Physical Science 170 – Fall 2016

Required Textbook:

The Sciences: An Integrated Approach, Seventh Edition, Trefil & Hazen

Required Lab Manual:

Real World Science: Physics and Chemistry Applications, 3rd edition, Teresa Ciardi

Lab note book:

A 9.75 x 7.5 inch Quad ruled 5 squares to the inch Composition Book

Date: / Reading Assignment Topic / Lab / Out-of Class Assignment
Aug 29 / Class Starts – Intro - Chapter 1Science — A Way of Knowing
Intro Quiz / OC #1 - Handout; Due the 12th of September
Aug 31 / Appendix 1 & 2 – Determining errors
Measuring a Wood Block
Page 1, 3 & (HO)
Sep 5 / Labor Day
Sep 7 / Appendix 3: Graphs; Density (HO)
Sep 12 / Chapter 2 – The Ordered
Universe – Problem Set Handout
Car Crash Video – Quiz 1 / OC #1 Due; Turn in today
Sep 14 / Precision and Accuracy: Page 13
Mass, Force, & Acceleration (HO);
Sep 19 / Chapter 2 – 2 – Problems
Chapter 3 – Energy
Quiz 2
Sep 21 / Walking at a constant speed:
Page 19
Sep 26 / Chapter 3 – Energy cont’d
Problems
Quiz 3 / OC #2 – Weight of Mass – page 42 in the lab manual; Due October 10th
Sep 28 / The Pressure on your Feet: Page 53
Oct 3 / Exam #1
Oct 5 / Magic Coins & Paperclips: Page 61
Weight Lifting: Page 65
Oct 10 / Chapter 4 – Heat and the Second Law of Thermodynamics Heat & 2nd Thermodynamics
Quiz 4 / OC#2 Due today (Oct. 10th)
Oct 12 / Absorption/Radiation Lab (HO)
Oct 17 / Chapter 5 - Electricity & Magnetism
Quiz 5
Oct 19 / Holiday Lights (Electric Circuits): Page 97
Oct 24 / Chapter 6 – Waves & EMR
Quiz 6 / OC #3 – Superstarch (Handout) Due November 9th
Oct 26 / Magnetic Field Patterns: Page 101
Oct 31 / Exam #2
Nov 2 / Atomic Spectra of Light
Page 125
Nov 7 / Chapter 8 – The Atom – Quiz 8
Quiz 7
Nov 9 / Waves on a Very Long Spring:
Page 107 / OC #3 - Due today (Nov. 9th)
Nov 14 / Chapter 10 – The Chemical Bond
Periodic Table Video
Quiz 8
Nov 16 / Finding the Pattern in the Periodic Table: Page 123
Nov 21 / Work Sheets – Chemical Reactions / Determine Science Projects
Nov 23 / Fruit and Vegie Current: Page 169
Nov 28 / Chapter 11 – Properties of Materials
Quiz 9 / Finalize Science Projects
Nov 30 / Chemical reactions
Dec 5 / Science projects
Dec 7 / Science projects
Dec 12 / Final: 3 – 5pm / LO 1229

Instructor Information:

George DavisOffice Hours:11am – 12pmMW

E-mail: r by appointment – Live Oak Hall, 1214

"We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." - Carl Sagan

Evaluation and Grading: You will earn a grade in this course that directly relates to the:

  • mastery of the course content as reflected in daily quiz, lab, and exam scores
  • quality of the work you do on the in-class exercises
  • quality of your work on out-of-class assignments
  • quality of your science project presentation

Grades will be assigned on the basis of the percentage of total possible points that you accumulate over the semester. Points will be allocated in approximately the following manner:

9in-class quizzes:125 points(16%)

3out-of-class assignments: 90 points(12%)

Midterms (2) and final exam:375 points(49%)

13 labs130 points(17%)

Science project 50 points( 6%)

______

Total:770 points(100%)

Grading scale (straight percentage – no curve):

>91% A88 – 89% B+77 – 79% C+65 – 66% D+<50%F

90-91% A-82 – 87% B69 – 76% C58 – 64% D

80 – 81% B-67 – 68% C-50 – 57% D-

Daily Lecture Quizzes: Daily lecture quizzes are given the first 5-10 minutes of each class period and CANNOT BE MADE UP. The quizzes generally relate to the reading assignment for that day andmay cover material in the previous class activity as well. Concepts encountered more than once in previous class meetings may appear on more than one quiz. It is not possible to do well in this class if you do not take the daily quizzes – it is in your best interests to arrive at class on time and be prepared for the quiz.

