SYLLABUS

OBJECTIVES:

The two-semester Natural Sciences course will provide students with a multidisciplinary overview of the main fields of science. Emphasis is placed on the interactions between the various disciplines considered, the historical and social contexts within which these scientific disciplines emerged, and their impacts on society. At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to discuss and analyze qualitatively a variety of problems and situations they will encounter in their professional, personal and educational activities. The course is designed primarily for non-science majors. Each of the two semesters of Natural Sciences is a four-credit course using arithmetic and simple algebra mostly during the laboratory sessions.

Topics included in the first part of the course (NAS 101) include, but are not necessarily limited to, the scientific method, physical principles, aspects of astronomy, nuclear energy, and introduction to chemistry.

PREREQUISITES:

MTH 002 or equivalent, or instructor/divisional approval. It is strongly recommended that students have obtained satisfactory placement scores for ENG 111 prior to taking this course.

TEXT AND MATERIALS:

THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE – Konrad B. Krauskopf and Arthur Beiser (10^th edition) – McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Hand Calculator – A calculator enabling to perform basic operations is recommended, but not essential. Students are expected to learn hoe to use their own calculators.

Supplies - Students will have to provide graph paper and have access to basic equipment such as ruler, pencils, etc.

APPROACH AND ATTENDANCE:

Students are expected to have read the material to be covered in class. Part of the class time will be devoted to clarify and discuss this material. The remaining part of class time will be used to discuss topics of interest which may not be in the book (this latter material however may be included in tests or exams). Participation in class discussions is encouraged (and is part of the grading) and occasional, unannounced, quizzes may be given in class (these quizzes can not be taken at a later date). Attendance to the lectures is therefore strongly recommended; should you miss class, no explanation is needed.

Attendance to the labs is mandatory (see section below about lab activities).

Chapter quizzes, three comprehensive tests, class participation and class quizzes, and lab activities all contribute to the final grade (see grading below).

A grade “F” is given to students who do not complete the final test in a timely manner or who do not complete at least 70 percent of all the work required without having withdrawn from the course. If it is necessary for a student to withdraw for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork.

Special situations should be discussed with the instructor ahead of time, or, as soon as they arise. Do not expect things to “fall in place” at the end of the semester: they usually do not!

GRADING:

Course and lab activities contribute to the final grade in the following proportions:

Activities: Percent of Final Grade:

Chapter Quizzes* 20

Test 1 (5% in class*-5% take home) 10

Test 2 (5% in class*-10% take home) 15

Test 3 (5% in class*-15% take home) 20

Laboratory work and reports 25

Participation/class quizzes 10

Total 100

· Items marked with an asterisk will be taken on the Web (Web Assign). Students will have to purchase a Web Assign Card from the bookstore. Details as well as the deadlines for the various items will be issued as soon as the service is in place.

Grades are assigned on the following basis: 90.00% and over of total possible points: A; 80.00 to 89.99%: B; 70.00 to 79.99%: C; 60.00 to 69.99%: D; less than 60.00%: F.

The instructor does not curve the grades or allow extra work for extra grades.

LABORATORY ACTIVITIES:

Laboratory activities are integral part of the course. Some topics may be introduced as part of lab activities.

Handouts describing the lab activities will be provided by the instructor.

Missed labs cannot be made up. Students are authorized to miss one lab without penalty. For those students who complete all the labs, the lower grade will be dropped. Students who foresee they will have to miss more than one lab for whatever valid reason, should inform the instructor at once: non-excused missed labs result in a grade of zero.

Lab grades will be determined on the basis of report quality and participation in the lab activities. Lab reports will be judged on form, content, and interpretation of results. Lab report formats will be discussed in the lab.

Except when otherwise stated by the instructor, each student must submit his/her own report even though in most cases data will collected by teams of students.

No student will be allowed in the lab without having received safety instruction: this is a federal requirement to which there will be no exception.

MISCELLANEOUS:

All chapter quizzes, lab reports, and exams must be submitted one week after being issued or one week after completion of the lab. Late submittals will be penalized by one grade per late week or fraction thereof. Submittals that are sloppy, illegible, disorganized, i.e. below college standard, will be returned to be redone; the same penalty as above applies. Web tests will have deadlines (announced). Tests cannot be taken after the deadline has expired

Students are strongly advised to keep current with the material covered in class: all chapters build up on previous chapters, and, falling behind has a disastrous cumulative effect on the final grade. Students are encouraged to do exercises on their own to sharpen their skills: the instructor will be available to help them if needed.

Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions; to periodically compare their grade data with those kept by the instructor; and, to retain all graded materials until after they have had the opportunity to check final grades. Office hours will be announced shortly.

Plagiarism and other forms of cheating in the preparation of lab reports and any other activity requiring individual submissions will result in a failing grade for the course.

INSTRUCTOR:

Jean-Francois Henry, D.Sc.

Office: (703)257-6646 – Room MC-335A

Email: nvhenrj@nvcc.edu or jhenry@nvcc.edu

WEATHER:

For closings due to inclement weather, listen to local radio/TV stations, or, call NOVANET (703) 330-3770.