Principles of Physical Science GSCI - 1020 Spring Semester, 2014 Dr. Steven Gollmer Office Hours: M, W, F: 2 2:50 Office: ENS 239 T, Th: 11 11:50 Email: gollmers@cedarville.edu Open Door Policy(See below) Phone: Office: ext. 7764 Text: The Physical Universe, 15th Ed. (2014), by Krauskopf and Beiser (ISBN: 978-0-07-351392-8). We will cover most of the textbook (Chapters 1 13,17-19). For the laboratory, you will be using handouts provided by me. Class Room: ENS 349 Lab Room: ENS 249 Class Time: 8:30-9:45 T Th Lab Time: Section 1 1:30 3:20 Th Section 2 1:30 3:20 Th Class Web Page: http://people.cedarville.edu/employee/gollmers/gsci1020/gsci1020.htm Course Description: GSCI 1020 Principles of Physical Science 3.5 hours A survey of the sciences of physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Major lecture topics include motion, force, energy, heat, waves, electricity, optics, quantum effects, periodic table, chemical bonds, chemical reactions, astronomical measurements, and the origin of the universe. Content of this course will be related to social and philosophical issues to emphasize a Christian s responsibility in a technological society. Lecture three times per week and laboratory on alternate weeks. This course satisfies the physical science requirement of the general education requirements. (Fee: $75) Objectives: Knowledge: The student will be able to recall terminology related to physical principles underlying the fields of physics, chemistry and astronomy. In addition they will apply these principles by explaining the physical basis for observed phenomena. Skills: The student will be able to interpret plots and use appropriate mathematical techniques to verify the formulas embodying the physical principles presented in class. The student will be able to conduct appropriate laboratory procedures and record and quantify their observations. Communication: The student will express basic physical theories and models with clarity and relate them to other disciplines such as biology, geography, history, etc. Community: decisions relevant to society as a whole. Assessment Mapping The student will be able to express how physical principles impact their daily life and affect Knowledge Skills Communication Exams X X Quizzes X X Projects Laboratory X X X Community X Grading: 400 4 Unit Exams (100 pts each) Grading Scale 25 Quizzes (5 pts each) 90% and up: A 70 Projects (10 pts each) 80% and up: B 105 Laboratory (15 pts each) 70% and up: C 600 Total 60% and up: D Below 60%: F The grading scale to the right will be used to relate a percentage score to a letter grade. ( ) Lowest 3 percentage points in a grade range. (+) Highest 3 percentage points in a grade range except for an A. The results for all exams, quizzes, projects and labs will be given a point score. For example a 4 on a quiz means 4 out of 5 points were earned on the quiz. The calculation of the final grade will be the result of a straight percentage
from the points accumulated during the course of the semester. Though no "curving" of the final grade will be done, I reserve the option of raising a student s final grade due to his/her good attitude, class participation and marked improvement during the course of the semester. Topics: The following topics will be covered during the course of the semester. Timing of these topics is reflected in the schedule. Nature of Science Epistemology Development of Physics Physics Velocity and Acceleration Newton s Laws Energy Conservation Principles Heat Transfer Laws of Thermodynamics Electricity Magnetism Wave Behavior Nucleus of the Atom Particle/Wave Duality Atomic Physics Chemistry Periodic Table Bonds Solutions Acid & Bases Chemical Reactions Organic Chemistry Biochemistry Astronomy Solar System Sun Stars Distance Measures Structure of the Universe Cosmology Exams: 4 unit exams will be given during the course of the semester. The last unit exam will be given during the final exam slot. Though each unit exam only covers material from the previous unit exam, there is some building of concepts which will show up in later exams. The exam will test understanding of the concepts and terminology introduced in the course, the ability to perform calculations related to these concepts and the ability to relate these concepts to other issues. Formulas for each chapter will be included on the exam, which can be used to reason out trends as well as perform calculations. Quizzes: 6 quizzes are scheduled during the semester. These quizzes are spread through the semester and will be based on reading from the textbook, questions and exercises in the textbook, and lectures in class. The total of your best 5 quizzes will be used for your quiz grade. These quizzes will also give you an indication of how I ask questions for the exams. Projects: 7 projects will be assigned through the semester. These projects will provide an opportunity for you to develop some technical skills and relate class work to specific issues. One project will be assigned about every two weeks and a due date will be given for the project. If the project is turned in after the specified deadline, the grade received will be affected by the late work policy. Late Work: Late work will be accepted with a penalty. Late projects and labs will be docked 10% if turned in within the first week of being due and 20% thereafter. If late work is turned in during finals week 50% of the value will be docked unless it falls under the category of being within the first week. Projects or labs that are late due to an excused absence (prior arrangement with me or medical excuse) will not be docked if turned in the following class period. Academic Integrity: The Academic Integrity Pledge is a commitment to live with integrity in all areas of life including the classroom. All forms of academic dishonesty violate this pledge and could result in dismissal from this community. Although I encourage group efforts in studying, homework and lab work, I still expect you to turn in your own work. If your work appears to be copied from another person s lab or homework, your assignment will be returned
