Introductory Physics I Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Course

PHYS-1305-001 Introductory Physics I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 0303-minimum grade of C, an Accuplacer score of 75, a THEA score of 270 or an equivalent score on a state-approved test and RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

Introduction to physics for students who have limited backgrounds in science and mathematics. Topics include mechanics, properties of matter, heat and thermodynamics.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Conceptual Physics Fundamentals by Paul G. Hewitt (blue wave on the front cover).  Be careful if buying online, Hewitt wrote two other textbooks with similar names.

Supplies

• Scientific calculator (needs to have trigonometric functions and scientific notation) that is NOT your phone.  Dollar Tree usually carries some acceptable ones.
• Small notebook for notes (spiral, binder, or folder with pockets)

  Student Performance

  This course is an introduction to physics for non-science majors who have limited backgrounds in science and mathematics. Topics covered in this course will include motion, forces, energy, momentum, mechanical waves, and sound. Conceptual knowledge will be stressed along with mathematical problem-solving.

  Students will understand basic principles of physics such as:

  1. the differences between constant velocity and uniform acceleration in one dimension.
  2. the net force concept and how motion is determined by net force.
  3. Newton's laws of motion.
  4. the difference between mass and weight.
  5. The basic principles of energy, and its various forms.
  6. the conservation of energy.
  7. the difference between heat and temperature.
  8. the laws of thermodynamics.
  9. the basic concepts of mechanical wave motion and sound.
  10. the basic concepts of electromagnetic wave motion and optics.
  11. the basic concepts of radioactivity.
  12. the atomic principles behind spectroscopy and lasers.

  Students will relate the basic principles of physics to real-life situations such as:

  1. Races (both human, animal, and vehicular)
  2. Safety features in vehicles
  3. Thrill rides
  4. Sports
  5. Energy usage in buildings
  6. Air conditioning and heating
  7. Sonar use by humans and animals
  8. Radar use by humans
  9. Lag time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder
  10. Nuclear medicine
  11. Laser surgery
  12. Why the sky is blue

  Students will use basic algebra and geometry in solving problems including calculations of:

  1. position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
  2. mass, weight, and net force.
  3. individual forces on an object (when the net force is known).
  4. energy transfers (work and heat) into and out of systems.
  5. frequency, period, speed, and wavelength of mechanical waves and light waves.

  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:

  1. Be prepared by
     • studying assigned textbook pages prior to class.
     • reviewing material learned in class within 24 hours.
     • attempting the assigned homework before the key is posted.
  2. Be responsible by
     • attending class (100% attendance is expected).
     • completing assigned work.
     • studying for tests.
  3. Be an active learner by
     • participating in class discussions.
     • working with your classmates to figure out solutions.            
     • having a “can-do” attitude and attempting all work.
  4. Be polite by
     • being on time for class.
     • turning cell phones and electronic gadgets to “silent” when in class.
     • only using electronic devices during class when allowed.

  SOME RULES of the ROAD

  1. Calculators may be used during tests but cell phones and other electronic gadgets may not.
  2. Any video, images, or audio recordings may be made during class are only for personal use, or the use of students in the class (i.e. helping out a friend who’s absent).  They are not to be placed online for consumption by anyone not taking the course.
  3. To be successful in this course requires you to participate in learning during class. Please refrain from using electronic devices (laptops, netbooks, ipads, smartphones, etc) during class unless it is part of a learning activity. If something urgent requires your attention please go to the hallway so you don’t disrupt others.
  4. Cheating is absolutely NOT allowed. Refer to the AC Student Code of Conduct for further information.

  Grading Criteria

  There will be four exams, worth 20% of the grade each, and most weeks there will be a quiz based on the homework assignment.  The average of the best 10 quizzes will count for the remaining 20% of the grade.  If the quiz average is better than your lowest exam score, and that score is not a zero due to cheating, the quiz average will replace that one lowest exam score.

  Homework will not be graded, and there is no lab component to this grade (the lab, if offered, is PHYS 1105, a separate course with its own grade).

  More detail on how exams and quizzes will be graded will be provided on Blackboard and in class.

  The following “standard” scale will be the harshest we’ll use, but if the class average is below 80% at the end of the term I reserve the right to set a more generous curve.  Additionally, even if the class average isn’t too low, I reserve the right to “bend” the lower end of a curve down a little if I feel a particular student merits a higher letter grade.  But I will never make it harsher than this: a 79.5% will always be a B, no matter how well the class does or how much I may think a student earning 79.5% deserves a C.

