General Physical Science and Lab

 

Course Information

Course Number: PHY 1104

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites: It is recommended that students complete at least Algebra I and Algebra II or higher-level math courses prior to taking this course.

Course Description: General Physical Science and Lab is an introductory course designed to give students an opportunity to explore the basic concepts of physical science. Students will be introduced to the foundations of science, including skills, assumptions, and the role of technology in science. Then, students will learn about matter, atoms, and the periodic table. Students will dive into the chemical side of physical science with an introduction to chemical reactions and the chemistry of carbon and solutions. They will explore motion, forces, work, machines, and energy as well as nuclear energy and thermal energy. Lastly, students will get an introduction to waves, sound, and electromagnetic radiation. The course provides extensive examples and practice for students to explain and apply concepts.

Physical Sciences Lab course provides a comprehensive introduction to the laboratory study of fundamental concepts of physics and chemistry. In this course, students will learn about lab safety and how to analyze and solve problems using critical thinking and the scientific method. This course will focus on topics such as atomic structure, motion and force, sound, and light, with an emphasis on technology, data collection, and analysis.

 

Course Outcomes:

Evaluate and explain the structure and properties of matter, including identifying the function and role of atoms, the periodic table, and nuclear energy as it relates to matter.

• Evaluate and explain chemical reactions, including how these reactions relate to energy and matter.
• Evaluate and explain forces and interactions as they relate to objects and systems of objects.
• Evaluate and explain energy, including the relationship between energy and force, chemical processes, conservation, and transfer.
• Evaluate and explain waves and electromagnetic radiation as they relate to the history of scientific discovery and current technologies.
• Identify and practice lab safety, including proper use of lab tools.
• Determine and evaluate the appropriate elements of a scientific experiment.
• Execute the steps of an experiment, and evaluate and explain the findings.
• Analyze the results of an experiment to determine if the steps of the scientific process or any scientific assumptions have been violated.
• Evaluate scientific scenarios and apply concepts learned in the lecture course and explored in the lab activities to scenarios while employing critical thinking skills.
• Write a lab report explaining your findings in an experiment

Instructional methods utilized in this course include:

• Lessons
• CYKs
• Module Quizzes
• Discussion Posts
• Mastery Assignments
• Midterm and Final Exams 

 

Course Materials

All readings and materials necessary to complete required exercises are provided within the course platform. 

Labs are conducted virtually. 

 

Course Length

This is a self-paced course allowing students to learn according to their personal schedules. Overall, it is estimated that the course will take approximately 260 hours to complete.

It is recommended that students work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows regular, incremental (daily and/or weekly) progress. If assistance is needed with scheduling time in this course, students may refer to the weekly schedules provided in the course documents, located on the course page. Please note, there is no penalty for late assignments as this is a self-paced course. However, if a student is enrolled in a course through a school or institution, s/he is required to finish the course according to the academic calendar of the respective school or institution.

Minimum Passing Grade

To earn college credit for this course, students must earn a minimum average grade of 70% or higher. If a high school student receives less than 70% in this course, it is up to the school offering the course to grant high school credit for its completion.

 

Grading Policies

Grade Weighting

• Participation (Check Your Knowledge Quizzes): 10% 
• Module Quizzes: 20%
• Discussion Posts: 10% 
• Mastery Assignments: 30% 
• Course Exams: 30% 

 

Assignment Grading Descriptions 

• Check Your Knowledge - CYK quizzes are located at the end of each lesson.  They are composed of multiple choice, multiple answers and/or true/false questions. These quizzes are auto-graded quizzes designed to help the student test their understanding of the lesson content.  Students may take these quizzes as many times as desired to help prepare for the module and mastery assignment quizzes.  It is required that students earn 100% on each quiz before proceeding to the next lesson in the course. The CYK quizzes can be taken as many times as needed to earn 100%.
• Discussion Posts: Students will be prompted with a case study in which they will have to select the best solution to the given problem. Students will be prompted to defend their selection using evidence from the materials learned in the course and will be asked to analyze and evaluate other solutions developed by their peers. 
• Module Quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take the module quiz twice. The higher of the two grades will count toward the student's grade.
• Mastery Assignments: 
  • Written Mastery Assignments: Rubric-based assignments that reinforce concepts in the course. Assignments are aligned to course outcomes and require the student to spend extra time developing, reviewing, and revising their assignments prior to submission. Students are encouraged to seek out feedback from peers and experts to fully develop their assignments. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their work using the rubrics provided.
  • Mastery Assignment Quizzes: Unit quizzes created to help students understand how to evaluate and analyze case-based scenarios and problems that would commonly appear in the subject area. Questions are more difficult, scenario focused questions that require students to synthesize information they have learned across multiple modules. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take these only once.
• Course Exams: Proctored, multiple-choice exam that is auto-graded. Students may take this only once.  

