Physical Science II Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Office hours vary depending on the course. Please check the syllabus under “Additional Information”.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

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

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PHYS-1417-001 Physical Science II

Prerequisites

Course Description

Science course designed for non-science majors with focus on elementary education science instruction methods and content. Primary emphasis will be fundamental concepts of physics, such as force and motion, sound, waves, momentum and heat. May also include integration with chemistry, geology and astronomy.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Conceptual Physical Science, 6th Ed, by Hewitt; ISBN 0134060490

Conceptual Academy Online Access

Supplies

  • note-taking supplies
  • pens and/or pencils
  • good eraser
  • calculator (a graphing calculator is NOT necessary)

Student Performance

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 respectful to others
  2. attend labs
  3. complete assigned reading and study the lecture notes
  4. complete assignments in Conceptual Academy in a timely manner
  5. complete Chapter Practice Tests
  6. study for the exams

Cell phones may not be used as calculators during tests. If you have a calculator please bring it on test days as there are a limited number of calculators available.

Students are expected to work toward accomplishing their academic goals honestly without cheating or plagiarizing. Scholastic dishonesty can have serious consequences. Please refer to Amarillo College's policies on Scholastic Dishonesty for more information on what scholastic dishonesty is and the consequences it can bring.

Grading Criteria

Grades will be based on percentage of points earned as follows:

A 89.5 to 100
B 79.5 to 89.49
C 69.5 to 79.49
D 59.5 to 69.49
F below 59.49

Grades will be determined using the following percentages:

  • LABS (one low grade dropped; no makeup labs) -- 25%
  • CHAPTER PRACTICE TESTS (online; timed; two attempts) -- 30%
  • CONCEPTUAL ACADEMY (online; point-based) -- 15%
  • MAJOR EXAMS (midterm and final exams) -- 30%

 

Attendance

Lecture will be online and asynchronous. That means you can watch videos and look at lecture notes whenever it is convenient for you.

Lab attendance is required. There will be no makeup labs. One low lab grade will be dropped. There may be some labs that can be done virtually at home.

A midterm exam and a final exam will be given during your lab period. You are expected to take those two exams in person on your assigned date. If there is a problem please visit with your instructor as soon as possible.

Calendar

Course notes and assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Please keep up with the calendar so you can be successful in the course.

LABS (25%) -- in person SLAB 305 (some labs may be virtual)

  • practical work done in the laboratory with equipment or online labs using simulations
  • no makeup labs - a missed lab will count as a zero in the gradebook
  • the lowest lab grade will be dropped

EXAMS (30%) - in-person SLAB 305

  • Midterm Exam -- Chapters 1-3 - Tue 03-09-2021 (this may have to be adjusted for the Covid restrictions in the classroom).
  • Final Exam -- Chapters 4,8, 10-11 - Tue 05-11-2021 (same as above depending on Covid Restrictions in the classroom).

CHAPTER PRACTICE TESTS (30%) - online

  • one per chapter online in Blackboard
  • you will have 2 attempts at each practice test
  • the AVERAGE of the 2 attempts will be your grade
  • you will have about a week to complete each test BUT each one must be finished in one sitting

HOMEWORK (online) - Conceptual Academy will be used for homework assignments. Conceptual Academy is a web site where you will log in to view videos, take reading "quizzes", and answer homework questions. Conceptual Academy assignment due dates are given below. Your grade will be the percentage of 500 points you earn spread out among all chapters covered.

Unit A: Motion, Forces, Energy, and Momentum

  • Lesson 1 (Ch 1 - Motion and Equilibrium) -- finish by Jan 28, 2021
  • Lesson 2 (Ch 2 - Newton's Laws) -- finish by Feb 11, 2021
  • Lesson 3 (Ch 3 - Momentum and Energy) -- finish by Mar 09, 2021 (prior to midterm exam)

Unit B: Gravity, Projectiles, Satellites, Electricity, and Waves

  • Lesson 1 (Ch 4 - Gravity, Projectiles, & Satellites) -- finish by Mar 25, 2021
  • Lesson 2 (Ch 8 - Static and Current Electricity) -- finish by Apr 15, 2021
  • Lesson 3 (Ch 10 - Waves and Sound) -- finish by Apr 27, 2021
  • Lesson 4 (Ch 11 - Light) -- finish by May 11, 2021 (BEFORE taking the Final Exam)

Please note: The Conceptual Academy course is currently not organized correctly. Hopefully we will have that sorted out soon. Pay attention to announcements in class and on Blackboard for further information.

Additional Information

Please email Mrs. Fincher through the Blackboard email link if you need help or want to schedule a tutorial.

Syllabus Created on:

01/19/21 3:03 PM

Last Edited on:

01/19/21 3:49 PM