ES 330-Science Seminar [Environmental Issues Seminar] Fall 2002
ES 330-Science Seminar [Environmental Issues Seminar] Fall 2002
Instructor: Mark T. Lassiter, Ph.D.
Office: Morgan Science Building, Room 203
Office Hours:.Mon: 10-11,2-4; Tues :4-5; Wed: 10-11; Thurs: 8:30-9:30,
1-2; Fri: 10-11
Phone: 828.669.8012.3303 (Office)
FAX: 828.669.9554
E-mail: mlassiter@montreat.edu
Web Site: http://cesc.montreat.edu
Course Description:
ES 330.Science Seminar. (1/2): Science training in academic and professional
skills. [This] course will complement the student’s development at
progressive levels of their program training.
[Students will prepare and present topics to the class and campus. Students
will develop skills in public speaking and be trained in the utilization
of modern presentation materials.]
Prerequisite: Environmental Studies 230.
Class Structure:
The class will establish components of a student’s background matched
wtih the skills and training identified as important for the specific academic
year that the student enrolls. Independent projects and skill development
will be pursued weekly and outside the class. A check-list of accomplishments
will be maintained and serve as a record for the course grade. The student
is responsible for presenting for approval the accomplishments that will
be evaluated at the Presentation / Summative Class Meetings. All other scheduled
weekly class meetings will be for tutoring and assistance in preparation
for the presentation meetings and prepared in accordance with student needs.
Presentation / Summative Class Meetings: Morgan Science Building:
Room 209
Note: Weekly meetings will be held to address what needs are suitable
for the needs of the students in preparation for the goals and tasks of
each of the following class meetings:
1st meeting: Wednesday, August 28th, 1-2 p.m. & Monday. September 9th,
1-2 p.m.
2nd meeting: Monday, September 23rd, 1-2 p.m.
3rd Meeting: Monday, October 14th, 1-2 pm.
4th Meeting: Monday, October 28th, 1-2 pm.
5th Meeting: Monday, November 4th, 1-2 pm.
6th Meeting: Monday, December 2nd, 1-2 pm. Note: All “A-Projects”
due.
Final class meeting: Monday, December 9th - Posting of Class Work
Course Goals:
1. To pursue educational, career, life, and faith development components
of a student training that are linked to the academic year of enrollment
in the seminar, involving communication skills, computer skills, faith integration
exercises and portfolio / resume development.
Educational Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7*
2. To investigate how scientific and environmental conclusions are communicated.
Educational Objectives: 3,5,7*
3. To engage in scientific literature search and investigate how to establish
selection credibility from an overwhelming access to information.
Educational Objectives: 3,5,7*
4. To explore how our faith development influences our presentation of materials
and what role our faith plays in how we communicate.
Educational Objectives: 1,3,5,7*
5. To provide a communication tool for interchange with professionals in
scientific / environmental fields through the development of a class web
resource site.
Educational Objectives: 1,2,4,6,7*
6 . To prepare and present a professional presentation with computer tools.
Educational Objectives: 4, 5,7*
*Educational Objectives from the Academics section of Montreat
College’s web site: http://www.montreat.edu
Class Policies:
Attendance:
Attendance to the sessions of the course is required. Evaluations will determine
if any grade reductions should be addressed with individual students.
Participation:
Each individual is responsible for participation in the discussions
and any associated projects. Student participation comes through discussion,
reflective attendance and sharing, compilation of projects, and attendance
at planned sessions of the class.
Respect for each other:
If a student shows a lack of respect for fellow classmates or faculty,
the student will be approached. If the behavior continues, the student may
be removed from the course or receive a drastic reduction in their final
grade for the course.
Academic Honor:
You will be working on a project individually, but you can pursue assistance.
Your work must be yours and the assistance can refine or sharpen your skills,
but you are to be the one developing your work. You must be extremely careful
to document and credit components of your project. If copying or plagiarism
is found, the work on that assignment is given a zero, but the next event
results in a failure for the class. An exception would be the application
of this concern to the final document, which would result in failure in
the class even if this is the first event for an individual.
Resources:
First check the numerous resources of our library and the internet resources
available for us.
Internet searches will be utilized for some components of the course. See
especially the Center for Christian Environmental Studies @ Montreat College
http://cesc.montreat.edu
HTML development of a communication medium will be developed on campus computers.
Writing Assistance:
All students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available
in the Writing Center, located adjacent to the Bell Library computer lab.
