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Issues in Science
SCI 2600 Section 2
Trevecca Nazarene
University ~ Spring 2009
Time/Location:
MWF 9:00 -9:50, GS 404
Instructors:
Dr.
Fred Cawthorne
Office:Greathouse Science Building 408
Lab:
Greathouse 107
Office
phone: 248-1617
fcawthorne@trevecca.edu
Course Webpage:
http://faculty.trevecca.edu/fcawthorne/Courses/SCI2600_S09/SCI2600.html
Course Description:
An introduction to themes in the natural sciences
that have significantly affected our world. The
themes discussed may include: relativity, modern
cosmology, evolutionary thought, biotechnology,
advances in modern medicine, biodiversity, and the
use of natural resources. (NSES standards B, C, D, E
and F) Scientific discoveries will be approached
with both a historical perspective and a
consideration of current and future applications. (NSES
standards A, E and F) Interactions of scientific
thought and the Christian worldview are considered.
Course Objectives:
·
Introduce students to themes in the natural sciences
that have significantly affected our world (NSES
standards B, C, D, E, and F)
·
Equip
students with the scientific knowledge required to
understand, meaningfully discuss, and take action on
important science-related issues (NSES standards A
and F)
·
Engage
students in the deliberation of social, economic,
ethical and religious facets of complex issues in
the natural sciences (NSES standard F)
·
Provide
an opportunity for students to critically analyze
scientific findings and theories (NSES standard A)
·
Provide
an opportunity to for students to observe the
process of science by looking at scientific ideas
with a historical perspective (NSES standard A)
Course Materials:
The course requires
readings from the book Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our
Universe Is Just Right for Life
by Paul
Davies. Other reading material from a variety of
sources, including scientific journal articles,
popular media, newspapers and websites, will be made
available at the library reserve desk or via the
Internet.
Course materials,
including study-guides and outlines, are available
on the course website: http://faculty.trevecca.edu/fcawthorne/Courses/SCI2600_S09/SCI2600.html
Course Requirements:
Daily Grades:
A graded assignment
will be given on most class days. Assignments may
include any of the following: group activities,
quizzes based on assigned reading material, quizzes
based on material discussed in class, short essays,
or a set of questions to be answered individually or
as a group. No make-up quizzes will be given. To
accommodate excused absences, at least five lowest
daily grades will be dropped.
Exams:
Three exams and one
final exam will be given.
Presentations:
Group presentations
(with groups of three to four students) are
required. A list of suggested topics will be given,
and topics not on the list can be chosen with the
approval of the instructor. Each presentation should
be no more than 10 minutes long, and should discuss
the theories related to the topic, experimental
evidence supporting these theories, and how the
topic relates to a Christian perspective.
Supporting materials, including “primary” sources
other than the text, should be used. Each group
member must submit an original 1-2 page report
covering the topic.
Portfolio Artifacts
(for Education Majors):
Several activities
from this course could be used in a portfolio.
These include, but are not limited to:
-
Essay focusing on
an ethical dilemma (Principle #11)
-
Follow-up essay
focusing on an ethical dilemma (Principle #11)
Course Policies:
Attendance Policy:
Students are responsible for the material covered,
material handed out, and assignments given in the
student’s absence from class. Trevecca’s policy
states that any student who misses more than three
weeks of scheduled classes will be automatically
disenrolled from the course (See the TNU Catalog).
Students will receive a W if disenrolled prior to
the ninth week of class, after this time, the
student will receive an F.
Important
Dates
First
day of class: January 7
Spring
Break: March 9-13
Easter
Break: April 10-13
Last
Day of Class: April 24
Final
Exam: 8:00-10:00AM Monday, Apr 27
Students will not be granted special permission to
take the final exam early.
Grading:
The final grade will
be computed based on the distribution shown below:
Highest two exams
30%
Lowest
exam 10%
Final
exam
20%
Daily Grades
25%
Presentations/Papers
15%
The following scale
will be used as a guideline for final determination
of grades
Policies on Make-up
Work:
Tests:
Make-up tests will be given only in the case of
known excused absences discussed with the instructor
prior to the test date or in the case of an
unexpected absence with a documented excuse.
Quizzes:
Quizzes cannot be
made-up.
Daily Grade
Assignments (other than quizzes) and Follow-Up
Assignments:
All materials will be due at the beginning of
class on the assigned due date. No late daily
assignments will be accepted. In order to
accommodate excused absences, at least six daily
grades will be dropped.
Academic Honesty:
“Academic honesty is expected of all students at
Trevecca Nazarene University. It is an integral
part of the educational process where learning takes
place in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.
Each student is responsible to maintain high
standards of academic ethics, personal honesty, and
moral integrity. Dishonest academic behavior will
be dealt with fairly and firmly.” (TNU 2006-2007
Catalog, page 38). In cases of proven cheating,
the instructor reserves the right to give the
student a failing grade for the course.
Disability Support
Services:
Trevecca
Nazarene University provides disability support
services. Anyone who feels they may need an
accommodation based on the impact of a disability
and who would like to receive accommodations must
register with Disability Services in the Academic
Support Center, Waggoner Library, room 32. |
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