This document provides the syllabus for a General Science 100: Roots of Science course taught online in the fall of 2010. It outlines the instructor's contact information, required attributes for online students, course objectives, content to be covered, assignments including quizzes, exams and group projects, grading scale, schedule, policies on withdrawals, cheating, and accessibility. The course aims to cover the entire history of science in 10 weeks through narrated video presentations, and assesses students on their understanding of the development of scientific theories and disciplines over time.

1. General Science 100: Roots of Science – Fall 2010
Plato Aristotle
Instructor: Gerry Barclay Phone: 206 878-3710, Ext 3522
Office location: Building 29, Room 240 Office hours: TTh 9-1030; W 1230-2; online: MF 7-8AM
email: gbarclay@highline.edu ANGEL: http://angel.highline.edu
Course web page: http://flightline.highline.edu/gbarclay/Roots/roots_of_science.htm
TEXTBOOKS: none, but see below
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Roots of Science in fall 2009 is an online class. This class requires online participation and self
learning. This means that you, as a student, should have certain attributes:
1. You should have sufficient computer skills. Advanced computer skills are not necessary
but you have the ability to navigate the Internet, have basic keyboarding skills, and
know how to use email. We will be using the class management system, ANGEL. I will be
posting announcements, assignments, and possibly extra credit on ANGEL sometimes on
a daily basis. To be successful in this class you must check ANGEL regularly (daily is best).
2. You should be a good time manager. This class like all classes requires a substantial time
investment. The rule of thumb is that for every hour in class, you spend two hours outside
of class studying for that class. A typical non-online class meets five hours per week. Thus,
you should expect to spend at least fifteen hours per week on this class. Since you also
have a life outside of this class (and probably have other classes), it will be necessary to
carve out specific times in your busy life to devote specifically to this class. It is highly
recommended that you make time each day to study for this class.
3. You should be an independent learner. You are directing your own learning experience.
While the instructor is available during his office hours and online to answer questions that
arise, you have the primary responsibility for learning the material in this class.
4. You should be self disciplined. No one but you can force you to work on this class but
you. If you discipline yourself to be an independent learner, you will succeed.
5. You should be self motivated
6. You should be a good organizer
7. You should have a dependable computer. If your computer is excessively slow or prone
to crashing, it will pose a problem to you achieving success in this class. If your computer
is slow or prone to crashing, you will need to find an alternate. On the Highline CC
campus there are computers available in the HCC library (check for hours of operation),
the Biology Lab Building (building 12- open 7-4 Monday through Friday), and (if you have
a computer pass) the Computer Lab Building (building 30).
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, a student should understand and be able to explain orally and
in writing
 the current status of the nature of science and key Big Ideas of science
 the importance of theories in science and specific theories for the various
scientific disciplines studied
 the complex relationship between religion and science throughout the history of
science
 the specific developments in the various historical periods under study that led to
the current status of the nature of science
 the distinction between natural philosophy and mature science

2. COURSE CONTENT: Roots of Science is a course that attempts to cover the entire span of the
history of science in approximately 10 weeks. This is a daunting task and one that cannot be
made without cutting some corners. Some topics are not explored to the extent they would
otherwise have been had there been more time. Also, there is no book available that covers the
entire span of the history of science. Thus, there is no book required for this course. Course
content is instead presented in narrated video PowerPoints.
COURSE POWERPOINTS: The topics covered in this class are presented in narrated video
PowerPoints. You will be responsible for the information covered in four to five approximately
half-hour narrated video PowerPoints per week. You are responsible for the content of these
video PowerPoints as scheduled. The narrated video PowerPoints can be found here:
http://flightline.highline.edu/gbarclay/Roots/ppts/rootsppts.htm
QUIZZES: There are nine assigned quizzes. Each quiz will consist of 25 multiple choice questions
worth one point each. Providing you take all 9 quizzes, I will average your quiz scores and
replace the lowest quiz score with the average. On the quizzes, you will be allowed 30 minutes.
You will get a 2 minute warning before your time is up. When the time is up, your quiz will be
automatically submitted. Quizzes will be made available one week before they are due. When
you complete the quiz, you will be able to see your score only. The day following the quiz due
date-- after all quizzes are submitted-- I will make the correct answers available to you.
COMPUTER PROBLEMS: If you are taking a quiz and experience a computer problem that shuts
down the quiz you are taking, email me as soon as possible. The first two times this occurs, I will
reset the quiz for you and if necessary, extend the quiz deadline. After the second occurrence
however you must find an alternative computer on which to take the quizzes. There are
computers in the Highline CC library, in the Biology Lab (building 12), and in the Computer lab
(building 30) that you can use as alternatives.
EXAMS: Exams will consist of multiple choice questions, short answer, and essay. Exams cover
information covered in the PowerPoints. See the schedule below for details.
GROUP POWERPOINT PROJECTS: You will work in groups of 3 or 4 students to produce a
PowerPoint based on a history of science topic. A list of topics and more information on this
assignment will be given to you at a future date.
GRADING:
Grades will be based on quizzes, exams, and a PowerPoint group project. Additional
assignments are possible; total points will be adjusted accordingly.
Probable point distributions are as follows:
Quizzes (9 @ 25 points each) 225
Exams (2 @ 75 points each) 150
PowerPoint Group Project 50
Total Points 425
Grades will be determined as a percentage of the total points you earned divided by the total
points possible from the exams, quizzes, and group projects. These percentages will be
converted to a decimal as shown on the last page.
MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS: In the interest of fairness to all, you are expected to complete
assignments by the date they are due. Changes in due dates will be allowed, in most
circumstances, in the case of an emergency and must be cleared with the instructor, if at all
possible, before the scheduled assignment is due.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
In addition to my office hours, I will be available by email Monday through Friday from 7AM to
5PM and on Saturday 7AM – 9 AM. By this I mean that I will, during these times, be checking my
emails periodically and will respond promptly. If you encounter a problem that requires my

