SCI 3140 – Physical Science III
Course Syllabus - Fall 2007

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

SCI 3140 (CRN 85640)
Physical Science III

Credit Hours:

3.0 semester credit hours

Course Description:

SCI 3140 is a teacher preparatory course in physical science. It is a continuation of the Physical Science Sequence: SCI 3110, SCI 3120, SCI 3140.  The course will deal with the Earth science and astronomy concepts needed for teaching Middle Grades. It will also provide some of the science content that should be mastered for teacher certification examinations.

Course prerequisite and co-requisite:

Prerequisite: Completion of Area D of the Core Curriculum and completion of SCI 3110 and SCI 3120 or equivalent.

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/?nav=notebook_policy .

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Notebook computers will be used occasionally in class in connection with a presentation required of each student. Computers will be used extensively for communication and research.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

• Able to use the Windows^TM operating system
• Able to use Microsoft Word^TM word processing
• Able to send and receive e-mail using Outlook Express^TM
• Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
• Able to use a Web browser
• Able to use Microsoft PowerPoint^TM

Course Objectives:

• To better understand the nature of scientific inquiry.
• To gain an understanding of the laws governing the physical world.
• To use knowledge of Earth science and astronomy concepts to explain everyday-phenomena at a level appropriate to middle school learners.
• To become familiar with the following standards for Middle Grades science: GPS, NSTA, GACE

Student Learning Objectives:

General Education Outcomes:

• Communication: knowledge base: SCI 3140 will provide knowledge base information necessary for communication of information concerning Earth Science and the basic organization of the Universe.
• Critical thinking: all components ( question/issue, method, evidence, conclusion ). SCI 3140 will enable students to better understand the scientific method of data acquisition and problem solving. Students will also be better prepared to face critical issues of public policy concerning science and technology.

Teacher Education Outcomes   

The content of this course syllabus correlates to education standards established by national and state education governing agencies, accrediting agencies and learned society/ professional education associations.  Please refer to the course correlation matrices located at the following web site:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/teachered/Standards%20and%20Outcomes.htm          

• More specifically,  the learning activities of this course are correlated with the following sets of educational standards relevant to teacher education in the state of Georgia:
• Georgia Performance Standards in Science
• NSTA standards for teacher preparation

Standards for Middle Level Teacher Education associated with science courses are provided by the Educational Testing Service through its description of the PRAXIS II examination, the State of Georgia, and the National Science Teachers Association.  These standards and their implementation in the science courses taken at Clayton  State University by Middle Grades Teacher Education students are located at the following website:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/campbell/TeacherEducation/MiddleLevelTeacherEducationStandards.htm  

Term:

 Fall Semester 2007

Instructor Information:

Instructor:

Mr. Harold Banke
phone: (678) 466-4771
fax:(678) 466-4899
e-mail: HaroldBanke@mail.clayton.edu
internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/banke/banke.htm

Office:

Arts and Sciences G-110J

Office Hours

M: 11:00-11:30 am; 3:30-6:00 pm

W: 3:30-6:00 pm

Th: 1:30-3:00 pm

F: 10:30-11:30 pm

Other times by appointment.

Class Meetings:

Classroom:

University Learning Center, U331

Class Times:

           MWF: 1:30-2:20 pm

Text Information:

Text:

Krauskopf and Beiser, The Physical Universe, 2006, 11th ed.

Text Coverage:

            Chapters 11-18

Pedagogy Experiences:

• Each student will be responsible for planning and presenting an oral report on a current event topic in Earth science or astronomy.  This report will be 5-10 minutes in length and will be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation.
• Each student will be required to attend an out-of-class astronomy lab session.

Evaluation:

• Four exams: 55%
• Chapter quizzes:15%
• Pedagogy Experiences:5%
• Homework portfolio: 5%
• Final examination 20%

The mid-term grade in this course will be issued between September 25 and October 9.  This grade reflects approximately 30% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on October 12.

Grading:

• A 90 - 100 %
• B 80 - 89 %
• C 70 - 79 %
• D 60 - 69 %
• F below 60 %

These grade definitions are University policy and will be strictly adhered to.

Course Schedule:

A tentative course schedule for SCI 3140 is available from this link:

Course Schedule

Class Policies:

Students must abide by policies found in the Clayton State University Student Handbook.  In addition, all students are bound by the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities found at http://a-s.clayton.edu/BasicUndergraduateStudentResponsibilities.htm.

A grade of zero will be assigned to graded work involving academic dishonesty and formal academic misconduct procedures will be applied.  

Refer to the Student Code of Conduct for details about academic misconduct.

Attendance is expected for all class periods. Attendance is required for quiz and examination periods. Any absence from these periods must be accompanied by a proper excuse, presented to the instructor.  Without excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work. With excuse, missed work may be made up, but only after arranging with the instructor to make up the work before the next class period.  If a proper excuse is presented to the instructor, but the work cannot be made up before the next class, the final exam grade will replace the missing grade, but only to the extent of one exam and/or one quiz.

Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.

The use of simple calculators is allowed for all quizzes and examinations. All examinations are closed book. No student-produced "memory sheets" or note cards are allowed.

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

Cell phones must be turned off or placed on silent alarm before class begins.

Important dates:

Exams: refer to course schedule

Final examination: Wednesday, December 12, 2007; 3:00-5:00 pm

Last day to withdraw without academic penalty: Friday, October 12, 2007

Last update: September 24, 2007