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This course is being taught in the Fall 2001 semester with

Dr. Jennifer Bready
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Office: Aquinas 12-G       
Phone: 569-3268                                                       
e-mail:  bready@msmc.edu  
web address: http://faculty.msmc.edu/bready             

Inclement weather phone:  569‑3500

Course Description:

This course will focus on the theme of “Energy” as it is applied in many fields of math and science.  This is a theme-based course that applies the concepts developed in MST 101.  That is, students working in collaborative learning groups will conduct inquiry-based experiments using the scientific method, engage in problem-solving activities, and use computer technology for both research and writing.  Mathematical concepts such as geometry, estimation, measurement, modeling and statistics will be integrated with scientific content from the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, and earth science.

Outcomes:
The course is designed to reduce students’ anxiety of math and science and enable them to appreciate the relevance of math and science in everyday situations.  At the end of MST 202, a student will be able to:

·                    Understand the use of the term “Energy” in many contexts
·                    Describe the flow of energy through living and non-living systems
·                    Understand the concepts of atoms, molecules and reactions
·                    Understand and apply Newton’s laws of motion
·                    Describe the uses of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
·                    Make decisions about energy usage based on scientific facts

Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory.  Three consecutive unexplained absences must be reported to the registrar.  Excessive absence can be cause for loss of a grade or failure.  Attendance will be a

Assessment: 
Homework will be collected and reviewed and will affect your participation grade.  A portfolio of all of your classwork will be twenty percent of your grade and is due by noon on Friday, December 7th.  Details will be given out at a later date.  Final grades will be weighted as follows:

Final Letter Grading:

Learning Strategies:

Cooperative learning will be utilized as the underlying motivation for group assignments.  Cooperative learning assumes that students learn from each other as well as from the instructor.  Students are responsible for not only their own learning, but also for the learning of the other members of the group.  While some class time will be given for group work, groups are expected to meet outside of class time if needed. 

Tentative Schedule:

Funding for the development, implementation and assessment of this course is supported by NSF grant # 0088012

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