SC 130 Physical Science laboratory syllabus spring 2017

Lecture topics and corresponding laboratories with cross-references to the text section numbers. The three-digit numeric prefixes correspond to the textbook section.

Key	Topic	Lecture	Laboratory
L01	Measures	Density intro & sig digs	012 Density
L02	Motion	021 RipStik linear	022 Linear motion
L03	Motion	031 RipStik acceleration	032 Acceleration of gravity
L04	Motion	041 Banana leaf marble ramp	042 Conservation of momentum
L05	Forces	051 Newton's laws	052 Force of friction
L06	Heat	061 Temperature	062 Conduction of heat
L07	Earth	071 Hide and Seek	072 Latitude & longitude
L08	Weather	081 Humidity and precipitation	082 Cloud observations and precipitation
L09	Sound	091 Waves	092 Speed of sound
L10	Spectra	101 Color	102 The color of light
L11	Optics	111 Lenses	112 Ref[le|ra]ction
L12	Magnetism and electricity	121 Magnetism	122 Electricity, conductivity, circuits
L13	Chemistry	131 Introduction to the elements	132 Acids & Bases
L14	Astronomy	Planetary science
L15	Cosmology	Elegant Universe	152 Site swap notation

Assignment number coding: Assignments are usually prefixed by the date assigned, the day of the week, and then a three digit number for that assignment. The first two digits refer to the chapter for that assignment or laboratory. The third digit is the type of assignment. 0 is video discussion notes entered to be entered as a discussion in Schoology. 1 is a homework assignment due into Schoology. 2 is a laboratory report. 4 usually refers to a quiz or test. Thus 060 is a discussion notes assignment for chapter six, 012 is chapter one, laboratory assignment. 031 is a chapter three homework. 044 is a chapter four quiz. And so forth. This can get confusing, if you do submit the wrong assignment and the assignment is still unlocked, then you can resubmit the correct assignment.

The laboratory reports are written up using spreadsheet (tables, xy scattergraph charts) and word processing software (text with tables and charts copied and pasted from the spreadsheet). Software such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice.org, OpenOffice.org, or Google Docs can be used for these reports. The reports will be submitted via Schoology and marked using rubrics in Schoology. Reports are due one week after the laboratory. The deadline for late submissions or a resubmission is two weeks after the laboratory.

• Textbook: Physical Science by Dana Lee Ling
• Required materials: Smart phone (Android, iOS) or scientific calculator, 30 cm ruler, graph paper.
• Recommended materials: Sunglasses
• Gradebook, software, and apps: http://www.schoology.com
  Schoology Android app • iOS app
  Google Sheets • Sheets app • Google Docs • Docs app
  Desmos graphing utility • Android • iOS
• Office hours: Monday & Friday 1:00 to 3:00 or by appointment. See also further contact information below.
• Instructor: Dana Lee Ling Email: dleeling@comfsm.fm
• Web site: http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/physci/
• Social media: http://www.facebook.com/danaleeling | http://danaleeling.blogspot.com
• Phones: 320-2480 extension 228 | Cell SIM: 926-2868
• Attendance: Students who are absent for more than two laboratories can also be dropped from the course. All absences are initially considered unexcused. Absences can be excused from the two absence limit for medical or official education-related travel. Appropriate documentation is required such as a note from the physician (doctor) or, in the case of education-related travel, some form of written or electronic communication from official sponsors of the travel.
• Drug policy: No betel nut in class nor on campus except in the cultural huts. No chewing of betel nut during class. Chewing betel nut during class can result in dismissal from class for that day.
• Program learning outcomes: The student will be able to:
  3.5 Perform experiments that use scientific methods as part of the inquiry process.
  3.4 Define and explain scientific concepts, principles, and theories of a field of science.
  3.2 Present and interpret numeric information in graphic forms.
  1.1 Write a clear, well-organized paper using documentation and quantitative tools when appropriate.
  Course learning outcomes. The student will be able to:
  1. Explore physical science systems through experimentally based laboratories using scientific methodologies
  2. Define and explain concepts, theories, and laws in physical science.
  3. Generate mathematical models for physical science systems and use appropriate mathematical techniques and concepts to obtain quantitative solutions to problems in physical science.
  4. Demonstrate basic communication skills by working in groups on laboratory experiments and by writing up the result of experiments, including thoughtful discussion and interpretation of data, in a formal format using spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Laboratories: Laboratories are central to the course. To the extent possible, each day focuses on the laboratory with lecture in support of the laboratory exploration. Each written lab has its own rubric which can be seen in Schoology. Laboratory write-ups are composed of a single word processing document. Tables and graphs should be created in a spreadsheet and then copied into the word document in the appropriate order. Laboratories are due one week after the laboratory. Laboratories CANNOT be sent by email. Laboratories after the lock date will not be accepted. Schoology will lock submissions preventing late submission. As noted, this is a difficult course.
• Academic Honesty Policy: Laboratory reports must be individually written up by each student. Each student should make their own tables and charts. Each student must write their own introduction, procedure, analysis, discussion, and conclusion.