CWHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS COURSE?

In this section of The Sciences I, 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 I 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 will do this and is a resource for the entire semester.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE SCIENCES I

All class meetings require active involvement. To participate, you must prepare before each class.

Science 110/110L is the first course of a two-semester sequence. Before taking Sciences I you must have completed all of your PBS requirements. If you are mistakenly enrolled in Science 110, please see me right away.
The Sciences I 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. In the back portion of the CoursePack is the Sciences I Laboratory Manual. You should read each lab exercise before the date on which it is listed in the Topic Schedule.

: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."

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, Second Edition, by Tillery, Enger and Ross. This book is used for both Science 110 and 111. The chapters of this book which correspond to each week's classes are indicated on the Topic Schedule.

&Sciences I 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.

:MY WEBSITE:
The URL is http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~wood/
You can access my website from the UMPI homepage by going to: General Informationà Libraryà Reservesà Directory of Faculty Home Pagesà Bonnie Wood

Click on Science 110 for information about this course. You can also communicate with me via email using a link on my web page.

:COMPUTER LABS:

Campus computer labs are located in Folsom 101A, 101B and 102B; the library basement; South Hall; and the Houlton Center. You may learn about the hours of the labs from the UMPI homepage by going to General Informationà Information Technologyà Servicesà Computer Servicesà Lab Hours.

TUTORING AND OTHER ASSISTANCE:

If you are at all concerned about your ability to succeed in this course, you should sign up for tutoring right away. 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 Myrna McGaffin in Student Support Services, 123 South Hall, 768-9613.

ASSIGNMENTS

LEARNING GROUPS:

As part of an activity on the first day of class about energy, you will be randomly assigned to a learning group. You will work with these students in and out of class for the entire semester.

Name Your Group: You should choose a name for your group and exchange telephone numbers and email addresses.
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.
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 count on you to be there at the beginning to hear the instructions.
JA 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)
Dinner is from 4:45 to 6:15 PM (I am available Wednesday at 5:00 PM)

GFIRST DAY ASSIGNMENTS:
Read this syllabus carefully!! Note especially your responsibilities in the course.

: If you do not have an email account, go to the Library Basement Computer Lab to get one.
Using your account, send me an email (wood@polaris.umpi.maine.edu) so that I can make an email distribution list for the class. In the email, list this course number (SCI 110) as well as your first and last names (and what you liked to be called).

Read the appropriate parts of the assigned chapter and lab exercise and complete Outline 1 for the next class; before 7:00 AM on the day of the next class, email me any questions or subjects you would like explained further.

&READINGS AND OTHER HOMEWORK
Before each class, read appropriate parts of the chapters and lab exercises indicated on your Topic Schedule. Determine the parts of the chapter you should read by looking at the outline. You should also do any other assignments listed in the right-hand 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.

µ"ASK THE EXPERTS" STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

On the Topic Schedule are in-class activities described as "Ask the Experts" Presentations on four different broad topics. On the dates indicated, members of each learning group will do presentations on one of the following types of energy that correspond with your group name: mechanical energy, radiant energy, electrical energy and nuclear energy. For a particular subject, each member of the group will choose a different question on the assigned topic from among those listed on the Scientific American webpage, "Ask the Experts" . Follow the detailed instructions on page x of your CoursePack for accessing this website and preparing your presentation.

&BOOK REVIEW
One point is deducted for each day that any part of the assignments is late.

Read a book that relates to the Sciences I course and write a review of its appropriateness for students enrolled in this course. From my website under Sciences I, select an UMPI library book from the long list. I chose these books to reflect diversity within science as well as among the scientists. Each student must select and read a different book , and complete a written book review following the Book Review Grading Criteria, page xi of your CoursePack. You do not have to wait until the due date to write the first draft! Due dates: Tell me which book you have read (or are reading) on Monday, March 15. Since each of you must read a different book, give me your book early to ensure you get your first choice; turn in a draft of the review (for exchange with and grading by another student) on Monday, March 29 (keep a copy for yourself); submit the review you graded at the next class, Wednesday, March 31; turn in the final book review on or before Monday, May 3. The report should be ONLY about two pages in length (double-spaced). When writing the review, follow the guidelines in your CoursePack carefully. Use the Book Review Grading Sheet in your CoursePack to evaluate the draft of your fellow student. To grade the final review, I will use the same form. Both the draft and the grading sheet should be turned in with the final review.

ZCELESTIAL OBSERVATIONS AND MAINE SOLAR SYSTEM MODEL CRITIQUE
There are two Learning Group Homework Activities (see Outline 9, page 35 in your CoursePack for the descriptions). Celestial Observations must be done over a period of one month and needs to be started on Wednesday, March 17. The Maine Solar System Model Critique also requires some advance planning with your learning group. Each member of your group can earn up to 15 points from these combined assignments. To ensure that all learning group members participate equally, part of your individual grade will be based on an anonymous questionnaire in which group members evaluate participation of each other. If the group members have not participated equally, the points will be distributed accordingly. The group reports on these two activities are due on Wednesday, April 21 (No late submissions accepted!).

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 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 before the second day of class, email me before 7:00 AM on Monday, January 26, 2004 with a statement of the most important thing you learned from the syllabus and you will receive 3 extra credit points!

GRADING PROCEDURES:
You will receive one grade for Science 110 and Science 110L (the lab). Approximately three-fourths of the grade is based on the lecture and one-fourth on the lab. The total possible points for the course is 400 (excluding extra credit) distributed in the following way:

3 topic tests @ 50 points = 150
l final exam = 100
Book review = 30
"Ask the Experts" presentation = 5
Celestial Observations/Solar System Critique = 15
Outline preparation + class participation = 10
Total course points = 310

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%