            A: 89.5% and up

            B: 79.5% to 89.4999…%

            C: 69.5% to 79.4999…%

            D: 59.5% to 59.4999…%

            F: Below 59.5%.

   

  Attendance

  Attendance will not be taken formally (handing back quizzes and exams will informally take attendance, of course), and it will not be an explicit part of your grade.  However, when it comes time to decide whether to adjust the grading curve to be more lenient, students who were always present, on time, and participating in class will be more likely to find the curve bending in their favor.

  Calendar

            There will always be lectures during the lecture times.  Unless otherwise specified, the weekly schedule for other matters will run as follows:

            Tuesdays: Other than Week 1, there will be a Homework Quiz for the first 20 minutes of the class, followed by lecture.  The Homework Quiz will be based on (but not identical to) one of the homework problems.

            Thursdays: Either lecture or an exam.

            Note, some sections listed below may be skipped or covered very lightly.

  Week 1 (1/19, 1/21): Lecture – Chapter 1 (About Science), Chapter 2 (Atoms). Homework 1 – Chapters 1-2.

  Week 2 (1/26, 1/28): HW Quiz 1 (Ch 1-2).  Lecture – “Units and Equations” (not in book), Chapter 3 (Linear Motion, just equilibrium and kinematics).  Homework 2 –Chapter 3.

  Week 3 (2/2, 2/4): HW Quiz 2 (Ch 3).  Lecture – Parts of Chapter 4 (Newton’s Laws of Motion, only sections 4.1-4.4), parts of Chapter 5 (Momentum and Energy, only sections 5.7-5.10)  Homework 3 – Chapters 4-5.

  Week 4 (2/9, 2/11): HW Quiz 3 (Ch 4).  Lecture – parts of Chapter 5 (sections 5.12-5.15), review.  Homework 4 – The rest of Chapter 5.

  Week 5 (2/16, 2/18): HW Quiz 4 (Ch 5). Lecture – Start Chapter 7 (Fluid Mechanics, section 7.1-7.5).  EXAM 1: CH 1-5.  Homework 5 – Start Chapter 7.

  Week 6 (2/23, 2/25): HW Quiz 5 (start Ch 7).  Lecture – Finish Chapter 7 (sections 7.6-7.10), start Chapter 8 (Temperature, Heat, and Thermodynamics, section 8.1-8.5). Homework 6 – Chapters 7-8.

  Week 7 (3/1, 3/3): HW Quiz 6 (Ch 7 or Ch 8).  Lecture – Finish Chapter 8 (sections 8.6-8.9), start Chapter 9 (sections 9.1-9.5).  Homework 7 – Chapters 8-9.

  Week 8 (3/8. 3/10): HW Quiz 7 (Ch 8 or 9).  Lecture – Finish Chapter 9 (sections 9.6-9.9), review.  Homework 8 – Chapter 9.

  SPRING BREAK

  Week 9 (3/22, 3/24): HW Quiz 8 (Ch 9).  Lecture – Chapter 12 (Waves and Sound, sections 12.1-12.4), EXAM 2: 7-9.  Homework 9 – Chapter 12.

  Week 10 (3/29, 3/31): HW Quiz 9 (Ch 12).  Lecture – Chapter 12 (sections 12.5-12.11).  Homework 10 – Chapter 12

  Week 11 (4/5, 4/7): HW Quiz 10 (Ch 12).  Lecture – Chapter 13 (Light Waves). Homework 11 – Chapter 13.

  Week 12 (4/12, 4/14): HW Quiz 11 (Ch 13).  Lecture – Chapter 14 (Properties of Light).  Homework 12 – Chapter 14.

  Week 13 (4/19, 4/21): HW Quiz 12 (Ch 14).  Lecture – review, EXAM 3: Ch 13-14. 

  Week 14 (4/26, 4/28): No HW Quiz.  Lecture – Chapter 15 (Quantum Theory, only sections 15.1-15.6), start Chapter 16 (Atomic Nucleus and Radioactivity).  Homework 13 – Chapter 15, a little 16.

  Week 15 (5/3, 5/5): HW Quiz 13 (Ch 15).  Lecture – Finish Chapter 16, review. Homework 14 – The rest of Chapter 16 (no HW Quiz, but something from this will be on Exam 4).

   

            EXAM 4: Ch 15-16 (not comprehensive), on Thursday May 12 at 9-11 AM.

  Additional Information

  If weather will prevent you from making it to campus on time for class, please notify the instructor by email.  If your childcare arrangements fall through, you may bring your child(ren) to class if you're reasonably sure they can be “movie appropriate” in their behavior.

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM