Science for Society

PHY 150-01 / Zelle Winter 2017

Instructor:

Dr. John Zelle
Office: SC 353
Phone: 352-8360
Email: john.zelle@wartburg.edu

Office Hours: MWF 9:00, TH 8:30 and by appointment

Class Web Page: http://mcsp.wartburg.edu/zelle/phy150

All assignments, announcements, and class resources will be posted on this page.

Class Meetings: MWF 7:45, SC 128

Course Objectives:

In this course you will learn all the science that you are guaranteed to need to know. We will discuss how to interpret scientific research and scientific findings. Along the way we will wrestle important questions: What is science? What is the purpose of science? How does science impact my life? What are models? How are models constructed and used? What is a scientific theory?

You will acquire the cognitive skills necessary to identify the scientific models presented in textbooks, in press articles, and in the media. You will be able to critically examine these models and evaluate how well they fit the real world.

You will learn how to use some common methods that researchers employ in science and practice these techniques by designing and performing your own experiments.

As such, this course satisfies the Science Reasoning component of the Essential Education program. The formal goals of this component are:

Text:

Understanding Scientific Reasoning, Fifth Edition, Ronald N. Giere, John Bickle, and Robert F. Mauldin (Thomson Wadsworth, 2006).

Class format/coursework requirements:

Day-to-day classes will be a mixture of lecture, discussion, and lab activities. To some extent, the exact format and content of classes will be dictated by student interest and participation. Reading and homework assignments will be given on a daily basis and, unless otherwise specified, are due at the beginning of the next class meeting. Not all assigned homework will necessarily be collected and graded.

In addition to the daily assigned work, students will have weekly written assignments, assigned each Monday and due the following Monday at the beginning of class time. These weekly assignments are larger projects that involve a combination of research and/or multiple page lab write-ups. Some of these assignments may be done as group projects.

Class Atmosphere and Discussions:

This science class is perhaps a bit different than the typical one. We will focus on how science is done, rather than on specific science content. Your contributions to the course will be essential, and I encourage (and expect) everyone to participate in our class discussions, whether they involve small groups or the entire class. In order for this to occur, there are some things we all need to keep in mind:

Tentative Course Outline:

We will basically follow topics as presented in the text. To some extent, the pace and coverage of various topics will be dictated by the interests of the class. Always check the class web page for the up-to-date schedule of coverage and assignments.

Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3

Evaluation:

Exams:

Exam 1   2/6   25%
Exam 2   3/15   25%
Final 4/20 25%

Daily HW: 10%

Weekly HW: 15%

Note: Not all assigned work will necessarily be graded. The best insurance is to perform all assigned work to the best of your ability.

Grading Scale:

Grades are assigned based on the (weighted) percentage of total points:

90-99 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
Other: Thanks for playing

I may move the exact boundaries, but they will not be raised. Anyone with 90% of total points will receive an "A".

Attendance:

Regular attendance is expected. Although not part of the grade per se, excessive absences will affect a student's performance in the class and will make the instructor less inclined to render outside of class assistance to that student.

Honesty:

Absolutely no cheating will be tolerated. Any situation where I feel there is sufficient evidence of cheating will be vigorously pursued. The minimum penalty is a zero for the infringing assignment. Of course, discussion of ideas is healthy and essential for education. Feel free to discuss approaches to assignments and to help fellow students with problems and projects. Be sure, however, that the assignments you turn in are your own work. There is an importance difference between sharing ideas and wholesale copying.

The Wartburg Honor code states: "Students, faculty, and staff of Wartburg College are expected to demonstrate integrity in all endeavors. Students are expected to adhere to four essential principles:

  1. Submit only original work and properly cite ideas of others, including fellow students.
  2. Refrain from giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations and assignments.
  3. Report any act that violates these principles.
  4. Ask for clarification if uncertain about the expectations on a particular assignment. Students are responsible for abiding by these principles and opposing academic dishonesty in all academic endeavors."

Late Work:

Except in the case of prior arrangements made with the instructor, late work will receive only summary grading and can earn a maximum of 75% of the original credit for the assigment.

Late Exams:

Late exams will be given only under exceptional circumstances. Except for the case of confirmed medical emergency, arrangements must be made prior to the actual exam date.

Students Needing Special Accommodations:

Qualified students with disabilities are protected from unlawful discrimination by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended. Students requesting academic accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodations by contacting Derek Solheim, Pathways Center Director. He can be reached at the Pathways Center, (319) 352-8425, or by e-mail derek.solheim@wartburg.edu. Presenting documentation of a disability early is helpful and often necessary to secure needed materials in a timely way. Accommodations should be requested PRIOR to affected assignment due dates. Accommodations will not be provided retroactively.

Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination

Wartburg College is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment free from all forms of sexual misconduct including, but not limited to, sex-based harassment, non-consensual sex acts, sexual exploitation, relationship violence, and stalking. Wartburg College considers sex discrimination in all forms to be a serious offense and it will not be tolerated.

The Wartburg College's Title IX, Sexual Misconduct and Discrimination Policy, following national guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty follow Wartburg's policy as a "mandatory reporter" of any personal disclosure of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and/or violence related experiences or incidents shared with the faculty member in person, via email, and/or in classroom settings. These disclosures include but are not limited to reports of personal relationship abuse, relational/domestic violence, and stalking. While faculty are often able to help students locate appropriate channels of assistance on campus, disclosure by the student to the faculty member requires that the faculty member inform appropriate Wartburg personnel to help ensure that the student's safety and welfare is being addressed, even if the student requests that the disclosure not be shared.

For confidential counseling support and assistance on campus, please contact:

For private, but not confidential, resources on campus, please contact:

General Caveat:

The policies presented here should be taken as general guidelines and are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor with due notice and consideration. "If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision shall be made in accordance with equity." (Rule1-4 of USGA Rules of Golf).