Instructor: Marni Herrington

Instructor Information:

Marni Herrington currently serves as the principal of Della Davidson Elementary School in Oxford, MS. She began her career in education as a science teacher at Oxford High School, where she taught for eleven years before moving into administration. Along with other accomplishments, she was named Star Teacher and Administrator of the Year, and was recognized as an exceptional teacher by Stanford University.

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the email link on the main Lessons page or in the "Communications & Tools" tab. NOTE: Replies to your emails will go to your go.olemiss.edu email account, so be sure to check it frequently.

Course Description:

Physical Science is a course that provides opportunities for students to develop and communicate a basic understanding of physics and chemistry through a variety of lessons and activities. This course will prepare students to transition to other science courses.

Required Textbook:

Physical Science: Concepts in Action with Earth and Science

by Michael Wysession

ISBN13: 9780131663084
ISBN10: 0131663089

Ed. 6 Prentice Hall

It is the student's responsibility to order his or her textbook. Online textbook retailers such as Amazon.com, ABEbooks.com, or Half.com usually provide used textbooks at economical prices.

You must make sure you are ordering the exact book required in this syllabus.

Course Objectives:

Objectives include (but are not limited to):

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of matter.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of both modern and historical theories of atomic structure.
• Students will analyze the organization of the periodic table of elements to predict atomic interactions.
• Students will analyze changes in matter and the relationship of these changes to the law of conservation of matter and energy.
• Students will analyze the scientific principles of motion, force, and work.
• Students will explore the characteristics of waves.
• Students will examine different forms of energy and energy transformations.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of temperature scales, heat, and thermal energy transfer.
• Students will explore basic principles of magnetism and electricity.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 17 instructional modules (or lessons). NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.

Parts

LESSON

Reading Assignments

Due for Grades

Pacing guide 
to complete the course in a traditional school year

Start Here

Syllabus and Orientation folder. NOTE: Once you complete the syllabus and orientation quiz, the rest of the lessons will become available to you.

Syllabus quiz, Introduce Yourself discussion board, Course pre-test

Week 1

Part 1: Chemistry

Chapter 1

Science Skills

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 1-2

Chapter 2

Properties of Matter

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 3-4

Chapter 3

States of Matter

Chapter Homework and Quiz

Week 5

Exam 1

Exam covering the required sections in chapters 1-3. Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero. This exam is not proctored, but the exam will auto-submit at the end of 60 minutes.

Exam 1

Week 6

Chapter 4

Atomic Structure

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 7-8

Chapter 5

The Periodic Table

Chapter Homework and Quiz

Week 9

Chapter 6

Chemical Bonds

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 10-11

Chapter 7

Chemical Reactions

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 12-13

Exam 2

Exam covering the required sections in chapters 4-7. Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero. This exam is not proctored, but the exam will auto-submit at the end of 60 minutes.

Exam 2

Week 14

Chapter 8

Solutions, Acids, and Bases

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 15-16

Chapter 10.4

Fission and Fusion
NOTE: Chapter 9 is not included in this course.

Chapter Homework and Quiz

Week 17

Midterm Exam

Exam 3

Proctored exam covering all topics in Part 1: Chemistry. Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero.

Proctored test (exam 3)

Week 18

Part 2: Physics

Chapter 11

Motion

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 19-20

Chapter 12

Forces and Motion

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 21-22

Chapter 13

Forces and Fluids

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 23-24

Exam 4

Exam covering the required sections in chapters 11-13. Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero. This exam is not proctored, but the exam will auto-submit at the end of 60 minutes.

Exam 4

Week 25

Chapter 14

Work, Power, and Machines

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 26-27

Chapter 15

Energy

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 28-29

Exam 5

Exam covering the required sections in chapters 14-15. Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero. This exam is not proctored, but the exam will auto-submit at the end of 60 minutes.

Exam 5

Week 30

Chapter 18

The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Light

Chapter Homework and Quiz

Week 31

Chapter 20

Electricity

Chapter Task, Homework, and Quiz

Week 32-33

Chapter 21

Magnetism

Chapter Homework and Quiz

Week 34

Exam 6

Exam covering the required sections in chapters 18, 20-21. Be sure to complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken may receive a grade of zero. This exam is not proctored, but the exam will auto-submit at the end of 60 minutes.

Exam 6

Week 35

Post-test, Exit Survey

The 10-minute Post-test is in the Final Exam folder and must be completed before the final exam will appear.

To be completed before scheduling your final exam.

 Week 36

Final Exam

Exam 7

Proctored comprehensive exam covering all topics in Part 2: Physics. Complete all previous assignments before taking this exam. Any assignments not completed before the exam is taken will receive a grade of zero.

Proctored test (exam 7)

 Week 36

Grading Scale:

93 - 100% = A
85 - 92% = B
75 - 84% = C
70 - 74% = D
Below 69% = F

The grading format is as follows:

Minor Grades: 50% (chapter quizzes and homework) 
Major Grades: 30% (all exams except mid-term and final)
Final Exam: 20%