TEXT: 1. Caribbean Certificate Atlas - McMillan (CCA)

2. Weather - A Golden Guide (Weather)

3. The Caribbean—The Natural World Reading Packet (RP)

INTERNET: SCI 100 Website

Lab Sections Instructors:

The student peer instructors are Rachel Lasley, Paul Mills, and Thompson Alexander.

GUEST LECTURERS:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Cheating and academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in SCI 100. Definitions of the types of academic dishonesty and penalties are stated in the UVI catalog. All writing assignments must be in your own words. Any direct quotation must be noted as a quotation and credit given to the author of the words. Paraphrased material must also be acknowledged with an in-text citation (and with inclusion in your list of references). The rules for using web and Internet materials are generally the same as for using someone’s printed materials. For example, you cannot download pictures from web sites unless permission is given. These rules must be closely followed. Consult the UVI Catalog if you have questions. The course instructors will answer your questions willingly.

à Show respect and courtesy toward all people in the class at all times.

à While we encourage you to participate in discussions relevant to the class topic, you must do so by addressing the whole class. During class, do not engage in private conversations with your neighbor(s). Such behavior is disruptive and rude. It interferes with communication and is disrespectful to the person speaking and to all the people who are trying to listen.

à Cell phones and beepers may not be used in class. They cause distraction and must be turned off. If your phone or beeper rings in class you will be asked to leave class and not return that day. A second offense will result in dismissal from the course.

à Food and/or drink are not permitted in either the classroom or the laboratory.

à Arriving after class has begun, you must enter silently and try to minimize the disruption you cause. Do not announce your salutation loudly as is the practice mistakenly taken as good manners.

Attendance at 2 Campus-Wide Experiences are required to pass this course.

1. Exams: 3 in-class exams (the best 2 will count) 300 points

and Final Exam 200 points

2. Periodic lab quizzes (top 10 will count) 100 points

3. Science Conference : Topic (10),

Abstract (10), Paper (40), and Presentation (40) 100 points

4. Written Assignments 3 formal lab reports (40 pts each) - all counted,

4 essays and 7 submissions (20 points each) - the best 6 will count.

5. Directed Information Retrievals 60 points

TOTAL: 1000 points

Letter Grades will be awarded on the following basis:

A- 90% - 93%

B+ 87% - 89%

B 84% - 86%

B- 80% - 83%

C+ 77% - 79%

C 74% - 76%

C- 70% - 73%

D+ 67% - 69%

D 60% - 66%

F < 60%

Notes:

1. The three class exams and the final exam will be given in class.

2. The weekly quizzes will be given at the beginning of each Discussion/Lab.

Attendance to all laboratory sessions is mandatory!

of the semester. This science conference is modeled after conferences held for faculty members, researchers and student scholars in different academic disciplines. Its purpose is to allow you to gain experience in making serious presentations in a friendly setting. The breakdown of your science conference assignment is as follows:

4 Essays, and 7 Submissions, all to be turned in during the Discussion/Lab.

5. Directed Information Retrieval (DIR) -- In order to help you prepare for the

Science Conference papers, you are required to complete six (6) Directed Information Retrievals (DIRs) individually. To complete a DIR, find and review articles with information relevant to topics discussed in this course (Hurricanes, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis and their impacts). You will be awarded points for (a) a printout of each article, attached to (b) a neatly typed, 1-paragraph summary (75-100 words) of the substance of the article in your own original writing, explaining how the article relates to topics covered in SCI 100. Submissions that do not include both of these will not be accepted. You may use any reputable books, journals or media sources, including the Internet. Your Discussion/Lab instructor or peer instructor retains the right to reject any material if (a) they deem it irrelevant to the course themes, or if (b) the student plagiarizes her/his summary from the original author (five or more words copied in succession). Each DIR is worth a maximum of 10 points (for a maximum total of 60 points). A single DIR submission will be accepted during your Discussion/Lab period only on the following 6 weeks. -- Week 3 (Sep 6-11), Week 5 (Sep 20-25), Week 7 (Oct 4-9), Week 9 (Oct 18-23), Week 11 (Nov 1-6) and Week 13 (Nov 15-20).

6. Campus-Wide Experiences (CWE) are structured activities intended to involve students in various aspects of Virgin Islands natural history or in other valuable academic experiences. Students must participate in at least two (2) in order to qualify to earn any extra credit at all in any extra activity. Every CWE beyond the required two is worth 10 extra-credit points up to a maximum of 20 points (2 extra CWEs). These CWEs may include such activities as nature treks, boat trips to nearby cays on UVI's research vessel, an underwater survey on the Atlantis submarine, a visit to Etelman Observatory, beach visits for marine observations, debris surveys and clean-ups, special presentations and course-related videos.

