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College Physics I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Kay Fincher (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

klfincher@actx.edu

Phone

Office Location

Office Hours

Office hours vary depending on the course. Please check the syllabus under “Additional Information”.

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

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Course

PHYS-1401-DC001 College Physics I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Math 1316

Course Description

Fundamental principles of physics, using algebra and trigonometry; the principles and applications of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, including harmonic motion, mechanical waves and sound, physical systems, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and gravitation and other fundamental forces; with emphasis on problem solving. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The following textbooks will be available to students:

  1. Physics: Principles and Application, 5th Ed by Douglas Giancoli -- available for check-out at AHS.
  2. Physics: Algebra and Trig, 3rd Ed by Eugene Hecht -- available for check-out at AHS.
  3. OpenStax College Physics, Paul Urons and Roger Hinrichs -- available free at www.openstaxcollege.org

 

Supplies

The following supplies should be brought to class every day:

  • 3-ring binder with a view pocket in the front cover (1.5” or larger; slant rings are the best)
  • 1 or 2 spiral-bound sets o

    Student Performance

    \ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

    \
      \
    1. \ Demonstrate knowledge of basic physical units and their relationships.
      2. \
    2. \ Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, acceleration, and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration).
      3. \
    3. \ Apply Newton’s laws to physical problems including gravity.
      4. \
    4. \ Solve problems using principles of energy.
      5. \
    5. \ Use principals of impulse and momentum to solve problems.
      6. \
    6. \ Determine the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.
      7. \
    7. \ Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.
      8. \
    8. \ Define equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.
      9. \
    9. \ Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to real-world problems.
      10. \
    10. \ Solve problems using the principles of heat and thermodynamics.
      11. \
    11. \ Solve basic fluid mechanics problems.
      12. \
    \

    \ Lab Component:

    \
      \
    1. \ Develop techniques to set and perform experiments, collect data from those experiments, and formulate conclusions from an experiment.
      2. \
    2. \ Demonstrate the collections, analysis, and reporting of data using the scientific method.
      3. \
    3. \ Communicate effectively the results of investigations.
      4. \
    4. \ Demonstrate knowledge of basic physical units and their relationships.
      5. \
    5. \ Same as 2-11 above.
      6. \

    Students Rights and Responsibilities

    Student Rights and Responsibilities

    Log in using the AC Connect Portal

    In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

    If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

    Expected Student Behavior

    \ Students are expected to be respectful to everyone in the classroom and exhibit responsibility with behavior as well as assignments.  Students are expected to work hard to understand the physics they are learning and attend tutorials if needed.  Students are expected to be on time to class and have their materials every day. Electronic devices may only be used during class with permission from the instructor.

    Grading Criteria

    Six Weeks Grades

    • 75%-- Tests (200 pts), Quizzes (100 pts), Formal Labs (200 pts), Informal Labs (100 pts), Daily Work (25 pts)
    • 25%-- Six Weeks Tests (1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Six Weeks Grading Periods)

    Semester Grades

    • The semester average is determined by the 3 six weeks grades and the semester exam.
    • Semester Exam 15%, Six Weeks Grades 85% (this will be your final grade for the dual credit course)

    Additional Information

    • ALL students enrolled in this course will take a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester. Test questions will be similar to those on the AP Physics 1 Exam.
    • Work missed due to an absence is to be made up in a timely manner.  You are allowed one day per day of school missed for a non-school-related absence.  If you miss class due to a school activity the work will be turned in before the absence or the day immediately following the absence.  Please contact your instructor as soon as possible.
    • Students may correct lab reports and daily work to earn back ½ of the points that were lost. Corrections MUST be done during a scheduled tutoring session within ONE WEEK of the assignment’s due date.

     

    Attendance

    Since this is a dual-credit course at a high school, attendance is required per the Texas Education Code.

    Work missed due to an absence is to be made up in a timely manner.  You are allowed one day per day of school missed for a non-school-related absence.  If you miss class due to a school activity the work will be turned in before the absence or the day immediately following the absence.  Please contact your instructor as soon as possible if you have questions or need an extension.

    Calendar

    The class calendar will be on AISD's Blackboard web site at www.blackboard.amaisd.org since students enrolled in this course are also high school students and not all students in the high school course have access to the AC Blackboard calendar.

    Tests will be administered the 3rd and 6th week of each grading period following Amarillo High School's testing schedule and as required by AHS administration.

    The general outline for this course will be:

    1st Six Weeks (Aug 25 - Oct 3)

    • Linear Motion
    • Vectors
    • Forces
    • Projectiles
    • Uniform Circular Motion
    • Gravitation
    • Kepler's Laws

    2nd Six Weeks (Oct 5 - Nov 7)

    • Rotational Kinematics
    • Rotational Dynamics
    • 2-D Momentum
    • Angular Momentum
    • Mass-Spring Oscillators
    • Pendulums
    • Simple Harmonic Motion

    3rd Six Weeks (Nov 9 - Dec 12)

    • Waves
    • Sound
    • Harmonics
    • Fluid Statics
    • Fluid Dynamics

    Semester Exams -- Week of Dec 15

     

    Additional Information

    This course follows the AP Physics 1 Framework in addition to the state requirements for Phys 1401.

    Syllabus Created on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM

    Last Edited on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM