Final Exam Description

The final covers material from the entire course.  The exam is OPEN NOTE.  You have FOUR HOURS to take the exam.  Once you log in and start the exam, the clock starts running.  You cannot log out and log back in.  So please find a four-hour block of time when you can be free of distractions and have a reliable internet connection.  There are three sections to the exam:

Quiz questions (10 questions, 2 points each, 20 points total)

The quiz section of the final has 10 questions, drawn randomly from all possible quiz questions from the entire semester. There are two “practice quizzes” that contain all these questions, one that was made available before the midterm, containing questions from Lessons 1-7, and a second containing questions from Lessons 8-13. These practice quizzes are ungraded and you may take them as many times as you like.

Short answer questions (6 questions, 5 points each, 30 points total)

The short answer section of the final has 6 questions, drawn randomly from a set of 26 (2 for each lesson). I reused questions from Lessons 1-7 that appeared on the midterm, so it will be useful to review your midterm exams. You’re likely to get a couple questions that you’ve seen before.

Essay question (1 question, 50 points)

You will have ONE of the following essay questions on your final.

Possible Essay Questions:

• Since the 19th century both the general public and scientists themselves have come to expect that scientific research will yield practical benefits. What scientific ideas and developments since 1800 have had practical applications? Give at least three examples and discuss their implications for public perceptions of science.
• Since the 19th century science and scientists have inspired fear and moral repugnance as well as hope and admiration. What scientific ideas and developments since 1800 have inspired anxieties and moral questions? Give at least three examples and discuss their implications for public perceptions of science.