7. Your Portfolio is your entire collection of work during the semester. You should save all graded work and may submit it for a maximum of 10 extra points (1%) at semester’s end. Attach to it a 1—2 page evaluation of how the quality of your work has changed during the semester, what aspects of the course you feel are particularly worthwhile, and your recommendations concerning how we might improve the course during future semesters. Most portfolios will be quickly returned. However, we reserve the right to select a few and keep them for up to one semester to assist evaluators of this course.

Note: Assignments turned in late will be penalized at the rate of 5% per day until the highest possible grade has dropped to 40% of it maximum value.

Classes

0. Introduction to the Class, Discussion of Course Syllabus and of Class Procedures

I. Hurricanes, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis

A. Overview/summary of course content

B. Commonality of hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis

1. Where do they occur? - locations in the Caribbean and globally.

2. Underlying causes - density and convection as unifying concepts.

Reading: The Caribbean--The Natural World Reading Packet (RP) pages 3-8; Weather: pages 10-11.

-QUIZ 1.

-Group photos will be taken and Homework Help sheets filled out. Students and faculty will identify themselves and spend a few minutes getting to know one another.

- Collaboration groups will be organized.

-Excerpts from the movie Dante’s Peak and from a Montserrat volcano video will be shown. A discussion of the role of science and scientists in society will follow.

Administrative necessity — Establish an e-mail account with hotmail, yahoo, msn or other Internet service (if you don’t already have an account).*

-Write at least two paragraphs (approximately one page long) on one of the following topics: 1) an account of a hurricane that you experienced; or 2) an account of an interview you have done of a person who experienced a hurricane; or 3) a comparison of hurricanes now and in the 1800’s; or 4) a review of a published historical account of a hurricane. Essay #1 is due next week in Discussion/Lab. You may seek assistance in reviewing a first draft during the week. E-mail questions to the Discussion/Lab instructor are welcome.

Classes

II. Ways of Knowing

A. What is the Scientific Method?

1. Hypothesis, experimentation/observation, analysis, conclusion.

2. The tools of the scientific method: length, mass, time and

3. Derived and defined quantities based on length, mass, and time.

4. Important HVET measurements and units

B. What are other ways of knowing?

Reading: The Caribbean--The Natural World Reading Packet (RP) pages 9-14.

-QUIZ 2

- You will prepare a formal lab report for this exercise. The first draft will be reviewed next week and the final report is due in 2 weeks. Detailed instructions on the format for a formal lab report are presented with an accompanying handout.

-During the class, student collaborators may discuss how they will prepare the required lab report for Measurement Lab. During Discussion/Lab of Week 3, time will be allowed for completing this exercise and for discussing results within the collaborative group or with your lab instructor or peer instructor. This discussion can continue until Week 4 when the final draft of the lab report will be due.

Administrative necessity for next week — Send an e-mail message to your instructors to let them know your e-mail address. Be sure to state your real name and the section of SCI 100 you attend.

NOTE: Monday, September 6^th - No classes (Labor Day)

Class

III. The Setting - Physical Geography of the Caribbean

A. How are global positions identified? - latitude, longitude, and nautical miles.

B. Physical Geography of the Caribbean (concluded)

C. What are the tools of the Geographer? - Maps

Reading: The Caribbean--The Natural World Reading Packet (CNWRP) pages 3-8; and Caribbean Certificate Atlas (CCA) pages 4,12,70,91

-QUIZ 3

-Submission #1 is due

-Computer Lab — Students will use UVI Computer Lab facilities to (1) establish their own e-mail accounts; (2) log into two world wide web URLs (addresses) and record their URLs, their titles and (if available) the name of their producers or webmasters; (3) read a message sent to them by the instructor, open its attachment and respond to it by an e-mail message to the instructor; and (4) use any word processor (WORD, WORD PERFECT, etc) on the computer to type a 1 page conclusion for your measurement lab.

*Note: Students who have inappropriately provocative, violent, crude or disrespectful login names must acquire new accounts (through hotmail, yahoo, msn or any carrier) with new acceptable names. Although inappropriate names may be allowed under the "freedom of speech" provisions of the American Constitution/Bill of Rights, these same provisions also allow the instructor and others to refuse to respond to any person whose inappropriate name offends them.

IV. Caribbean Weather Patterns

A. Cosmological origins of earth, water and atmosphere

B. What is the Atmosphere?

1. Atmospheric structure

2. Atmospheric Chemistry

Reading: CCA pages 6-7 & page 8 ("The Atmosphere"); Weather: pages 34-39;

IV. Caribbean Weather Patterns

D. Weather basics.

E. What winds and weather patterns influence the Caribbean?

Reading: Weather: pages 42-59; CCA pages 18-23; RP pages 15-20 & 26-36

Labs cancelled this week due to Hurricane Jeanne

Classes

IV. Weather Patterns (concluded)

F. What is the Coriolis effect? - The underlying laws of nature

G. What phenomena might cause changes in the Caribbean climate? (Includes El Niño, La

Reading: RP pages 21-25; CCA pages 18-23

-QUIZ #4

-In addition, you will visit the Library for an introduction to using the Library and for assistance in researching your Science Conference topic.

