Course Syllabus
Overview
This course addresses two crucial and compelling questions facing the world: How will we feed nine billion people by the year 2050, and how will we care for those nine billion people? Students will investigate the challenges and opportunities involved with creating a sustainable food supply, promoting healthy lifestyles, and providing health care for everyone. Students will also be introduced to the wide range of programs and degrees within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the resulting opportunities for promising careers. This is the recommended Natural Science GE course for those majoring in the Life Sciences, such as Biology, Agriculture, Exercise Physiology and Healthcare related fields, and is one of two recommended courses for non-science majors.
Requirements
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Resources
- A computer with a camera and microphone: Most weeks, you will have a forum discussion in Zoom. You will need a computer that has a camera and microphone to participate in these important discussions. For proctored exams, you will need a computer with a camera and microphone that supports a Chrome browser.
- Steady internet: This course contains many videos. You will need to be able to access YouTube regularly. Also, a steady internet connection is highly recommended for the weekly Zoom forum and Proctored Exams.
Structure
Course Outcomes (CO)
Students will be able to...
- Explain the strengths and limitations of the scientific process as a source of knowledge.
- Identify engaging fields of study with good career potential.
- Analyze compelling and important questions using scientific evidence.
- Discuss challenging issues in a respectful and productive manner.
- Develop skills and understanding to improve a sustainable food supply and promote healthy lifestyles.
Major Assignments
The table below is meant to help you see the relevance of each major assignment as it pertains to the course outcomes (CO).
| Major Assignment | Description | CO# |
|---|---|---|
| Study Quiz | Each week, you will have a quiz on the required study material. | #3, 5 |
| Application Activity | Each week, you will have an activity that will allow you to apply what you learned from the study material and Digging Deeper Videos. | #1, 3, 5 |
| Discussion Forum | Each week, you will meet with others to discuss a compelling issue regarding that week's information. | #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Career Explorations | Four times in the semester, you will report on a potential future career of interest. | #2 |
| Sustaining Life Project | Instead of a midterm or final exam, you will have a semester-long project that will be done in 3 parts: Part 1: Explore the Large Global or Community Issue and select research questions (W03), Part 2: Report on Research Findings and Outline Project Plan (W07) and Part 3: Present on the completion of your Semester Project (W13). In completing the project, you will demonstrate each of the outcomes of our course. | #3 |
Weekly Patterns
The table below displays typical weekly activities, due dates, and activity descriptions.
| Due Date* | Learning Model | Activity Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midweek | Prepare | Reading Quiz | Take a quiz on the Study information. |
| Midweek | Prepare | Forum Preparation | Prepare for your weekly forum by reading scientific articles and sharing your initial thoughts on the forum discussion |
| End of the Week | Teach One Another | Forum Discussion | Participate in an hour-long forum discussion that revolves around a controversial and debatable scientific topic. |
| End of the Week | Ponder and Prove | Forum Reflection | Reflect on what you learned from the forum discussion. |
| End of the Week | Ponder and Prove | Digging Deeper Activity | Apply what you have learned from the week's information to a meaningful and authentic activity. |
| End of the Week | Ponder and Prove | Career Exploration | You will explore a career of interest pertaining to the scientific fields we have studied. This will be completed in Weeks 03,06,09, and 13 |
NOTE: Set your time zone within user preferences so the dates and times for course activities will display correctly for your time zone.
Learning Model
You will be given weekly opportunities to follow the BYU-Idaho Learning Model of 1) Prepare, 2) Teach One Another, and 3) Ponder and Prove.
Prepare: Each week, you will be expected to read articles and watch videos that will allow you to learn the basics of the weekly material. You will also prepare for a weekly forum discussion by reading selected material that will allow you to construct an argument for or against a certain scientific issue.
Teach One Another: There is a discussion board for the W01 Icebreaker. The usual method of connection is by a forum over a zoom call. Each week, you will meet with a GESCI 110 instructor and other GESCI 110 students at a forum time of your convenience. In that forum, you will discuss a compelling scientific issue in a respectful but productive manner.
Ponder and Prove: Each week, you will be given a chance to reflect on your forum participation as well as a chance to apply what you have learned in a meaningful activity.
Expectations
Workload
This is a three-credit course. In order to complete all the required work and master the material, it is anticipated that you will work a total of three hours per credit for a total of nine hours per week. Each week, you are expected to study selected articles and videos that can take up to two hours to study. You will also prepare for, participate in, and reflect on a discussion forum. It can take up to three hours to complete all the associated forum activities. Each week, you will also have an activity that can take up to an hour's worth of time. All activities will be graded by your instructor or their TA. On those activities they will provide you feedback on your work.
Proctored Exams and Assessments
This course will use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam, once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.
For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to this help guide article (Links to an external site.).
Group Work
There is no formal group work in this course.
Late Work
As a sign of professionalism and respect, you should complete your work on time. Late work will only be accepted for credit if arranged with your instructor. If you feel you have an extenuating circumstance, reach out to your instructor on a case-by-case basis.
Retries
There are no retries on any assignments or assessments.
Extra Credit
Your instructor can elect to award up to 15 points of extra credit at their discretion.
Grade Breakdown
| Item | Points | Approximate Percentage |
| Quizzes (13 @ 5 or 10 points each) | 130 | 14% |
| Activities (13 @ 15 points each) | 195 | 21% |
| Career Explorations (4 @ 25 points each) | 100 | 11% |
| Forum (10 @ 30 points each) | 300 | 32% |
| Sustaining Life Project (3 Parts) | 200 | 22% |
| Total | 925 | 100% |
Grading Scale
| Letter Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 100% - 93% |
| A- | 92% - 90% |
| B+ | 89% - 87% |
| B | 86% - 83% |
| B- | 82% - 80% |
| C+ | 79% - 77% |
| C | 76% - 73% |
| C- | 72% - 70% |
| D+ | 69% - 67% |
| D | 66% - 63% |
| D- | 62% - 60% |
| F | 59% and lower |
University Policies
Students with Disabilities
BYU-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by BYU-Idaho Disability Services. If you need assistance or feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established policy and procedures.
If you have any disability that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact Disability Services as soon as possible, preferably before the beginning of the semester, in order to ensure that you receive appropriate accommodations.
Disability Services Contact Information:
- Website: Disability Services
- Phone (US only): (208) 496-9210
- Email: disabilityservices@byui.edu
- Fax: (208) 496-5210
Other University Policies
Go to the Student Resources module to review the university policies regarding honesty, online etiquette, communication expectations, etc.
Sexual Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program that receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact the Human Resources Office at 208-496- 1700 or via email at humanresources@byui.edu.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|