 
Instructor
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COLQ2992-Chaos Across
the Sciences Syllabus Instructor:
Dr. Chad L. Davies Course Description:
A student of the various aspects of chaotic systems focusing on
aspects of non-determinism in physical science, biology and
mathematics Method of Evaluation: The student’s progress in the course will be
evaluated using several different methods.
As this is a survey course, it is important that the student do
reasonably well in each of the areas listed.
Therefore, failure to complete any of the listed portions of
the course evaluation may result in a grade of I (Incomplete) being
assigned for the course.
Lab
Work:
Each week there will be some lab work done and an accompanying
lab report will be turned in. Each of these will be worth 20 points and none will be
dropped. If you miss the
lab time for a class, it may be possible to make up the missed lab.
The decision to give a lab as a make-up lies with the
instructor and, therefore, consultation with him should take place at
the earliest possible time. Additionally,
there will be homework to be completed by the student.
This work will generally be due at the beginning of the class
period following the period it was assigned.
Point values will vary from assignment to assignment. Periodical
Reviews: The student
will be required to keep a compilation of articles related to chaos
over the period of the course. The
articles can be photocopied from any reputable periodical (Astronomy,
Sky and Telescope, Discover, National Geographic,
Science News, etc.). Each student on the team will read 15
articles over the course of the semester of at least 500 words in
length and then summarize the article in a short paper of at least 150
words in length. The summary will be checked for spelling and
grammatical mistakes as well as for informational accuracy.
The journals will be each week for review and grading. Each
periodical review should consist of both entire article as well as the
review. Review articles
may also be taken from reputable newspapers (space alien articles from
The Weekly World News will not be accepted).
All articles must have been published within the last 3 years.
Books (or portions thereof) will not be considered acceptable. Project: Each
student will be responsible for one major project to be turned in by April 23. This project
may consist of a number of different things including a major research
paper, a PowerPoint presentation, an art show, a musical composition,
a series of web pages, etc. Each
student will negotiate a project with the instructor by March
1. Each project must
be well researched and accompanied by a written discussion of the
project and a bibliography of sources.
Projects may be done in pairs and a brief summary of each
project will be presented to the class during the last full week of
the semester. Exams: Three
exams will be given during the course.
The student’s best exams will be used in calculating the
student’s grade. The
exam scores will be curved with the top point of the curve being the
average of the two highest scores on the exam and a perfect score.
Consequently, it is possible for a student to earn more points
than the exam was worth (a sort of extra credit). Course Policies:
The following policies will be in effect throughout the
duration of the course. The
instructor will deal with any other situations that may arise on a
case-by-case basis. Cheating Policy: Cheating
is immoral, unethical, antithetical to the goals of higher education
and a violation of the spirit and mission of the scientific pursuit of
knowledge. Additionally,
dishonesty is harshly punished in the workplace.
Therefore, cheating, if caught, will carry dire consequences in
this course. If the
student is caught cheating, the student shall be possible subject to
any of the following punishments: assigning of a score of zero on the
work, a permanent lowering of grade in the course, the assignment of a
failing grade to the course, being reported to the Vice Presidents of
Academic and Student Affairs and/or expulsion.
Cheating will be considered any case where a student has
represented work or ideas as original when it is not.
Reasonable evidence of this (mainly in the form of copying
another student’s work) will be considered sufficient grounds for
prosecution. Additionally,
all students in a group will be expected to contribute equally to work
done. Thus, the
instructor will deduct points from a student’s work if it is
perceived that the student is “riding” on the work of his or her
teammates. Accommodations of
Disability: If
you need to make academic adjustments for any type of disability, see
the instructor during office hours or by appointment.
Attendance Policy: While
attendance is not strictly required, it “wouldn’t be prudent”
for the student miss class for any but the most pressing reasons.
As the course will be almost completely activities based, an
interruption in attendance will make it hard to get all the exposure
to the activities used to understand the material.
Additionally, students should be aware that the instructor is
required to report the last day of a student’s attendance if the
student receives a grade of “F” or “WF”. Statute of Limitations: While
the instructor does his best to accurately review and assess student
work, instances may occur where an error in assigning a grade may
occur. The student has
exactly one week from the time of receiving a grade to ask the
instructor to review the grade. After
this time has elapsed, all grades may be viewed as being carved in
stone. Make-Up Work: While
missing class is a bad idea, it is occasionally unavoidable.
If a student finds that he or she must miss a class the
instructor should be contacted at the earliest possible time to
arrange a time to make up any missed material.
If the student waits more than a week after the absence to
discuss the make-up with the instructor, the request may be denied.
Oftentimes, students will find it necessary to put in extra time in
the lab/classroom area. Students
are encouraged to do this in their assigned workgroups as many of the
activities will be constructed to encourage group work. A Tentative Schedule:
Chaos Across the Sciences-Spring 2002
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