SCIENCE 111C (SCIENCES II LECTURE + LAB) SYLLABUS
MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, 11:00AM-1:15PM, FOLSOM 304
DR. BONNIE WOOD, PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
SPRING 2006
HOW TO FIND ME
·Office hours, 316 South Hall: Monday &
Wednesday, 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Tuesday & Thursday, 12:15 - 1:15 PM
( 768-9446 (you may leave a voice mail
message)
: Use Blackboard (www.courses.maine.edu), my email
address (wood@umpi.maine.edu) or my webpage (www.umpi.maine.edu/~wood)
If you need to see
me but cannot come during regular office hours, you may make an appointment to
meet at a more convenient time. If you do
not understand some of the course material, please ask questions before it is
too late!
CWHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS COURSE?
In this section of The Sciences II, the arbitrary distinction between
"lecture" and "laboratory" is eliminated. Instead, both parts of the course are
interwoven during two longer class meetings each week. Take a look at the Topic Schedule to see
what will be covered this semester.
Some of you may consider the science course graduation requirement a major obstacle. My goal is to ACTIVELY
engage you in the learning of science so this course becomes a positive
component of your undergraduate experience---a part that is not only a stepping
stone to a degree but also enriches your life.
This class will emphasize USING facts about science rather than simply
memorizing those facts. Sometimes you will do this alone; sometimes you will do
it in collaboration with members of your learning group.
I teach The
Sciences II using methods that I hope will significantly change the way you
view the world. I want to foster an
interest in science that will continue beyond the date of the final exam; to
prepare you to make effective choices in the voting booth and to be a citizen
of the world; to help you acquire thinking skills that you can use in other
life endeavors.
To accomplish my
goals, I use "lecture-free" teaching methods. You will participate in
inquiry-based exercises that foster critical thinking about real-world
problems. Active learning will NOT make the course easier and will NOT take
less of your time. However, if you follow my guidelines you will not only enjoy
the course more but also will increase your likelihood of success in the class.
To be successful you must TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN LEARNING. This syllabus describes how you do this and
is a resource for the entire semester.
Ñ HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE SCIENCES II
All class meetings require active involvement.
To participate, you must PREPARE BEFORE EACH CLASS.
Science
111/11L is the second course of a
two-semester sequence. Before taking
Sciences II you must have previously taken and received a passing grade in
Science 110/110L (Sciences I). If you are mistakenly enrolled in Science 111,
please see me right away.
¨ The Sciences II CoursePack
(which you must buy at the bookstore) contains outlines of the information you
are expected to know about each subject listed on your Topic Schedule. BEFORE each scheduled class, read appropriate parts of the suggested chapters,
and take notes (in your own words) on the outlines. The outlines are not necessarily in the same order as the
chapters in your text, and you may have to look up some terms in the index or
glossary to learn about them. If one
outline is scheduled for several class meetings, COMPLETE THE OUTLINE BEFORE
THE FIRST CLASS IN WHICH IT IS USED.
:Email me BEFORE 7:00 AM ON THE
DAY OF EACH CLASS if you have specific questions or topics you want me
to clarify that day. If I do not receive any questions or requests, I will
assume that everyone in the class understands the topic for the day, and will
spend no time explaining information. You are responsible for any concept
listed in the outlines, even if I don't discuss it in class.
Your completed outlines for a particular topic will be
periodically collected for grading (and without prior notification!). This is
done to give you feedback on your notetaking and to keep you motivated to do
the work ahead of time. (No late submissions will be accepted.)
Class time will be used for active learning exercises
that assume prior knowledge. You will
work with your assigned learning groups for many of the exercises. Some of these will be fun, and all of them
will help you learn and understand scientific concepts and prepare you for
upcoming tests. If you fail to read the
chapter and take notes on the outline before each class, you will let your
learning group down and you will not gain information and expertise during the
activities.
During the last two minutes of each class meeting you
will describe in writing "The
Murkiest Point" --something from that class which you still do not fully
understand. If you understand
everything, instead describe "The Most Interesting Point". You will sign this paper and hand it in as
you leave. I will begin the next class
with an explanation of the two or three most frequently stated
"murkies." You must write
something other than your name!
ACADEMIC HONESTY. In cases of violation of academic honesty, I will discuss the
matter with you and will assign you a grade of F (zero points) for the violated
work or require that you withdraw from the course with a grade of F according
to the gravity of the offense.
IATTENDANCE. Attendance at
all scheduled class meetings is very important. Each class will include activities that you do alone or with your
learning group. You are responsible for
all material covered during class whether you were present or not. If you miss class you should discuss what
was done with one of the members of your learning group. A record of "The Murkiest Point"
papers will assess your attendance.
RESOURCES
THESE MUST BE PURCHASED
AT THE BOOKSTORE AND BROUGHT TO ALL CLASSES:
&Integrated Science, Third Edition, by
Tillery, Enger and Ross. This book is
used for both Science 110 and 111 so you should already own it. The chapters of
this book that correspond to each week's classes are indicated on the Topic Schedule.
& Sciences II
CoursePack is a three-ring binder containing outlines that you must complete
before class as well as detailed instructions for homework, in class and
laboratory activities. Other materials
(like this Syllabus and the Topic Schedule) that I give you throughout the
semester should be added to the CoursePack.
& Articles to help you
plan your Environmental Action Project are on reserve in the UMPI Library (ask
for Science 111, Environmental Action Project).
:BLACKBOARD is an online software tool that will be used in Science
111C. Using Blackboard you can receive
announcements from me, communicate with me, access course materials, as well as
other activities that I will explain during the semester.
To access the Blackboard Website ( www.courses.maine.edu)
you will need:
·
An active University (@maine.edu) email account. Your Blackboard
Username is the same as your University email name---the part of your email
address before the @.
·
Access to a computer with a Java compliant browser (either Internet
Explorer or Netscape). If you don’t
have a computer at home, Web access is available in all campus computer labs as
well as public libraries..
:COMPUTER LABS:
You may learn about locations and hours of Houlton and
Presque Isle computer labs from the UMPI homepage (www.umpi.maine.edu) by going
to General Informationà Computer ServicesàFor StudentsàComputer Labs.
TUTORING AND OTHER
ASSISTANCE:
If you are at all concerned about your ability to
succeed in this course, you should sign up for tutoring IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait until you have failed the first
test! To sign up see the Tutor
Coordinator, first floor of South Hall, 768-9614. If you have a disability and
need accommodation or assistance in this course, contact Student Support Services,
123 South Hall, 768-9613.
ASSIGNMENTS
E LEARNING GROUPS:
As part of an activity about the periodic table on the
first day of class, you will be randomly assigned to a learning group. You
will work with these students in
and out of class for the entire semester.
Group Coordinator:
Choose a group coordinator who will organize meetings, facilitate
discussion and keep me informed of progress and problems in the group. On the first day of class you should
determine several times during the week when you are all available outside of
class.
Exchange Information: Exchange telephone numbers and email
addresses among yourselves.
Behavior: Arrive promptly to class and sit with your learning
group. There will be activities during
each class in which you will interact and your fellow group members will depend on you to be there at the beginning
to hear the instructions.
äA Meal With the
Prof.: Your group coordinator should write down for me your group name, members
of the group, and a possible day and time that we can get together for either
breakfast, lunch or supper. This will
be an informal occasion where we can either talk about science class or
anything else---the purpose is to get to know each other. I will set up a schedule to meet each group
at the door of the cafeteria. If you do not subscribe to the meal plan, I will
bring you a meal ticket.
Breakfast at Kelley Commons is from 7:00 to 9:00 AM (I
am available Monday through Thursday)
Lunch is from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM (I am available Tuesdays
and Thursdays at 12:05)
GFIRST WEEK ASSIGNMENTS:
·
Read this syllabus
carefully!! Note especially your
responsibilities in the course.
·
If you have not activated your University “@maine.edu” email account,
contact Computer Services in the Library basement (768-9626) for help.
·
If you forgot your password, you can reset your password using the
following Website: http://mail.maine.edu.
·
I will send you email via Blackboard by using your “@maine.edu”
account. If you check a different
account more frequently, use the UMS Mail Server (http://mail.maine.edu) to
forward your @mail.edu email to your preferred account.
&READINGS AND /OTHER HOMEWORK
Before each class, read appropriate
parts of the chapters listed on your Topic Schedule. Determine the parts of the
chapter you should read by looking at the topic outline. You should also do any
other assignments listed in HOMEWORK column of the Topic Schedule, such as
looking at specific websites. You are
expected to be familiar with this material before the first class at which it
is discussed.
2 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
ONE
POINT IS DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY THAT ANY PART OF WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT IS LATE,
INCLUDING THE CONSULTATION AT THE WRITING CENTER.
&BOOK REVIEW
Choose and read a book related to your upcoming
Environmental Action Project from the Science 111 Book Review Choices on my
Blackboard Webpage and write a review of its appropriateness for Sciences II
students. Each student must read a
different book. For the review, follow carefully the Book Review Grading Criteria,
page x of your CoursePack.
Due dates: (See the Topic Schedule Homework column /
You do not have to wait until the due date to complete each part!):
·
Wednesday, January
25:Tell
me the book you have chosen to read.
Since each student must read a different book, borrow your book early
from the library to ensure you get your first choice. Be sure to choose a book
that will help you complete the Environmental Action Project.
·
Before Wednesday, March 1: Complete your consultation with one of the UMPI Writing Center
tutors. You should make an appointment
well in advance by going to the Writing Center located in South Hall. Students from many different classes use the
Writing Center so getting an appointment at the last minute may be impossible.
·
Wednesday, March 15: Submit your final book review with the Book
Review Grading Criteria sheet stapled to the front. Behind the final copy,
attach the first draft along with notes made during the consultation at the
writing center.
ELEARNING GROUP PROJECTS
One point is deducted for each day that any part
of each the assignments is late. Each student must submit a completed anonymous
peer-grading sheet at the completion of each group project.
¯GRAPHING SEVEN DAYS OF PRESQUE ISLE WEATHER
Detailed
instructions are in Outline 1 of your CoursePack. Due date is Monday, January 30.
&TRANSLATION OF GRANDPA'S
"MOLE"ASSES COOKIES RECIPE. Detailed instructions are in Outline 4 of
your CoursePack. An award and up to five extra-credit points
to the winning learning group on Monday, March 6.
CENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PROJECT Detailed instructions are in Outline 6 of your CoursePack.
This
major project begins on Wednesday, March 22 and ends with your group’s
presentation on Wednesday, April 19.
·
Wednesday, March 22: Meet in Folsom
101A Computer Lab to learn how to use the Ecological Footprint spreadsheet.
·
Wednesday, March 29: Ecological
Footprint Spreadsheet and written answers to Part V, Questions 1-5, Watch
Your Step due.
·
Wednesday, March 29: Plan
Environmental Action Project and meet with State Representative Jeremy Fischer. Use the Environmental Action Project articles on
reserve in the UMPI Library to help you plan the project.
·
Wednesday, April 19: Written and oral Learning Group presentations on Environmental Action
Projects.
TESTS
AND EXAMS
TEST REVIEW ACTIVITIES. Before each test there is an
opportunity for extra credit points. To
be eligible, follow carefully the Guidelines
For Writing Test Review Questions on page
ix of your CoursePack. (No late
submissions accepted!)The learning groups will become teams competing for extra
credit points by answering these questions. If you do not submit appropriate
questions beforehand, you may still participate in the review activity with
your team, but you are not eligible for extra credit points.
TYPES OF TEST QUESTIONS. Questions emphasize critical thinking skills
acquired during in class and laboratory activities. For each test you may bring
with you one 8.5" x 11" paper on which you have written important
facts (using one side only) and your name.
This will be stapled to the back of your test when you turn it.
MAKE UP. If you
know in advance that you will be absent during a test or final examination, you
must obtain permission from me at least two school days before the day
of the test. Unanticipated absences
will result in a grade of F (zero points) unless you call me on the day on
which the test was scheduled (you may
leave a voice mail message and I will call you back) and present medical or
legal documentation at the earliest possible date after the class period.
If you have just read this entire syllabus, email me
before 7:00 AM on the second day of class with a statement of the most
important thing you learned from the syllabus and you will receive 3 extra
credit points!
GRADING
PROCEDURES:
The total possible
points for the course is 350 (excluding extra credit) distributed in the
following way:
3 topic tests @ 50 points
= 150
l final exam = 100
Weather graphing = 10
Book review = 30
Individual Ecological Footprint
project =
25
Group Environmental Action project =
25
Outline preparation + class
participation = 10
Total course points = 350
To determine the
letter grade for a test or exam or for the course:
1. Calculate your percentage based on the total
possible points using this ratio: points obtained/total possible points X 100 =
%
2. Convert the percentage to a letter grade
using the scale below:
|
A = 93-100% |
B- =
80-82.9% |
D+ =
67-69.9% |
|
A- =
90-92.9% |
C+ =
77-79.9% |
D = 63-66.9% |
|
B+ =
87-89.9% |
C = 73-76.9% |
D- =
60-62.9% |
|
B = 83-86.9% |
C- =
70-72.9% |
F = 00-59.9% |