Class Monday, September 27

V. Hurricanes

Review for exam 1.

Class Wednesday, September 29 * * * Exam I * * *

Topics to be covered on Exam I:

Ways of Knowing (the Scientific Method, measurements of length, mass, time and the System International, derived and defined quantities, conversions and calculations with important HVET measurements and units)

Physical Geography of the Caribbean, Caribbean Weather Patterns (atmospheric structure, atmospheric chemistry, energy sources for weather, global weather patterns, the effect and underlying laws of nature, prevailing winds and weather patterns influencing the Caribbean, phenomena that may cause changes in the Caribbean

weather/climate? (El Niño, La Niña, etc.)

Reading: RP: page 3 & 37-42 & 46-47; Weather: 104-111; CCA: page 21

-QUIZ 5

-The lab exercise this week will center on introductions to maps and map reading. Working in groups of two or three, students will complete a formal exercise involving a number of maps of Caribbean, Virgin Islands, US and global geography. Please do not write on the maps.

Reading: CCA page 12-15.

Writing Assignment — The topic chosen for your Science Conference is due next week.

Class

V. Hurricanes (continued)

B. How do hurricanes form and move?

1. Energy sources.

• Nurturing and steering: planetary vorticity, ambient conditions, etc

Reading: RP: 43-45 & 48-50.

6. A. Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis (Chancellor John Leipzig)

Communications during disasters, what is the impact on people

-QUIZ 6

-Topic approval of Science Conference due today.

• Video on hurricanes with emphasis on one unique example.

Writing Assignment -- Your Science Conference Topic/Outline/Reference List is due next week in Discussion/Lab. It constitutes this week’s writing assignment.

Classes

VI. Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis continued.

B. How do we know about the Earth's interior?

1. Wave physics - seismic waves.

2. The Earth’s interior

3. The chemistry of the Earth's crust.

C. Global Geology

1. Convection in the Earth's interior.

2. Plate tectonics: evidence behind the theory.

Reading: CCA: page 8-9 & 11 ("The Earth"); RP: 51-57 & 74-77 Also: RP: 78-96.

-QUIZ 7

-Your Science Conference Topic/Outline/Reference List is due.

-During Discussion/Lab this week, you will write an individual essay (Essay #2) on a topic to be announced. Correction of this assignment is conducted consistent with the Writing Across the Curriculum class.

Writing Assignment - Abstract for Science Conference is due next week.

Class

VI. Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis continued

D. Geology of the Caribbean

Reading: RP: 51-57; CCA: page 9-10

Class

VI. Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis continued.

E. Tectonic Events- Earthquakes & Tsunamis

Reading: RP: 98-117, RP: 118-128 & 134 (Glossary); Also (optional) 129-133; CCA: page 11.

-QUIZ 8

-Abstract for Science Conference is due.

Readings: See the articles starting in the Reading Packet pages 58, 65, 78, 129 and 152 for different examples of abstracts and introductions and of the handling of references.

Class Monday, October 25 * * * Exam II * * *

Topics covered on Exam II:

VII. The Impact in the Caribbean of HVET continued.

Caribbean?

Reading: Reading links provided online with lecture material

-QUIZ 9

Writing Assignment -Your Science Conference paper is due next week.

NOTE: Monday, November 1 - No classes (Liberty Day)

Class

7. VII. The Impact of Hurricanes, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis on Ecosystems.
8. A. How do these events affect marine ecosystems?

1. Photosynthesis and chemosynthesis in the face of natural hazards

Reading: Special readings to be assigned; also RP: 135-117, 152-153; CCA 24-25 RP

-Science Conference Paper due at the start of Discussion/Lab class.

Writing Assignments -

3. How are the important ecosystems of the VI shaped by hurricanes?

B. How do HVET events affect wetlands, mangroves. How are mangrove wetlands

classified? What variations occur in the VI?

Reading: RP: 140-144; CCA pages 29-31

Discussion/Lab — There is no Discussion/Lab this week.

Classes

VII. The Impact in the Caribbean of HVET continued.

C. How do these events affect the marine environment?

Coral reef ecosystems, wetlands

D. How do human activities alter the magnitude of HVET effects? Greenhouse effect,

global warming and their effects on HVET and the conservation of biodiversity.

Reading: RP: 145-153 & (skim) pages 154-176

-Science Conference — The presentation of papers.

- DIR #5 due

Reading: RP pages 19-20; CCA pages 25-26, 29-31.

Discussion/Lab — -- There is no Discussion/Lab this week.

Class Monday, November 29^th * * * Exam III * * *, DIR #6 due

Topics to be covered on Exam III:

Ecosystems, Energy and Global Climate Change -- Alternative Energy, how natural hazards can effect the marine environment (mangroves, coral reef ecosystems), global warming/ greenhouse effect/ global climate change

FINAL EXAM -The Science 100 exams will be Dec 1, 3-5 pm in SFC 222 and nearby classrooms. It will be comprehensive and is worth 200 points.