with either a zero or returned with the intent of a redo with a loss of credit. Which of these two options is chosen is at the discretion of the instructor. During quizzes and exams you are required to do your own work. If during the quiz or examination time you receive help from an unauthorized source ( ie. class mates, wireless access to the network, etc.), your quiz or exam will receive a zero and the Office of the Academic Vice-President will be notified. Homework: Homework is key to being successful in this class. Reading of the chapter is necessary to understand the basic definitions and applications of the material. The questions and exercises at the end of the chapter will help you apply the material and determine how well you know it. Class notes will emphasize certain aspects of each chapter, but a full reading and understanding of the text will give you a broader context and help you more effectively apply the material. Laboratory: The laboratory sessions are an important part of this course and, therefore, account for about 20% of your grade. Each of the 7 lab reports are worth 15 points. Lab reports turned in late will not receive full credit. Lab attendance is required; however, students with an occasional time conflict with their regular lab time may attend a different lab section on the same day if there is room available. (Check with me before hand to find out when you can come in.) Handouts describing the experiment and procedure, and work sheets for recording data and observations, will be provided at the beginning of each lab period. When needed, safety glasses will be provided. It is recommended that each student bring a calculator to lab. Please Note. 1) Although students will work in pairs, each one should make and record their own observations, do their own calculations, and draw their own conclusions from their data. 2) Thought and accuracy in making observations, recording data, doing calculations, and drawing conclusions will be important factors involved in evaluating the lab reports. Mearly showing up for lab does not guarantee a good grade on your lab report. Academic Assistance: The Cove provides a variety of academic resources and support to facilitate learning for all students. Disability Services is one of the functions of The Cove. Students who believe they may need accommodations based on the impact of their disability should contact Disability Services at 937-766-7457 or disabilityservices@cedarville.edu. Attendance: Attendance will be taken each day of class through the use of a sign-up sheet. Make sure you get it signed sometime during the period. Though attendance does not get recorded as a grade, it will be to your benefit to be present for class. One example is that a missed quiz will be recorded as a zero unless the absence is excused. Also material will be presented differently than in the book since I will endeavor to illustrate some of the physical principles, generate discussion about issues related to physics and chemistry and most importantly include a Biblical perspective of physical principles. Faithful attendance also demonstrates a good stewardship of the time and money with which God has entrusted you. Open Door Policy: I have two hours a day scheduled for office hours. You may also drop by my office at any other time whether it is class related or not. As long as I am present in my office and I do not have any pressing work that needs to be done, I will meet with you. I am privileged to have this ministry at Cedarville University. Whether you recognize it or not, God has put me in your life this semester to minister to you.
Conclusion: Use this semester in physical science well. Applying the principles from physical science is not purely knowledge, facts or information, but a skill. You need to practice this skill correctly in order to become proficient with it. 2 hours of study outside of class for each hour in class is recommended to be successful in this class. I hope your appreciation for physical science will grow during this semester even though it will require a sustained amount of effort. The principles introduced in this class are foundational to all other sciences since it attempts to quantify how this universe works from the largest to the smallest scales. The basic laws and structure present in the universe were created and are maintained by God (Col. 1:17) and provide illustrations of God's majesty and power. Addendum to the Syllabus: Due to dynamics present during the course of the semester, the instructor may make adjustments to the printed schedule. However, if any changes are made to content coverage or dates of exams, students will be notified either in class or by email.
Date Ch. Topic Activities Date Ch. Topic Activities GSCI1020 - Physical Science T 1/7 Introduction T 3/4 Spring Break - No Class Th 1/9 1 Epistemology of Science Th 3/6 Spring Break - No Class Lab 1 Measurement (Sections 1, 2) Lab Spring Break - No Class T 1/14 1 Unity of the Cosmos T 3/11 9 Particle/Wave Duality Th 1/16 2 Motion Th 3/13 9 Quantum Measurement Lab 5 Soap Making (Sections 1, 2) T 1/21 2 Newton's Laws Q #1 T 3/18 10 New Set of Building Blocks Q #4 Th 1/23 3 Energy Th 3/20 10 Bonding Types Lab 2 Pendulum (Sections 1, 2) T 1/28 3,4 Conservation Principles, Source of Energy T 3/25 11 Liquid/Solid Interactions Th 1/30 Exam 1 (ch. 1-4) Th 3/27 11 Acid/Base Reactions Q #5 Lab 6 Soap, Detergent, Water Softness (Sections 1, 2) T 2/4 5 Heat Transfer T 4/1 12 Entropy Drives Chemical Reactions Th 2/6 5 Thermodynamic Laws Th 4/3 Exam 3 (Ch. 9-12) Lab 3 Boyle's & Charle's Laws (Sections 1, 2) T 2/11 6 Electric Force Q #2 T 4/8 13 Carbon Based Compounds Th 2/13 6 Magnetic Force Th 4/10 13 Macromolecules Lab 7 Acid Basics (Sections 1, 2) T 2/18 7 Wave Behavior T 4/15 17 Structure of the Solar System Th 2/20 7 Wave Interactions Q #3 Th 4/17 18 Solar Behavior Q #6 Lab 4 Standing Waves (Sections 1, 2) T 2/25 8 Short Range Forces T 4/22 18 Stellar Distances Th 2/27 Exam 2 (Ch. 5-8) Th 4/24 19 Structure/Composition of the Universe Th 5/1 Final Exam (8:00-10:00)