See http://www.montreat.edu/writing
Grades:
The components of each meeting make up portions of the student’s
grade. The below sheet details what is to be brought to each class.
All components of the meeting date must be completed in order to get any
portion of the meeting precentage grade given in “()” next to
the listed meeting.
Attendance is part of the grade and if for some reason the student must
miss the class, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements
to make-up the meeting.
There is no exam, the last projects are due on the last Presentation / Summative
meeting date.
If the student desires to obtain an “A” in the course*,
then a polished HTML site for the student’s portfolio is prepared to
the quality suited for web posting and the presentation includes a compilation
of a bibliographic literature search (meeting the following criteria - scientific,
peer reviewed, professional journal publications) compilation as both hard
copy duplications of journal articles in a reference folder for the resourcse
room and prepared as an HTML site of internet sources suitable for posting.
More on the “A-Project”.
If the student would like to purse the work required for an “A”
in the class, an independent project is required. Otherwise, the highest
grade received in the class is a “B”. The project is for the student
that seeks to bring their grade to the level of excellence. The project
is designed around the student’s interests and is linked with the course
materials. The student with this recognized initiative will be required
to develop a project, organize their goals, develop a time line of tasks,
anticipate project dynamics, and determine the utilization of the project
within the class.
GRADING PROCEDURES
[*Project (only required for students pursing an “A” level grade)
10%]
All components of preparation completed on the Task sheet 70%
Presentation 20%
Quality of Materials and Projects 10%
Grading Scale:
• Project and a grade compilation of: A=100-92, A- = 91-90,
• Grade compilation without project:B+=above 89-88, B=87-82, B-=81-80,
C+=79-78, C=77-72,C-=71-70,
D+=69-68,D=67-62, D-=61-60, F= below 60.
The instructor reserves the right to adjust final grades based on attendance,
attitude, behavior and/or special projects. Unannounced quizzes will
be given and incorporated into the second unit test. Material for quizzes
and exams will come directly from the lectures and reading assignments.
You are responsible for material discussed in class.
Montreat College
Academic Integrity Policy
a. Definition of Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty, such as cheating on tests and plagiarizing essays,
violates the fundamental trust underlying all academic work: that the work
be the product of the student who submitted it. Montreat College defines
Academic Dishonesty as the representation of another’s words, ideas,
or images as one’s own. It applies equally to intentional and unintentional
quotations, paraphrases, visual images, auditory images, and all electronic
means of storage and communication. Academic Dishonesty results in these
disciplines and punishments.
b. Discipline of Academic Dishonesty
When professors suspect students of academic dishonesty, they will confront
the students with their charges in writing. The only possible disciplinarian
actions are, (1) a “zero” for the assignment, or (2) an “F”
for the course. Students may choose to admit their guilt of Academic Dishonesty
and waive a hearing. This involves signing the Academic Dishonesty Notice
outlining the disciplinary action. The Academic Dishonesty Notice
will then be put on file in the registrar’s office. Students who do
not agree to the professor’s charges must appear before a panel of
faculty members appointed by the Vice President and Dean of Academics on
charges of academic dishonesty. During the intervening period, students
must continue to attend class.
The panel will convene a hearing with the student and the professor at which
the faculty member will explain the student’s alleged violation. Students
may choose to counter with evidence of their innocence or may admit their
guilt.
c. Punishment of Academic Dishonesty
If the panel indicates, by simple majority vote, that the student has been
dishonest, the panel must fail the student for the entire course. The registrar
will notify the student in writing that a failing grade, with a notation
that it was received for academic dishonesty, has been entered into the
student’s record, even if the infraction occurs before the semester’s
official withdrawal date. Students may remove the “F” itself,
and enjoy a recalculation of their grade point average by successfully retaking
the course, but the dishonesty notation will remain until students apply
to the Vice President and Dean of Academics to have it removed following
their graduation. Two incidents of academic dishonesty will result in a
student’s suspension from the College. The student will not be eligible
to reapply to Montreat College for at least two years after suspension.
If the panel finds the student not guilty of academic dishonesty, it will
notify both the student and faculty member; the case will be dropped.
d. Exoneration of Academic Dishonesty
If exonerating evidence becomes available in the five business days following
the registrar’s notification, students may appeal to the Academic Affairs
committee. Students must remain in the class and work toward its successful
completion during the appeal process. 
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ES 330 - Science Seminar for Juniors Fall 2002 Lassiter page#