Introduction to Class and The Nature of Science

Introduction to ClassandThe Nature of Science Biology 162 Syllabus and Chap. 1

Table of Contents Syllabus and Course Expectations PowerPoint Guide Pretest The Nature of Science

PowerPoint Guide I use PowerPoint along with a number of other tools through out the term and want you to get the most out of the tools I do provide. The following few slides are to show you how to utilize the tools available to you. ?

Where do I get the Files? • All files will be located on the class webpage http://docireland.org/JCC/?page_id=569 • This is the course-specific subpage of the overarching website. http://docireland.org/JCC/ • These sites will be useful links to use, bookmarking them never hurts.

What Will I Find There? • The Main Web Page has my JCC Blog which has all course announcements. • The Course Specific Page contains things such as… • Grades • PowerPoint Files • Copies of hardcopy files • Etc…

Do I need a fancy computer? The majority of static-content files will be available in PDF format. This can be read on any decent computer with the free reader (click either below to get the program). http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Static-Content? Static-Content means that nothing in the file is able to be manipulated by the user. This would be things like a document or a non-interactive PowerPoint file.

What else is there? • Some of the PowerPoint Presentations I will be using have interactive features built-in to help you navigate on your own. To use these you need PowerPoint or the free PowerPoint Viewer (click below).

Interactive PowerPoint? Sure, you guys have seen it before whenever you have seen an animation in a PowerPoint. Now click or press again. Click the mouse or Press the Space Bar. However, PowerPoint has a lot more power to navigate and interact with you than that, so let’s play a little. Use your Mouse to Click on the icon to the right

Why fool around with it anyway? The Art of Presenting versus Downloads PowerPoint is first and foremost a Presentationsoftware, meaning it is used to give a presentation. We would get very bored if I simply read everything off the slide verbatim, so good slides tend to have minimal text and images and the audience listens to the speaker present. This aspect of the presentation can be lost in a static download, so I will be embedding explanations in the slides that will only be revealed if you click on the trigger icon. This allows the presentations to be useful both inside and outside the class, without becoming what are called (in a derogatory manner) slideuments. That’s it?!? No, just click the Icon.

Okay… what else is there Nonlinear Navigation Click on the Icon below that looks like a House… then click the one that looks like a Left-Facing Arrow (don’t worry it will make sense). When you are done, click the ? Icon Icons through out the presentations will allow you to move through the Presentation in a nonlinear fashion. This will allow me to add things in for you to use outside of class and not show them in class. In addition, it allows you to easily jump through a presentation in your own way. ?

What is with the Icons? Icons, or symbols, are used throughout to provide information with limited space used. HOME – Hyperlink to Presentation Table of Contacts FORWARD – Skip to the next section of the Presentation BACK – Skip to the previous section of the Presentation HELP – Unveils additional informational text on a slide QUIZ – Hyperlink to a PowerPoint based self-quiz on the material

One More Thing… I also added various hyperlinks to terms used in the presentations to help with the difficult terminology. You simply need to hover your mouse over the underlined terms and a glossary definition will appear. Try it on the term above.

Syllabus and Course Expectations Here are the expectations of the course, including the breakdown for grades and the assessment rubric.

Course Description Fills requirement for some non-science majors. Provides background for CEM 141 for those with no recent high school chemistry. Fundamental principles of chemistry such as states of matter, simple atomic and molecular structure, and the periodic classification of elements. The study of water emphasizes the properties of solutions and acid-base relations. Course includes a laboratory component. Prerequisites are ENG085 and MTH031 or higher.

Course Grades Scale 4.0 = 100% - 93.0% 3.5 = 92.9% - 86.0% 3.0 = 85.9% - 80.0% 2.5 = 79.9% - 75.0% 2.0 = 74.9% - 70.0% 1.5 = 69.9% - 65.0% 1.0 = 60.0% - 64.9% 0.5 = 50.0% - 59.9%

Lecture Assessments for Course • Weekly Quizzes – 320 Points Total There are nine weekly quizzes, each worth 40 points and the highest eight count. • Exams – 400 Points Total There are five exams, each worth 100 points and the highest four count.

Lab Assessments for Course • Weekly Lab Reports – 90 Points Total There are 10 regular labs through out the term, they will have less complex reports and the highest nine will count. • Formal Lab Reports – 100 Points Total There are 2 lab that will have more extensive reports, these will be worth 50 points a piece. • Lab Quizzes – 60 Points Total There will be 4 lab quizzes during the term and the highest 3 will count.

Extra Credit and Make Up Policy The simple answer is that there is no extra credit (departmental policy) and no make-up work. There is a departmental policy that prohibits the awarding of extra credit in science courses. In addition, due to the fact that I drop your lowest quiz, exam and lab, there should be no reason for any make-up work. This way I do not have to judge a reason adequate or not, but at the same time you are responsible for your own actions. If you make it till the end of the term without needing the dropped scores, it will make your end of term easier… so try your best on every section.

Use of Notes • Weekly Quizzes: Any of your own hand-written notes. • Exams: A single 3X5 index card, both sides, with any handwritten notes. I advise that you not rely on your notes as your sole support during the quizzes. The quizzes are timed and if you have not studied you will not finish the work in time. The purpose of the note card is to alleviate test anxiety with regards to the formulas and terminology involved. Failure to study and practice at using this information will make it worthless on the exam.

Attendance Policy Since participation in the class is essential for success, it is the policy of the course that you will not be allowed to pass the class if you fail to attend three (3) of more labs, miss two (2) or more exams, or three (3) or more weekly quizzes. Failure to meet these requirements will result in being dropped (before midterm) or failed (after midterm) if the student does not withdraw or is not granted an Incomplete.

