General PHYSICS I                    

PHYSICS 1401                                                               

SYNONYM: 13462                             

CREDITS:  (4-3-3)

INSTRUCTOR: John A. Underwood

 

COURSE Overview:  From the ACC Catalogue:  Study of principles and applications of concepts in mechanics, energy, heat, wave motion, and sound.  PHYS 1401/1402 is the standard algebra-based physics sequence and may, in addition, serve as a prerequisite for the calculus-based PHYS 2425/2426 sequence for students who have not taken high school physics. Prerequisites: MATD 0390 or equivalent.

 

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS: 

                         

Text: College Physics by Wilson, Buffa, and Lou

            6th Edition. Published  by Pearson-Prentice Hall

Other: Scientific calculator, Subscription to WebAssign electronic homework service

 

 

METHODOLGY:      Lecture/Lab. 

 

LECTURE: MW 9:10-10:25 am at RGC 331                                                

Lab:            MW 10:35-11:50 am at RGC 326                                                                     

OFFICE LOCATION: RGC 309                                          

PHONE NUMBER: 223-3299                     

E-MAIL ADDRESS: awood@austincc.edu 

                       

OFFICE HOURS: M-H :   8:15-9 AM 

         M-H :  12:55-1:25 PM   

                                 Other hours by appointment

 

Course Rationale:

 

            This course is designed for students who are pursuing degrees in scientific and technical majors other than physics and engineering.  It is intended to provide an overview of basic physics to assist these students in their further studies in science and technology. 


 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

 

The following objectives apply to this course:

 

·        ·        Students will understand the basic principles of physics.

·        ·        Students will be able to communicate these principles clearly.

·        ·        Students will be able to use algebra and the laws of physics to solve simple problems.

·        ·        Students will be able to work together in collaborative groups to perform experiments, gather data, reach conclusions, and solve problems.

 

 

GRADING SYSTEM:

 

            The course grade will be based on the following components:

 

 

 

GRADING SYSTEM

 

 

 

Lecture component

 

 

Laboratory component

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quizzes @20%

 

40%

 

Experiment Reports

80%

Final Exam

 

34%

 

 

 

 

Class activities

 

7%

 

Other lab activities

 

10%

Homework

 

14%

 

(non-experiment)

 

Class participation

 

5%

 

Lab participation

 

10%

 

Total:

100%

 

 

Total:

100%

 

 

The overall course letter grade is determined by the following total course weighted average:

 

                        90-100 % -----------A

                        80-90   % -----------B

                        70-80   % -----------C

                        60-70   % -----------D

                                    < 60     % -----------F

 

You must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If you do not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then your grade for the course will be a “D” unless due to your overall course average you have earned an “F” in the course.  The final course grade will be  based on the weighted average of the grades in the lecture and lab components; with the lecture weighted at 75% and the lab weighted at 25%.

A grade of incomplete (I) will be given only in exceptional circumstances.

QUIZZES
Two class length ( 1 hr 15 min ) quizzes are scheduled for the semester. Quizzes will involve the students setting-up and work out the solutions for one at least one problem from each of the chapters covered on the quiz. Students will be allowed  one single page of notes for reference during the quizzes . The best way to prepare for the quizzes is to systematically keep up with the homework and to read the chapters carefully before the class discussion of that material. Attendance at the scheduled quizzes is required. Make-ups may be allowed only in exceptional circumstances, but only if the absence is pre-arranged, and only with compelling documentation.

 



LABORATORY
The lab score will be based on the submitted, individually prepared, lab reports , performance of laboratory exercises, and participation. Lab reports are due generally 1 week (2 classes) after the lab exercise is performed. Late lab report submissions will have 25%  credit deducted. No reports will be accepted if they are more than two weeks late. A style sheet for lab report requirements and format is included with this syllabus. Lab information packets will typically be distributed one class day before  the lab exercise for prior review. The  student will read the lab handouts and be familiar with the intention and basics  of the exercise prior to performing the lab.  Missed labs can be made up in Open Lab in Room 327 on Fridays. A maximum of three (3) labs can be made up in this way. If you have to make up a lab:

a)      be sure to sign on the sign-in sheet on the clipboard at the entrance to the lab,  and

b)       have the assistant on duty initial your completed work before leaving.

These two items are required for you to obtain credit for the missed lab.
 


 

 

HOMEWORK

Homework assignments will be made by me through the WebAssign electronic physics homework service available for use with our textbook. Every student will need to purchase a WebAssign access code, valid for one course for one term. Students can purchase the access codes online ( cost is $14.95-also, unused cards can be returned for credit within 6 months or used the following term.) Students will have a 14-day grace period following the class start date during which they can view and work on assignments without registering a code.

