PSC 2121 GENERAL PHYSICAL SCIENCE  SYLLABUS
SPRING 2003

Instructor: Jean Klein       Office: X-209 Upstairs
Phone:        Office: 395-5360   Home: 338-2002 (till 10 PM)        Email: jean.klein@sfcollege.edu
or jean.klein@sfcollege.edu

Office Hours:   See schedule.  Other hours are available by appointment. Note that these times no longer apply during finals week, when alternate times will be given.

Support:
1) The Lectures
The primary source of information for the exams is the lectures and the labs
2) The Text:
Our text is “Physical Science” by R. Roy as well as the Lab Manual to accompany the text by R.
3) The Net Notes
We have developed a series of notes available on the internet at the following URL: http://dept. sfcollege.edu/jklein or alternatively: dept.sfcollege.edu/jklein. Click on the relevant Icon. These notes should help with both the essay questions and especially the multiple choice questions.
4) The instructor(s)
Instructors are a powerful resource.  Use me. That’s why you have my contact numbers and office hours.
Evaluation:
       Two (2) in-class exams @ 20%                                                                             40%
       5 Unannounced Quizzes                                                                                         20% (5% a piece, I drop the lowest)
       Final                                                                                                                      20%
       Labs                                                                                                                      20%
       Total ................................................................................................................  100%
Note that the lab credit is part of the overall grade of the course and therefore does not carry a separate grade. Traditionally, there has been a 2-3pt curve on the grade, resulting in 67-68 being a C, 77-78 a B etc...Finally, if you maintain a 90 average on exams and quizzes, you are exempt from the final if you so choose.
 
Exams and quizzes:
 In-class exams will consist of multiple choice format questions and one essay question. Multiple choice questions will be similar to the questions on the net. Some may be the same. Specific dates for in-class exams will be announced at least a week ahead of time. The final will be two hours in length at the scheduled time. It will be about 100 questions, multiple choice format ONLY. You will need scantrons for all the exams AND for each of the quizzes.   That means a total of 8 scantrons for the term. Quizzes consist of 12 or so multiple choice questions. For sample questions, consult the net notes.

There will be no quiz make-ups, whatever the reason.  Period.
There will be no exam make-ups without documentation. Should there be an emergency, I expect you to contact me prior to the exam. If possible, I will set a make-up time before the exam is returned to the class. If that is not possible, your make-up will be DURING FINALS WEEK at a mutually convenient time. Some of you may be making travel plans for the end of the term.  Please note that I will NOT schedule separate final times. MAKE SURE you do not schedule travel departure times that will prevent you from taking the final at the appointed time.

     Labs:
Every lab will have a sign-in sheet. You will not receive individual credit for the lab if you do not sign in.  Each lab will be graded on a 3 pt scale. Labs are done in teams, and all the team members receive the same grade. The labs are due on the day of the lab. All team members should check the copy to be turned in for neatness and completeness (and insure it is turned in).   Note that most of the labs have associated questions. If these questions are not answered fully, the group will receive a lowered grade.

Should you have to miss a lab, you can miss one without penalty. You can also make up one additional lab.  Procedures for make ups are posted on the door of the lab room (X-105). NOTE: you must make up the lab within TWO (2) weeks of the missed lab. The make up lab that you turn in to me must also be initialed and dated by the student assistant who set the lab up for you. Some labs CANNOT be made up. These are the labs when I will be lecturing.  I will try to accomodate you in another lab (if possible),  so get in touch with me early if you foresee that you have a scheduling conflict.

Academic Dishonesty:

This is an institution of higher learning. Cheating, plagiarism and any other academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, and I will follow college procedures to the fullest. If you are unsure as to what this means, consult the college's student handbook.
Disruptive Behavior
This is a community of learners. Behavior that disrupts learning is not acceptable. While that includes talking in class etc, it also includes cell phones.  TURN them OFF!!!!

Attendance:

I expect you to be there for EVERY class and lab, having kept up with your readings.  Because most of the exam and quiz material comes from the lecture and lab content, success on the exams correlates highly with attendance. Conversely, failure to attend commonly results in failure to succeed.

