Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: PHYS-1115 (Section: 71, CRN: 92113)
Physical Science I Laboratory
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Instructor Information
Instructor Behrouz Pounaki
Email pounakib@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6330
Office Education I - Room: 131
Office Hours None, Online Microsoft Teams when requested. This is an online Asynchronous course. 
Additional Contact Information All the meetings on Microsoft Teams are recorded for the students' review later.
Course Information
Description Course, designed for non-science majors, that surveys topics from physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and meteorology. May or may not include a laboratory.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

In addition to the textbook used in the lecture course, the instructor will furnish the class with lab report handouts for most of the projects.
Additional Materials/Resources Internet access and computer. Additional materials Will be posted on Microsoft Teams and Blackboard LMS according to the projects.
Corequisites/Prerequisites Learn how to use Blackboard and Microsoft Teams.
Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.

Learn how to use Blackboard and Microsoft Teams.
Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.

Basic skill competency in reading, writing, and math.
Learn how to use Blackboard and Microsoft Teams.
Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.

Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.
Basic skill competency in reading, writing, and math.
Learn how to use Blackboard and Microsoft Teams.
Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.

Learn how to use Blackboard and Microsoft Teams.
Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.

Basic skill competency in reading, writing, and math.
Learn how to use Blackboard and Microsoft Teams.
Recommended corequisite PHYS 1315.

Learning Outcomes
Develop techniques to set up and perform experiments, collect data from those experiments, and formulate conclusions from an experiment.
Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data using the scientific method.
Record experimental work completely and accurately in laboratory notebooks, and communicate experimental results clearly in written reports.
Core Objectives
* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication.
* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts, and constructing solutions.
* Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
Lecture Topics Outline
Chapter(s) Contents
CH. 1 Patterns of Motion & Equilibrium
CH. 2 Newton's Laws of Motion
CH. 3 Momentum & Energy
CH. 4 Gravity, Projectiles, and Satellites
CH. 5 Fluid Mechanics
CH. 6 Thermal Energy and Thermodynamics
CH. 7 Heat Transfer and Change of Phase
CH. 12 Atoms and the Periodic Table
CH. 13 The Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity
CH. 14 Elements of Chemistry
CH. 15 How Atoms Bond and Molecules Attract
 
This schedule is an idealized guide for the course. Depending on the situation, changes may be made by the instructor. The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class and on the content folder of Blackboard, Bb, or through email.
Major Assignments Schedule
There is an average of one laboratory assignment for each ten days, according to the lecture topics.
For online lab courses, we mostly have lab projects base on the use of simulators.
Students  need to experiment and turn in about least 12 lab reports to be qualified for the final grades. However, you can miss two lab reports with no penalty. This does not include your Academic Assessment assignment. There are no exams or quizzes. There is one Lab project as Academic Assessment which is considered as one lab report as well.

Academic Assessment Due Nov. 30, 2023.
Final Exam Date December 1, 2023 - 1:1 PM   Through  December 8, 2023 - 8:1 AM
Grading Scale 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D 59 and lower = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Your grade is The sum of the grades for your graded projects/reports divided by the number of projects.
Laboratory courses and their grades are independent of the lecture course.
 
Any uncompleted assignment will be averaged in with a grade of zero.
No makeup lab project is given, and there  are NO retakes/resubmission on any assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted and will result in a grade of zero. However, you can miss two lab reports with no penalty. This does not include your Academic Assessment assignment.
Again, Laboratory courses and their grades are independent of the lecture course. Lecture and Lab grades are NOT combined.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Only students enrolled in the online class are permitted in the online classroom. Every assignment, test, homework, etc., should be typed and submitted/posted on Blackboard. NO submission or posting of any type via email or as hard copy or printed version will be accepted.
You are expected to be courteous towards the instructor and your classmates.
It is students' responsibility to have reliable computer and internet access for the duration of this course. If your laptop/desktop computer breaks for any reason during the semester, it does not excuse you from the requirements and deadlines of the course.
It is your responsibility to make sure all assignments are completed by their due date and according to the instructions given. If uncertain about the reliability of your internet access, then use the computers at school and the library.
SafeAssign app on Blackboard examines all the assignments for any plagiarism. Matching of 20% or more can lead to a zero 0 grade ( 1st offense) and failure of the course (2nd offense) for all the parties involved. It is the students' responsibility to prevent any failure of this kind by all means. College-assigned email accounts will be used to deliver official college correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent and received via the email account. The instructor will not answer any email with no course and section number as the subject of the letter, with no further notice. Your instructor will not accept any correspondence by any other person via your college email account. This includes your parents/guardians. Parents/guardians of early college or dual credit students are requested please to contact Dr. Billups at billupshm@lamarpa.edu or (409) 984-6102. Faculty should not communicate with parents. This is institute policy.

You will use online simulators For each laboratory experiment. some projects will be given to do at the safety of your home. Lab assignments will be posted on Blackboard.
 
The instructor will furnish you with a lab report template and guidelines.
Attendance Policy An Online, Asynchronous course, using simulators, or projects done at home.
Additional Information
 
Each student must write up their own Lab and must not makeup data.
Sharing images or documents are considered academic dishonesty, and will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. Grades for the previous assignments will be voided if academic dishonesty is found. Repeated instances of academic dishonesty will result in a course grade of "F" and other possible additional academic penalties.
 
IMPORTANT REMINDER
The instructor may regrade all previous work anytime throughout the semester.
At Lamar State College PA, you, the student, are expected to conduct yourself maturely and responsibly, respect the opinions and rights of others. You are responsible for seeking help and guidance from all the college's resources available to you. You are solely responsible for any aspect of your accepted role as a college student. The Responsibilities include but are not limited to being aware of deadlines and additional course policies set by the college or the instructor during the course, previewing, studying, and learning the subjects, conducting yourself, knowing the rules, doing homework and assignments, remain informed about school dates and deadlines.
Above all, you are expected to strive for honesty and academic integrity throughout your study at Lamar State College PA.
Any information contained in the syllabus is subject to change without notice, and the instructor retains the right to make changes and or amendments to the course assignments, syllabus, or dates. Any changes will be furnished on Blackboard, by email, or in online sessions. 
 
Your instructor is committed to ensuring that all students with any disabilities or disorders are able to compete successfully with non-disabled students. Students requesting accommodation must contact the appropriate school department at the beginning of the semester.
 
OTHER
 
Your instructor will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must arrange a meeting with your instructor at Lamar State College Port Arthur.
COVID-19 Please read the information and implement the recommendations https://www.lamarpa.edu/General/Alerts/COVID-19.
After the semester is over you may obtain your final course grade by logging in to your online account.
The schedule for the assignments  is posted on the course content folder on Bb, and it is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the schedule. Reminders will not be sent out.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431