PrintEGEE 110 Syllabus, Summer 2024
Safety Science for the Rest of Your Life
It is essential that you read this entire document as well as the material covered in the course Orientation. Together, these serve as our course "contract."
Instructor
William Groves is the instructor of EGEE 110.
- Office: 223 Hosler Building
University Park, PA 16802 - Phone: (814) 863-1618
- Email: Please contact me through the course email system in Canvas
- Office Hours: By appointment
NOTE:
I will read and respond to email and discussion forums at least once per day during the workweek (Monday through Friday). You may see me online occasionally on the weekends, but please don't count on it! Be sure to check the box under "Message Options" for "Send a copy to each recipient's Internet email if known" before clicking on "Send" in Canvas to ensure I get copies of the mail in my regular Penn State email account for faster response.
Course Overview
Description: EGEE 110 (GN) Safety Science for the Rest of Your Life (3) Survey of applications and technologies associated with safety in our everyday life with associated review of scientific principles and economic, social, and political impacts.
Safety is an applied field that draws on many disciplines including engineering, science, psychology, and management fields. For an understanding of how humans interact with their working and living environment, one has to understand the basic sciences of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and psychology, as well as some of the traditional engineering disciplines. This general education course EGEE 110 is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of how these science and engineering principles can be applied to safety problems in everyday life.
What I Expect of You
On average, most students spend about ten hours per week working on course assignments. Your workload may be more or less depending on your study habits.
I have worked hard to make this the most effective, interesting, and convenient educational experience possible. The Internet may still be a novel learning environment for you, but in one sense it is no different from a traditional college class: how much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule, and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your fellow students.
Course Goals and Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, participants should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of how the dynamic processes of both the natural and man-made world impact the safety and well-being of all of us in our daily lives;
- demonstrate an understanding of the common hazards inherent in industries, residences, transportation systems, natural environments, healthcare operations, etc.;
- demonstrate the ability to understand and apply control strategies and protection measures to hazards and risks to self, family, friends, and co-workers throughout daily activities.
Demonstration will be in the form of acceptable performance on quizzes, homework problems, class discussion and participation, and the preparation of the learning portfolio.
Specific learning objectives for each lesson and project are detailed within each lesson. The class schedule is published below as part of this syllabus page.
Course Materials
Reference Textbook (not required): Risk -- A practical guide for deciding what's really safe and what's really dangerous in the world around you; Houghton Mifflin Co.; Boston, 2002. ISBN 0-618-14372-6
All materials needed for this course are presented online through our Course Website and in Canvas. In order to access all materials, you need to have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password (used to access the online course resources). If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the Outreach Helpdesk.
Assignments and Grading
The format of the course will include online class notes and class discussion based on demonstrations, Web activities, media presentations, and self-learning activities. There will be activities in which students will be asked to evaluate their living environment for the presence of hazards. These activities will culminate with a class discussion about the hazards encountered and how to address them to minimize the risk of exposure. The course will involve discussion questions, minute essays, homework problems, quizzes, and a learning portfolio.
Class Participation - Discussion Questions and Minute Essays
Participation is an essential part of the EGEE 110 experience and is 10% of the grade. "Participation" means that students must engage in the course by (1) asking questions of the instructor and other students, (2) reading course notes and watching assigned videos before participating in class discussion forums, and (3) participating actively in the regular topical discussions and minute essays. The quality of participation in the topical discussions and minute essays will be assessed.
Quizzes
The course notes, videos, assignments, and activities are the basis of the six online quizzes. Quizzes are delivered via Canvas and are typically made available to take from a Friday until the following Tuesday at midnight. All quizzes are open book / open note and are to be taken individually without any collaboration. If you take a quiz at the same time and location as another student in the course, the accounts will be flagged for suspicious activity, and then I have to investigate, so please don't do this. Quizzes must be taken by the due date that is noted in the syllabus. There are no makeups without prior arrangement. Please note that the Class Orientation Quiz does not count toward the final grade.
Homework Assignments
There will be three homework assignments that combined are worth 25% of the final grade. These activities will include exercises related to motor vehicle safety (HW 1), home hazards and fire safety (HW 2), and carbon monoxide poisoning (HW 3).
Learning Portfolio Project
Each student is expected to prepare a learning portfolio as part of the course. The learning portfolio is a personal collection of information describing and documenting your achievements and learning in this class. Learning portfolios can be presented in different formats, including: 1) an electronic document (e.g., PowerPoint presentation) or 2) a web-based portfolio (obtain approval first). PowerPoint is the preferred format. A detailed description of the learning portfolio assignment can be found in the Learning Portfolio folder in Canvas.
| Quizzes (6) | 40% |
|---|---|
| Discussion Questions / Minute Essays (10-15) | 10% |
| Homework Assignments (3) | 25% |
| Learning Portfolio Project (1) | 25% |
Final overall grades will be determined based on averaged grades of these elements. So that you know where you stand, all grades will be posted in Canvas with each assignment. You will be able to track your progress and calculate your average as the course goes along.
