The Structure of Scientific Thought

Science 240

Fall 2002


Final Exam Information

WHEN: The final exam is Thursday Dec. 19,  8:00-10:00 A.M., in our classroom Arjona 215.

COURSE GRADE:

  1. Final Exam – 25%; Midterm Exam – 20%;  2 short (about 1,000 words) paper assignments, each worth 20; 3 short homework assignments and class participation - 15%.

OFFICE HOURS:

Prof. Hiskes will have special office hours Wed. Dec. 18 3:00-4:30, and by appointment on Mon. Dec. 16 and Tues. Dec. 17.

Prof. Holsinger will have special office hours Mon. Dec. 16 10:00-12:00, and by appointment on Tues. Dec. 17.

Test Material

The test will cover material from the lectures and all the assigned readings on the syllabus beginning with Sec. II “Evolutionary Theory and Intelligent Design

Creationism” and ending with “Science & religious belief.” You should also read the New York Times hand-out on Cosmology, and the hand-out on the Steady State Theory vs. The Hot Big Bang Theory.

The test will be constructed from the questions on Study Guides #5, #6, #7 which are also  available on the course WebSite http://darwin.eeb.uconn.edu/sci240/sci240.html

Test Structure

Part A. Short-Answer Questions.  You will have some choice. E.g.  do 5 out of 6. These will ask you centrally important “factual” questions. The key to doing well here is to choose your words carefully so that you hit the bull’s eye in giving the right answer.

Part B and C:  Long-Answer Questions.  You will have some choice on each section.  E.g Do 1 out of 2.  These questions will ask you to analyze and compare different positions and concepts, and to defend your own point of view.  The key to doing well on these questions is to display a mastery of the relevant material with a balance between general claims and supporting facts and details.  You get bonus points for creative insights.


Overview
Texts
Course goals
Grading
Lecture schedule
Academic integrity