Dr. Sarah's UCO 1200 First Year Seminar Calendar - Fall 2010
Breakthroughs and Controversies in Science and Mathematics

  • Office Hours this week
  • ASULearn (messages and grades)
  • Syllabus and Grading Policies
  • Mathematics and Science Activities at Appalachian
  • Class highlights If you miss a class, then check here and make up the work before the next class.
  • Jump down to tomorrow's homework which is located above the red lines
    Date     WORK DUE at the beginning of class unless otherwise noted! Other Discussion Questions and Reflections TBA
    8 Dec - Wed
  • Research Project 3: Unsolved Question. Presentations from 12-2:30.
  • Reflection: University Sponsored Activities
    • __________ ________________________________________________________________________
    __________ ________________________________________________________________________
    2 Dec - Thur
  • Reflection on SYNC
  • Prepare to tell us what topic you chose for the final project.
    • 30 Nov - Tues
  • Discussion Questions on SYNC reading on ASULearn
    1) What are the IDS (Interdisciplinary or Academic Fields) perspectives that relate?
    2) Research the credentials of the author and summarize what you found.
    3) What cause/effect relationships were stated or implied?
    • 23 Nov - Tues
  • Library research in 028 Belk for project 3 with Marilia Y. Antunez, MLS, AHIP, Science and Allied Health Librarian.
  • Choose an unsolved question for Research Project 3
  • Reflection on Cloning
    • 18 Nov - Thur
  • Discussion Questions on Taking Sides reading on Is it Ethically Permissible to Clone Human Cells? p. 353-375 [This topic was chosen by the class survey.]
    1) What are the IDS (Interdisciplinary or Academic Fields) perspectives that relate?
    2) Research the credentials of the authors and summarize what you found.
    3) What cause/effect relationships were stated or implied by each author?
    4) Create a Decision Matrix:
                      Best Case Scenario                 Worst Case Scenario
    Pro:
    Con:
    • 16 Nov - Tues
  • Discussion Question Read about Placebos. Briefly summarize all the experiments that are mentioned in the article (for example: one set of experiments were open trials in which drugs and placebos were given by pill or injection versus hidden trials in which they were randomly administered by a hidden computer through an IV line)
    • 15 Nov - Mon
  • Pizza Hut Buffet. The buffet is open from 5:30-7:30 and I will pay for your buffet.
    • 11 Nov - Thur
  • Reflection on the Search for Exterrestrial Life
    • 9 Nov - Tues
  • Bring your i-clicker to class
  • Discussion Questions: on Taking Sides reading p. 245-262 Will the Search for Extraterrestrial Life Ever Succeed? [This topic was chosen by the class survey.]
    1) What are the IDS (Interdisciplinary or Academic Fields) perspectives that relate?
    2) Research the credentials of the authors and summarize what you found.
    3) Research where the authors are now and report.
    4) What cause/effect relationships were stated or implied by each author?
    5) Are these cause/effect relationships merely correlations? One way to answer this question is to discuss other hidden factors that may underly a relationship.
    6) Create a Decision Matrix:
                      Best Case Scenario                 Worst Case Scenario
    Pro:
    Con:
    • 4 Nov - Thur
  • Revisions for Research Project 2 are due. Turn in your original and revised copy. An electronic copy must also be posted on ASULearn under Research Project 2 for University Assessment.
  • If you have a laptop with Excel on it, then bring that to class.
    • 2 Nov - Tues
  • Discussion Question Go to the writing center for help with your revisions on project 2 and report on your experiences there OR read through improving writing and then summarize what is there in your own words.
  • Read through University Sponsored Activities Reflection and write down any questions.
    • 28 Oct - Thur
  • Discussion Question Conduct additional research of one of the activities from Tuesday and report on what you found [you can work on your own and summarize what you tried, or search for information on the web].
  • Bring your i-clicker to class
    • 26 Oct - Tues
  • Bring your i-clicker and your Nova's The Proof sheet to class.
  • Reflection on one of the following topics: Crows, DNA, Down with Fractions, Michael Coble, OR The Sixth Extinction
  • Work on revisions for project 2.
    • 21 Oct - Thur
  • Fall Break!
    • 19 Oct - Tues
  • Bring your i-clicker to class
  • Bring your timeline to class since we will continue with the presentations for research project 2
  • Skim the research article Mystery Solved: The Identification of the Two Missing Romanov Children Using DNA Analysis. There may be forensic chemistry, biology and/or probability content that is beyond the scope of our backgrounds. So "skim" means that we should process what is possible with our current background knowledge and let the rest "roll-off".
  • Discussion Questions:
    1) Name two controversies related to DNA (they may be unrelated to this article).
    2) What were the contributions of Rosalind Franklin in the history of DNA?
    3) Research the credentials and career path of the lead author Michael D. Coble and summarize what you found.