Out-of-Class Assignments: An out-of-class assignment will be due approximately every three weeks. It is not possible to do well in the class if you do not complete the OC assignments.

Out-of-class assignments require you to do research and/or perform experiments outside of class. Each assignment has a series of questions that you must answer. Assignments that include experiments may have data tables, calculations, and diagrams, all of which must be completed.

It is your responsibility to review any assignment when it is assigned and to ask questions about any part of the calculations; ask the instructor as soon as possible so that you have sufficient time to complete the assignment.

Lab and OC assignments are graded on the following basis:

  • Completion –When doing calculations and conversions, show all your work. Credit will not be given for answers that do not show the work. Many assignments have multiple parts such as calculations, questions, and diagrams after the experiment has been conducted. Be sure you complete all parts of the assignment.
  • Demonstrate comprehension of the concepts and scientific principles – This is evaluated by your answers to any ‘thought’ questions.
  • Experimental Procedures – When you collect and record data, be sure to complete the data tables properly, including the correct units of measure, rounding, and significant figures.
  • Problem Solving – Problems may include math problems, word problems, and ‘thought’ problems. Answers may require calculations, research, and thought.
  • Independent Work – Out of class experiments require you individually to collect the data. You must complete yourown data tables, perform your own calculations, and answer your own questions. Copying is not allowed and copied or “group” papers will not be graded.
  • Neatness – If I can’t read it or I can’t find it – I can’t grade it. All OC assignments should be completed neatly on note paper and stapled in the upper left corner. Your full name and class must appear on the first page. Answers to questions should be numbered. All data table and calculations must be shown. Attach any diagrams, graphs, or data tables at the back of the assignment.

Late Assignments: NO late assignments will be accepted except for those that result from a medical/legal emergency affecting you or animmediate family member. Such an emergency will have to be documented in writing by an appropriate medical/legal authority.

Exams: There will be two midterm exams and a final. Except for the final, exams are not cumulative, rather they will cover material introduced in the first, second, and third part of the semester, respectively. The final, however, may contain questions from the first two tests.

Extra Credit: At any time during the semester, you may go to the California Science Center in Exposition Park and choosing an exhibit write a three-page, double-spaced paper about that exhibit. You may earn up to 20 extra-credit points for this paper.

If You Miss A Class Meeting: You are responsible for obtaining all missed materials.

Dropping: Read the Schedule of Classes. If you decide that you don’t want to continue with this course, you must drop the class – you will not be dropped automatically if you simply stop showing up.

“Incomplete,” Withdrawal from the Course, Change of Grade: The Department Chair insists the faculty adhere to the “incomplete” and “withdrawal” policies and deadlines published in the Schedule of Classes (online).

Academic Dishonesty: I adhere to the University’s policy on academic dishonesty. Read the Schedule of Classes. Cheating will result in a grade of zero for the assignment or exam, and notification to the Dean of Students which may result in disciplinary action.

Always Bring to Class:

  • Your textbook and lab manual and lab notebook
  • Your class notes
  • Calculator: A simple calculator that does square roots and that can handle exponents (usually an EE or EXP button) is required. These are inexpensive and are available at the bookstore or any office supply store.
  • A protractor: 6-inch or smaller
  • A 12-inch English/metric ruler: inches in 1/16th and centimeters in mm’s
  • At least 4 colored pencils of varying colors
  • Graph paper 10 squares per inch

Electronic Equipment: Please turn off all electronic equipment (cell phone, Ipod, etc.) before coming to class. No text messaging during class. If seen, you will be asked to leave.

Note: During tests, you will turn off your cell phones and place them in your packs, purses, or some other location where they are inaccessible.

Other Key Points: It is the responsibility of each student in this course to know and follow any guidance, written or otherwise, given by the instructor in this class.

Note:Except for the date and time of the final exam, I reserve the right to alter these policies and schedules as conditions warrant.

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