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Science Department
PHY 2244 - Physical Science I Course Syllabus MISSISSIPPI
GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE DESCRIPTION A laboratory course in basic principles of descriptive astronomy and elementary physics. Designed for non-science majors and will not generally be credited toward a major of minor in physical science.
An Introduction to Physical Science, 8th edition, by Shipman Wilson & Todd. Lab Manual: customized manual in bookstore by S.
Roberts.
INSTRUCTOR: Office: F-112 E-mail: stephen.roberts@mgccc.edu Phone: 897-3748
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to be in class on time. Students are allowed one absence per semester hour that the course carries (4hrs). Labs are counted two-for-one absence. The instructor will drop a student on the 5th hour of absence. Excused absences are permitted at the discretion of the instructor and are not counted as absences. Official absences are excused by the college and are not counted as absences. All instructors will be notified of such official absences by the collage. Excessive tardies will not be tolerated and will count as absences. In extenuating circumstances, students who are dropped after exceeding allowable absences may petition for reinstatement to the Dean of Instruction who advises the student of the proper procedure. See catalog or student handbook. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this course is to enable the student to better understand the physical universe by developing and appreciation for descriptive astronomy and elementary physics. Eating, drinking, and the use of tobacco are not allowed in classrooms. Students are not allowed beverages or food in the classroom or lab. Please read the handbook for the college’s Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program.
GRADES: Final grades are determined by the student’s final average. Each of 6 unit exams, a celestial observation exam, and a final exam will count equally. Lab average will add or subtract up to 3 points to the final test average depending on performance, effort, and attitude in the lab.
Extra credit will be awarded for instructing other students at night sky observation. Grading Scale: A. 90-100 B. 80-89 C. 70-79 D. 60-69 E. Less than 59
YOUR TEACHER: I believe that Physical Science is the most interesting subject that a person can study. A truly educated person has a fundamental knowledge of the behavior of matter that relatively few people have and thus has the quiet satisfaction of knowing why things occur that remain forever a mystery to most people. The purpose of this course into enable the student to survey this knowledge. I like class participation. When a question is asked to the class I expect an answer. At times, you will be required to work in groups. I encourage you to work with others as often as possible outside the classroom. If you have a question about the class material- ask it. I like to be corrected when I make a mistake in class (being human, I do so frequently).
TESTS: Sometimes you may find yourself in a situation where you have been assigned three tests for the same day. You may seek relief from this situation by arranging in advance to take a test early. Each test is designed to be completed in less than one hour. The student must turn in the test at the end of one hour at the latest. When you turn in a test, leave the room ( take a break) and return at the assigned time. Test will be graded and handed back as soon as possible. The student must return the test that has been handed back because the grade will not have been recorded. The student is awarded a zero if the test is not returned. A test is a formal paper. Except for units of measure associated with a number, abbreviations will not be accepted as test answers. Six points will be summarily deducted from any paper ( especially tests) at the time of recording if the instructor can not read the name on the paper. Make-up Exams: If the student must miss a test, arrangements should be made in advance of the test date. If arrangements are not made, the student will be expected to take the make-up immediately on return( before the next class meeting), or during final exam, or not at all- whichever is deemed appropriate by your instructor.
HANDWRITING: Handwriting has become a chronic problem for U.S. students in recent years. Handwriting is one way we can all satisfy our human need for personal artistic achievement: however, for work turned in for this class, illegible handwriting will not be tolerated. Your instructor will not undertake mini- research projects or use a process of elimination to try to determine what a student intended as a multiple choice or matching answer on a test. Students with handicaps that affect handwriting should inform the instructor before the first work is turned in.
MATERIALS: Students will need access to a star chart for several lectures, several labs, and nearly all homework in this class. I recommend “the Night Sky” by David Chandler. This is the best and cheapest plane sphere available. The student can purchase these at the J.D. Bookstore for less than half the suggested retail price. In lab, you (or you partner) should have a calculator. Bring a pencil to lab. A pencil is a cheap, low-tech solution to serious problems of neatness. Bring your sense of humor to lab also. Bring this manual to class and lab; it contains the lecture objectives and most of the laboratory exercises that we will be using. This manual is the result of an effort by your instructor to reduce the expense of attending J.D. Lab manuals for this class are costing around $20.00. It is published by MGCCC and offered to the student for the cost of materials.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the completion of PHY 2244, the student will be able to do the following:
1. Find and identify the bright stars and constellations of the northern hemisphere.
2. Identify the forms energy takes and how these forms interact with matter.
3. Describe in detail the characteristics and properties of the electromagnetic spectrum.
4. Determine latitude and longitude on maps. Solve problems related to determining earthly positions from the positions of the sun and stars.
5. Identify the phases of the moon and relate those phases to lunar motions. Explain eclipses and tides.
6. Describe the characteristics of the objects belonging to the solar system and describe the natural history of the system.
7. Explain nucleosynthesis in stars and the evolution of stars. Describe the Sun.
8. Describe the history of the Universe. Relate this history to known facts. COURSE OUTLINE: 1. Lecture topics
2. Laboratory topics
Course
Objectives/Exit Competencies:
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Information Request Card Application for Admission Copyright © 2002, Mississippi Gulf Coast
Community College.
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