Missions:
Oklahoma Christian University is a higher learning community, which transforms lives for Christian faith, scholarship, and service.
The mission of OC's Department of Chemistry & Physics is to transform the lives of all students who come our way. This includes students who have chosen chemistry, biochemistry, or forensic science as a major; students majoring in biology, nursing, engineering; pre-health professional students; and general education students needing education in chemistry, physics, or general physical science. We wish to transform their lives in a manner that they will be prepared for graduate-level studies, professional programs, or entry-level positions in the workforce. They will have an in-depth knowledge of their area of study and an attitude of service, ethical behavior, and willingness for hard work. They will have a renewed Christian faith, a lifelong desire for spiritual maturity, and a desire for lifelong learning about God’s creation.
Physical Science I: The Earth
GNSC 2313
Physical Geography
GEOG 2313
Spring 2014
Lecture (all sections): M W F 12:30 – 1:20 PM in PEC 229
Lab Sections: 01 T 8:00 – 8:50 AM in NSW 111 02 T 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM in NSW 111 03 T 12:30 PM – 1:20 PM in NSW 111
Instructor: Dr. Amanda Nichols
Office: NSW-HSH 202M
Phone: x5420
E-Mail: amanda.nichols@oc.edu (best way to contact me)
Course Websites: Blackboard (http://bb.oc.edu/) and MasteringGeology (http://www.masteringgeology.com) with
Course ID: MGEOLNICHOLSSP14
Office Hours: M: 8-10 AM T: 1:30-3:30 PM W: 8-10 AM, 1:30-2:30 PM TR: 8-9 AM F: 8-10 AM
Christian Worldview and Teaching Philosophy: Every scholar works within some sort of belief system. Since I am a Christian, I choose to examine Science through a Christian perspective. It is not my intention to indoctrinate or provide overt religious training. While I am aware of and sensitive to the diversity of our university, I will convey linkages to the Christian faith in our study. Though some topics might be challenging, it is important to ponder different ideas and grow in the Faith. I believe that each person should be prepared to give an answer when asked (1) what you believe and (2) why you believe. As a result, I will be bringing up certain issues for discussion. I believe that everyone deserves respect and attention when sharing their viewpoint. To think Christianly means to look at our world from the perspective that it is made and owned by God, that what we do with creation will have to be accounted for, and that it is important to make choices according to the laws of God. The Bible calls this stewardship. Christian thinking looks at all issues and ideas from the standpoint of what God desires and what might give honor to him. (Gordon MacDonald in Ordering
Your Private World)
It is my hope that every student that walks out of my classroom has a new appreciation for science. Learning to ask the “whys” in science is especially encouraged in this class. Sometimes, it is easy to fall into the trap of only teaching the facts and the way to do the problems because there is so much information to cover. I try to teach why something is the way it is – or at least encourage the students to think about why they got a certain answer. “Does that answer make sense and what does it mean?” One of my other goals in my classroom is to teach the students how to learn. I teach them different methods of solving a problem in order to show them that (1) there are always different approaches to a problem and (2) what makes sense to you does not always make sense to someone else. It is important for students to begin at the college level to learn how to learn. This is good preparation for the students that will continue into graduate school where the majority of the burden of learning is laid upon the student. I hope that a student walks out of my classroom feeling prepared for their further academic studies. Encouraging students to learn how to learn is probably the most important aspect of teaching for me. I believe with this skill they can be successful not only in further education, but also in their professional, spiritual, and personal lives.
Catalog Course Description and Course Objectives:
No prerequisites required.
An introduction to the study of the Earth, emphasizing processes that shape and change the surface. This course studies the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, including effects of pollution and remediation efforts. Hands-on laboratory exercises are integrated into the course. 4 hours per week.
This is a one-semester course designed for students who are non-science majors, which fulfills 3 hours of Physical Science with laboratory exercises.
Earth Science Goals
As a Christian community of learning, we seek the following outcomes:
Active Faith:
We will explore the congruence of scripture and science (specifically relating to Genesis).
Foundational Knowledge:
The student will understand the role of science in our society.
The student will understand the following concepts: Earth’s place in the universe, plate tectonics, earthquakes, mountains and volcanoes, oceans, the atmosphere, and Earth’s climate system.
Structured Reasoning:
The student will understand and apply the scientific method to design experiments.
The student will record and present data.
The student will take meaningful observations that guide the scientific process.
