University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Arts and Letters

General Education Department

COURSE PLAN IN
NATURAL SCIENCE (EARTH SCIENCE)


Course Title Natural Science (Earth Science) Course Code NS 101
Credit Units 3 lecture units Course pre-requisites None
Course Description
The course deals with the study of the earth and space sciences on selected topics from the fields
of Astronomy, Meteorology, Geology, Oceanography, and Geologic Time Scale. The course shall
discuss basic processes and current issues of science happening on Earth

Course Intended Learning
Outcomes
After completing this course, STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO
1. Discuss the nature and origin of the universe in relation to the solar system
2. Identify the different elements of Weather and Climate
3. Discuss the various structural and surface processes on Earth
4. Describe Earths shoreline and seafloor topography
5. Discuss the Geologic Time Scale







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Preliminary Period Unit I. Astronomy
Enduring Understanding
The origin of the universe precedes the origin of
Earths spheres
The universe is composed of space, time, matter, and
energy
Essential Questions
1. What is the origin and nature of the universe?
2. What celestial bodies are found in the universe?
3. Why is time different on Earth?

Essential Learning
Week Content
Standards
Declarative
Knowledge
Functional
Knowledge
Intended Learning
Outcomes (ILO)
Suggested
Teaching/Learning
Activities (TLAs)
Assessment
Tasks (ATs)
1-7 Demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of
Earths place in
the universe

Definition of
universe

Earth and
other celestial
bodies

Relationship
of space and
time
Defining
universe

Identifying
celestial bodies
in the solar
system and in
the universe

Relating space
and time
Summarize planetary
data; Create a
theoretical framework
of the universe using
established theories and
principles; Appreciate
time
Scientific Update on the
Book A Brief History of
Time (S.W. Hawking,
1988)

Lecture

Quizzes

Long Test 1








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Preliminary Period Unit II. Meteorology
Enduring Understanding
Weather and Climate are atmospheric conditions
Weather and Climate are shaped by complex interaction
involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, clouds, ice,
land, and life forms
Essential Questions
1. What are the different elements of weather and
climate?
2. What are the different atmospheric effects?
3. Why is the Philippines prone to storm systems?
Essential Learning
Week Content Standards Declarative
Knowledge
Functional
Knowledge
Intended Learning
Outcomes (ILO)
Suggested
Teaching/Learning
Activities (TLAs)
Assessment
Tasks (ATs)
8-13 Demonstrate
sufficient knowledge
of Earths systems,
specifically the
Atmosphere
Elements of
Weather and
Climate

Atmospheric
Effects

PAGASA
Weather
Forecast

Environmental
Laws and
Policies
Identifying the
different
elements of
weather and
climate

Discussing
atmospheric
effects

Discussing the
elements of
PAGASA weather
forecast

Comparing
Montreal, Kyoto,
and Copenhagen
protocols
Analyze weather
reports and
forecasts; and
share this
information to the
community
Portfolio of weather
reports and forecasts

Announcement Board of
daily weather reports
and forecasts from
PAGASA

Lecture
Quizzes

Long Test 2


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Finals Period Unit III. Geology
Enduring Understanding
The Earth is constantly changed by various internal and
external processes
Earthquakes and Tsunami are processes affecting the
Pacific Ring of Fire
Essential Questions
1. What is rock cycle?
2. How do various internal processes affect the structure of
the planet?
3. Why is the surface of the planet varies in landscape?
Essential Learning
Week Content Standards Declarative
Knowledge
Functional
Knowledge
Intended Learning
Outcomes (ILO)
Suggested
Teaching/Learning
Activities (TLAs)
Assessment
Tasks (ATs)
14-17 Demonstrate
sufficient knowledge
of Earths systems,
specifically the
Lithosphere
The rock
cycle

Structural
geology

Surface
processes
Discussing the
different
processes of the
rock cycle

Identifying the
various internal
processes of Earth

Discussing
groundwater as
agent of
weathering and
erosion
Identify the
structural process
that formed the
structures of the
planet; and collect
some samples to
share
Portfolio of geological
pictures in the Philippines
showing past and
present

Exhibit of rock samples

Lecture

Quizzes

Long Test 3
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Finals Period Unit IV. Oceanography
Enduring Understanding
Water covers more than half of Earths surface
The abundance of water affects Earths spheres through
the hydrologic cycle
Shorelines are constantly changed by the movement of
ocean waters
Essential Questions
1. Why do the oceans and seas cover most of Earths
surface?
2. What kind of shoreline topography is present in the
Philippines?
3. What do we know about the deepest part of the
oceans?
Essential Learning
Week Content Standards Declarative
Knowledge
Functional
Knowledge
Intended Learning
Outcomes (ILO)
Suggested
Teaching/Learning
Activities (TLAs)
Assessment
Tasks (ATs)
18-19 Demonstrate
sufficient
knowledge of
Earths systems,
specifically the
Hydrosphere
Composition of
Earths bodies
of water