3. attention outside of these times, I will attend to your concern the next time I will be available.
Please, if you send me an email, in the subject line of your email, put: Roots.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY: The last day to officially withdraw is November 25th. Students who stop
participating in the class and do not officially withdraw from the class will be graded according
to points received.
CHEATING: You, the student, are expected to conduct yourself with integrity. When you cheat*,
or aid someone else in cheating, you violate a trust. If you cheat, disciplinary action will be
taken.
* Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying answers on tests and assignments, glancing at
nearby test papers, swapping papers, stealing, plagiarizing, and illicitly giving or receiving help
on exams and assignments.
CLASS BEHAVIOR: It is expected that you will treat your classmates with dignity and respect.
Disparaging remarks of a sexual, racial, or ethnic nature will not be tolerated.
STATEMENT ON ACCESSIBILITY: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of
a disability; if you have emergency medical information to share with the instructor; if you need
special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please provide the instructor
with the Letter of Accommodation you have received from the Office of Access Services.
Access Services is located in Building 99.

4. Roots of Science tentative Fall 2009 Schedule
Assignments (due
Topics. Location of narrated PowerPoints: by midnight of the
Week of: http://flightline.highline.edu/gbarclay/Roots/ppts/rootsppts.htm scheduled day)
Sept 21st Video Introduction to class and ANGEL ANGEL Survey due
Chapter One: Big Ideas of Science Friday 9/25
Sept 28th Chapter Two: Aristotle’s Natural History Chapter One Quiz
Due Monday 9/28
Oct 5th Chapter Three: Hellenistic Natural Philosophy; Chapter Four: Chapter Two Quiz
Greek Medicine Due Monday 10/5
Oct 12th Chapter Five: Roman and Medieval Natural Philosophy Chapters Three
and Four Quiz Due
Monday 10/12
Oct 19th Chapter Six: The Renaissance Chapter Five Quiz
Due Monday 10/19
Oct 26th Chapter Seven Parts One – Three: The Scientific Revolution Exam one Due
Wednesday 10/28
(Chapters One
through Six)
Nov 2nd Chapter Seven Parts Four-Six: The Scientific Revolution Chapter Seven (1-
3) Quiz Due
Monday 11/2
Nov 9th Chapter Eight Parts One and Two: History of Evolutionary Chapter Seven (4-
Thought 6) Quiz Due
Reading; Myths of evolution (GB) Monday 11/9
Group Ppt due
Friday 11/13
Nov 16th Chapter Eight Parts Three - Five: History of Evolutionary Thought Chapter Eight
(1,2)/ Myths Quiz
Due Monday 11/16
Ppt review and
post mortem due
Friday 11/20
Nov 23rd Chapter Eight Parts Six – Eight: History of Evolutionary Thought Chapter Eight (3-5)
Quiz Due Monday
11/23
Nov 30th Chapter Nine: Einstein and 20th Century Physics Chapter Eight (6-8)
Quiz Due Monday
11/30
Dec 7th Exam two: Chapters Seven through Nine Due Thursday 12/10
Darwin and Mendel: The Founders of Modern Biology

5. Grading Scale
PERCENT DECIMAL GRADE PERCENT DECIMAL GRADE
100 4.0
99 4.0 69 1.4
98 4.0 68 1.3
97 4.0 67 1.2
96 4.0 66 1.1
95 4.0 65 1.0
94 3.9 64 0.9
93 3.8 63 0.8
92 3.7 62 0.7
91 3.6 61 0.6
90 3.5 60 0.5
89 3.4 59 0.4
88 3.3 58 0.3
87 3.2 57 0.2
86 3.1 56 0.1
85 3.0 55 0.0
84 2.9
83 2.8
82 2.7
81 2.6
80 2.5
79 2.4
78 2.3
77 2.2
76 2.1
75 2.0
74 1.9
73 1.8
72 1.7
71 1.6
70 1.5
Newton and Einstein: founders of classical and modern physics
RESONSIBILITY: you are responsible for the content of this syllabus. If you have any questions about anything
contained in this syllabus, it is your responsibility to ask your instructor for clarification.