The Nature of Science

Is this how you view Science? Phenomenon Educated Guess Hypothesis Experimentation Theory Experimentation Law

The Schoolhouse Rock Version of Science This is meant to imply that it is an overly simplified version of what happens in science. While we all liked those vignettes as kids, they only glossed over what ever topic they covered. Now it is time to mature your view of science.

What is in a Meaning? Apocalypse The end of times or the end of the world. Any revelation or prophecy visited upon a few and withheld from many.

Scientific Thought • Hypothesis - A testable statement about how an experiment will turn out, informed by scientific theory. • Theory - A coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena. • Law - a statement of a relation or sequence of phenomena invariableunder the same conditions.

Modern Science • Scientific Laws delineate the workings of the physical world – The Law of Gravity • Scientific Theories explain how the world works and are accepted to be the best available explanation – The Theory of Gravity • Hypotheses are formed through the workings of a theory

Revised View of Science Hypothesis Refine and Test Scientific Theory Allow Development of Explain Scientific Law

Consequences of Revised View • A scientific theory can never be proven, but is accepted as the best explanation available at the time. • Scientific hypothesis and theory must be falsifiable. • Science is an evolving process • Science cannot answer all questions

Pretest This course demands a certain level of mathematical rigor. The required math is not very difficult, but seems to be to most students since they are math-phobic. The pretest is to give you an idea of where you stand in terms of mathematical preperation for this class and to allow you to self-assess how much you need to do to catch up, if needed. This is not graded

Pretest Instructions This is intended for you to do outside of class. The purpose of the pretest is to allow you to self-assess where you are at the beginning of this course with reference to your background and prep. This is strictly a self-assessment and will not be recorded or judged in any way. Run this as a slide show and click the help icon at the bottom of each page to uncover the answer.

Sample Question What is the mascot for Jackson Community College? • The Eagles • The Wolverines • The Emus • The Jets Answer: D. The Jets Click here for the answer

Question 1 Solve the following mathematics problem. Answer: 3/8 Step 1: Square the first fraction = ¼ Step 2: Multiple that square by the second fraction = 1/8 Step 3: Find the least common denominator and add the answer for Step 2 to the third fraction = 1/8 + 1/4 = 1/8 + 2/8 = 3/8

Question 2 How many electrons, valence electrons and bonds can be formed by neutral carbon atoms? Answer: Six electrons, four valence electrons and four bonds With an atomic number of 6 carbon has 6 protons and therefore six electrons at a neutral state to balance out the charge of the protons. The valence electrons are those in the outermost energy level, since the first two are bound in the first level, only the next four (in energy level 2) count as valence electrons. For Main Group elements, only the valance electrons can participate in bonding, so carbon will form four bonds.

Question 3 According to the current Theory of Evolution, what is the measure of success in evolution? Answer: Reproduction with the production of fertile offspring. The ability to survive to reproductive age, mate (or divide) and pass your unique genetic characteristics onto fertile offspring is the only way to influence the genetic make-up of future generations and therefore the evolution of the species as a whole.

Question 4 If one mole of an ideal gas is kept at 0˚C in a 1.00 atm pressure container, what volume would the container be? Answer: 22.4 L Short answer, this is considered standard temperature and pressure, therefore the volume is equal to Avagadro’s molar volume for a gas, 22.4 L. General answer, you can use the ideal gas law (PV = nRT) to determine this answer, just remember to use the appropriate R constant and convert the temperature to Kelvin.

Question 5 Solve the following equation for R. Answer: This is a fairly simple rearrangement, but we will be using these types of equations throughout the term and expecting that simple solutions are within your abilities.

Question 6 Which of the following is a polar compound? • CH4 • CO2 • NH3 • N2 Answer: C. NH3 Ammonia is a polar compound because it has an unbonded pair of electrons, is asymmetrical, and contains polar bonds. The rest of the molecules are symmetrical and therefore cannot be polar.

Question 7 Label the compounds below as either molecular of ionic compounds. CH4 NH3 NaCl HCl H2 Molecular Molecular Ionic Ionic Molecular Molecular compounds happen between two nonmetals and ionic compounds happen between a metal and nonmetal. Hydrogen has a special place in the periodic table of being both a metal and nonmetal.

Question 8 Mark each of the following as either soluble or insoluble in water. CH4 C6H12O6 NaCl C3H8 HNO3 Insoluble Soluble Soluble Insoluble Soluble A and D are insoluble due to the fact that they are nonpolar compounds and therefore cannot be dissolved in a polar solvent such as water. The other three are either polar or ionic compounds and therefore soluble

Question 9 Determine the conversions below. 2.5 m = ______ cm 0.12 km = _______ m 125 μm = _______ mm 24 ml = _______ l 1 mg = _______ ng 250 cm 120 m 0.125 mm 0.024 l 1000000 ng

Question 10 Which of the statement below is more accurate with regards to current scientific understanding? • The giraffe evolved by ancestors stretching to reach higher and higher leaves, adding miniscule amounts to the length of their necks and passing this increase to their offspring. • The offspring born with slightly longer necks, due to random mutation, were able to eat from higher on the trees, therefore had less competition and better survival, resulting in more offspring.

Interpreting the Results You should have been able to complete the questions, without looking in a book, in about 15-20 minutes. If you missed some here are my recommendations. Questions 1, 5, and 9 : Basic Mathematics, review from Math text. Questions 2, 4 and 6-8: Basic Chemistry, review Chapter 2 in more detail from our text. Questions 3 and 10: Basic Evolutionary Theory, review Chapter 21 from our text.

Introduction to Class and The Nature of Science