The goals of Intermediate Science are twofold: to introduce the learner to the methods by which scientific knowledge is gained and organized and to expose the learner to the three major areas of scientific study--biology, chemistry, and physics. Simple experiments will give the learner opportunities to learn by practical experience.
Hours: 120 (Lecture Hours: 3; Seminars and Tutorials: 1; Laboratory Hours: 2)
Total Weeks: 20
Grade 8 reading and math levels, or MATH 020
OR permission of the instructor
Unit 1: Introduction to Science--scientific method, skills and techniques of science, the metric system, measurement, use of a microscope, use of appropriate instruments to make measurements, and the relationship between science and technology
Unit 2: Human Biology--systems of the body including skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, reproductive
Unit 3: Chemistry--periodic table, states of matter, organization of matter, atoms, properties and behaviour of elements, chemical formulae
Unit 4: Physics--force, work, weight, friction, energy, power, simple machines, problem solving,
Unit 5: Current Topics--may include genetics, environmental issues, nutrition, ecosystems, evolution, weather, the atmosphere, resources, or drugs.
Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the scientific method and its use to evaluate scientific data
- Describe metric measurement and use of light microscopes and other instruments used in scientific measurement
- Describe the systems of the human body, their general role in the organization of the human body
- Describe the organization of matter, the atomic makeup and properties of matter and the elemental organization of the periodic table - - describe the use of some basic chemical formulae
- Describe the concepts of force, work, weight, friction, energy and power
- Describe the uses of of the concepts in some simple machines
- Perform some problem solving exercises related to the above concepts
- Describe some applications of some scientific concepts with genetics, environmental issues, nutrition, ecosystems, evolution, weather, the atmosphere, resources and drugs.
- to understand the concepts and terminology from the three primary branches of science: biology, chemistry, physics.
- to gain an appreciation for the methods by which scientific knowledge is obtained and organized.
Grading System: Letters
Passing Grade: D
Percentage of Individual Work: 100
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.