Discipline: Physical Sciences
CHE-Chemistry
 Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Physical Sciences 17


COURSE DESCRIPTION
17 Intro to Development of Modern Science
Same as: CHE-Chemistry 17
 Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: Qualification for ENG 1A.
A survey of the rise of modern science in Western civilization from the Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries through the biological and earth science revolutions of the 20th century. The historical forces that led to major scientific developments and the impact of science and science-based technology on society will be examined. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Development of Western modern science from the 16th century to the 1970’s.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Compare the scientific method with other methods of acquiring
      knowledge.

2.   Describe and illustrate the scientific method with examples.     

3.   Compare the funding of science over the past four centuries and
      correlate this with who does science and what topics are
      investigated.

4.   Recognize and identify major scientists and their contributions.

5.   Review the development of ideas and experiments needed to
      produce a major displacement in at least two scientific disciplines
      (astronomy, physics, chemistry, life science, earth science).

6.   Discuss the relationship between scientific knowledge and political
      or industrial power.

7.   Contrast humankind’s perception of itself before and after the
      Scientific Revolution.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Displacement of Ptolemaic system by Copernican system.  Galileo: Mathematical understanding of nature.  Displacement of Aristotelian by Newtonian mechanics.
  2. Acquisition of knowledge by the scientific method (Bacon, Descartes).
  3. Evolution of the institutions of science (Academies, journals, specialty scientific organizations. Universities. Specialized laboratories. Government and industry.).
  4. Selected Topics (select four of the following topics from at least two different scientific disciplines):
    1. Structure of living organisms. (Vitalistic to mechanistic view of life.  From Galen’s anatomy to Vesalius’.  Emergence of cell theory.  Concepts of disease.).
    2. Atoms and chemistry.  (Revival of atomic theory-quantitative chemistry and gases.  Periodic Table.  Replacement of vitalistic theory by synthetic organic chemistry- Wohler. Structural organic chemistry: Kekule, van’t Hoff.).
    3. Evolution and genetics. (Classification of species. Mendel. Geologic time.  The double helix.)
    4. Unification of electricity, magnetism, and light.  Modern communication.
    5. Energy, entropy, and thermodynamics. (Replacement of caloric by motion.  The steam engine.).
    6. Inside the atom of the 20th century.  (X-rays and radioactivity. Nuclear atom.  Replacement of exact mathematical description of nature by the statistical view of quantum mechanics.)
    7. Radioactivity in the 20th century.  (Medical, industrial, agricultural, and military applications.).
    8. Plate tectonics.  From fixed to drifting continents to plate motion.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Class lectures/discussions/demonstrations
  • Multimedia
  • Pair and small group activities/discussion
  • Class exercises
  • Reports and papers
  • Handouts
  • Cooperative learning tasks
  • Individual conferences
  • Guest lecturers
  • On-line and computer aided instruction
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Oral reports/presentations
  • Written reports/presentations
  • Quizzes/examinations
  • Written assignments
  • Class and individual projects
  • Participation and regular attendance
  • Final examination
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Serres, Michel . A History of Scientific Thought. any: Blackwell Publishers, 1995.
  • Cohen, I. Bernard. Revolution in Science. any: Harvard University Press, 1985.
  • Westfall, Richard S. . The Construction of Modern Science: Mechanisms and Mechanics. any: John Wiley & Sons, 1971.
  • Primary sources, where understandable to the educated layperson.
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