Evolution of Science/Science of Evolution

Fall 2003

 

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:          Prof. Tom Mitzel

                                    Office:    Clement Chemistry, #315, phone 297-5244

                                                   e-mail:    thomas.mitzel@mail.trincoll.edu

 

                                    Office Hours:  T, TH  8:00-10:00 AM

                                                            or JUST STOP BY!

                                                            (Clement 115)

 

                                    Home Phone:  257-3680 (before 9:30 pm)

 

SCHEDULE:              Lecture:           Tues., Thurs.; 9:55-11:10 AM

                                                            Clement Chemistry 308

                                   

 

TEXTBOOKS:           BOOKS FOR SUMMER READING:

 

1)   A Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method, by Stephen S. Carey

                                                ISBN:  0534584500

 

2)    A Chemical History Tour:  Picturing Chemistry from Alchemy to Modern

Molecular Science, by Arthur Greenberg

                                                ISBN:  0-471-35408-2

 

 

BOOKS WE WILL BE READING DURING THE SEMESTER:

 

1)   "Finding Darwin's God" Written by Kenneth R. Miller.

                                                ISBN:  0-06-093049-7

 

2)   "Fullhouse" written by Stephen J. Gould

                                                ISBN:  0-609-80140-6

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL     Reading and writing skills are extremely important in today's society.  All students

READING:                 are encouraged to read whenever and whatever possible, from classic novels to scribbling on bathroom walls.  I will be handing out supplemental reading throughout the semester from many different sources.  These readings will range in length.

 

BLACKBOARD:        Trinity College makes extensive use of Blackboard.  You should ensure that your password is set up and that you can reach this site.  You should get in the habit of checking this site on a daily basis.  You should also ensure that your e-mail account is active.

 

ATTENDENCE:         The First Year courses are seminar-based, meaning that input from students during class is extremely important.  With this scenario in mind, part of your grade will be determined based upon attendance.  If you are in athletics, you must get me your schedule immediately so we can go over the days you will miss.

 

                                    Absences will sometimes be unavoidable due to illness, athletics, getting lost on campus, etc..  In an effort to help you keep up with the material on days you have missed the lecture, you will turn in a 5 page report based on the material the class covered on that day.  This paper will be due no later than one week after the date of the class you missed.

 

LABORATORY:         This course will have up to 6 laboratories to help aid the classroom learning.  Most of the laboratory time will occur during the normal class period, however, it may be necessary to have laboratory outside of our normal class period on occasion.  The student will be notified well in advance when this occurrence is to take place, and, if the student is nice, pizza may be involved in the latter scenario.

 

OUTSIDE                   We will be visiting the Museum of Natural History in New York, and we will be

ACTIVITIES:              taking a trip to Church Farm.  There are also a few movies that go well with the class material that we will be viewing.  Since it is somewhat difficult to determine the pace of a seminar course, I have not set firm dates on these activities.  You will be notified well in advance.  Again, pizza is available for many of these events if you are nice!

 

GRADING:                Weekly papers and assignments:        1000 points

                                    Midterm paper:                                    200 points

                                    Laboratory:                                          300 points

                                    Final Paper:                                         200 points

                                    Attendance:                                          200 points

                                                                                                1900 points total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week #1 Assignment:

 

      Pick one of the scientists from the book ÒA Chemical HistoryÓ and give a 4 page report on the major scientific breakthroughs this person offered.  Your choice should be a person who practiced his/her art before the 1800Õs.  As part of your report, give your opinion as to whether or not you think this scientist followed good scientific procedure based on the book ÒA BeginnerÕs Guide to Scientific Method.Ó  Pick out salient points from the latter book to prove your argument. (Due Tuesday, September 9, 2003)