NS 150: Introduction to Natural Science

Fall 2004

Faculty contact information

Dr. Rachel Jameton                                                      email: rajameton@lcsc.edu                 

Phone: 792-2268                                                        Office: MLH 231

Office hours: MWF 1:30 - 3:00 pm; W 7:30 - 8:30 am; Th 9:00 - 11:00 and by appointment

Pre-requisite or co-requisite: English 101                             

Introduction to the class

            This course is a part of the Introductory Component of the General Education Core, designed to introduce students to the essential thinking and problem solving processes in various traditional disciplinary groups.  In general, NS 150 is an introduction to the way in which the natural sciences contribute to our understanding of the world around us.  Although some content is present, the focus will be on the processes involved rather than the conclusions reached.  We will approach the question “What is science?” not by memorization of facts by examination of the process of science including data collection and analysis, experimental design and drawing conclusions. 

In this particular NS150 course, we will focus on decision making.  Decisions are an important part of our daily life.  You could argue that everything you do is a result of a decision: whether to walk or drive to school, when to take your children or yourself to the doctor, whether to buy or rent a house, whether to increase your hours at work or dedicate more time to school and family.  How you choose in each situation is a process that is unique to yourself.

Science is also a series of decisions.  Scientists are constantly choosing what avenue of research to pursue, which experiment to run, whether the result of an experiment is consistent with theory.  The processes that scientists use to make decisions are also unique to the individual.  However, there are some guiding principles that are common such as the use of data and the importance of transparency.

In this class, we will study some of the choices that scientists have made and compare their process to decision making in everyday life.  We can improve our decision-making abilities and our critical thinking skills by becoming more conscious of the way we make our own decisions and more aware of some of the frameworks available.  Along the way, we will explore the nature of science, the complex relationships between science and society and how science is taught in the United States.

Course goals and themes

• To answer the question “What is science?”  through study of the scientific method.

• To connect, compare and contrast decision making in everyday life to decisions made in science.  To this end, you will write about some of the decisions that you have made and think through and discuss how the process compares to decisions that scientists make.  We will examine the critical thinking that is involved in decision making by working through several case studies.

• To explore how science and culture are interconnected.  We will read about science and society, history and the people involved.

• To gain experience in scientific collaboration and communication.

• To understand how life skills such as critical thinking, data interpretation and writing skills can be taught through science.

• To foster curiosity about our natural world.

E-mail contact

            Your WarriorWeb e-mail account is the official method of communication between the college and yourself and so you should check your account daily.  If you have trouble accessing your account, make sure you work out the problems as soon as you can by calling or stopping by the computer help desk (located at SGC B102 or phone 792-2231).

            Our class does have a website (http://www.lcsc.edu/rjameton/ns150home.htm).  At the website, you can find this syllabus and handouts as well as links to sites that you might find interesting or helpful.  If you miss a class and need a handout, you can print it out from the website.

Special needs

            If you have any special needs such as a documented learning disability or other situation that limits your access or ability to participate in class or lab, please discuss the situation with me as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements.  Assistance with accommodations can also be found at the Office of Student Life, room 111 Reid Centennial Hall.

Late homework, quizzes, incompletes and drops

            Late homework (i.e. portfolios and writing assignments) will be accepted at 50% of its point value until the homework has been returned to the rest of the class.  After return of homework, late homework will not be accepted. 

            If you must miss a quiz or two due to sickness, family emergency or other situation, those scores will automatically be dropped (only your top-scoring five out of seven quizzes are counted).  If you must miss more than two quizzes, please discuss your situation with me as soon as possible.

            There will be no incompletes awarded for students with less than an 80% average at the time of the incomplete.  The course cannot be dropped after October 29. 

Plagiarism

            The vast majority of students are honest. However, in the rare instance that plagiarism (or cheating, fabrication or collusion) is apparent, it will be dealt with in accordance with college policy. 

Methods of Evaluation:

            All assignments in this course will focus toward a single final essay on decision making.  This final essay will be the culmination of our work in scientific process, scientific decision making, personal decision making and teaching science.   Assignments include

            A portfolio – This is a notebook that you will tape articles into weekly and write short responses in during every class meeting.  It will be collected four times during the semester.

            A Scientific process project – In a group, you will propose and test a hypothesis.  Your group will present your project to the class.

            Quizzes – About every other week, we will have a 20 minute quiz on in-class material. Questions will be short answer, multiple choice and fill in the blank.  Only the top five of your seven scores will be counted.

            Drafts of final essay and final essay – The paper that you will write will be a comparison of scientific and personal decision      making.  This is a subject with many facets, many that we encounter in this course, such as scientific process and responsibility, and others that come from your own experience.

            Sometimes, a final paper is just a draft with all of the grammatical errors removed.  In this class, however, each of the drafts will have substantial additions and changes in focus made to result in the most coherent “story” possible by the time the final essay is written.  This sort of writing is a way to document learning and practice critical thinking. 

            Class design and Lab box – One of the best ways to learn about science is to teach to someone else. You will choose a topic that you want to teach, a subject that you would like your family, future students or friends to know about.  You will design a short class, assemble the materials that you need (a lab box) and present to the class.

Grade distribution by assignment:

Grading scale

Course Schedule

Date: 8/5/04

Contact: rajameton@lcsc.edu

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