General Course Issues

1
General Course Issues

• Integration of the sciences
• Progression of the sciences
• Physics/astronomy to geology/earth sciences to
  biology
• Importance of the laboratory
• Importance of the lectures
• Importance of the text
• Multiple opportunities in performance/grading
• Tests, quizzes, labs and final examination

2
Synopsis

• Principles of physics, astronomy, chemistry,
  geology, and biology
• Dominant theories and laws that underlie how the
  natural world operates
• Theories and laws are relevant in every day life
• Underlying themes across all disciplines (e.g.,
  emergent properties, models, scientific method)
• Cardinal features of scientific investigations
  (e.g., scientific method, data visualization,
  models, data collection), through a combination
  of computer simulations and hands-on experiments
  in lab

3
General Course Issues

• Web site information (syllabus)
• Accessibility of instructors
• Instructor of record for problems
• Role of laboratory instructors (Kristy Garnet,
  Sara Clark)
• Mid-term grades f (examinations)
• Problems, discussion and resolution
• Grading

4
Lecture

• Rationale for lecture versus text
• Lecture notes on web site
• Lateness to lectures
• Questions in lecture
• Traditional lectures plus discussion format
• Quizzes/Exercises
• Announced in advancesometimes but not always
• What is fair game?
• Form of questions
• Dropping one
• Missing and make-upnot an option

5
Laboratories

• Integral part of course (not optional)
• Nature of labs (e.g., computer, hands-on,
  modeling)
• Multiple purposes and objectives (e.g.,
  scientific method, data visualization)
• Role of the lab instructors
• Lateness to lab
• Missing lab (excuse) and make-up
• Weekly reports and grading
• Working in teams plus working on your own
• Behavior and decorum in lab
• Lateness of lab report (2 pt/day)
• Next two weeks lab (Mondays group with S.
  Clark)
• Lab material is fair game for tests

6
Examinations

• Form of the exams (N4)
• Short answers (multiple choice, fill in the
  blank)
• Short discussion (0.5 page)
• Long discussion (1 page)
• Fair game lecture, text, lab
• Final examination in December
• Comprehensive
• Same format as above
• Study sessions before exams (if there is a demand)

7
Grading
Activity Number Percentage
In-Class Exams 4 40
Laboratory Reports 10 25
In-Class Quiz/Exercise 7-8 10
Final Exam 1 25
8
Take Home Message

• Integration and progression of the sciences
• Appreciation of how science is done
• Appreciation of the principles of the sciences as
  being logical, rational, systematic and
  mathematically based
• Dominant themes in physics, astronomy, geology,
  and biology
• Science is NOT as complex and intractable as you
  think