Concepts of Science

Course Details

Course Number: GNSC 3104 Section Number: 101

Fall 2012

Location: Bolin Hall

Classroom Number: 117

Days & Times:

GNSC 3104 meets on Tuesday and Thursday meets from 11:00-12:20.

The lab component (GNSC 11A) meets on Tuesday from 1:00-2:50.

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Science for All Americans ISBN: ISBN13: 9780195067712

National Science Education Standards ISBN: ISBN-13: 9780309053266

MSU Faculty Member

Tommye Hutson
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Course Objectives

The curriculum will emphasize the interaction of the science disciplines and feature the fundamental principles of physical, biological, and earth/space sciences for EC—6 and 4—8^th grade levels of teaching science. Note: This course will not transfer to other majors once taken.

This unique classroom and lab experience is designed to acquaint the pre-service EC – 6^th & 4—8 teacher with a variety of instructional principles and practices for engaging children in the learning of relevant science concepts and skills. This course is intended to help you develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills required for you, as a new teacher, to effectively nurture children's curiosity and guide them in exploring and learning about the fascinating world around them.

The nature of science as a discipline and the scope and sequence of appropriate content for each grade level will be explored. Active involvement in class projects and assignments will enable you to develop an understanding of curriculum, instructional methods and materials, and evaluation techniques for EC – 6^thgrade & 4—8 grade science—based upon educational research, contemporary practice, and state and national standards for science education. You will have opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge, attitudes, and skills in class with your peers and later on with elementary students during your field placement in Block II Methods. Personal reflection on class experiences and your learning is an expected component of your participation in this course.

Course Expectations

During the weekly classes (including lab), MSU students will be involved in lecture or narrative presentations, small group discussions, hands-on science activities (individual, paired, or cooperative groups), inquiry activities, peer teaching, review of instructional resources, reflective journalizing, lesson planning, supplemental professional development opportunities, etc.

The EC-6 science teacher

manages classroom field, and laboratory activities to ensure the safety of all students and the ethical care and treatment of organisms and specimens,
understands the process of scientific inquiry and its role in science instruction,
has theoretical and practical knowledge about teaching science and about how students learn,
knows the varied and appropriate assessments and assessment practices to monitor science learning,
understands the history and nature of science,
how science affects the daily lives of students and how science interacts with and influences personal and societal decisions,
knows and understands the science content appropriate to teach the statewide science framework (TEKS) in physical, life, earth, and space science; and,
Knows the unifying concepts and processes common to all sciences – nature of science, constancy and change, systems, and properties, patterns, & models.

Grading Standards

Assignments and Grading

Assignment	Possible Points	Final Grade Possibilities
Moon Phases (Long-term observation)	100	900 – 1000 A 800 – 899 B 700 – 799 C 600 – 699 D 599 or less F
Life Science Project	100
Mid Term Quiz	100
12 Reflections (each time answering the 4 questions posed on pages xix-xx in the introduction of Science for All Americans)	100
Lab Safety & Management	100
In-class Labs, Participation, Disposition, and Attendance (- 20 points/absence)	300
Final Quiz- NSTA Content Standards.	100
Lab Records/Journal	100

Final Exam12/11/2012

Submission Format Policy

All papers, projects, products, and presentations must be in a professional-looking format.

Penalties will be given for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammatical errors.
Sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, and paragraph development must be correct.
Know when to use “me” and when to use “I.” Check your homophones (homonyms) such as too, to, or two and they’re, their, and there. Spell check doesn’t do a good job regarding this.
All papers handed in should be stapled or fastened if there are multiple sheets.
COVER SHEETS are a must. Information to include: Name, Course, Title of Assignment, University Name, and Semester.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Late Work

Assignments need to be turned in on the due date. If for some reason you are unable to bring in an assignment on the scheduled due date, please email it or have a friend bring it in.

Work that is submitted late will be subject to a 10-point penalty for each day that the assignment is late. This policy is, of course, flexible with regard to personal emergencies and circumstances. If you can foresee difficulty with a timely submission, please contact me for an appointment during my office hours. Should there be a situation where this is not possible, contact me as soon as possible.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance is required for every semester’s (fall, spring, & summer) classes. Course grades will be affected by each absence Daily grades are given for class participation and in-class assignments. Daily work cannot be made up. I will only take responsibility for having handouts and materials at class on the day initially provided. If you have to be absent, be sure you have arranged for a peer to obtain materials for you. Call me or email me if you are going to be late or absent.

Absences will cost you 20 points per class (lab or lecture).

Continuous tardies or early departures will lead to a drop in grades.

Attendance will be documented each class. This information will be used to decide borderline grades and to write letters of recommendation. Students should discuss each absence with me.

Other Policies

Academic Honesty.

MSU students demand of themselves the highest level of academic honesty as delineated in their honor creed. Academic honesty involves the submission of work that is wholly the student’s own work, except in the case of assigned group work. Additionally, academic honesty involves the proper citation of other authors’ works.

By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a "limited right" in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The "limited right" shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.

Students with Disabilities.

As the faculty of the West College of Education, we are dedicated to helping meet the needs of our students with disabilities and are eager to provide the accommodations to which such students are entitled. If you have a documented disability and are registered with the Office of Disability, please let your instructor know to expect a letter from that office describing the accommodations to which you are entitled. If you have a documented disability but are not registered with the Office of Disability, please contact that office immediately to register.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.