Spring 2021 Course Syllabus
Course: PHYS-1315- Section: 01
Physical Science I 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Behrouz Pounaki
E-mailpounakib@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6437
Office
Location:Madison Monroe Education - Room: 227
Hours:TR 8:00 am to 11:00 am, W 8:00 am to 12:00 noon
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description Course, designed for non-science majors, that surveys topics from physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and meteorology.
Prerequisites Basic skill competency in reading, writing, and math. learn how to use Blackboard.
Learning Outcomes
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.
Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills: Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine the extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify the conclusion.

PSLO 2: Communication Skills: Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication. Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.

PSLO3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. Identifies mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete a task; uses mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete a task; analyzes how to use the principles, and applies problem-solving skills in mathematical or scientific principles needed to complete a task with correct informed conclusions.

PSLO 4: Teamwork Skills- Shows the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal. Helps the team move forward by discussing merits of alternative ideas; Treats team members respectfully; uses positive facial, vocal or written tone, or language to convey a positive attitude; Motivates teammates by expressing confidence about the importance of the task; Provides assistance/encouragement to team members; Completes all assigned tasks by deadline; Addresses conflict constructively; or helps the group avoid conflict completely.
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.

Conceptual Physical Science by Paul Hewitt, 6th ed, Pearson Addison Wesley. ISBN-13: 9780134060484. Other editions are acceptable.

A free college Physics e-book for review:
https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00014167/00001

The instructor will provide other supplemental information.
Lecture Topics
Outline		 Week Chapter(s) Contents
1 & 2 1 Patterns of Motion & Equilibrium:
3 2 Newton's Laws of Motion:
4 3 Momentum & Energy
5 4 Gravity
5 1-4 Test I Review & Test I
6 5 Fluid Mechanics
7 6 Thermal Energy
8 7 Heat Transfer
9 5-7 Test II Review & Test II
10 12 Atoms and the Periodic Table
11 13 The Atomic Nucleus
12 14 Elements of Chemistry
Major Assignments
Schedule		 Week Chapter(s) Contents
1 & 2 1 Patterns of Motion & Equilibrium:
3 2 Newton's Laws of Motion:
4 3 Momentum & Energy
5 4 Gravity
5 1-4 Test I Review & Test I
6 5 Fluid Mechanics
7 6 Thermal Energy
8 7 Heat Transfer
9 5-7 Test II Review & Test II
10 12 Atoms and the Periodic Table
11 13 The Atomic Nucleus
12 14 Elements of Chemistry

There are eight HW assignments:

The first week 1 HW assignment
Chapters 1&2 1 HW assignment
Chapter 3 1 HW assignment
Chapter 4 1 HW assignment
Chapter 5 1 HW assignment
Chapters 6&7 1 HW assignment
Chapter 12&13 1 HW assignment
Chapter 14 1 HW assignment
Final Exam Date May 6, 2021 - 11:0 AM   Through  May 6, 2021 - 1:30 PM
Grading Scale 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D 59 and lower = F Roundup for decimals
Determination of
Final Grade		 Homework: 8 HW Assignments 40%
Quiz: 4 Quizzes 20%
Midterm Exam: 2 Tests 20%
Comprehensive Final 1 Test 10%
Core Project     10%
Total of 100%

No grades are dropped, and any uncompleted assignment, exam, or quiz will be averaged in with a grade of zero “0”.
No makeup exams, homework, or quizzes are given and there is NO retakes/resubmission on any exam, quiz, or homework. Late assignments will not be accepted and will result in a grade of zero.
Exams, Quizzes, and homework that are not taken/submitted as scheduled will receive a grade of zero. The quiz and exam questions will primarily be of multiple-choice, true-false, or matching type. Any of the quizzes or exams may contain essay questions.
Laboratory courses and their grades are independent of the lecture course. Lecture and Lab grades are NOT combined.
You will use online simulators For each laboratory experiment. Lab assignments will be posted on Blackboard.
I will furnish you with a lab report template and guidelines.
Five absences in the face to face classes will result in an “F” for the final grade.
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 a hard copy or printed version will be accepted. You are expected to be courteous towards the instructor and your classmates. You are expected to be on time for lectures and online meetings. You should not talk to your classmates while your instructor is talking or while one of your classmates is asking a question.
It is the students’ responsibility to have a reliable computer and internet access for the duration of this course. Exams and quizzes can only be taken on a laptop or desktop computer. 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 exams and assignments are completed by their due date and according to the instructions given.
If uncertain about the reliability of your internet access during the exams, then use the computers at the library. SafeAssign app on Blackboard examines all the assignments for any plagiarism.
Matching of 20% or more will lead to a zero “0” grade ( 1st offense) and failure of the course (2nd offense) for all the parties involved. It is the student’s 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. 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 Ms. Billups at billupshm@lamarpa.edu or (409) 984-6102.
Faculty should not communicate with parents. This is the institute policy.

Correspondence: It is professional to use a formal tone when emailing your instructor.
All your correspondences should come from your Lamar State college assigned student email through Blackboard ONLY. I will answer your email within 24 – 48 business hours. Phone calls will be accepted during office hours.
    
Online class meetings: Students registering for online sessions may attend a face to face class online via Microsoft Teams live on Tuesdays and Thursdays of every week from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm. Your instructor is lecturing your same course in a face-to-face class session at this time and you can watch it live. Lectures are recorded and will be posted on Teams for those who cannot attend.
In case you cannot attend the live meetings, you will need to watch the recorded session and write a short synopsis later during the week and submit it attached to your next assignment.
Students missing both live online sessions and synopsis will be penalized 50 points out of their next assignment.
Turn off your cell phone during the lecture. Cell phones should be turned off and placed in the backpack while class in session.
Attendance Policy Every Wednesday, there is a live online discussion meeting via Microsoft Teams from 8;00 am to 8:45 am so you may discuss the course subjects with your instructor.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
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.
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other Every Wednesday there is a live online discussion meeting via Microsoft Teams from 8;00 am to 8:45 am so you may discuss the course subjects with your instructor.
The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus at any time as deemed necessary. Students will be informed of the modification through Blackboard course content as soon as possible.
We, at the LSCPA, are committed to continuously improve our quality of instruction and serving our students better.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Department
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Michelle Davis
E-mail:davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6341

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.