Monday, August 2, 2010

Syllabus Physics 1

Title: Physics

Textbook: Physics, Volume 1, 4th Edition, By J.S. Walker, Chapters 1 - 16

Supplies and Equipment That Are Helpful
1. Note pad & scratch paper to take notes and scribble or laptop
2. Scientific calculator
3. Computer (or access to a computer)
4. Textbook

All of the above are sold somewhere.

Website for this course: http://drdhmenkebmc.blogspot.com/

Each Student must learn how to log on to the Course Website

Purpose: To Understand the basics of Mechanics, Heat, Sound

Grading:
Students will be graded on a percentage scale from points earned. There are 1000 points available. Students may earn points from tests, homework, in-class lab exercises, “mind challenge” games, and weekly essays. The total points that a student earns, divided by the total number of required points available, will yield a percentage, and the grades will be as such: 90% A; 80% B; 70% C; 60% D.

Tests There will be three (3) tests and one (1) final exam this session. Each test will be on the following Thursdays: May 6, May 13, and May 20. Each test is approximately one hour (1 h) long and will have 10 questions, taken directly from the homework and lecture material that we are studying that week. Each test is worth 100 points. All test questions will be physics problems. 3 x 100 = 300 points.

Final Exam There will be one (1) comprehensive Final Exam on Thursday, May 27. The Final Exam is about two hours (2 h) long and worth 500 points. All final exam questions will be problems. 1 x 500 = 500 points.

Homework: There are four (4) homework sets. All homework sets are listed in the “Weekly Work” file. Each Homework Set has a series of problems or questions at the end of the chapters in the book. Each Homework Set is worth twenty (20) points. Research has shown if you do the homework, then you do well on the tests. If you don’t do the homework, most of the time you fail the tests. To get credit for homework, it is due each Thursday before the test; a hard copy - either hand written or printed – is fine. For the Final Exam, it is due on that Thursday, May 27. Total credit: 4 x 20 = 80 points.

In-Class Lab Exercises – There will be ten (10) “In Class Lab Exercises” related to the subject at hand. Each is worth up to 5 points. The dates are listed in “Weekly Work.” Total credit: 10 x 5 = 50 points.

Challenging Mind Games Following each test (but not after the Final Exam), a challenging “mind game” will be offered, worth up to 10 points. Examples include solving class-related crossword puzzles. Total credit: 3 x 10 = 30 points.

Weekly Essays* Once a week a topic related to the course will be required. The topic is listed in the “Weekly Work.” It will also be announced in class. To earn up to 10 points, you must write an ORIGINAL essay about the topic. Length? About 300 words is fine. However, plagiarism is not acceptable -- you must not cut and paste from
electronic media sources or from an Encyclopedia on CD. Nor can you copy another student’s description. A hard copy of the essay is due each Thursday. You may also turn in your essay via email – to dmenke@brownmackie.edu – and then it is due at midnight on Friday. Total credit: 4 x 10 = 40 points.

If you email it, you MUST place in the Subject Heading “SA1” for the first week (it stands for “essay number 1”), SA2 for the 2nd week, etc. If the subject heading is wrong, or mislabeled, or missing, your essay may be deleted as if you had never done it at all.

*Credit for essays will be a function of content only. This is not a writing class, literature class, or spelling class. You may think, “I can’t write.” So what? It’s okay. Can’t spell? As long as I can understand it, your essay will be acceptable.

Students will be graded on a percentage scale from points earned. There are 1000 points available. Students may earn points from tests, homework, “mind challenge” games, and weekly essays. The total points that a student earns, divided by the total number of required points available, will yield a percentage, and the grades will be as such: 90% A; 80% B; 70% C; 60% D.



Activity Point Value Number Total Value
Weekly Tests 100 3 300
Final Exam 300 1 300
Weekly Homework Ass’ts 20 4 80
Weekly Essays 10 4 40
Mind Games 10 3 30
Lab Exercises 25 10 250
TOTAL POINTS 1000

Attendance policy: Students are required to attend each session of their classes. Missing sessions may cause students to be dropped. Exceptions may include conditions over which students have no control prevent their being present. In any case, students MUST contact the instructor as soon as they can. Prospective employers will evaluate attendance habits.

Last day to drop class without grade penalty: Within first four weeks

Last day to drop class without financial penalty: Within the first week

Course description: A review of the historical and scientific evolution and application of the principles of anatomy and of physiology

Specific objectives: At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
· Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound
· Walk on Water
· Take over the World

Policy on Incomplete Work: Missed work may be made up with the approval of the instructor. The instructor will entertain request for an Incomplete grade on a case-by-case basis with no guarantee of approval, although requesting an Incomplete grade is not recommended by the instructor.

Classroom behavior: It is expected that students will comport themselves in a mature and civil manner and govern themselves accordingly. Please keep cell phones turned off, or put to vibrate, and if you must talk on the cell phone, please excuse yourself. It is suggested that food and drink (except for bottled water) not be brought into the classroom.

ADA Policy Statement: If you have a disability that requires special accommodations, you are strongly urged to contact the Student Services office at the beginning of the term so that reasonable accommodations can be made in a timely manner. You may call 520.319.3300.


Course Outline/Calendar for PHY 1100 (Tentative)*


Week # Week of Topics/Chapters
1 Aug 2 Linear, Vectors, Spatial; 1,2,3,4
2 Aug 9 Newton, Work, Energy, Momentum; 5,6,7,8,9
3 Aug 16 Rotation, Torque, Equilibrium, Gravity, Oscillation, Waves, Sound;10,11,12,13,14
4 Aug 23 Fluids; Heat;15,16
5 Aug 30 There is no week 5.

*Subject to change; students will be informed by the instructor or the College as soon as possible if there is a change. Chapters are from Physics, Volume 1, 3rd Edition, by J.S. Walker

How to Contact the Instructor:
1. On site, before, during, or after class.
2. During Office Hours: By appointment only.
3. By phone: Call 520-319-3300 and leave message; emergency, Instructor’s Cell
Phone: 664-4109
4. By E-Mail. Send any questions, comments, or suggestions, which are directly
related to the course, to dmenke @brownmackie.edu

DISCLAIMER: Aspects of this syllabus may be subject to change. In the event of a change, students will be informed as soon as possible.

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