This document provides an overview and introduction to a Physical Science 101 course. The summary is: The course introduces fundamental concepts in physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and oceanography and how they apply to everyday life. It will examine the basic phenomena that govern nature like matter, energy, and forces. Students will learn about the study of atoms, stars, Earth, and living systems. The course emphasizes that all branches of science are interconnected and many natural processes require an integrated approach across disciplines. Upon completing the course, students will be able to apply scientific principles and critically analyze natural phenomena.

1. Physical Science 101
Introducing to Physical Science

2. Welcome to PS 101, Introducing Physical Science!
This class is an introduction To the fundamental
physical science concepts of chemistry, physics,
astronomy, Geology, and oceanography and how
they apply to everyday life.

3. • Physics is the search for laws that describe the
most fundamental aspects of nature:
– Matter
– Energy
– Forces
– Motion
– Heat
– Light
– Other phenomena
• All natural systems, including planets, stars, cells, and
people display these basic phenomena, so physics is the
starting point for almost any study of how nature works.

4. • Chemistry is the
study of atoms in
combination.
– Chemicals form every
material object of our
world, while chemical
reactions initiate vital
changes in our
environment and our
bodies.
– Chemistry is thus an
immensely practical
and profitable science.

5. • Astronomy is the
study of stars, planets,
and other objects in
space.
– We are living in an era
of unprecedented
astronomical discovery
thanks to the
development of
powerful new
telescopes and robotic
space exploration.

6. • Geology is the study of the
origin, evolution, and present
state of our home planet, Earth.
• Many geology departments
also emphasize the study of
other planets as a way to
understand the unique
character of our own world.
– At many universities, this sort
of study is carried out in
departments with names like
“Planetary Science” or “Earth
Systems Science.”

7. • Biology is the study of living systems.
• Biologists document life at many scales,
from individual microscopic molecules and
cells to expansive ecosystems.

8. • Even thought we divide the
sciences into separate
disciplines, all branches of
science are interconnected
in a single web of
knowledge.
• Most natural processes
can only be studied by
resorting to an integrated
approach

9. • Understanding such
diverse topics as changes
in global climate, the
availability of natural
resources, the safe
storage of nuclear waste,
and the discovery of
alternative sources of
energy requires expertise
in physics, chemistry,
geology, and biology.
• All of the sciences are
integrated in the natural
world.

10. • The Sciences: An
Integrated Approach
• James Trefil & Robert
Hazen
• ISBN 978-
0470118542
• Digital Edition
Available-see class
web page.
• Older edition also
available.
A study guide is also available. It is recommended,
but not required. Details on the class web page.

11. • The college-wide core skill sets
applicable to this course are:
– 1.1 Read and retain information.
– 1.4 Employ vocabulary of the
subject studied.
– 3.5 Apply principles of scientific
reasoning to solve problems.
– 3.6 Defend a logical hypothesis to
explain observed phenomenon.

12. • After completion of this course, students will be able to:
– Apply the unifying principles that underlie the various
branches of scientific endeavor to situations encountered
in everyday life.
– Identify the basic physical concepts necessary for an
understanding of the science and technology of the natural
environment.
– Appraise each person’s role as a member of a society that
is increasingly dependent on scientific and technological
development.
– Diagram and describe the structure of matter and its
interactions .
– Explain the relationship between microscopic activity and
macroscopic phenomena.
– Describe the structure of the Earth and its relationship to
the cosmos.

13. • Given a list of observations, students
will develop a hypothesis to explain
natural phenomena, and outline the
scientific process by which the
hypothesis can be evaluated.
• Students will demonstrate an
understanding of atomic and
molecular properties as evidence of
the structure of matter.

14. • You will have a quiz on each chapter that
we cover in your textbook.
– Quizzes will be given using Blackboard.
– When a quiz is posted, you will have one
week to complete it.
– Quizzes are timed, you have 30 minutes to
finish the quiz once you begin it.
– Quizzes must be submitted by 5:30 PM on
their due dates.
– You get two chances to do your quizzes.

15. • Quizzes will be multiple choice,
true/false, fill in the blank, and/or
matching.
• It is recommended that you
completely read your chapter
before attempting quizzes.
• It is also recommended that you
make notes while you read and
use them for your quizzes.
– 30 minutes goes by very quickly!

16. • Exams will also be given
online using Blackboard.
– Exams will be based on quiz
questions.
– You will have one week to
complete exams when posted.
– Exams will be timed, 60
minutes.
– Exams must be submitted by
5:30 PM on their due dates.

