Welcome to SC300:Big Ideas in Science

Introduction, Goals, and Policies

Freddie Arocho-PerezKaplan UniversitySC300: Big Ideas in Science

Introduction to the Course

Instructor: Freddie Arocho-Perez Kaplan E-mail: FArocho-Perez@kaplan.edu Alternate E-mail: fredarocho@gmail.com

This unique course is designed to introduce students to some of the most important concepts in Science, including inheritance, energy, environment, health, and technology.

To put Science in perspective in order to understand the natural and human-made world.

Introduction to the Course

In addition, the class will give students a chance to explore the human aspects of Science:

– how people put Science into practice– how societies think about scientific findings– why Science depends on ethical practices

Knowledge gained in the course will help inform further study in many disciplines and will help students better understand how Science affects their personal and professional lives.

Introduction to the Course

You will be learning some of the basic concepts behind Science, but also real-life examples and applications:

– Environmental Science - Climate Change– Forensic Science - Energy Sources– Health Science - Ethics– Nanotechnology - Mutations

– Paranormal Activity - Life outside of Earth– Science and Religion

Science is a very challenging subject, yet very rewarding.

We will work together!!!

Introduction to the Course

Seminar 1 will focus on course introduction and general course policies.

Please, leave any questions you may have to the end. You can also e-mail me.

Important points will be addressed today.

Important Documents/Information

Course Syllabus Course/Term Calendar

Course Announcements:– Updated weekly– Deadlines– Additional resources– Important recommendations– Writing Center

Important Documents/Information

Important Documents/Information

Make sure you have my contact information. E-mail will be our primary form of

communication. Make sure you check your e-mail regularly. I send e-mails on a weekly basis to keep you

posted on “what’s going on in the class”. In case of an emergency, you are welcome to

contact me by phone. Let me know by e-mail first so that we can set up a time to talk.

Course Materials

Main Text: “The Sciences: An Integrated Approach” (6th Edition)– Chapters (in PDF format) can be accessed on

each Unit.

Documents in DocSharing– Writing Tips/Recommendations

Web Resources Videos

Course Materials

Grading/Assignments

Course Assignments and Grading are designed to help you out better.

Grading will take place on Sundays, beginning with the Sunday followed after the end of Unit 1.

By Monday morning, your gradebook will be updated. Kaplan’s Weekly Unit Format:

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

X X X X

X X X

Grading/Assignments

Course Assignments/Activities:– Discussion– Projects– Seminars

NOTE: There are no tests in this course.

Discussion

Discussion questions provide a forum for students to ask questions and answer important questions about the course material.

Creation of a learning community, discussing real-life problems and applications.

Participation will be made throughout the unit’s week.

Instructor will be participating as well, providing new information, answering questions, providing web links and documents, etc.

Discussion

Timeline for Discussions:

Students will be able to participate throughout the unit’s week, until the following Saturday after the unit’s end.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

X X X X

X X X X X X X

Discussion

Rule of “3”: Students should make a grand total of 3 posts: Your own response and 2 responses to your peers per discussion thread.

Posts should be made throughout the week. Making ALL posts on the same day is NOT acceptable. Try to make them on different days (at least on 2 different days).

Your first response should be made within the first 4 days of the unit (Wed – Sat).

Discussion

Posts should be “meaningful” (making contributions). You should avoid the following:

– “Great job, Mike!!!”– “What an awesome post, Sarah. It was sweet.”– “WOW, I am amazed.”

General suggestions (ideas):– Make follow-up questions– Share any personal experience– Comment to Freddie’s posts– Provide new information or web links– Share information from a newspaper

Projects

There are 5 Projects:– Project 1: Due after Unit 2, Virtual Laboratory– Project 2: Due after Unit 4, Nuclear Power– Project 3: Due after Unit 5, Earthquakes– Project 4: Due after Unit 6, Peptic Ulcers– Final Project: Due at the end of the course, Science

and Your Life

All Projects will be submitted in MS Word doc format.

Projects

Resources and examples will be sent by e-mail and/or posted in DocSharing to assist you in the completion of these projects.

We may use time during seminar to address the completion of these assignments.

Deadlines will be announced by e-mail and in Course Announcements.

Seminar

Seminars are OPTIONAL. It is encouraged that you attend them.

Weekly Seminar chat will be used for:– Discussion of applications:

Environment Forensics Health and Nutrition Energy Science and Religion Paranormal Activity Life outside of Earth

Seminar

Weekly Seminar chat will be used for:– Answers to general questions– Explanations/Guidance on the Projects– Announcements

All presentations (including this one) will be uploaded in DocSharing for your use.

You can also access the Seminar Archives in case you missed it (see announcement in Course Home).

Calendar of Assignments

See the “September 2010 Term (1004A) Calendar: Important Dates/Times” for more information on deadlines and assignments.

Deadlines will be also announced by e-mail and during seminar throughout the term.

Calendar of Assignments

Calendar of Assignments

Important Recommendations

Take advantage of the Discussion and the Projects. Do NOT underestimate their power in your grade.

Use your time and resources wisely. Your instructor is another resource. Try to not fall behind. If you run into

problems, do NOT hesitate to contact me.

Important Recommendations

I know this class may be challenging as it requires a lot of time management and independent study, but don’t feel overwhelmed as you will have a lot of resources, plus I am very flexible.

You will find this class an adventure of self-exploration, as well as establishing a firm science base for a well-rounded education and maturity.

Important Recommendations

Learning is about reading, practicing, asking, etc. You will NOT learn everything about Science in 10

weeks. The main goal is to provide you with a good base and to reinforce skills such as research and writing.

This class is not only about learning Science, but to become a competent, contributing citizen.

If you run into troubles, contact me. Don’t let yourself to be discouraged. I DON’T like “quitters”!!!

My best wishes to you during this term. Thank you for coming tonight.

Questions???