Introductory Physics I Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>DURRETT 210A</p>

Office Hours

TWR 10:30 - 11:30 and anytime by appointment.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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.

Privacy Statement

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-1305-001 Introductory Physics I

Prerequisites

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 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

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Paul Davidovits, Physics in Biology and Medicine5th Edition, Harcourt/Academic Press. NOTE: ANY edition of this text will suffice for this course.

Supplies

None needed.  Lab items are supplied.

Student Performance

This course is an introduction to physics for non-science majors (primarily allied health or pre-health professions) who have limited backgrounds in science and mathematics. Topics covered in this course will include motion, forces, energy, momentum, mechanical waves, sound, light and nuclear theory, and radiation physics, with strong bio-medical applications. Conceptual knowledge will be stressed along with mathematical problem-solving.  No previous physics course is a pre-requisite for enrollment and success in this course.

Students will understand basic principles of physics such as exemplified by the following course topics.  Chapter numbers refer to the textbook.

  1. Introduction and Review
  2. Elementary concepts in mechanics and thermal physics.

  3. Bio-Statics Ch. 1, 2
  4. Equilibrium, muscles, skeleton, joints.

  5. Bio-Dynamics Ch. 3, 4, 5
  6. Translational and angular motion (jumping, running, walking), stretch and compression, bone fracture and injury.

  7. Fluid Motion and Blood Flow Ch. 7, 8
  8. Hydrostatics, Hydrodynamics, Blood pressure and flow, heart, arteriosclerosis.

  9. Heat, Thermodynamics and Life Ch. 9, 10, 11
  10. Heat transfer and diffusion, respiratory system, body temperature regulation, food and energy, Biomolecular thermodynamics

  11. Muscles, molecular motors, and active transport
  12. Optics
  13. Electricity, induction, and electromagnetism
  14. Our radioactive world: Radiation and radioactivity

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
  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.
    • being respectful toward others

Grading Criteria

Homework Problems

45 %

Attendance

10 %

Labs

30 %

Final Project

15 %

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT ARE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS.

A = 89.5-100

B = 79.5-89.49

C = 69.5-79.49

D = 59.5-69.49

F = 0-59.49

Attendance

Good attendance is an indicator of success in this class. Students should make every effort to be in class every time it meets.

 

Calendar

REFER TO COURSE SCHEDULE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS.  SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING UPON THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS.  ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED CLEARLY IN CLASS.  HERE FOLLOWS A GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE.

WEEK 1

WEEKS    2-4

WEEKS    5-7

WEEKS    8-9

WEEKS  10-11

WEEKS  12-15

WEEK    16

Ch. 1 Introduction to Physics

Ch. 3-4 Equilibrium and Linear Motion                                            

Ch. 5-6 Momentum, Energy, Gravitation                                         

Ch. 7-9 Fluids, Heat, Temperature, Thermodynamics                    

Ch. 10-11 Electricity and Magnetism, Sound and Light                                             

RADIOACTIVITY AND RADIATION

FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS                                        

   

 

Additional Information

Please contact me at any time.  I am here for your success!

Syllabus Created on:

08/19/23 4:33 PM

Last Edited on:

08/19/23 4:54 PM