Topical sequence:

This course is a broad survey intended for the non-science student. The first part of the course explores science and its interaction with other disciplines; it then considers the evolution of the interpretations of the universe and the physical laws which govern its formation and organization.  Finally, it takes a close look at our own planet (geology), and (time permitting) at the major changes in culture that have led us to the present.

I.  Science
 a.  The development of scientific thought
 b.  Scientific methodology
II.  A Celestial Perspective
 a. Naked eye observations of Celestial Motions
III. Development of a point of view: a historical perspective of Astronomy
 a.    Mythic interpretations
 b. Natural Philosophy
 c. The Scientific interpretation
IV.  The Universe
 a. The tools of the astronomer
 b. Structure of the universe
 c.  The expanding universe
 d.  Cosmological models
 e.  Evolution of the universe
VI.  Stars
 a.  From protogalaxies to stars
 b.  Stellar Evolution
VII.  The Solar System
 a.  Description of the Solar System
 b.  Formation of the Solar System
 c.  Inner vs. Outer Planets
VIII.  An Inner Planet: The Earth
 a.  Description
 b.  Structure
 c.  Evolution of the Early Earth
IX.  Terrestrial Processes
 a.  Plate tectonics
 b.  Orogenic systems
 c.  Erosional systems
X.  Evolution of Life
 a.  Geologic Time
 b.  Fossils and Evolution
 c.  Human Evolution
XI.  Science, Technology and Society (will be discussed at appropriate times during the term)
 a.  The Agricultural Revolution
 b.  The Industrial Revolution
 c.  Modern Science and Technology
 d.  Policy, Problems and Conflicts

Some dates worthy of note:
First exam (tentative): approximately mid-February; the exact date will be announced in class at least one (1) week ahead of time. The same is true for the second exam (late March).
Last day to withdraw with no record and receive a refund: Tuesday, January 14, 2003. Last day to withdraw with a “W”: Wednesday March 26,, 2003.   Last day of classes: Friday, April 25, 2003
Finals:     Sections 001 and 002    Code 32 10:30AM-12:30PM   in G-30 Wednesday,  April 30, 2003
                Sections 007 and 008    Code 42 10:30AM-12:30PM   in G-30  Thursday,     May 1, 2003
College closed on Mon. Jan. 20 (MLK Jr. Day); Mar. 10-14 (Spring Break);   and April 4 (Development day)
 

Schedule and Office Hours

Office Phone: 395-5360
Home Phone: 338-2002 (till 10 PM)
email: jean.klein@sfcollege.edu
net notes: dept.sfcollege.edu/jklein
 
TIME MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY TIME TUESDAY THURSDAY
9:00- 
9:50		 OFFICE X-209  OFFICE X-209 OFFICE X-209 9:00-
10:50		 OFFICE X-209 OFFICE X-209
10:00- 
10:50		 PSC 2121 001 and 
002 G-030		 PSC 2121 001 and 
002 G-030		 PSC 2121 001 and 
002 G-030		 11:00- 
12:15		 PSC 2121 007 and 008 
G-030		 PSC 2121 007 and 008 
G-030
11:00- 
11:55		 OFFICE X-209  OFFICE 
X-209		 OFFICE 
X-209 till 11:50		 12:20 
12:55 		 OFFICE X 209 OFFICE  X-209
12:00 
1:50		 PSC 2121 L001 
X-105 		 PSC 2121 L002 
X-105 		 1:00 
2:50		 PSC 2121 L007 
X-105 		 PSC 2121 L008 
X-105
7:00PM
8:00PM		 GLY 2010 099 
Optional meeting time  
in X102 
NOTE: Other hours available by appointment. Note also that office hours are no longer valid during final exam times

My schedule indicates when (and where) I am physically present on campus. You may leave messages or questions on the phone-mail (the college’s answering system), 24 hrs a day. When you call, make sure to include in your message   a) your name, b) your phone number c) WHEN you can be reached at that number and d) what your question is. You can also reach me by e-mail. jean.klein@sfcollege.edu. Either way, it is my goal to answer by the next school day.