GRADED CLASSROOM and LABORATORY ACTIVITIES

Student worksheets and other forms of graded in-class and laboratory activities will take place frequently on an unscheduled basis throughout the semester. You must be present to earn credit for these. No make-ups.


PARTICIPATION
The scores for lecture and lab participation will be based on attendance rolls and instructor perception of student engagement with course components.


FINAL EXAM
The final exam covers total course content, and will be similar in format to the other quizzes, but longer. One page only of notes is allowed, and the time allowed is both class periods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE POLICIES:                      

 

            Attendance – attendance is required, and attendance rolls will be taken on a random sampling basis. A portion of the participation score will be based on attendance records. Be sure to verify your proper registration for the class after two weeks or so into the semester. Otherwise, you may attend all semester only to discover that you are not registered and will not receive credit.

 

 

            Withdrawals and Incompletes – It is the student's responsibility to initiate all withdrawals in this course. The instructor may withdraw students for excessive absences (4) but makes no commitment to do this for the student. After the withdrawal date, neither the student nor the instructor may initiate a withdrawal. The withdrawal date is November 26, 2007. The instructor reserves the right to withdraw a student from the course with sufficient evidence of lack of progress. See the ACC catalogue for details of College rules relating to this.  Incompletes (I) will be given only in very rare exceptional circumstances, and only with compelling official documentation.

 

            Note: there is a new law affecting the maximum number of W’s any student at states-supported institutions will be allowed to accumulate. Details available at

          http://www.austincc.edu/newsroom/index.php/2007/08/16/state-caps-students%E2%80%99-course-withdrawals/

           

 

Scholastic Dishonesty – Standard ACC Policy: Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression.  Academic is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations and homework. 

 

 

            Student Discipline – Matters of student disciple will be adjudicated by the instructor on a case-by-case basis, in conjunction with the Task Force Leader or Dean.  Students will want to consult with the Office of Student Services or the Associate Dean at their campus on such matters.

 

            Students with Disabilities – Standard ACC Policy:  Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

week

day

date

HW submit

text covered

Lab Schedule

 

 

 

Lab Report

 

 

 

 deadline(11:59 pm )

 

 

 

 

 

due dates

1

M

14-Jan

 

Ch. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

16

 

Ch. 1

Lab 1

Measurement

 

 

 

2

M

21

 

MLK Birthday- college closed

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

23

Ch.1

Ch. 2

Lab 2

1-Dimensional Kinematics

 

 

Lab 1

3

M

28

 

Ch. 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

30

Ch.2

Ch. 3

Lab 3

Projectiles

 

 

Lab 2

4

M

4-Feb

 

Ch. 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

6

Ch.3

Ch. 4

Lab 4

Newton's 2nd Law

 

 

Lab 3

5

M

11

 

Ch. 4,5

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

13

Ch.4

Ch. 5

 

 

 

 

 

6

M

18

Ch.5 - Friday th 15th

QUIZ 1 (Ch.1-5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

20

 

Ch. 6

Lab 5

Mechanical Energy

 

 

Lab 4

7

M

25

 

Ch. 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

27

Ch.6

Ch. 7

Lab 6

Impulse and Momentum

 

 

Lab 5

8

M

3-Mar

 

Ch. 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

5

Ch.7

Ch. 8

Lab 7

Rotational Motion

 

 

Lab 6

9

M

10

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

12

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

 

 

 

10

M

17

 

Ch.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

19

Ch.8

Ch. 9

Lab 8

Rigid-Body Equilibrium

 

 

Lab 7

11

M

24

 

Ch. 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

26

Ch.9

Ch. 10

In-lab activity

 

 

 

 

12

M

31

 

QUIZ 2 (Ch.6-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

2-Apr

 

Ch. 10

Lab 9

Fluids

 

 

Lab 8

13

M

7

Ch.10

Ch. 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

9

 

Ch. 11

Lab 10

Gas Laws

 

 

Lab 9

14

M

14

Ch.11

Ch. 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

16

 

Ch. 12

 

 

 

 

 

15

M

21

Ch.12

Ch. 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

23

 

Ch. 13

Lab 11

Vibratory Motion

 

 

Lab 10

16

M

28

Ch.13

Ch. 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

30

 

Ch. 14

Lab 12

Sound

 

 

Lab 11

17

M

5-May

Ch.14

 last details, course review

 

 

 

 

 

 

W

7

 

Final Exam ( cumulative)

 

 

 

 

Lab 12