Science for Citizens is designed for students who are interested in or curious about seeing their everyday world through a new lens. There will be several local scientific inquiries to complete that put you in the role of a citizen scientist! Science is all around us and you participate in it more than you think. Here is an opportunity to challenge yourself to take part in learning science in the most elemental way. We expect that you will find science exciting, fetching, curious, baffling, and rewarding. Bring your curiosity and more importantly positive energy to involve yourself in science.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
S1A:
S2D:
S-5:
In this course, you will develop the following competencies:
Competence |
Competence Statement and Criteria |
|---|---|
S2D |
Can describe, categorize, and analyze the interactions and exchanges between living organisms and their physical environments. |
S1A |
Can explore natural phenomena or the world of everyday experiences using scientific methods, and can use theories to interpret observations. |
S-5 |
Can explain and evaluate the nature and process of science. |
Note: If you are registered for CCS 153, the competence you will gain in this class is as follows:
There is no required textbook for this course, however you will need to purchase a soil testing kit. Please be sure to visit: http://depaul-loop.bncollege.com for the: Soil Test Kit: Luster Leaf 1601 Rapitest Soil Test Kit.
All readings are embedded within the D2L course and are mainly links to various websites.
A = 95 to 100 |
A- = 91 to 94 |
B+ = 88 to 90 |
B = 85 to 87 |
B- = 81 to 84 |
C+ = 77 to 80 |
C = 73 to 76 |
C- = 69 to 72 |
D+ = 65 to 68 |
D = 61 to 64 |
F = 60 or below |
INC |
Grades lower than a C- do not earn credit at the School for Continuing and Professional Studies.
This course consists of 5 modules. For December Intersession, the estimated time to complete each module is four days. For regular quarters, the estimated time to complete each module is one week.
The following table outlines the course:
Module # and Title |
Readings |
Assignments |
Module 1: Introduction and Project Squirrel |
1.1 Introductions Discussion 1.2: Why Urban Squirrels Discussion 1.3 Grey vs. Red Discussion 1.4 Squirrel Observation 1.5 Hypothesizing about Squirrels (S1A Only) 1.6 Squirrel GUDs (S2D Only) |
|
Module 2: Urban Birds |
2.1: Discussion: Baby Pigeons? 2.2: Discussion: Observe Local Birds 2.3: Bird-Brained Presentation 2.4: Know Your Birds Quiz |
|
Module 3; Physical Properties of Soil |
Web Readings: |
3.1 What is Soil? Discussion 3.2 Soil Jar Test 3.3 Soils in Your Community |
Module 4; Water Quality |
Web Readings: |
4.1 Water Quality Discussion 4.2 Community Water Quality Activity |
Module 5; Competence Project |
Independent research |
5.1 Report on Your Project Discussion 5.2 Competence Project |
To see specific course due dates, click on the Calendar on the course home page.
Grading Category: |
% of Final Grade: |
|---|---|
Assignments |
25% |
Discussions |
25% |
Quiz |
10% |
Competence Paper |
40% |
To complete the course, you must complete each of the assignments as described in the course and submit them to your instructor by the assigned deadline. In addition, you must participate in the course discussion forum by responding to all instructor requests and by interacting with fellow classmates as necessary.
Points are deducted for late work.
All writing assignments are expected to conform to basic college-level standards of mechanics and presentation.
Consider visiting the Writing Center to discuss your assignments for this course or any others. You may schedule appointments (30 or 50 minutes) on an as–needed or weekly basis, scheduling up to 3 hours worth of appointments per week. Online services include Feedback–by–Email and IM conferencing (with or without a webcam). All writing center services are free.
Writing Center tutors are specially selected and trained graduate and undergraduate students who can help you at almost any stage of your writing. They will not do your work for you, but they can help you focus and develop your ideas, review your drafts, and polish your writing. They can answer questions about grammar, mechanics, different kinds of writing styles, and documentation formats. They also can answer questions and provide feedback online, through IM/webcam chats and email.
Obviously, the tutors won’t necessarily be familiar with every class or subject, but they are able to provide valuable help from the perspective of an interested and careful reader as well as a serious and experienced student-writer.
Schedule your appointments with enough time to think about and use the feedback you’ll receive. To schedule a Face-to-Face, Written Feedback by Email, or Online Appointment, visit www.depaul.edu/writing.
Discussion Forums are an important component of your online experience. This course contains discussion forums related to the topics you are studying each week. For requirements on your participation in the Discussion Forums, please see “Course Expectations” in the syllabus.
A Course Q & A discussion forum has also been established to manage necessary, ongoing social and administrative activities. This is where the management and administrative tasks of the course are conducted, and where you can ask ‘process’ questions and receive answers throughout the course. Please feel free to answer any question if you feel you know the answer; this sharing of information is valuable to other students.
This course includes and adheres to the college and university policies described in the links below:
Academic Integrity Policy (UGRAD)
Academic Integrity Policy (GRAD)
Course Withdrawal Timelines and Grade/Fee Consequences
Accommodations Based on the Impact of a Disability
Protection of Human Research Participants
APA citation format (GRAD)
University Center for Writing-based Learning
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary. If a change occurs, it will be clearly communicated to students.
This course was designed and produced by faculty and staff at SCPS of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies of DePaul University.
© 2017 School for Continuing and Professional Studies, DePaul University. All Rights Reserved by SCPS.