ESC1000 - Survey of Earth Science

Academic Dean’s Contact Information

LAKELAND DEAN’S OFFICE: LLC 2255              PHONE: (863) 297-1024
WINTER HAVEN DEAN’S OFFICE: WSC 101      PHONE: (863) 297-1020

Polk State College Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College, a quality driven institution, transforms lives through the power of education by providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates and workforce employment programs, delivered by diverse, qualified faculty and staff. In line with this purpose, Polk State’s General Education courses develop competence in the areas of 1) Communication, 2) Critical Thinking, 3) Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning, 4) Information Literacy, 5) Global Socio-Cultural Responsibility. Students should review the Polk State Catalog for a complete description of these outcomes. This course focuses on the development of competencies related to the areas of:

3. Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning

Apply mathematical and scientific principles and methods to solve abstract and real-world problems.

4. Information Literacy

Demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, incorporate, organize, and document information.

 
Course Objectives:
Students will:

1. Follow the scientific method, evaluate/interpret both quantitative and qualitative data pertaining to the Earth’s structure, composition, processes, oceans, and atmosphere, (3)
2. Apply the scientific principles formed from the physical laws and scientific method to a new set of phenomena involving the Earth’s structure, composition, processes, oceans, and atmosphere, (3),  
3. Organize information from lectures, text, and Internet resources involving the Earth’s structure, composition, processes, oceans, and atmosphere, (4)
4. Learn basic course content involving the Earth’s structure, composition, processes, oceans, and atmosphere.

• Earth Minerals
• Materials of the Lithosphere
• Landscapes Fashioned by Water
• Glacial and Arid Landscapes
• Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory
• Restless Earth: Earthquakes, Geologic Structures, and Mountain Building
• Fires Within: Igneous Activity
• Geologic Time
• Oceans: The Last Frontier
• The Restless Ocean
• Heating the Atmosphere
• Clouds and Precipitation
• The Atmosphere in Motion
• Weather Patterns and Severe Weather
• The Nature of the Solar System
• Beyond the Solar System
   

Textbook and Other Requirements

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus, at the campus bookstore, on the campus bookstore website (www.polk.bncollege.com), or via the “Shop Textbook” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

The Gordon Rule

The Gordon Rule, State Rule 6A-10.30, requires each Associate in Arts (AA) degree program student to complete six credits of college-level mathematics; taking the appropriate General Education mathematics courses will satisfy the mathematics portion of the requirement.

In addition, State Rule 6A-10.030 requires each AA degree program student to complete six semester hours of English and six semester hours of additional courses in which the student demonstrates college-level writing skills through multiple assignments. Because Polk State College uses a “Writing across the Curriculum” approach to meeting the writing requirement, in addition to the required composition courses, any of the required Social Sciences and Humanities courses will fulfill this writing requirement. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses used to fulfill the Communications and Mathematics areas of the General Education requirements.

This is not a Gordon Rule writing course, but it may include writing assignments as a part of course requirements.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the campus Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the Teaching/Learning and Computing Center (TLCC) JDA Student Success Center, and library, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote students’ academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College website.

Withdrawing From a Course

Students may officially withdraw from course(s) during any given term, provided they follow the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop/Add Period, a student may officially withdraw without academic penalty from any credit course, provided he or she has submitted the appropriate forms to the Student Services Office no later than the published deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course withdrawal that vary from this policy. Individuals should refer to the student handbook for that program for more information. If a student stops attending class, the grade earned, usually an F, is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, withdrawal from the course will have on his or her financial aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the three attempts. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating a course that vary from this policy. Individuals should refer to the student handbook for that program for more information. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State College Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course will have on his or her financial aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and will abide by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating/plagiarism, the situation shall be dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. Students should also refer to the course syllabus for more specific information.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

All individuals who employ the information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State College Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must use these resources for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Valparisa Baker
Director, Equity & Diversity (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
Office: WAD 227, 863.292.3602 Ext. 5378, vbaker@polk.edu.

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Student Services Office on either campus and speak with a Disability Services Advisor or the Coordinator of Disability Services. Note: Limited admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

Exams:                                                                                                            40 to 60%

There will be 3 to 6 exams including a comprehensive final exam. All exams including the final exam will be proctored.          

Exams will consist of objective questions (multiple choice, true-false, etc) and questions requiring written application of general course related knowledge.

Assignments and projects:                                                                              40 to 60%

Individual instructors will explain exact course grade calculation on the first day of class, through their specific course information sheet.

A = 90 to 100%   B = 80 to 89%    C = 70 to 79%     D = 60 to 69%       F = 0 to 59%

Attendance:

Regular attendance is the student’s responsibility. If a student has excessive absences (more than 3 hours), he/she may be dropped from the course with a “W” grade before the withdrawal date. After the withdrawal date, a student may receive an “F” grade for the course for excessive absences (more than 3 hours accumulated since the beginning of the term). Special circumstances may be considered by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.

 

Work Missed:

Procedures for work missed are determined by the instructor.

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