FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE ES 106 Lecture POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Spring Term 2005 Western Oregon University 5 CR MWF 1 00 1 50 PM 2 00 2 50 PM Room 101 Natural Sciences Bldg INSTRUCTOR Dr S Taylor OFFICE RM 210 Natural Sciences Bldg OFFICE HOURS PHONE w 838 8398 cell 541 760 9216 E MAIL taylors wou edu WEB SITE www wou edu taylor MW 3 5 PM COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides an introduction to Earth System Science a holistic study of all integrated systems operating on the planet Earth It is designed as a general science elective using the Earth as a framework for understanding concepts of physics chemistry and geology Emphasis will be placed on sub disciplines of hydrology oceanography meteorology and climatology Major topics will include the chemical and physical aspects of water and water pollution the oceans and sea floor attributes of the atmosphere and air pollution meteorology and global climate change Students will learn observational techniques in the spirit of the scientific method and generally raising our awareness of the natural environment around us The lab portion of the course will provide the student with an opportunity for inquiry based discovery of concepts developed during the lecture period PRELIMINARY COMMENTS AND COURSE PHILOSOPHY This course will be qualitative conceptual and quantitative in nature Basic mathematical skills will be reviewed and utilized to complete the exercises Creative instructor student interaction will be faithfully encouraged to provide a truly relaxed educational atmosphere A user friendly approach to science will be emphasized by the instructor REQUIRED TEXTS Tarbuck and Lutgens 2000 Earth Science 10th ed Prentice Hall Supplemental Textbook Materials 2001 reprints from Chemistry for Changing Times Physics and The Earth System textbooks Prentice Hall Lab Manual to Accompany GS106 Foundations of Physical Science Earth and Physical Sciences Dept Western Oregon University photocopied document Note about Supplemental Textbook Materials These are select chapters pulled from three different text books compiled by WOU Faculty and published by Prentice Hall They have been assigned sequential page numbers and chapter numbers The listed page numbers and chapter numbers DO NOT correspond to those referenced in the text sections The Tarbuck Lutgens Textbook and Supplementary Textbook Materials will be used for all sections of ES104 ES105 and ES106 Please note that this is a considerable cost savings compared to buying three different textbooks for each of the GS courses CLASS NOTES A comprehensive set of instructor class notes are available for download via the internet The class web site is at URL http www wou edu taylor and follow the links to the ES106 home page The class notes are available as Adobe Acrobat Reader files pdf file Acrobat Reader is free and is installed on many campus PC s For home installation Acrobat Reader is also available for download at the class web site but you will be responsible for properly installing the software and will do so at your own risk 1 Based on prior student suggestions I have assembled my class notes and made them available These notes may be freely printed at any campus internet station e g ITC Bldg Student Lab Library local department computer labs The notes are in outline form and are very comprehensive Exam Study Guides will also be posted on the web site as the term progresses EVALUATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of class assignments two 2 lecture quizzes lab score exercises and quizzes and two 2 exams The following is a breakdown of evaluation points and letter grades Class Assignments and Quizzes Mid Term Exam Final Exam Lab Score Exercises and or Quizzes 85 pts 21 100 pts 24 125 pts 31 100 pts 24 Total 410 pts 100 Final Grading Scale Percent Range Letter Percent Range Letter of Total Points Grade of Total Points Grade 94 100 90 94 87 89 83 86 80 82 A AB B B 77 79 C 73 76 C 70 72 C67 69 D 63 66 D 60 62 D 60 F Class Assignments Class assignments are designed as online internet based take home homework exercises that are submitted electronically at the prescribed due date Late assignments will not be accepted after the deadline Special arrangements for turning in late assignments with administrative excuses should be arranged in advance Exams Mid term quizzes and exams will generally cover only the material that was most current prior to that exam The final exam will be comprehensive with test material drawn from throughout the term Tests will generally be objective in nature multiple choice matching true false completion with occasional essay questions Class Assignment Grading Due to the large number of students and assignments the instructor will not grade this work in detail The homework and assignments will be checked for completeness with questions randomly chosen for content and accuracy Grade points will be assigned on the basis of these two criteria With a modicum of effort you will do well in this portion of the class Laboratory Exercises The labs represent a significant component of the class All lecture sections of GS106 will be distributed across several lab instructors Be aware that some of you will have the same lecture and lab instructor while others will not The following are the terms and conditions of the Lab portion of the class 1 You must pass the lab with an average score 60 to pass the course For example if you have an A in lecture and an F in lab you will receive an F for the entire course Moral of the story attend and successfully pass the lab 2 2 Your lab score will be factored into your final lecture grade as shown above 3 Lab exercises turned in late will result in automatic point s reduction at the discretion of the lab instructor You must make prior arrangements for make up labs with lab instructors as per individual course policy 4 The specific lab instructor has the final say in all lab grading The lecture instructors will abide by the lab instructors grading procedure Make up Exams and Incompletes Under NO circumstances will make up exams be administered without prior arrangement at least five days and good reason with a signed administrative excuse Please show up on exam day Under NO circumstances will a grade of incomplete be issued in the last week of class If you find yourself in a situation where you can t complete the required course work please make arrangements with the instructor prior to the last week
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