Physical Science (PHSC) 103 Syllabus

Intro. Physical Science III

Fall 2013

Section 6MW, MW1:45pm-3:05pm

Beauregard Hall 210

Instructor: Adam Beyer

Phone: 985-448-4254

E-mail:

Office: Beauregard Hall, 164

Office Hours: Monday 8:30 - 11:30, Tuesday 9-10 and 12-1, Wednesday 8:30-11:30, Thursday 9-10 and 12-1

*By appointment

Office Location:South end of Beauregard Hall

Department Phone Number:985-448-4502

Course Description:Introductory Physical Science III. 3-3-0. An interdisciplinary approach to the laws and principles of earth and space science applied to matter and energy.

Prerequisites:N/A

Required Text/Materials:

  • Textbook: Conceptual Physical Science, Hewitt, Suchocki, Hewitt, 5th ed., Pearson
  • Online:Access to MasteringPhysics,

*I will try to make lecture powerpoints available prior to each lecture. At any rate, they will be available on Moodle as a study resource for exams.

Student Outcome Objectives:The student must be able to describe and demonstrate:

  1. The law of Universal Gravitation and its effect on the physical world.
  2. The cause and effect of tides
  3. Projectile motion and its application to satellite motion
  4. Circular and elliptical orbits and the effect of gravity on these orbits
  5. The types of different rock types and their identification properties
  6. The different mineral groups and their identification properties
  7. The properties, occurrences and formation of the three rock types
  8. The internal structure of the earth
  9. The theory of Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics
  10. The hydrologic cycle and the presence and importance of groundwater
  11. The interrelationship of groundwater and topography, water quality and drainage
  12. The importance of glaciers and glaciation on modern topography and climate
  13. The physical properties of the oceans
  14. The importance of the oceans to climate, weather and climate change
  15. The time sequence of historical periods during the history of the earth.
  16. The interactions of the oceans and the atmosphere and the effect of these interactions on weather and climate
  17. The properties of individual bodies in the solar system and their interaction with earth
  18. The birth of stars, their lifetime, and the death of stars
  19. The importance of black holes, quasars, and galaxies to our understanding of the Universe
  20. The basic idea of special relativity as it relates to our expanding universe

Tentative Lecture Schedule:

Earth Science / Chapter
Rocks and Minerals / 20
Plate Tectonics / 21
Earth's Surface / 22
Geologic Time / 23
Climate and Meteorology
Earth's Water / 24
Atmosphere of the Earth / 24
Weather and Climate / 25
Astronomy
The Solar System / 26
Stars and Galaxies / 27
Space and Time / 28

Course Content: Grades will be based off of:

  • Assignments: Online assignments will cover material discussed up to the current point in the lecture. 10 points each unless otherwise noted. These will be posted on the MasteringPhysics website and will have a time period to be completed. These are mandatory and will count toward your final grade.
  • Lecture Exams: Lecture exams will cover material discussed in lecture as well as material covered in the textbook. It is in your best interest to read the textbook on your own time as we cover the material in class. If you have questions regarding the reading, feel free to stop by my office hours. Exams will be given during a given lecture period. Students will need to bring a number 2 pencil and eraser. Lecture exam times to be announced.Exams will be worth 100 points each, and your lowest exam grade will be dropped.

Grading Procedure: Grades will be determined by a flat point system, i.e. dividing your current points in the class by the total points possible at that time.

Current Points / Total Points = Percentage in Course

Grading Scale:

100-90 = A

89-80 = B

79-70 = C

69-60 = D

< 60 = F

Make-up Work: EXAMS ONLY! Make-up exams will be availableto students ONLY with valid emergencies ANDproper documentation. Make-up work will not be given for homework as these are attendance/online-based. Students will have a time period to complete online assignments.

Extra Credit: Throughout the semester, I may offer bonus point opportunities to those who attend lecture. Extra credit cannot be made up for any reason.

Academic Honesty Policy: See Code of Student Conduct handbook for full procedures. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Penalties for academic dishonesty fall under the discretion of the course instructor.

Attendance Policy: The Bulletin states: Class attendance is regarded as an obligation and as a privilege, and all students are expected to be punctual and to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to do so may jeopardize a student's scholastic standing and may lead to suspension from the university.

Absences from this course may result in missing classroom assignments and/or bonus point opportunities.

Drop Date: The final date for automatic Wwhen dropping a course or resigning from the university: November 5, 2013 (full semester classes).

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Students with documented disability are entitled to classroom accommodations under the ADA. To receive accommodations, contact the Office of Disability Services at (985) 448 - 4430. Additional information can be found at:

Academic Grievances: The proper procedure for filing grade appeals or grievances related to academic matters is listed in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct and the following link:

_of_conduct.pdf

Continued Learning following an Extreme Emergency:

Students are responsible for:

  • Reading regular notifications on the NSU website;
  • Knowing how to use and access Moodle (or university-designated electronic delivery system);
  • Being familiar with emergency guidelines;
  • Evacuating textbooks and other course materials;
  • Knowing their Moodle (or designated system) student login and password;
  • Contacting faculty regarding intentions for completing the course;

Faculty is responsible for:

  • Their development in the use of Blackboard (or designated software);
  • Having a plan for continuing their courses using only Blackboard and e-mail;
  • Continuing their course in whatever way suits the completion of the course best, and being creative in the continuation of these courses;
  • Making adjustments or compensations to a student’s progress in special programs with labs, clinical sequences or the like only in the immediate semester following the emergency.

Classroom Conduct: If there is an emergency, excuse yourself from class and take care of the matter. Put phones on silent and do not use them during class. If your neighbor can hear it, it is a disruption. Let's be fair to our peers and myself as an instructor, and keep these devices put away. Talking, reading the newspaper, excessive noise, arriving late/leaving early, etc. are all disruptions to the class. Reminders regarding this policy may result in dismissal from the class and grade penalties.

Moodle: The preferred browser is Mozilla Firefox. Moodle can be accessed from the Nicholls website. Enter your username and password. Your username is the first part of your Nicholls email address before the @. Your password is your N-number; you must use a capital N.

Technical Problems: If you are having problems with the technology involved in this course, you can e-mail me or

Library: The Library Home Page has a link to a specific webpage dedicated to distance education students. This webpage contains tutorials on accessing the library from home, finding and using electronic books, using the electronic research databases, emailing a reference librarian, and other useful information. This page also offers a direct contact with a reference librarian through e-mail or telephone:

Counseling: Nicholls Counseling Center provides professional assistance for students dealing with a range of mental health, wellness, and adjustment issues through individual, couple, and group counseling; consultation; and various forms of outreach, you can go to the following website:

Tutoring: Questions concerning academic tutoring can be sent to: . This e-mail is usually staffed during normal business hours. In addition, and have tutoring available for students.

Assistance with Studying and Assignments:

· The Tutoring Center at143 Peltier Hall. Call985-448-4100, email: , or visit

· The Writing Center at144 Peltier Hall. Call985-448-4100, email: , or visit

· Online Tutoring through Moodle.Look for the Brainfuse log-in link on the home page,