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PSCI 1010 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PSCI 1010 - Principles of Physical Science with Lab (formerly Survey of Physical Science I)

4 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

Designed for the non-science major to partially fulfill general education requirements in the physical sciences. Several TBR schools use the course to fulfill general education requirements in the laboratory based physical sciences. This course includes a study of three fundamental components of the physical sciences, Newtonian mechanics; linear motion, momentum, energy, gravity, and satellite motion; fluid mechanics; thermodynamics including thermal energy and heat transfer; electricity, magnetism; waves, sound and light waves, the properties of light; and atomic structure to establish a base in which the non-science student can view nature more perceptively. It is designed to correct a missing essential in the sciences, the practice of conceptualizing before calculating.

Course Outcomes:
  • Describe scientific notation.
  • Use scientific notation in problem solving.
  • Define vector quantities.
  • Use trigonometric functions to define vectors.
  • Convert between English and metric units.
  • Define motion and its components.
  • Relate motion to speed, velocity, acceleration, and free fall.
  • Distinguish between a vector and a scalar quantity.
  • Define Newton's three laws of motion.
  • Use the conservation of momentum in problem solving.
  • Use the conservation of energy in problem solving.
  • Define and discuss gravity.
  • Define and discuss projectile motion.
  • Define and discuss satellite motion.
  • Describe tides.
  • Define weight.
  • Describe weightlessness.
  • Define and discuss escape velocity.
  • Relate buoyancy in a liquid and Archimedes' Principle.
  • Relate buoyancy in a gas and Bernoulli's Principle.
  • Define and discuss the First Law of Thermodynamics.
  • Define and discuss the Second Laws of Thermodynamics.
  • Discuss Entropy.
  • Define and discuss electricity.
  • Relate the various characteristics of electricity.
  • Define and discuss magnetism.
  • Relate the various characteristics of magnetism.
  •  Describe sound waves.
  • Discuss sound waves.
  • Relate the various types of wave motion.
  • Distinguish between reflection and refraction.
  • Define and discuss forced vibrations.
  • Define and discuss resonance.
  • Define and discuss the Doppler Effect.
  • Define and discuss musical sounds.
  • Discuss light waves and how they relate to Electromagnetic waves.
  • Discuss the color of light.
  • Discuss atomic structure.
  • Define and discuss the basic parts of an atom.
  • Discuss nuclear energy.
  • Define alpha particles
  • Define beta particles
  • Define Gamma rays
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

Acceptable placement scores or completion of Learning Support competencies.

Course Topics:

1. What is Science?

2. Newton's laws

3. Motion

4. Energy

5. Heat and Temperature

6. Electricity

7. Magnetism

8. Wave Motions and Sound

9. Light

10. The Atom

11. Nuclear Energy

Specific Course Requirements:

Students are expected to:

  • take an active part in all discussions on the web.
  • take an active part in e-mails to the instructor and other class members.
  • complete laboratory reports as scheduled.
  • take quizzes and exams at the scheduled times.
  • complete all special reading assignments.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

None

Grading Procedures:

Your grade in Physical Science I will be determined by the following procedure. As you complete activities and class work, submit the requested materials to me for evaluation. I will evaluate your materials and award you points. You may view the points awarded by clicking on "My Grades" on the Course Menu.

Description                                                       Points

15 Discussion Posts @ 15                                    225

14 Problem Sets @ 20                                          280

12 Laboratory Exercises @ 20                               240

14 Module Quizzes @ 20                                      280

1 Term Paper @ 100                                            100

Initial and Final Bibliographies (20 pts each)            40  

Total Points                                                        1165

Grading Scale:
PercentageAssigned Grade
90-100 A
80-89 B
65-79 C
55-64 D
Under 55 F

 

Assignments and Projects:

Assignments and Projects are identified above under the topic "Graded Assignments"

Class Participation:

You are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course. For example, you must communicate with other students via emails and discussion board exchanges. You are expected to communicate with your instructor on a regular basis and check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements. You must actively participate in threaded discussion events. Students are expected to work at a pace conducive to collaborative learning. That is, don't work to far ahead or too far behind the group. The class is designed to support student interaction.

Late Policy:

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 27, 2018