Course Number - Name

Scientific Literacy & Inquiry

Instructor Name:
Office:
Office Hours: TBD
Email:

Course Description:
Should conform to the official description for the course. (If a description needs revision, then a new course description
may be submitted according to the procedures with undergraduate and graduate course approvals).
Course Prerequisites (if applicable): Clear description of prerequisite coursework or knowledge expected prior to the start
of the course.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Assignments should be linked to each of the student learning outcomes being assessed. A single assignment may be used
to assess more than one learning outcome, and an outcome may be assessed by more than one assignment.
Having completed the Scientific Literacy and Inquiry sequence, students will be able to:

SLI Program Examples of how Delivered through Student

Student Learning this specific the following achievement
Outcome Student Learning instructional assessed with the
Outcome is met methods: following
in this course: methods:

1. Demonstrate that
scientific knowledge
applies across multiple
scales of size and/or
time.

2. Demonstrate
understanding of and
employ the scientific
method.

3. Demonstrate an

1
Departments/programs may have additional requirements and/or may outline a particular format for the syllabus, so faculty should also
check to make sure there are not additional guidelines they must follow.

* Undergraduate Only

** Graduate Only
 SLI Program Examples of how Delivered through Student
Student Learning this specific the following achievement
Outcome Student Learning instructional assessed with the
Outcome is met methods: following
in this course: methods:

understanding that
science is a continuous
process and that our
understanding of
scientific phenomena
has changed across
time.

4. Demonstrate an
understanding of how
scientific principles are
used to solve tangible
problems.

5. Recognize key ethical

issues in scientific
practice.

6. Distinguish scientific
information from
pseudo-scientific
information and
demonstrate an
understanding of the
nature of legitimate
scientific debate.

Course Materials:
Books, readings, equipment
 Availability of course materials or resources can be specified (e.g., items on reserve through the library; use of
UBlearns Blackboard site)

Course Requirements:

2
Departments/programs may have additional requirements and/or may outline a particular format for the syllabus, so faculty should also
check to make sure there are not additional guidelines they must follow.

* Undergraduate Only

** Graduate Only
The number of papers, tests, and any other requirements, such as homework, attendance, class participation, laboratory
assignments, or clinical performance, that will count toward the final grade. Availability of and procedures for alternatives
to assignments or exams the student did not complete due to absences should be specified. All requirements should relate
to the course description and the student learning outcomes.

Academic Content:
What the student will be held accountable for, including required readings, lectures, films, field trips, etc. Deadlines for
assignments should be specified. Most semesters are 15 weeks.

Wee Topics Assignments Associated

k Learning
Outcome
Number

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3
Departments/programs may have additional requirements and/or may outline a particular format for the syllabus, so faculty should also
check to make sure there are not additional guidelines they must follow.

* Undergraduate Only

** Graduate Only
Grading Policy:
How results from various requirements will be combined into a final grade: relative weightings, make-up policy for tests,
etc.
Grading Policies must include:
 Specification of the level of work that must be completed in order to obtain specific letter grades (A-F) or a
passing grade if the course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis; and
 Reference to the university undergraduate Incomplete Policy or graduate Incomplete Policy and any additional
instructor requirements and comments regarding incomplete grades. See the Incomplete Policy.
Learning assessments will be graded based on rubric criteria and weighted according to the following break-down.

Weighti Assessment / Assignment

ng

xx%
xx%
xx%
100%

Final Grades:
Grade Quality Points Percentage
(EXAMPLE)
A 4.0 93.0% -100.00%
A- 3.67 90.0% - 92.9%
B+ 3.33 87.0% - 89.9%
B 3.00 83.0% - 86.9%
B- 2.67 80.0% - 82.9%
C+ 2.33 77.0% - 79.9%
C 2.00 73.0% - 76.9%
C- 1.67 70.0% - 72.9%
D+ 1.33 67.0% - 69.9%
D 1.00 60.0% - 66.9%

4
Departments/programs may have additional requirements and/or may outline a particular format for the syllabus, so faculty should also
check to make sure there are not additional guidelines they must follow.

* Undergraduate Only

** Graduate Only
 Grade Quality Points Percentage
(EXAMPLE)
F 0 59.9 or below

Academic Integrity:
Students must be familiar with and abide by the University’s policies and procedures on the Academic Integrity website.

Accessibility Resources:
Accessibility Resources coordinates reasonable accommodations for equitable access to UB for students with disabilities.
Visit 60 Capen Hall, North Campus, call (716) 645-2608, or email at [email protected]. Additional
information is located at the Accessibility Resources website.

Available Resources on Sexual Assault:

UB is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual
assault, domestic and dating violence and stalking. You may call UB’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at (716)
645-2266 for more information or visit their website.
Counseling Services:
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning or reduce your ability to participate
in daily activities. These might include strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling
down, health concerns, or unwanted sexual experiences. Counseling, Health Services, and Health Promotion are here to
help with these or other concerns. You learn can more about these programs and services by contacting:
 Counseling Services:
o 120 Richmond Quad (North Campus), phone 716-645-2720
o 202 Michael Hall (South Campus), phone: 716-829-5800
 Health Services: Michael Hall (South Campus), phone: 716- 829-3316
 Health Promotion: 114 Student Union (North Campus), phone: 716- 645-2837
UB Portfolio
If you are completing this course as part of your UB Curriculum requirements, please select an ‘artifact’ from this course
that is representative of your learning and save it in a safe location with a clear title. Your final UB Curriculum
requirement, UBC 399: UB Curriculum Capstone, will require you to submit these ‘artifacts’ as you process and reflect on
your achievement and growth through the UB Curriculum. Artifacts include homework assignments, exams, research
papers, projects, lab reports, presentations, and other coursework. For more information, see the UB Curriculum Capstone
website: https://www.buffalo.edu/ubcurriculum/capstone.html.

Course Fees:
5
Departments/programs may have additional requirements and/or may outline a particular format for the syllabus, so faculty should also
check to make sure there are not additional guidelines they must follow.

* Undergraduate Only

** Graduate Only
List here if applicable

Optional Components
Attendance Policy
 May include reference to:
 Attendance issues related to religious observances
 University sanctioned events
 Athletic commitments
 Family/Work obligations/emergencies
 Course Cancellation/ Emergency Planning
 Reference the university website for cancellations/delays due to weather or other unforeseen events at the UB
Alert page.
Instructor and Course Support Staff Information
 Relevant professional information and/or teaching philosophy.
 Roles and responsibilities of course support staff (i.e., TAs/GAs).
Classroom Decorum
Discussion of classroom expectations, for example tardiness, and/or use of cell phones and laptops.

University Support Services

Students are often unaware of university support services. For example, the Center for Excellence in Writing provides
support for written work, and several tutoring centers on campus provide academic success support and resources.

6
Departments/programs may have additional requirements and/or may outline a particular format for the syllabus, so faculty should also
check to make sure there are not additional guidelines they must follow.

* Undergraduate Only

** Graduate Only