Shoreline
topography

Seafloor
topography
Identifying the
difference
among Earths
bodies of water

Describing the
different
shorelines
specifically in
the Philippines

Discussing the
parts of the
oceans and seas
Summarize Earths water
in terms of composition;
and share unique ways of
performing conservation
of water, specifically
drinking water
Field Trip (optional)

Slogan for promoting
water conservation

Research paper on
Philippine waters

Lecture
Quizzes

Long Test 4



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Finals Period Unit V. Geologic Time Scale
Enduring Understanding
Geologic Time Scale is a summary of Earths origin using fossil
records
Fossils are used to determine the age of rocks using carbon dating
Essential Questions
1. What is geologic time scale?
2. What are the methods of identifying the age
of rocks?
Essential Learning
Week Content Standards Declarative
Knowledge
Functional
Knowledge
Intended
Learning
Outcomes
(ILO)
Suggested
Teaching/Learning
Activities (TLAs)
Assessment
Tasks (ATs)
20 Demonstrate sufficient
knowledge of Earths
geologic time scale
especially conditions
necessary for the evolution
of life
Geologic
Time Scale
Identifying the
periods of the
geologic time scale

Discussing
environmental
conditions necessary
for the evolution of
life
Summarize
evolution of
life
Museum visit

Lecture
Quizzes

Long Test 5
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Resources Multimedia, LCD, Journal Readings

Basic Readings 1. A Brief History of Time by Stephen W. Hawking (1988)
1. Earth Science by Tarbuck, Lutgens, & Tasa (2009)

Extended
Readings
1. Perspectives on Astronomy by Seeds and Backman (2008)
1. Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment by Donald (2003)
2. Physical Geology by Plummer, Carlson, & Hammersley (2013)
3. Essentials of Oceanography by Trujillo & Thurman (2011)

Course
Assessment
Assessed ILO Percentage
Written Tests
Preliminary Period
Quizzes
Long Test 1
Long Test 2
Preliminary Exam
Finals Period
Quizzes
Long Test 3
Long Test 4
Long Test 5
Final Examination



ILO 1
ILO 2
ILO 1-2


ILO 3
ILO 4
ILO 5
ILO 3-5

Quizzes and Long Tests (30%)
Preliminary/Final
Examination (40%)

Written Tests = 80%
Performance Tasks (PeTa)
Preliminary Period
PeTa 1:
PeTa 2:


ILO 1
ILO 2
30%
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Finals Period
PeTa 3:
PeTa 4:
PeTa 5:

ILO 3
ILO 4
ILO 5

FINAL GRADE = Prelims Grade (50%) + Finals Grade (50%)

The raw score for major exams are transmuted on a base 50. While raw score for quizzes during preliminary
grading are added together before it is transmuted on a base 50. The same applies during the final grading. Still,
activities are transmuted on a base 50. In addition, however, paper(s) and recitation are not transmuted.

Course Policies Language of Instruction: The language to be used in the course is English.

Attendance: The University requires that every student attends no less than 80% of the class hours/days
required for every course to earn the corresponding credits (PPS #1010). Kindly refer to the student handbook.
A grade of Failure due to Absences (FA) is given to students who have incurred more than the allowable number
of absences. And there is no makeup quiz for being absent with invalid reason. However, valid reasons may
include health concerns supported by a medical certificate coming from the UST health service, family matters
with a letter from the parent or guardian stating the reason for such absence, and academic matters with an
endorsement coming from the Deans office.

Dropping of the Course: Dropping of the course must be filed and approved at the Deans office before the
Preliminary Examination.

Academic Integrity and Academic Honesty: Undocumented materials and smacks of plagiarism are unacceptable.

Irrepressible Behavior: Any behavior that is disruptive during class hours is discouraged. It may include sending
messages or calling with the use of mobile phones.

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Course Title AY/Term of
Effectivity
Prepared by Noted by Approved by
NS 101 1
st
/ 2014-
2015


Asst. Prof. Rhodora Lynn C.
Lintag
Coordinator, General
Education, Faculty of Arts and
Letters


Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco,
PhD
Dean, Faculty of Arts and
Letters

Audio-Visual Recording: Students should ask permission from the professor before any audio-visual recording
takes place. The use of laptops is restricted only for academic use.

Committee
Members
Cluster Leader:
Members:

Consultation
Schedule