17. • The final exam will also be given using
Blackboard.
• The final exam will be cumulative.

18. • You are required to write a 5-page paper
for this course and give a presentation.
– We will discuss topics at a later date.
– You may receive extra credit for seeking help
from the writing center.

19. • You are required to
give a 5-minute
presentation.
• Your presentation will
be about your paper.
– Think about what you
want to do now, sign
ups will be soon, get
the topic and time slot
you want!

20. Posting Project
• You will pick a branch of science and post
about it on the class web page.
• This will be done in groups – we will pick
groups next week.
• There are six posts worth 10 points each.
• Details and examples are posted on the
class web page.

21. • There will be (approx.) 15 quizzes
worth 10 points each.
• There will be 4 exams worth 100
points each.
• Your paper and presentation are
worth 100 points.
• You have a web project-worth 60
points.
– The total points possible for this course is
810.

22. • A 810-729 100-90%
• B 728-648 89-80%
• C 647-567 79-70%
• D 566-486 69-60%
• F 485-0 59-0%
– Note: you need to earn at least 60% of the
total points possible to pass this class.

23. • No late work!
• No missed exams…
– They are on Blackboard
and you have a week to
complete them!

24. • I may drop you if you
miss class more than
twice.
– Keep in touch if you do
not want to be
inadvertently dropped.
• I may drop you if you
are excessively tardy.
– Excessive tardiness is
being more than 5
minutes late more than
3 times.

25. • Do not e-mail assignments to me.
• If you cannot make it to class when
something is due, please contact me, or
take it to my mailbox which is in the
Physical Science building, where the
receptionist is.

26. • The last day that anything can be turned in
is Dec 8th
, this means extra credit work or
any late work that has been approved.
– NO EXCEPTIONS!

27. • It is your responsibility to drop should you
decide to.
– If you stop attending and do not drop, you will
likely end up with an F.

28. • Pick up your graded work otherwise I will
recycle it.
– It is a good idea to keep all of your graded
work until after you have received your final
grade.

29. • Extra credit will be offered throughout the
semester.
• You will need to be here to take
advantage of it.
Standing offers for extra credit:
Donate Blood 10 points
Show me your completed ED
PLAN 10 points

30. • Academic Honesty: NO CHEATING!
• Any incidences of cheating of ANY kind
will be reported to the dean.

31. • Cell Phones:
– No talking or texting in class, it is
inappropriate.
– You may be asked to leave if you are
disturbing others.
Use of cell phones for science or studying is encouraged…

32. • If you need accommodations for a
disability, please see me immediately after
class.
• If you think you might, please talk to me
and please contact the DSPS office listed
on your syllabus.

33. • Blackboard will be use
extensively for this course!
• You MUST learn to use it.
– Your quizzes, and exams will be
done using it.
– You can also access the lectures,
and your grades.
– There may also be extra credit
discussions.
• If you do not know how to use
Blackboard, stay after class
today.

34. Class Web Page:
http://ps101wiki.wikispaces.com/

35. • The best way to reach me is by text at
(760) 440-8977 or by e-mail at
ProfessorLisaS@gmail.com

36. • Participation points will be used for parts
of your project, specifically picking your
topic, your sources, and answering your
research questions.
• Participation points will also be given for in
class activities.

37. • Disruptive behavior will be taken seriously.
• This includes interrupting lecture, or interrupting
other students while they are
speaking/presenting.
• I expect you to be courteous and respectful to
each other and to me, and I want us all to have
a nice class.
• If you are disruptive, you may be asked to leave
class, the incident will be reported, and you may
be suspended from the following class.

38. Class
Schedule

39. • Let’s take a moment to look at
the schedule…
• Now all topics, dates, and point
totals in the syllabus are
tentative, in other words they
may change.
– It is your responsibility to get that
information should you happen to
miss class.
– I suggest making friends with at
least one other person in class.

41. Service Available For Your
Success
• EOPS 384-4412
• Counseling – Educational
384-4404 &
Psychological 384-4495
• Childcare Center
384-4440
• Veterans Services
384-4441
• Health Center 384-4495
• Tutoring Services
• Student Success
Centers
• Open Computer Labs
• STEM-Science
Technology Engineering
Mathematics
– Has a club
– Has its own counselor
– Has money for book
grants and more
And more… If you need something, there is probably an
office on campus that can help, ask me too.

42. Next Class…
• Chapter One: Science as a Way of
Knowing
– First quiz will open after class.