 

Mastery Assignments

Use the following information to know in which module the Mastery Assignments are located. 

• Mastery Assignment: Quiz 1 - Module 5
• Mastery Assignment:  Lab Report 1 - Module 6 
• Mastery Assignment: Quiz 2 - Module 8
• Mastery Assignment: Lab Report 2 - Module 9 
• Mastery Assignment: Lab Report 3 - Module 11
• Mastery Assignment: Quiz 3 - Module 12  

 

Student Code of Conduct

All students and student representatives (including authorized teachers, counselors, and parents) are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct throughout the duration of the student's time in this course. Students and representatives are expected to engage respectfully, act with integrity, participate actively, and use technology appropriately, while any behavior that is disruptive, dishonest, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate is strictly prohibited.

All students are expected to maintain Academic Integrity, actively participate in their learning, and use technology appropriately in all areas of this course.

 

Grade Appeal Policy

Final course grades assigned by instructors are considered permanent. However, students may appeal a final grade under specific circumstances, as outlined below. This policy applies to final course grades only. Appeals related to individual assignments, participation grades, or other components of the course will not be considered.

Grounds for Appeal

A student may appeal a final grade only if one or more of the following conditions are met:

• A clerical or calculation error resulted in an incorrect final grade.
  
• The final grade was assigned in a manner inconsistent with the course syllabus or stated grading criteria.

Appeal Timeline

All grade appeals must be submitted within 15 business days after the last day of the course. Appeals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

Appeal Process

1. First Step – Instructor Communication
   The student must first contact the instructor in writing to discuss the grade concern and seek clarification or informal resolution.
   
   
2. Formal Appeal – Written Submission
   If the issue remains unresolved, the student may submit a formal written appeal utilizing the Grade Appeal Form. This written appeal must:
   
• Clearly state the grounds for appeal,
  
• Include any relevant supporting documentation,
  
• Be submitted within the 15-business-day deadline.
  
  
3. Review and Decision
   The academic administrator or review committee will evaluate the appeal and may consult with the instructor. The decision of the administrator (or designated reviewer) is final and will be communicated in writing to the student.

 

Exams

In this course, students will complete a midterm and a final exam, both of which must be proctored. The exams in this course are proctored by HonorLock, which is a browser extension that monitors student performance and progress while taking an exam. Students will be required to bring a form of identification with them when starting the exam. While Honorlock will record the student’s computer webcam, speakers, and desktop, all security and privacy protocols/requirements will be followed.

 

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered 100% online, and students are required to have access to a computer or laptop — along with consistent access to the Internet — to access course material and complete assignments.

Required technology:

• Desktop or portable computer, including Windows PC, Macintosh OS, or Chromebook
  (tablets, cell phones, and iPads are not supported)
• Google Chrome Browser
• Working built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone
• Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not
  recommended.  Test Internet speed

To access detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements necessary to
take full advantage of TEL courses, visit the course home page.

 

Student Communication Policy

All students enrolled in this course, including those under the age of 18, are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that all course-related communication, grades, and academic progress will be discussed only with the student, not with parents, guardians, or other third parties, unless the student has provided written consent to the credit-granting institution. 

In the event a FERPA Release is on file with the institution, while this allows academic records to be released to the authorized individual, it does not allow the authorized individual to intercede on the behalf of the student, including emailing the instructor, attending office hours, and filing grade appeals.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to reach out directly to their instructor with any questions or concerns.

 

Disability Services Statement

TEL is committed to providing equitable student access to course content and materials by providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. TEL also complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting the TEL Support Team. TEL’s Support Team will coordinate reasonable accommodations upon registration and before the course begins. Students over the age of 18 taking college-level courses require a 504 for special accommodations.

Any student seeking to request academic accommodations on the basis of a documented disability should contact the TEL Support Team at disabilityservices@tel-education.org to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

 

Additional Information

Please review the following documents before continuing on to the course material. 

• Academic Integrity Policy 
• Accessible PDF of the Course Syllabus 

 

Return to the Syllabus Module

To return to the syllabus information and expectations page, click the link provided here.