UNIV 1301 - University Seminar (13810/13811)
Scientific Revolutions

Fall 2002

MWF 12:30-13:20 in BUSN 323

Your own resolution to success is more
important than any other one thing.
Abraham Lincoln

Instructors. 

e-mail: hknaust@utep.edu,
URL: http://helmut.knaust.info
Office Hours: WF 10:00-11:00 in ENGR 229, or by appointment (call 747-6083).

 

e-mail: eldahl@utep.edu

Office Hours: TR 14:00-15:00 in ENGR 229, or by appointment (call 747-6083).

 

Peer Facilitators.

e-mail: strawbuberry2000@hotmail.com

Tutoring Hours: M 13:30-15:30, T 13:15-14:15, R 12:15-13:15, F 13:30-14:30 in BioACES (CLB 001)

 

e-mail: gonzalezg@utep.edu

Tutoring Hours: M 13:30-14:30, R 10:30-11:30, F 14:30-17:00 in BioACES (CLB 001)

 

Other Help.

 

 

Goals and Objectives.

·        The course is designed to endow you with the university survival skills necessary to become a successful UTEP student as well as to keep you interested in Science or Engineering while you are still taking Mathematics and English classes preparing you for “regular” Engineering and Science classes.

·        Here are the most important objectives of UNIV 1301: (1) you will engage in critical thinking and problem-solving activities, (2) you will practice oral, written and electronic communication skills, (3) you will conduct library and electronic research, and (4) you will examine and develop academic survival and success strategies.

 

Contents.

 

·        We will spend slightly more than half of the allotted time of the course on the study skills portion of the course. You will learn time management skills, improve your note-taking skills, reevaluate your reading habits, work on your test-taking strategies, clarify your career and life goals, etc. The required textbook

 

Dave Ellis, Becoming a Master Student, Houghton-Mifflin, 10th ed.

 

provides the material for most of these activities. We will also explore the UTEP campus and some of its resources such as the Library and the Centennial Museum.

·        The rest of the course will be devoted to the science/engineering theme: We will investigate the history and structure of some of the major revolutions in scientific thought. As a first example, you will learn about the scientific revolution in Physics that started during the late Renaissance, leading from a geocentric model of the universe to a heliocentric model, accompanied by the birth of classical mechanics. In the second half of the course we will study the scientific revolution in Biology during the second half of the 19th century, which led to a basic understanding of the evolutionary process, classical genetics, and the interaction between these two theories. 

·        As much as possible, practice material for the study skills portion of the course will be taken from material of the science/engineering theme: math exercises, reading assignments, etc.

 

Your Grade.

·        Tests. Two tests will be given covering all material covered in class and on homework assignments. The dates for the tests will be announced at least one week beforehand. Each test counts 10% of your grade. Make-up tests will only be given under extraordinary circumstances, and only if you notify one of the instructors prior to the exam date.

·        Final. The final on Friday, December 13, 13:00-15:45 is mandatory and comprehensive. It also counts 10% of your grade.

·        Homework Assignments. We will regularly assign homework. The homework will be collected at the beginning of class the day it is due and it will then be graded. Late homework submissions will not be accepted. Your homework will contribute 15% to your grade.

·        Various in-class assignments and quizzes will count 15% of your grade.

·        Attendance will be recorded and will count 10% of your grade. Your attendance grade starts at 10 points. Once you have been absent 2 times unexcused, 1 point will be deducted for each further unexcused absence.
An absence will only be considered excused if you have a valid reason and if you send an email to Jessica Retana prior to the class you will miss; starting at the 3rd excused absence you will have to provide documentation. To avoid unnecessary class disruptions you are expected to arrive on time and remain seated until the class is dismissed.

·        Each student group will give a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation in the middle of the semester. This presentation will account for another 10% of your grade.

·        Each of you will read a general audience science or engineering book and write a book report. The book report will be worth 10% of your grade. The instructors will provide you with a book list from which to pick.

·        You will attend at least three social, cultural or intellectual on-campus events, at least one from each category. Attendance at a UTEP Women’s Soccer game is mandatory (this counts as a social or cultural event). Proof of attendance of these events including a short report will contribute a total of 5% to your grade. The instructors will regularly announce upcoming events in class.

·        You will earn the remaining 5% of your grade by attending UTEP’s Career Expo on September 26 and 27.

 

Miscellaneous Items.

The first round of meetings will be with Jessica or Gabriela. You need to schedule a meeting with her by September 20. You will meet with Dr. Knaust between September 23 and October 18. Your meeting with Ms. Dahl has to take place between October 21 and November 15.

Please schedule your meetings well ahead of the deadlines. Non-participation will result in a reduction of your attendance grade.