Letter grades will be based on the following percentages:
| Letter Grade | % Range |
|---|---|
| A | 94–100% |
| A- | 90–93.5% |
| B+ | 86–89.5% |
| B | 83–85.5% |
| B- | 80–82.5% |
| C+ | 76–79.5% |
| C | 70–75.5% |
| D | 60–69.5% |
| F | <60% |
| X | Unsatisfactory (student did not participate) |
EGEE 110 Course Schedule
Printable Schedule
Below, you will find a summary of the primary learning activities for this course and the associated time frames. This course is six weeks in length, with an orientation lesson preceding the official start of the course. There is a quiz at the end of each week. Refer to this syllabus and Canvas for specific lesson time frames and assignment due dates.
| WEEK | TOPICS | READING | ACTIVITIES / ASSIGNMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| First day | Course Orientation | Online materials | Complete the Course Orientation (see the "Course Orientation" menu) Take the Course Orientation Quiz in Canvas (Note: the Orientation Quiz does not count toward the final grade) |
| Week 1 | 1-Introduction 2-Risk Perception 3-Motor Vehicles |
The online Lesson Notes | Minute Essay - Paracelsus Risk Perception / Mapping Activity Minute Essay - Texting PSAs Quiz 1 |
| Week 2 | 4-Alcohol 5-Tobacco 6-Caffeine 7-Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) |
The online Lesson Notes | HW 1 - Tire Tread Inspection Minute Essay - Deadly Persuasion Discussion Question - MSDs Quiz 2 |
| Week 3 | 8-Foodborne Illness 9-X-Rays 10-Medical Errors 11-Home Hazards 12-Fire Hazards |
The online Lesson Notes | Minute Essay - Food Safety Minute Essay - Medical Errors HW 2 - Home Hazard Inspection Quiz 3 |
| Week 4 | 13-Lead 14-Mercury 15-Radon 16 - Air Pollution |
The online Lesson Notes | Minute Essay - Lead Case Study Minute Essay - Radon Discussion Question - Air Pollutants Quiz 4 |
| Week 5 | 17-Carbon Monoxide
18-Water Pollution |
The online Lesson Notes | Minute Essay - Liquid Assets Video HW 3 - Carbon Monoxide Modeling Quiz 5 |
| Week 6 | 20-Asbestos 21-Ozone Depletion 22-Pesticides 23-Nuclear Power |
The online Lesson Notes | Minute Essay - Asbestos Quiz 6 |
| Week 7 | Complete learning portfolios | The online Lesson Notes | Learning Portfolio Project |
Course Policies
Make-up quizzes
There will be no make-up quizzes or exams.
"Extra Credit"
There will be no "Extra Credit".
Late Policy
All course-related assignments and quizzes must be completed by the assigned date. Late work is not accepted - excused late completions must be by prior arrangement (before the due date).
Technical Requirements
For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk (for World Campus students) or Penn State's IT Help Portal (for students at all other campus locations).
Internet Connection
Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.
Mixed Content
This site is considered a secure web site, which means that your connection is encrypted. We do, however, link to content that isn't necessarily encrypted. This is called mixed content. By default, mixed content is blocked in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. This may result in a blank page or a message saying that only secure content is displayed. Follow the directions on our Technical Requirements page to view the mixed content.
Equations
This course must be viewed using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. If you use any other browser, or if you are not using the latest version of your browser, some pages containing equations may not render properly. In addition, javascript must be enabled for equations to render properly. If you have any issues with equations not rendering properly, please update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser. If you need additional technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk (for World Campus students) or the IT Service Desk (for students at all other campus locations).Penn State E-mail Accounts
All official communications from Penn State are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.
Academic Integrity
This course follows the procedures for academic integrity of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting others' work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other students' papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's Academic Integrity Training for Students.
Course Copyright
All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.
For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for Campus Disability Coordinators at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Office for Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled. You will participate in an intake interview and provide documentation. See documentation guidelines at Applying for Services from Student Disability Resources. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Change in Normal Campus Operations
In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.
Reporting Educational Equity Concerns
Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Services include the following:
Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741
Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Connect Online with Caution
Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision-making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information to others whom you do not know.
Deferred Grades
If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time for reasons that are beyond your control, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor, following Penn State Deferred Grade Policy 48-40. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by e-mail or U.S. post) to the instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested before the beginning of the final examination period. It is up to the instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If permission is granted, you will work with the instructor to establish a communication plan and a clear schedule for completion within policy. If, for any reason, the coursework for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.
Attendance
This course will be conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments with specific due dates. Many of the assignments are open for multiple days, so it is your responsibility to complete the work early if you plan to travel or participate in national holidays, religious observances or University approved activities.
If you need to request an exception due to a personal or medical emergency, contact the instructor directly as soon as you are able. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect
Penn State is “committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others” as stated in Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and to interact with civility.
For additional information, see:
- Penn State Affirmative Action Nondiscrimination Statement
- Policy AD 85 Sexual and/or Gender-Based Harassment and Misconduct, Title IX
- Penn State Values
- Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State
- Assessment of the Living, Learning, and Working Environment (ALLWE) in EMS| Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mandated Reporting Statement
Penn State’s policies require me, as a faculty member, to share information about incidents of sex-based discrimination and harassment (discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation) with Penn State’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless of whether the incidents are stated to me in person or shared by students as part of their coursework. For more information regarding the University's policies and procedures for responding to reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, please visit Penn State's Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response website.
Additionally, I am required to make a report on any reasonable suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.
Disclaimer
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. All changes will be communicated to you via e-mail, course announcement and/or course discussion forum.