Course Description:

Science: Physical Sciences, Technology, and History of Mathematics is a survey course introducing students to the main theories, important figures, and key advancements in physics, chemistry, technology, and mathematics. Students use an approach that integrates reading, writing, and thinking to learn key strategies needed to interpret a variety of written and graphic material. This course introduces the core skills which learners need to master in the basic competencies of science and mathematics. The format of the course encourages both individual study as well as cooperative learning. The student is encouraged to express his/her knowledge orally through discussion with an instructor.

This course presents introductory concepts in science including the scientific method, the role of scientists, the metric system, laboratory equipment, and laboratory safety. Developments in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and technology are presented in seven chronological units from Ancient Times to the 20th Century. Topics include matter, mechanics, electricity and magnetism; thermodynamics; heat; Newton’s Laws of Motion; Maxwell’s equations; gravitation; speed of light; theory of gravitation; the atom, nucleus, electrons, elementary particles, and quarks; nuclear reactions; the six simple machines; the Pythagorean theorem; Hindu mathematicians’ concept of zero; lenses; signs, symbols and gravitation; the electromagnet; vaccinations; the Morse Code; nuclear power; quantum mechanics; the mechanics of a television; and the Bohr atom. Readings include Elements (Book I) by Euclid and a selection from “An Introduction to the Study of Experiment” by Claude Bernard.

A pre-reading question at the beginning of every unit and an interpretive question for thought and discussion at the end of every unit promote thoughtful interpretation of history.

Following the critical reading of each selection, students discuss with an instructor the ideas contained in the selection in an effort to elucidate its meaning. Each shared inquiry discussion (discussion based upon the Socratic method) involves comprehension, literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. Students learn how to engage with the text critically and thoughtfully, to craft an argument and to support it with evidence. Since the student is required to support his or her statements with evidence, shared inquiry also promotes careful and accurate reading.

Internet-based instruction is available to supplement all written work. Students will be provided instruction, practice, and inventory assessments through the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) LiteracyLink. Students will also be provided the Encyclopedia Britannica Online, World Data Analyst, Annals of American History and Merriam-Webster's 3rd Unabridged Dictionary as online resources.

Primary textbooks: Merriam - Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy

This course incorporates state academic content and learning standards.1.0 credit

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Science: Earth and Space Science is a survey course introducing students to the main theories, important figures, and key advancements in cosmology and Earth science. Students use an approach that integrates reading, writing, and thinking to learn key strategies needed to interpret a variety of written and graphic material. This course introduces the core skills which learners need to master in the basic competencies in these areas of science. The format of the course encourages both individual study as well as cooperative learning. The student is encouraged to express his/her knowledge orally through discussion with an instructor.

In Unit I, Ancient Astronomy, students study topics such as the relationship between cosmology and astronomy, the Ptolemaic system, and the Copernican Revolution. In the second unit, students learn about the dimensions and position of the planet Earth, gravity, the three major motions of the Earth (revolution, rotation, wobble), the effect of the Earth’s tilted axis, lunar and solar eclipses, the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Big Bang Theory. In the two units on Earth science, students learn about basic chemistry and states of matter, the layers of the Earth and atmosphere, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, weather and climate, the hydrologic cycle, and atmospheric phenomena.

A pre-reading question at the beginning of every unit and an interpretive question for thought and discussion at the end of every unit promote thoughtful interpretation of history

Following the critical reading of each selection, students discuss with an instructor the ideas contained in the selection in an effort to elucidate its meaning. Each shared inquiry discussion (discussion based upon the Socratic method) involves comprehension, literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. Students learn how to engage with the text critically and thoughtfully, to craft an argument and to support it with evidence. Since the student is required to support his or her statements with evidence, shared inquiry also promotes careful and accurate reading.

Internet-based instruction is available to supplement all written work. Students will be provided instruction, practice, and inventory assessments through the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) LiteracyLink. Students will also be provided the Encyclopedia Britannica Online, World Data Analyst, Annals of American History and Merriam-Webster's 3rd Unabridged Dictionary as online resources.

Primary textbooks: Merriam - Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy

This course incorporates state academic content and learning standards.1.0 Credit.

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Science: Life Sciences, Medicine and Health is a survey course introducing students to five main topics in life sciences, medicine, and health. Students use an approach that integrates reading, writing, and thinking to learn key strategies needed to interpret a variety of written and graphic material. This course introduces the core skills which learners need to master in the basic competencies of science and mathematics. The format of the course encourages both individual study as well as cooperative learning. The student is encouraged to express his/her knowledge orally through discussion with an instructor.

In the ecology unit, students learn about habitats, succession, competition and biomes. In the unit on organic functions, students study organic functions in unicellular and multicellular organisms and how the structures of cells help perform specific functions. While studying systems and metabolism, followed by genetics and heredity, students learn how human systems perform organic functions, how they obtain energy, and how DNA plays an important role in genetics. Plant biology includes the study of plant structure, photosynthesis, and fertilization. Students read “The Oath” by Hippocrates and then participate in a discussion based on the Socratic method.

A pre-reading question at the beginning of every unit and an interpretive question for thought and discussion at the end of every unit promote thoughtful interpretation of history

Following the critical reading of each selection, students discuss with an instructor the ideas contained in the selection in an effort to elucidate its meaning. Each shared inquiry discussion (discussion based upon the Socratic method) involves comprehension, literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation. Students learn how to engage with the text critically and thoughtfully, to craft an argument and to support it with evidence. Since the student is required to support his or her statements with evidence, shared inquiry also promotes careful and accurate reading.

Internet-based instruction is available to supplement all written work. Students will be provided instruction, practice, and inventory assessments through the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) LiteracyLink. Students will also be provided the Encyclopedia Britannica Online, World Data Analyst, Annals of American History and Merriam-Webster's 3rd Unabridged Dictionary as online resources.

Primary textbooks: Merriam - Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy

This course incorporates state academic content and learning standards.1.0 credit.