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PSC121_course_overview_fall2014.docxPRINCE GEORGE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering
PSC 1210 Earth and Space Science Concepts for pre K-8 Teachers, Fall 2020
Class Meetings: Monday and Wednesday, 3 – 5:30 pm Online! (mostly)
Instructor: Dr. David Siskind
About me: I am a full time research physicist at the US Naval Research Laboratory. My
specialty is atmospheric and space science. This is my 8th year teaching at PGCC, but…… the first time I’ve taught anything on line.
Office hours: I will stay on line past the official end of class (5:30) until 6 pm
Final Exam: Monday Dec 7th, 3 pm
Phone: N/A
Email: [email protected], per school guidance I will check email at least once every 24 hours (but not much more than that) and once over the weekend
BLACKBOARD SITE: http://pgcconline.blackboard.com
Course Coordinator (my immediate supervisor). Professor Chris Hunt ([email protected])
Text: Conceptual Physical Science by Hewitt, Suchocki, and Hewitt, either 4th, 5th or 6th edition
(I have the 5th- please contact me if you’re using other editions!)
Chapters 20-26 plus supplemental material on maps + various online exercises to be provided
Topics: Geology (about 50%), astronomy (about 25%), weather + oceans (about 25%)
OTHER REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS: Will be posted to Blackboard as needed
CREDIT HOUR EXPLANATION
At Prince George’s Community College, for all credit courses, students are expected to spend a minimum of 37.5 combined hours of instructional time and related coursework time per credit hour. This course is a 4 credit course. This course achieves the minimum of 150 hours of instructional time by requiring 75 hours of instructional time and 75 hours of student work outside of instructional time.
A note about withdrawals
As the semester continues, I hope to see all of you staying in my course and doing well. However, if you are considering withdrawing from this course your withdrawal may result in Financial Aid and academic standing implications. So, if you are considering withdrawing at any point, please speak with me before making a final decision. I may be able to offer or direct you to help. If I am unavailable, please contact the Chair of this department, Professor Mark Hubley via email at [email protected] or telephone at 301-546-0422.
Also, please make sure you are aware of the deadlines for withdrawal. If you miss the deadline, you get an F.
Other college grade policies:
The NA GRADE may be assigned by the faculty member to any student on the roster who never attends or academically participates in the class during the first three weeks of class (or equivalent of 20 percent in short courses).
The FX GRADE may be assigned by the faculty member to any student on the roster who did not officially withdraw from the course but who failed to participate in course activities through the end of the period. It is used when, in the opinion of the instructor, completed assignments or course activities or both were insufficient to make normal evaluation of academic performance possible.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Students requesting academic accommodations are required to contact the Disability Support Services Office
(M-2102) or call (301) 546-0838 (voice) or (301) 546-0122 (TTY) to establish eligibility for services and accommodations. Students with documented disabilities should discuss the matter privately with their instructors at the beginning of the semester and provide a copy of their Student/Faculty Accommodation Form.
CIVILITY STATEMENT
As a member of Prince George’s Community College, I agree to promote a community of scholarship, civility, accountability and respect. I understand that expressions of hate or bias against a particular group or towards an individual, threaten the safety of our campus community. Therefore, I pledge to be aware of my words and actions and how they impact others. I will show respect for myself, respect for others and respect for the college and its values. I will honor this commitment to promote unity and a culture of civility both inside and outside the classroom.
Civility is a college-wide commitment and in order to identify PGCC students, students are required to enter classrooms with their college IDs visible. ALL students must have their IDs visible while AT ANY COLLEGE SITE, WHETHER THEY ARE ON THE LARGO CAMPUS OR ANY EXTENSION SITE.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Prince George's Community College Code of Conduct defines the rights and responsibilities of students and establishes a system of procedures for dealing with students charged with violations of the code and other rules and regulations of the college. A student enrolling in the college assumes an obligation to conduct himself/herself in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. Refer to the 2017-2018 Student Handbook for a complete explanation of the Code of Conduct, including the Code of Academic Integrity and the procedure for dealing with disruptive student behavior.
CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The college is an institution of higher learning that holds academic integrity as its highest principle. In the pursuit of knowledge, the college community expects that all students, faculty, and staff will share responsibility for adhering to the values of honesty and unquestionable integrity. To support a community committed to academic achievement and scholarship, the Code of Academic Integrity advances the principle of honest representation in the work that is produced by students seeking to engage fully in the learning process. The complete text of the Code of Academic Integrity is in the 2017-2018 Student Handbook and posted on the college's website.
Course Overview
A general education science elective course for current teachers and those in training to be teachers. Topics reflect education standards for classroom activities.
IT USED TO BE: A hands-on class. Lots of Labs/projects in small groups. Do Lab first (engage, explore), then get the lecture (explanation) next
NOW: more independent homeworks/research.
STILL: Emphasis is on figuring things out yourself. There is also a fair amount of vocabulary to learn- this class cannot easily be “crammed into your head” at the last minute!
Helpful skills: patience for uncertainty, clear English writing
And of course- be prepared, keep up and seek out the instructor with questions.
Course Outcomes/Topics Covered
1. Characterize landforms and seaforms on solar system bodies from photographs (ground- and satellite based) and Google Earth
2. Classify Earth materials by rock type, mineral properties, and/or hydrologic characteristics.
3. Explain the processes of weathering and erosion and their roles in modifying Earth surface forms and composition
4. Explain the history of the earth and how lifeforms and geology have changed over billions of years
5. Explain the dynamic processes that modify the internal and large-scale surface features of planets and how these are related to composition of and energy within the planet.
6. Explain the characteristics and dynamic processes of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans and how these systems are interrelated.
7. Explain how Earth’s seasons, planetary phases, eclipses, and tides are related to the alignments of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
8. Explain how to discuss the Earth as a planet compared with other planets in the solar system.
9. Interpret data for weather systems based on physical principles. Explore the difference between weather and climate
10. Analyze data collected from appropriate scientific tools such as Excel spread sheets, star charts, virtual planetaria, topographic maps, as well as conduct guided Earth Science research using appropriate Internet resources.
Course Requirements/Grades (still somewhat up in the air)
Assessment Point Value
2 midterms, 80 points each, 1 on geology and 1 on astronomy & weather 160
Final 80
Homework assignments/Lab write-ups/mini-quizes/research
(about 10-12 total) About 20 points each (varies) 240
Total about 480
(To get a C, you need about 330 points total)
Important: I have tentative plans (school has approved) for 4 classes in person, but outdoors
First outdoor class is next Monday August 31st, in front of Chesapeake Hall. It will be a geology Lab with display tables and questions to answer. Class breaks up into two groups according to last name to limit the crowding. Adair-Godshall come from 3-4:30; Hejaiz-Wood, come from 4:30-6 (can be flexible if this grouping is inconvenient). And of course we all wear masks. There will be some hand sanitizer available so you can touch the rocks.
The second one is very tentative- I hope to meet in a PG County Park after Labor Day – very TBD.
