PSCI 1524 Earth Science & Society Syllabus H01 Summer 2026

Hybrid Modality

• The hybrid modality of this course will require the student to learn some topics on their own ahead of lecture. Students will do this through textbook readings, online homework, discussions, observations of earth and sky, etc. It is very important, due to the 8-week and hybrid nature of this course, that students make every attempt to be in attendance when class is scheduled to meet.

• It is very important to have internet access and a computer to complete work outside of class. If you need assistance acquiring this technology, please let me know as soon as possible.

   

Due Dates/Attendance

• Due to the hybrid modality and that this is an 8-week course, all work must be turned in on time. Work will not be accepted late.

• Attendance will be taken for every class and will count for points.

• Work done in-class for points cannot be made up.

Homework

The intention of homework is to reinforce the concepts for the chapter. The homework will consist of online assignments in Canvas, discussions, and observations of the Earth or the sky. There could be other assignments that factor into the homework component as well, like attendance.

Quizzes

There will be one quiz per week, a few chapters per quiz depending on the content. The quiz could be given at the start of class the week after covering the chapter(s) or it could be online for you to complete on your own time. The two lowest quizzes will be dropped. Quizzes cannot be made up if missed.

Lab

Laboratory credit will be assigned according to both attendance and participation. Policy: miss no more than 2 lab sessions total for semester

• 1st missed lab: grade dropped
• 2nd missed lab: count toward lab grade as 0%
• 3^rd missed lab: failure of the course

If you miss 3 labs, you will not pass this class.

• Having three or more lab absences will result in a failing grade for this course. It
  is the student’s responsibility to know how many labs have been missed. It is
  recommended that if a student is not sure of how many labs they have missed that
  the student should meet with the professor during office hours before the last day to
  withdraw from the course to determine the actual number of absences.
  · Students must arrive to lab on time and must be ready to begin at the scheduled
  start time. Students are expected to have read the lab procedures and to have
  completed any assigned pre-lab questions before coming to lab. Assume that pre-lab
  assignments will be due at the start of lab and will not be accepted late for any
  reason.
  · Students that arrive after the pre-lab lecture has begun will not be permitted to
  participate in lab that day and will receive a zero on that day’s assignment. This
  type of absence will count as a lab absence.
  · Students that do not have proper apparel will not be permitted to
  participate in lab. This will count as a lab absence. Proper apparel is
  required for lab regardless of the activity scheduled for the day.
  · To receive the full credit for the lab activity, the student must stay for the entire lab
  period, unless dismissed early by the professor. A student will only be dismissed
  early if they have completed the entire laboratory activity and can turn it in. If a
  student leaves before being dismissed, the student will forfeit the points for the laboratory activity for that day and will receive a zero and the absence will count as
  a lab absence.
  · If a student does not complete the lab activity in the allotted time, the student could
  lose points on that day’s lab activity.
  · Experiment make-ups due to absence are not an option.
  · It is highly suggested to attend every lab and only reserve lab absences for
  unavoidable absences; do not use lab absences like you would vacation
  days.

NOTE: before you are allowed to participate in lab activities, you must complete the lab safety orientation. If it is not completed the first lab session, it must be made-up before the next lab. Please note that this orientation is required and must take place in-person in the laboratory itself.

Final Exam

The final exam is comprehensive, covering all topics reviewed in this course and multiple-choice. The final exam will be given the last day of class. There will be no make-ups if missed.

Student Behavior

• Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity at all times. Students who engage in academic dishonesty may fail that exam or assignment with a grade of zero, in addition to facing disciplinary action by the college. If a student is found cheating on an exam, the student will at least receive a 0% on the assignment, but may receive an F for their course grade depending on the severity of the offense. If a student is given a 0% for a first offense of cheating and is found to be cheating for a second time, they will automatically receive an F as a course grade. If you are not sure if an action is considered to be academically dishonest, such as plagiarism or cheating, please discuss with the instructor before submitting your assignment.
• Use of AI for course work should only be used as a resource or tool to enhance your learning. It should never be used as a substitute for your own original and critical thinking, which would be an example of academic dishonesty. Please treat every opportunity for learning and critical thinking as a way to prepare for course assessments.
• Students that repeatedly disrupt the class will be asked to leave.
  • Any behaviors that are disruptive, disturbing or concerning will be reported to the Dean of Student Services.
• I expect student behavior in this class to be professional.

Some Advice for Success…

• ATTEND every class.

• ASK questions when you don’t understand or when you want or need more information.

• VISIT office hours and help sessions. GO TO the tutor labs for help as well if applicable.

• STUDY regularly and don’t procrastinate.

• READ and USE the book.

• TAKE the homework seriously because they are intended to prepare you for the exam.

• STAY ORGANIZED and use the supplemental materials I supply to you.

• REACH OUT if you feel overwhelmed, if you don’t know where to begin and need help getting started, or if you are stuck on a problem or need clarification. Do not wait until things get out of control.

Some Facts Relating to Success…

• If you can’t do something before the test, you won’t be able to do it on the test.

• You need to get to the point where you can do problems quickly. If you can’t do the problems quickly by the day of the test, that means you probably haven’t had enough practice and will struggle with time on the test.

• An average student needs to spend two hours (sometimes more) studying for each hour spent in class to get an average grade.

• Your success is up to you, but I am here to support you along the way.