Concepts of Science - Course Outline
Text: Concepts of Science 3rd Ed. by Philip B. Shevlin and Olivia Campbell

Introduction

Part 1 Structure

Chapter 1 Measurement in Science
A. Scientific notation for very large and very small numbers
B. Units of measurement. The metric system
C. Mathematical Formulas in Science
D. Graphical representation of data
E. Data collection

Chapter 2 The Structure of the Solar System
A. Two Competing Theories: Geocentric vs Heliocentric
B. Early measurements of the Greeks
C. The Ptolemaic system
D. The Impact of Copernicus
E. Galileo and the Scientific Method
F. Kepler's laws
G. Newton and the Law of Universal Gravitation
H. The Ultimate Fate of the Solar System
I. Chaotic Systems
J. Plate Tectonics

Chapter 3 Atomic Structure
A. Atomic structure
B. The Concept of Atoms
C. Atomic Weights
D. Building Blocks of the Atom
E. The Bohr Model of the Atom
F. Quantum Mechanics and the Uncertainty Principle
G. Atomic Number and Atomic Mass
H. The Elementary Particles
I. The Importance of Models in Science
J. The Periodic Table

Chapter 4 Molecular Structure
A. Chemical bonding
1. Ionic and Covalent Bonding
2. Bond Length and Bond Energy
3. Drawing Structures
4. Hydrogen Bonding
B. Writing Molecular Formulas and Equations
1. Molecular Weights
2. Balancing Chemical Equations
3.The Mole Concept
4. Simple Stoichiometry Problems
C. Acids and Bases
D. Molecular Geometries
1. Bond Length and Bond Angle
2. Chirality
E. Common Crystalline Solids

Chapter 5 Macromolecular Structure
A. Linking Molecules Together - Polymers
1. Common Synthetic Polymers
2. Biological Polymers
B. Proteins
C. Nucleic Acids
1. Structure
2. The Genetic Code
3. Nucleic Acid Synthesis
4. Protein Synthesis
5. DNA Fingerprinting
6. The Human Genome Project
D. Complex Carbohydrates: Energy Storing Polymers
E. Lipids

Chapter 6 Biological Structure
A. Cellular Structure
B. Viruses
1. The Aids Virus

Part 2 Energy

Chapter 7 Working with Energy
A. The Laws of Thermodynamics
1. The Conservation of Energy
2. The Concept of Entropy
B. Measuring Mechanical Energy
1. Kinetic and Potential Energy
C. Heat Energy and the States of Matter
1. Changes in State
D. Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions
1. Heat of Reaction in Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions
2. Heat of Combustion and Energy Content of Fuels
E. Energy Interconversion and its Relationship to Global Energy Problems

Chapter 8 The Nature of Light
A. Relationship between Color (Wavelength), Frequency and Energy of Light
1.The Electromagnetic Spectrum
B. Evidence for the Wave Nature of Light
C. The Particle Nature of Light
D. Lasers
E. Electromagnetic Radiation and the Ecology of the Earth
1. Global Warming, Carbon Dioxide, and the Greenhouse Effect
2. Acid Rain
3. The Photochemistry of Chlorofluorocarbons and the
Destruction of the Ozone Layer
4. Good and Bad Ozone
F. Conversion of Sunlight to Electricity Using Solar Cells
G. Light and the Special Theory of Relativity

Chapter 9 Nuclear Energy
A. Nuclear Reactions
1. Fission
2. Fusion
B. Nuclear Power and Public Safety
1. Nuclear Waste
2. Nuclear Accidents - the Legacy of Chernobyl and Three
Mile Island
C. Nuclear Energy and Society

Chapter 10 Energy in Living Systems
A. Photosynthesis
B. Metabolism
C. Energy and Quality of Life

Part 3 The Interaction of Structure and Energy over Time

Chapter 11 Cosmology
A. The Origin and Evolution of the Universe
1. The Age of the Universe
2. Stellar Evolution and the "Stuff of Life"
3. The Ultimate Fate of the Universe

Chapter 12 Geologic Time
A. The Geological History of the Earth
B. Dating Various Geological and Evolutionary Events
1. Radioactive Decay and the Concept of Half-life
2. The Dating of Rocks or Geologic Events
3. The Carbon-14 Method of Dating
4. Other Methods of Dating

Chapter 13 The Evolution of living Organisms
A. The Origin of Life
B. Natural Selection and the Origin of Species
1. The Contributions of Darwin and Wallace
2. The Influence of Malthus and Lyell
3. Factors Effecting Genetic Diversity
4. Examples of Natural Selection
5. Biological Adaptation
6. The Origin of New Species
7. Fossils and Evolution of Life
8. Gradualism Versus Punctuated Equilibrium in Speciation
9. Mass Extinctions
10. Evolution and Molecular Genetics
11. The Emergence of Modern Humans
C. Science, Evolution, and "Creation Science"

Chapter 14 Genetics: Patterns of Inheritance
A. The Contributions of Gregor Mendel
1. Mendel's Experiments
2. Mendel Reports His Work
3. Applying Mendel's Principles
B. Genetics and Probability
C. Incomplete Dominance
D. Sex Determination
1. Sex-linked Inheritance
2. Mary Lyon and the X-Chromosome Pairs in Females
3. Sex Influenced Traits
E. Multiple Allele Inheritance and Blood Types
1. Rh Factor
F. Polygenic Inheritance (Multiple Factor Inheritance)
G. Effects of Environment on Gene Expression

Chapter 15 Where Do We Go from Here?
A. Genetic Engineering and the Relationship between
Technology, Ethics and the Law