    • 14 Oct - Thur
  • Research Project 2 On the Shoulders of Giants - Two-Page Timeline, Presentation and Annotated References is due.
    • 12 Oct - Tues
  • Continue working on research project 2. Bring what you have to class, as there should be some time at the end of class to work on it.
    • 7 Oct - Thur
  • Library research for project 2 in 028 Belk with Marilia Y. Antunez, MLS, AHIP, Science and Allied Health Librarian.
  • Choose a topic for research project 2
  • Reflection on Nuclear Power
    • 5 Oct - Tues
  • Bring your i-clicker to class
  • Discussion Questions: on Taking Sides reading p. 83-99: Is It Time to Revive Nuclear Power? [This topic was chosen by the class survey.]
    1) For each side list the most compelling argument.
    2) What are the IDS (Interdisciplinary or Academic Fields) perspectives that relate?
    3) What cause/effect relationships were stated or implied by each author?
    4) Are these cause/effect relationships merely correlations? One way to answer this question is to discuss other hidden factors that may underly a relationship.
    5) Research the credentials of each author and summarize what you found.
  • Research project 1 [Summer Reading Data Collection] revision of lens 2 due - turn in the original along with revised lens 2 research page numbers and a publication-quality summary.
    • 30 Sep - Thur
  • Reflection: Faculty Interview
  • If you have a laptop or other devise that will connect to the wireless internet for google searches, it will be useful for class.
  • Bring the (graded version) of project 1 to class.
    • 28 Sep - Tues
  • Continue working on the homework for Thur and begin working on the homework for next Tuesday.
    • 23 Sep - Thur
  • Set up an interview with a faculty member for the reflection due next week.
    • 21 Sep - Tues
  • Research Project 1: Summer Reading Data Collection is due
    • 16 Sep - Thur
  • Meet for convocation in Walker 303a between 9 and 9:15am. We will share some donuts/breakfast bars together, walk over and sit together, and make our way back to the classroom afterwords. All first-year seminar students are required to attend - classes are cancelled until 12:30 for this purpose.
  • Read an Interview with Hillary Jordan, and a Reading and Discussion Guide - both are found at the end of the book.
  • Bring your i-clicker
  • Discussion Question: (To Turn In) What are the main controversies in the book?
  • Continue working on Research Project 1.
    • 14 Sep - Tues
  • Bring your i-Clicker to class.
  • Reflection for Taking Sides reading on Nanotechnology is due - a typed exposition that is 1/2-1 page long, single-spaced.
  • Continue working on research project 1
    • 9 Sep - Thur
  • Bring your i-Clicker to class.
  • Discussion Questions: (To Turn In) on Taking Sides reading Should Potential Risks Slow the Development of Nanotechnology? [This topic was chosen by the class survey.]
    1) State two facts presented by each side.
    2) State two opinions presented by each side.
    3) What are the IDS (Interdisciplinary or Academic Fields) perspectives that relate?
    4) Research the credentials of each author and summarize what you found.
    5) How credible is each author (empirical in presenting the thesis, or logical errors like faulty cause/effect relationships, distortion of information, faulty analogy, oversimplification, stereotyping, or faulty generalization)?
    • 7 Sep - Tues
  • Discussion Questions: (To Turn In)
    If you had documented evidence of a conflict then complete the alternative assignment that you obtained from me in office hours. Otherwise:
    1) What are the breakthroughs and controversies related to the Group Interaction Course?
    2) What are the science and mathematics connections?
    Note: There is a different assignment for those who could not attend.
  • Begin working on homework for Thursday.
    • 2 Sep - Thur
  • Meet at the Student Recreation Center. Group Interaction Course from 12:30-3:20. This activity is required unless you have documented evidence of a conflict which you must bring to me in advance [an alternate assignment will be given].
  • If you do not object to doing so, add a picture of yourself to ASULearn [Profile/Edit profile/Choose File]. Note that this picture would be seen by anyone in your ASULearn courses.
    • 31 Aug - Tues
  • Choose a theme or topic for lens 2 in research project 1, and prepare to share why you chose that lens. Begin working on the data collection.
  • If you did not turn in the $10 class activity fee, prepare to do so.
  • Obtain the two course books Taking Sides for purchase and Defining Moments for rental and the iclicker for rental, all from the bookstore. Bring the i-clicker to class. Pam Walker from the bookstore said that we should be able to rent the i-clickers now, so you can mention her name if you have any problems.
  • If you were not in class on the first day, take the survey on ASULearn.
    • 26 Aug- Thur
  • Prepare to share your universe research from Tuesday.
  • Read through the online syllabus - search google for Dr. Sarah, click on my page, and click on the First Year Seminar link and then the Syllabus link. Prepare to share something you read in the Our First Year Seminar (FYS) section, and write down any questions you have on the grading policies - the university considers this a binding contract between us.
  • Read the research assignment for project 1 and write down any questions you have.
  • Bring $10.00 to cover the cost of class activities.