Introductory Physics I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course Information

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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
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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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

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)
• pencils and good eraser; pens OK but not a great idea on quizzes or exams.

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 force and motion concepts applied to projectile motion.
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 light and radiation.

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. Use of corrective lenses for vision
11. The penetration of and danger due to various kinds of radiation

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.
6. reflection of light from mirrors

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.  This includes phones on Airplane Mode.  (Even in Airplane Mode, you could have uploaded a copy of the textbook or your notes into the phone, after all.)
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 60% of the grade total.  Most weeks there will be a quiz based on the homework assignment.  The average of the best quizzes (drop lowest 2) will count for  20% of the grade.  Participation in in-class work sessions will count for the remaining 20%.  Many of these sessions will be done whenever there’s time left after lecture, so be sure to bring your textbook to class every day.

There will be no rescheduled or make-up work.  In the event you have what the professor considers a valid excuse for missing an exam, the average of your remaining exams will be put in its place before final grades are calculated.  For quizzes, the lowest two scores will be dropped to allow for unavoidable absences.  The in-class group work grade is based on attendance rather than on performance, so there will be no make-ups or drops for that component.

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 taken via the ID scanner 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 and on time for the start of class will be more likely to find the curve bending in their favor.

Important note: Students who do not show up for any meetings of the class in the first two weeks will be automatically dropped.

Calendar

Additional Information

While this class is set around breakfast time, please try to refrain from bringing in food that would either distract fellow students or make life difficult for the custodial staff.  During cold weather, insects will seek to get inside, and bits of food in the carpet will only encourage them.