Critical and Creative Thinking:
The student will develop hypothesis to explain observations.
The student will use the hypothesis to predict the outcome of an experiment.
The student will use the experiment to determine the validity of the hypothesis.
The student will make connections from these experiments to material in a textbook.
Effective Communication:
The student will develop better presentation skills (written and oral).
Personal, Social, and Global Stewardship:
The student will explore our role as Christians in using/preserving Earth’s resources and our impact on Earth.
Course Structure and Requirements: General Physical Science I: The Earth 2313 is a course meeting for 1-hour lecture three days a week and a 1-hour lab session once a week. This course’s focus is on a series of hands-on laboratory activities supplemented by discussions, lectures, and assignments. Course requirements include: midterm and final exams, writing report, oral presentation, in-class activities, lab activities, homework assignments, and meaningful participation with classmates and instructors.
Required Textbook and Course Materials (Bring to each class period):
Foundations of Earth Science, 7th Edition, Lutgens & Tarbuck, Pearson In order to complete the daily assignments you must also purchase the MasteringGeology codes with the textbook.
At times, a calculator would be helpful to do simple math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Though a calculator is not required, it is highly recommended that you bring one to each class (lecture and lab).
The following book may be of interest to the student taking this course:
The Source: Creation - Eternal Design or Infinite Accident?
Oklahoma Christian University Library (OC Call # BT103 C57 2001)
Course Policies:
Electronic Devices: Anything that serves to distract the instructor or other students (e.g., cell phones, iPods, personal chit-chat, offensive clothing, etc.) will not be tolerated. Laptops and other electronic devices will NOT be permitted during the lecture portion of the class or while watching a film.
Bring your fully-charged laptop to each class. Laptops will be used in class during appropriate times (some labs, activities, and assignments). There will be a points-reduction if laptops are not brought to class.
Laptop use can be revoked at any time at the discretion of the instructor. Laptops should be used in a mature and appropriate manner. Inappropriate use of a laptop includes surfing the web, chatting, checking email, Facebooking, etc.
Attendance: Attendance will be taken every class period. Excessive tardiness (5 minutes or more) will be treated as an absence and the student might not be allowed to perform the assignment (lab, activity, or film worksheet). On the first occurrence, the assignment score for that day will be reduced by 50% if a student leaves class prior to finishing the assignments or lab that is due that day. The student will receive a zero on the assignment if they leave before they are finished with the assignment on any more occurrences.
Attendance also implies that you are contributing to your group. If you are not contributing to your group, then you will be given a grade reduction up to a zero for that day on the assignment.
Labs, activities, and films cannot be made up so missing class multiple times will have a negative influence on your grade. If it can be avoided, make sure not to miss class. If you miss class, you have until the end of the day to complete the homework.
The midterm exam can only be made up for valid excused absence. If you miss the midterm exam for a scheduled event (e.g. University sponsored trip), you must provide documentation at least one week before the event in order to schedule a make-up. If you miss the midterm exam due to a valid unscheduled reason (e.g. death in the family, emergency surgery), you must provide documentation within one week after the event.
The final exam cannot be taken early due to university policy. Only in extreme circumstances can a final exam be made up.
Miscellaneous Attendance Information: Due to our class meeting on Mondays, we will make up the missed class period we would have on January 20, Martin Luther King Day, an official holiday for OC. We will make this 50-minute period through an extra take-home assignment.
Cancellations: If weather or other unplanned event does not allow an exam, including the Final Exam, to be held at the scheduled time and place, the exam will be held according to the University policy. The instructor will reschedule the exam for a later time and/or different location, if possible. Only in extreme conditions will an exam be cancelled. The final exam is mandatory, and will NOT be given early, for any reason.
If the instructor is 15 minutes or more late to any given class period, then class is dismissed.
Grammar: Students taking this course may eventually become responsible for effective communication in their jobs. Society’s tacit assumption is that professionals are as well-prepared as possible, with high University-level academic performance and skills. Part of this preparation is effective writing, so be certain to proofread your work prior to submitting any written assignment: all assignments will be graded on English usage in addition to content.
Assignment Contributions: It is important that everyone pulls their own weight in lab. If the instructor feels that a lab partner is not giving significant contributions to the group, then the instructor reserves the right to reduce the student’s lab score up to 100 percent on the first occasion. If this happens a second time, then the student will receive a zero for that scoring component.
Participation Points: A portion of each group assignment will be based upon your participation in the class. The following activities may result in losing participation points: * Misuse of laptops (Inappropriate use of a laptop includes chatting, checking email, facebook, etc.) * Use of electronic devices other than a laptop (phones, itouch, etc.) without permission * Behavior that is distracting to the class (bad attitudes, etc.)
Grade Appeals: Any grade appeals on anything that is graded in class (assignments, projects, labs, etc.) must be made during office hours within one week of that assignment being returned. The instructor will not consider any grade appeals after one week.
Leaving Class Early: You are not allowed to leave class early unless you have submitted what is due that day or have permission from the instructor. Failure to turn in your work will result in a 50% reduction for that day’s assignment on the first occurrence, and a zero for all future occurrences.
If you know you will have to leave a class period early, then you need to get approval from the instructor at least 24 hours before class.
Extra Credit: Throughout the semester, extra credit is offered in the form of bonus points on some assignments. The final course grade will NOT be curved at the end of the class. No additional extra credit assignments will be given at the end of the semester. These last-minute assignments are not fair to the students who worked hard throughout the semester.
Writing and Formatting: For any writing assignments, use the proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Specific formatting instructions will be given with assignments. The Writer’s Block is a great resource when writing. Visit their website for information (http://ed.oc.edu/writersblock/).
Grading:
Faith Response Essay: The student will write an essay in response to a scripture-and-science-related reading reflecting on his/her faith. Detailed information will be given soon about available readings and guidelines on writing the essay. An essay that is turned in late will suffer a 10% grade deduction every day that it is late.
Midterm and Final Exams: These exams will test information from lecture and lab. The final exam will only cover material from the second part of the semester (it is not comprehensive). More information will be provided later in the semester. See the Attendance policy earlier in the syllabus for information about making up exams.
Final Presentation: The details of this project are still being designed. More information will be provided on this project later in the semester. A project that is turned in late will suffer a 10% grade deduction every day that it is late.
Pre-Lecture Quizzes: 20-point chapter quizzes on the MasteringGeology website will be due by 12:15 PM on the day of lecture (see schedule). Reading the assigned chapter and/or sections will help individuals complete these quizzes successfully.
Lecture Questionnaires: 10-point questionnaires will be filled out and turned in immediately after each lecture. These questionnaires are based upon the lecture content. These questions cannot be made up.
Films: Film sheets are performed on certain lecture days, usually on Fridays. These 20- point film sheets are questions associated with a film that is watched that day. Sleeping, using your laptop, or other distracting activities will result in a zero for the film worksheet. Films cannot be made up. See the next section for information about missing a film.
Lecture Activities and Laboratory:
Lecture activities will be assigned after the lecture some class days. Labs are done in lab on Tuesdays. On the first day of lab, you will select your lab partners (groups of 3 students). You will need to sit and work with this group of students every lab and lecture period. These activities and labs are designed for each group to work together. Each individual will answer the questions, but group work is encouraged. Each individual must contribute to the group. Splitting up the work is prohibited. One of the purposes of group assignments is to discuss ideas together. Splitting up the work and then sharing the answers with each other does not accomplish adequate discussion and comprehension. Any student that does not contribute to the group or a group caught splitting up the work and then sharing answers will receive a zero on the activity or lab assignment.
Students perform labs or activities during class and must be turned in before they leave or at the beginning of the next class; specific instructions about due dates will be given by the instructor before each assignment. Each day or partial day that an activity or lab is late, there will be a 10% deduction from the grade. These labs and activities will not be accepted after one week of the assignment. There will be a 50% grade reduction if you do not bring your laptop or if you leave early without working on/finishing your assignment for the first offense. A zero will be given on any future occurrences.
Completed activities and labs are submitted on a lab worksheet, which the student is responsible for providing. Activities and labs will be graded on a 20-point scale for appropriate content and science process.
Students may miss 3 labs and 3 lecture works (activities/films) with no penalty. Students must be in class in order to perform an activity or a lab. You might not be allowed to perform the activity or lab if you are more than five minutes late.
Activities and labs will be evaluated, not interpreted: it is the student's responsibility to provide clearly written complete assignments. Scores will be determined by the logical consistency, evidential support, investigational appropriateness, science process usage, and clarity of the written explanation. Assignments failing to appropriately use the science process will receive a maximum of half credit.
Lab and Classroom Safety: It is expected that you treat the equipment with respect and only use it as it is intended. Failure to do this may result in broken equipment and possible injuries. If I feel you are not taking proper precautions, then you will be sent out of class that day and a zero will be recorded.
Lab and Classroom Maintenance: It is important that you leave the lab equipment in the same state that you found it. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the lab score for that day for the whole group. Failure to do so twice will result in a zero for the lab component for the course. Failing to leave the lab in the same state could include: breaking equipment through misuse, not putting the equipment up like it was when you arrived to lab, not cleaning your tables (above or below), etc. Failure to not clean up the common areas of the room will result in a 5-point deduction for everyone in class for that day’s activity or lab. Everyone in class is an adult, and it is your responsibility as an adult to clean up your own mess. There will be no warnings on this.
Academic Integrity: Cheating and plagiarism are not permitted and will not be tolerated. (See page 15 of the 2013-14 Catalog.)
* Not attending a lab and copying results to turn in as your own is cheating. * Labs will be graded individually and lab reports should be completed individually. No two reports should be the same even if the writers were partners in the lab. * Signing a roll sheet (or having someone else sign you as in attendance) is cheating. * Cheating includes copying someone else’s answers OR allowing your work to be copied in part or whole. * Plagiarism is using another person’s thoughts or ideas and passing it off as your original work in an oral or written fashion. Discussion about this course’s subjects and class work is encouraged. Just make sure that you know and understand what you write or say in regards to your work.
If you have questions about academic integrity (e.g. whether or not it is copying), just ask. Also visit The Writer’s Block website about plagiarism (http://ed.oc.edu/writersblock/avoidplagiarism.aspx).
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty:
1. On the first offense, the student will receive zero (0) credit for the examination or assignment. For forms of cheating or dishonesty other than on examinations or assignments, the Professor shall have the discretion to impose an appropriate penalty. Professors must send documentation of the first offense to the appropriate chair, the dean of the appropriate college, the VPAA, and the Dean of Students. 2. On the second offense in the same course, the student will receive an F in the course. Professors must send documentation of the second offense to the appropriate chair, the dean of the appropriate college, the VPAA, and the Dean of Students. 3. At either the first offense or second offense, the student may appeal using the process set forth covering Grade Appeals. 4. If the student commits offenses in two or more courses, the Academic Appeals Committee, established in Section 4.12.10, may assign penalties for academic dishonesty in addition to the penalties assigned by the professors in the courses. The Academic Appeals Committee may impose penalties up to and including suspension from the University in instances where a student has engaged in cheating or plagiarism in two or more courses. The Academic Appeals Committee will inform the VPAA and the Dean of Students in writing of any penalties imposed by it and will report annually on its activities to the University’s Academic Affairs Committee.
ADA/504 Statement: If you have a diagnosed disability and need special accommodations, please notify Katy Roybal (425-1876) before or immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, I will work with you, with Katy, and with the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the course.
Course Component Weights:
Faith Response Assignment | 14 % | Midterm Exam | 8 % | Final Exam | 8 % | Final Presentation | 14 % | Pre-Lecture Quiz Average | 8 % | Lecture Questionnaire Average | 8 % | Lecture Works (Activities & Films) Average | 20 % | Lab Average | 20 % |
Grade Distribution:
Percentage | Grade | 90.0 – 100 | A | 80.0 – 89.9 | B | 70.0 – 79.9 | C | 60.0 – 69.9 | D | Below 60.0 | F |
Tentative Earth Science Schedule – Spring 2014
Date | Topics & Assignments | Date | Lab | Date | Topics & Assignments | Date | Topics & Assignments | 1-6WK 1 | IntroductionsQuiz 1Activity 1: Mapping | 1-7 | Lab 1: Mapping | 1-8 | Chapter 1: Matter and MineralsQuiz 2 | 1-10 | The Scientific MethodFilm 1: Mystery of the Mega Flood | 1-13WK 2 | Chapter 2: Rocks: Materials of the Solid EarthQuiz 3Activity 2: Rock | 1-14 | Lab 2: Rocks | 1-15 | Chapter 3: Landscapes Fashioned by WaterQuiz 4: 3.1-3.10 | 1-17 | The Scientific MethodActivity 3: Flood Analysis | 1-20WK 3 | Martin Luther King Jr’s DayNo ClassActivity 4: Soil Erosion | 1-21 | Lab 3: Soil Erosion | 1-22 | Chapter 3: Landscapes Fashioned by WaterActivity 5: Weathering | 1-24 | Chapter 3: Landscapes Fashioned by WaterActivity 6: Meet Your Drinking Water | 1-27WK 4 | Chapter 3: Landscapes Fashioned by WaterQuiz 5: 3.11-3.14Activity 7: Porosity | 1-28 | Lab 4: Porosity | 1-29 | Chapter 4: Glacial and Arid LandscapesQuiz 6 | 1-31 | Chapter 4: Glacial and Arid LandscapesFilm 2: Planet Earth - Ice | 2-3WK 5 | Chapter 5: Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution UnfoldsQuiz 7 | 2-4 | Lab 5: Convection | 2-5 | Chapter 5: Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution UnfoldsActivity 8: Plate Tectonics and Good Science | 2-7 | Chapter 6: Restless Earth: Earthquakes, Geologic Structures, and Mountain BuildingFilm 3: Killer Quake | 2-10WK 6 | Chapter 6: Restless Earth: Earthquakes, Geologic Structures, and Mountain BuildingQuiz 8Activity 9: Mountain Building | 2-11 | Lab 6: Does It Float? | 2-12 | Chapter 6: Restless Earth: Earthquakes, Geologic Structures, and Mountain BuildingActivity 10: Oklahoma Earthquake | 2-14 | MIDTERM EXAM(Chapters 1-5) | 2-17WK 7 | Chapter 7: Volcanoes and Other Igneous ActivityQuiz 9Activity 11: Virtual Volcanoes | 2-18 | Lab 7: Volcanoes | 2-19 | Chapter 7: Volcanoes and Other Igneous ActivityFilm 4:Biography of Earth: Volcanoes | 2-21 | Chapter 7: Volcanoes and Other Igneous ActivityFilm 5:Megavolcano | 2-24WK 8 | Chapter 8: Geologic TimeQuiz 10Activity 12:Half-Life | 2-25 | Lab 8: Half-Life | 2-26 | Activity 13: Work Day | 2-28 | Chapter 9: Oceans: The Last FrontierFilm 6: Drain the Ocean 1Faith Response Assignment DUE at the beginning of class | 3-3WK 9 | Chapter 10: The Restless OceanQuiz 11: 10.9Activity 14: Moon Motion & Tides | 3-4 | Lab 9: Moon Motion & Tides | 3-5 | Chapter 10: The Restless OceanQuiz 12: 10.1-10.8 | 3-7 | Chapter 9: Oceans: The Last FrontierQuiz 13Film 7: Drain the Ocean 2 | 3-10WK 10 | Chapter 11: Heating the AtmosphereQuiz 14: 11.1-11.3, 11.5-7Activity 15: Greenhouse Effect | 3-11 | Lab 10: Greenhouse Effect | 3-12 | Chapter 11: Heating the AtmosphereQuiz 15: 11.4, 11.8-11.10 | 3-14 | Chapter 11: Heating the AtmosphereFilm 8: The Atmosphere | 3-17WK 11 | SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES | 3-24WK 12 | Chapter 12: Moisture, Clouds, and PrecipitationQuiz 16Activity 16: Dew Point | 3-25 | Lab 11: Dew Point | 3-26 | Chapter 13: The Atmosphere in MotionQuiz 17 | 3-28 | Chapter 13: The Atmosphere in MotionFilm 9: Dimming the Sun | 3-31WK 13 | Chapter 14: Weather Patterns and Severe WeatherQuiz 18 | 4-1 | Lab 12: WORK DAY | 4-2 | Chapter 14: Weather Patterns and Severe WeatherActivity 17: Tornado Outbreak | 4-4 | Chapter 14: Weather Patterns and Severe WeatherFilm 10: Hunt for the Super Twister | 4-7WK 14 | Section 1 Final Presentations: Sections 2 & 3 do NOT attend | 4-8 | Final Presentations for all sections | 4-9 | Section 2: Final Presentations: Sections 1 & 3 do NOT attend | 4-11 | Section 3 Final Presentations: Sections 1 & 2 do NOT attend | 4-14WK 15 | Section 2: Final Presentations: Sections 1 & 3 do NOT attend | 4-15 | Final Presentations for all sections | 4-16 | Section 3 Final Presentations: Sections 1 & 2 do NOT attend | 4-18 | Section 1 Final Presentations: Sections 2 & 3 do NOT attend | Final | Final Exam (Chapters 6-14): Wednesday, April 23rd 10:10 AM – 12:00 PM |
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