Course Syllabus

PHSC 2105, Honors Physical Science Lab

Fall 2015     Tuesdays, 9:30-11:20     SCNCE 126, 326

Instructors:      Renée Faatz                             Larry Smith    

                      SCNCE 109                              SCNCE 111    

                     Renee.Faatz@snow.edu             Larry.Smith@snow.edu    

Objectives: We will gain appreciation for and experience in the methods and limitations of science as well as for the wonders of nature and the universe. We will also learn how to learn and think in scientific ways.  Students will achieve General Education Outcomes 6: Apply computational skills to a variety of contexts, and 7: Apply scientific reasoning to a variety of contexts; as well as the following specific learning outcomes:

1. Students will apply the experimental method to determine the relationships between physical variables.
2. Students will understand how physical scientists think and form judgments about the physical world.
3. Students will be able to construct and interpret graphs of scientific data.

Text: No printed manual.  Instructions for each lab are available here in Canvas under Modules.

Other Materials:  A calculator capable of exponential notation and trig functions.  You will also need some graph paper.  Optional: your own protractor and metric ruler.

Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in GEO 2100 and PHYS 2100.

Labs:  The labs are the main component of this course and will give you hands-on experience to complement the lecture readings and discussions.  You will turn in an individual write-up for each lab, even though you will work in groups (groups of 2 or 3 work best) during lab time to collect data.  Make sure your write-up is your own work, even though the data will be the same as your lab partners’.  Do not do a group write-up nor copy others’ write-ups.  Please make your write-up so clear that a layman could easily understand what you did.   The write-ups are generally due at the beginning of class the next Friday.  Late labs are worth up to 50% up to one week late; thereafter no credit will be given; no late labs will be accepted after November 19.

Help: You are encouraged to see us during our posted office hours and at other times by appointment.

Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring accommodations or services under ADA must contact the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC).  The ARC determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these accommodations and services for the college.  For assistance, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator at 241 Greenwood Student Center, or (435) 283-7321, or Katie.larsen@snow.edu.  For more detail see http://www.snow.edu/larrys/ADA.html.

Participation:  Ask questions in lab, come to office hours, help other students.  Don’t just sit back and watch during the labs––actively participate.  Attend regularly; come prepared, having read the lab and associated resources in the modules beforehand.

Final Exam:  The final is Tuesday, Dec. 1, during the last lab; in SCNCE 326.

Grading:            Participation/Attitude     10%                

                         Discussion                  15%

                         Lab Write-Ups             60%                

                         Final Exam                  15%