General Concepts of Science

Course Details

Course Number: GNSC 3104  Section Number: 101 & 11A

Fall 2010

Location: Bolin Hall

Classroom Number: 117

Days & Times:

Lecture: MWF 12-12::30         

Lab: W 1-2:50                        

Course Attachments

Office Schedule  2010OfficeHours.docx

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Margaret Hammer   
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Course Objectives

Students in this course will meet the following objectives, which are supported by NCATE guidelines and the science teacher competencies. The preservice teacher will:

  • Become familiar with local, state, and nationally developed standards and tools that describe and enhance the teaching of science.
  • Establish practical methods of managing science instruction.
  • Experience and develop hands-on/minds-on science lessons.
  • Become familiar with basic laboratory and instructional materials, equipment, and technology used in life, earth, and physical sciences and know how to use these resources effectively and appropriately.
  • Understand safety issues and procedures related to classroom science materials, equipment, and activities.
  • Understand process skills used to gather and organize data in science and apply this knowledge to explore and describe objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
  • Use technology to locate science-teaching resources, communicate ideas, and enhance student learning.

Course Expectations

The EC-6 & 4--8th 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 effects 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

 

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

Science Project Folder & Presentation

100

Mid Term Quiz 1

50

Mealworm Project (Long-term observation)

100

Thematic Science Web (individual)

50

 

 Lab Safety & Management

50

 

In-class Labs, Quizzes over assigned readings, Participation, Disposition, and Attendance

(- 15 points for each absence)

400

 

Final  Quiz- NSTA Content Standards.

50

 

Science Eyes and Reflection

50

 

Reflective Journal and Cover Design “Science in My World”

50

 

Final Exam12/6/2010  12:00 noon

Submission Format Policy
  1. All papers, projects, products, and presentations must be in a professional-looking format!
  2. Penalties will be given for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammatical errors.
  3. Sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, and paragraph development must be correct.
  4. 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.
  5. All papers handed in should be stapled or fastened if there are multiple sheets.
  6. COVER SHEETS are a must. Information to include: Name, Course, Title of Assignment, University Name, and Semester.
  7. Number your pages—starting with the first page after the cover page—and put your name on each page. This can be done using a “header.”
  8. Turn in a “hard” copy of assignments. Do not send assignments as email attachments unless you have cleared it with me.

If you are having difficulty in any of the above areas, check with student services at MSU for tutoring and such that might be available to assist you in your writing efforts.



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

 

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. Ten percent will be deducted each class period it is late.

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

 

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 meif you are going to be late or absent.

 

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

 

Continuous tardiesor 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.

Bynrolling 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.

Disability Support

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.