Writing Assignment Rubric

	4	8	12	16	20
Spelling and Grammar	Paper contains numerous grammatical punctuation, and spelling errors		Paper contains few grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors		Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed; spelling is correct
Writing Capturing Main Ideas	Main ideas are unclear	Main ideas unclear and/or not well developed.  Paragraphs are not related to information from “source”	Main ideas somewhat unclear and/or poorly developed.  Paragraphs are somewhat related to information from “source”	Main idea clear and develop.  Paragraph are related to information from “source”	Main idea very clear and well developed.  Paragraphs are clearly related to information from “source”
Reflection/Question	No reflection or question ask		Reflection (question) unrelated to article discussed or unclear.		Reflection (question) relates to article and/ or class discussion.
Sources	No source cited.		Sources cited but not in MLA format.		Sources cited in correct MLA format.
Conclusion	No conclusion	Conclusion vague and hard to understand based on supporting details	Conclusion not fully supported by evidence presented in paper	Good conclusion supported by evidence presented in paper	Sound conclusion based on the supporting evidence presented in the paper
On Time					Not submitted on time (-20)
Total Points						100

Writing Assignment

The writing assignment is for the face to face class (SCI 101-03) not the online class. 
For each science unit you will read a science article, in the area of physics, tehnology, engineering, chemistry, astronomy, aerospace science, or environmental science.  No politics or editorial article will be accepted.  The article must be current and relevant to physical science.  You will read and analysis the article and write a paragraph summarizing the article, including citation of the article.  The paragraph should 1) summarize the article and 2) draw connections to class dicussions or ask relevant questions pertaining to the science discussed in the article.  See blog post for due date.

Unit Conversion

Metric unit conversion

Significant Figures

Scientific Notation

Scientific Method Diagram

Scientific Method Diagram 

Unit 1 Study Guide

Unit 1:  Introduction to Physical Science Study Guide

After completing Unit 1 you should be able to:

• ·            Recognize the major divisions of natural science
• ·            Recognize the five major divisions of physical science
• ·            Define hypothesis
• ·            Define scientific theory
• ·            Define scientific law
• ·            Understand the role of the scientific method in the investigation of nature
• ·            Know the standard unit of length, mass, and time in SI (International System of Units)
• ·            Distinguish between the common metric prefixes
• ·            Use conversion factors to convert between U.S system and metric system
• ·            Use conversion factors to convert within the metric system
• ·            Summarize the purpose of significant figures
• ·            Demonstrate proper mathematical rounding
• ·            Manipulate between standard and scientific notation
• ·            Analyze the scientific method used in the case study
• ·            Explain how the research studied in the case study can be improved
• ·            Summarize the methodology used in the research study
•                Identify what science is and is not
• ·            Identify why science is important to society
•       Explain the necessity for experimental controls
• Terms:
• fact
• hypothesis
• law
• peseudoscience
• science
• scientific method
• theory
• conversion factor
• significant figures

Writing Assignment

The writing assignment is due January 26 by 11:59 pm.  See Blog post for a list of magazines available through the library.  

Welcome Spring 2013

A thousand mile journey begins with one step - Lao Tzu

Welcome to SCI 101.  I'm Dr. Hinton the instructor of the online and MWF face to face class.  If you have any questions throughout the semester or having problems, please let me know. Contact me either through the Facebook group, email whinton@nsu.edu or call the office at (757) 823-2275.  Leave a message if I'm not in.  
It is extremely difficult to catch up once you fall behind.  Be prepared to set aside time each week (~9 hrs) to work on your assignments and study.  
Let's begin our journey.