for almost any study of how nature works.

• Chemistry is the study of atoms in combination.– Chemicals form every

material object of our world, while chemical reactions initiate vital changes in our environment and our bodies.

– Chemistry is thus an immensely practical and profitable science.

• Astronomy is the study of stars, planets, and other objects in space.– We are living in an era

of unprecedented astronomical discovery thanks to the development of powerful new telescopes and robotic space exploration.

• Geology is the study of the origin, evolution, and present state of our home planet, Earth.

• Many geology departments also emphasize the study of other planets as a way to understand the unique character of our own world.– At many universities, this sort

of study is carried out in departments with names like “Planetary Science” or “Earth Systems Science.”

• Biology is the study of living systems.

• Biologists document life at many scales, from individual microscopic molecules and cells to expansive ecosystems.

• Even thought we divide the sciences into separate disciplines, all branches of science are interconnected in a single web of knowledge.

• Most natural processes can only be studied by resorting to an integrated approach

• Understanding such diverse topics as changes in global climate, the availability of natural resources, the safe storage of nuclear waste, and the discovery of alternative sources of energy requires expertise in physics, chemistry, geology, and biology.

• All of the sciences are integrated in the natural world.

• The Sciences: An Integrated Approach

• James Trefil & Robert Hazen

5th EditionISBN 0471769924

6th EditionISBN 978-0470118542

• ISBN-10: 047007390X • ISBN-13: 978-0470073902

• The college-wide core skill sets applicable to this course are:– 1.1 Read and retain information.– 1.4 Employ vocabulary of the

subject studied.– 3.5 Apply principles of scientific

reasoning to solve problems.– 3.6 Defend a logical hypothesis to

explain observed phenomenon.

• After completion of this course, students will be able to:– Apply the unifying principles that underlie the various

branches of scientific endeavor to situations encountered in everyday life.

– Identify the basic physical concepts necessary for an understanding of the science and technology of the natural environment.

– Appraise each person’s role as a member of a society that is increasingly dependent on scientific and technological development.

– Diagram and describe the structure of matter and its interactions .

– Explain the relationship between microscopic activity and macroscopic phenomena.

– Describe the structure of the Earth and its relationship to the cosmos.

• Given a list of observations, students will develop a hypothesis to explain natural phenomena, and outline the scientific process by which the hypothesis can be evaluated.

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of atomic and molecular properties as evidence of the structure of matter.

• You will have a quiz on each chapter that we cover in your textbook.– Quizzes will be given using

Blackboard.– When a quiz is posted, you will have

one week to complete it.– Quizzes are timed, you have 30

minutes to finish the quiz once you begin it.

– Quizzes must be submitted by 1:30 PM on their due dates.

• Quizzes will be multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, and/or matching.

• It is recommended that you completely read your chapter before attempting quizzes.

• It is also recommended that you make notes while you read and use them for your quizzes.– 30 minutes goes by very quickly!

• Exams will also be given online using Blackboard.– Exams will be based on quiz

questions.– You will have one week to complete

exams when posted.– Exams will be timed, 60 minutes.– Exams must be submitted by 1:30

PM on their due dates.– You will have ONE chance to

complete exams.

• The final exam will also be given using Blackboard.• The final exam will be cumulative.

– That means the final exams will have material from all of the chapters we cover in class.

• You are required to write a 5-page paper for this course.– We will discuss topics at a later date.– You may receive extra credit for seeking help

from the writing center.• As an alternative to a paper, you may create a

video, or a web page.

• You are required to give a 5-minute presentation.

• Your presentation will be about your paper.– Think about what you

want to do now, sign ups will be soon, get the time slot you want!

• There will be (approx.) 14 quizzes worth 10 points each.

• There will be 4 exams worth 50 points each.

• Your paper is worth 100 points.• Your presentation is worth 100 points.• Web page participation worth 120

points.– The total points possible for this course is

860.

• A 860-774 100-90%

• B 773-688 89-80%

• C 687-602 79-70%

• D 601-516 69-60%

• F 515-0 59-0%

– Note: you need to earn at least 60% of the total points possible to pass this class.

• No late work!

• No missed exams…– They are on Blackboard

and you have a week to complete them!

• I may drop you if you miss class more than twice.– Keep in touch if you do

not want to be inadvertently dropped.

• I may drop you if you are excessively tardy.– Excessive tardiness is

being more than 5 minutes late more than 3 times.

• Do not e-mail assignments to me.

• If you cannot make it to class when something is due, take it to my mailbox.– My mailbox is in the chemistry building, in

room C-121.

• The last day that anything can be turned in is May 7th, this means extra credit work or any late work that has been approved.– NO EXCEPTIONS!

• Drop yourself from the class formally if you decide to drop.– Not dropping will likely result in an F.

• Pick up your graded work otherwise I will recycle it.– It is a good idea to keep all of your graded

work until after you have received your final grade.

• Extra credit will be offered throughout the semester.

• You will need to be here to take advantage of it.

• Academic Honesty: NO CHEATING!

• Any incidences of cheating of ANY kind will be reported to the dean.

• Cell Phones:– No talking or texting in class, it is

inappropriate.– You may be asked to leave if you are

disturbing others.

• If you need accommodations for a disability, please see me immediately after class.

• If you think you might, please talk to me and please contact the DSPS office listed on your syllabus.

• Blackboard will be use extensively for this course!

• You MUST learn to use it.– Your quizzes, and exams will be

done using it.– You can also access the lectures,

and your grades.– There may also be extra credit

discussions.• If you do not know how to use

Blackboard, stay after class today.

• The best way to reach me is by e-mail.– Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com

• Let’s take a moment to look at the schedule…

• Now all topics, dates, and point totals in the syllabus are tentative, in other words they may change.– It is your responsibility to get that

information should you happen to miss class.

– I suggest making friends with at least one other person in class.

• Tutoring is available.• Computers are

available for your use on campus.– Library– The Learning Center

• The Writing Center is here to help you with your paper.