Department of Physical Sciences

Course syllabus- standard components and format revised February, 2008

 

PHYS 2425 - Engineering Physics I                      

SECTION # AND SYNONYM:                           

CREDITS:  (4-3-3)

INSTRUCTOR:

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Calculus-based study of motion, forces, work, energy, momentum and angular momentum, vibrations and waves, and heat. Intended for majors in engineering, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

 

PREREQUISITES:   1. MATH 2413 or equivalent 

            2. Concurrent enrollment or credit in MATH 2414 or its equivalent

                        3. One year of high school physics, PHYS 1653 or both PHYS 1401 and 1402

 

TEXT:                         Tipler, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 6^th edition

OTHER:                     Scientific calculator

 

METHODOLGY:     Lecture/Lab.  (Note to instructor:  you may also include demonstrations, active learning methodologies, class discussion,  problem solving sessions etc.)

 

LECTURE:   (example) MW: 10:00-11:50 am at NRG2 2213                                       

Lab:             (example) MW: 12:00-1:50 pm at NRG2 2228                                                            

OFFICE LOCATION:                                                 

PHONE NUMBER:                

E-MAIL ADDRESS:               

OFFICE HOURS:        

APPOINTMENT HOURS: 

COURSE RATIONALE:  University calculus level physics course intended for majors in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and other technical and scientific majors.  This course is intended to develop and overview of physics using calculus based models as well as problem solving and critical thinking. University calculus level physics course intended for majors in engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science and other technical and scientific majors. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:   

I. Lecture

1.  To develop the concepts and language of physics.

2.  To develop problem-solving processes involving mathematics, which includes calculus

3.  To develop symbolic language and use of graphs and charts to communicate.

4.  To develop critical thinking.

 

II.  Laboratory

1.  To strengthen the concepts and ideas introduced in class and show the link between theory

     and  experiment.

2.  To develop an awareness of and introduction to error analysis

3.   To develop experimental techniques.

4.   To develop the use of graphs and charts to communicate.

3.  To introduce the concepts of experimental design.

4.  To introduce technical writing through the process of formal lab reports.

5.  To develop critical thinking.

 

[Instructor may add to objectives as appropriate]

GRADING SYSTEM:

Instructor should specify their grading system here but it should comply with the following:

Tests:                                 at least 30%

Final Exam:                        at least 20%

Laboratories:                      exactly 25%

Remaining 25% can include any combination of attendance, participation, homework, quizzes, projects, papers etc.]

[It is recommended that you couch the final grade in terms of .75 *Lecture + .25 * Lab where both the lecture and lab grade are out of 100. Syllabi need to include the following statement.]

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” for the course.

 

COURSE POLICIES:                

 

a.   Attendance Policy:  [up to each instructor]

 

b.  Withdrawals:   [Instructor initiated withdrawals are discouraged.  Instructor may want to include the last day of student and instructor initiated withdrawals]

 

c.  Incomplete Rule:  see incomplete rule in college catalog

(This section in the catalog is 3 paragraphs long).

 

d.   Scholastic Dishonesty:  Scholastic Dishonesty:  Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and 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 work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

 

e.  Academic Freedom: Students are free to disagree with instructors on matters of opinion or personal philosophy, and will incur no penalty from doing so.  However, instructors will judge student work based upon its relation to the current state of mainstream scientific fact and theory students are allowed to voice opinions, concerns, complaints and suggestions to the instructor.  However, it is up to the instructor to decide how to use the student’s comments to meet the class’s best interests.

 

f.  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 may consult with the Office of Student Services or the Associate Dean at their campus on these matters.

 

g.   Office with Student with Disabilities:  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

 

h. Safety Statement: “Health and safety are paramount values in science classrooms, laboratories and field activities. You are expected to learn, understand and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow the ACC science safety policy. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities. Specific safety training will take place before most activities. If you are late and miss this training, you will not be able to participate in the activity. You can read the complete ACC science safety policy at: http://www2.austincc.edu/sci_safe/ .”

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

To be provided by each instructor.  Can be attached as an appendix to the syllabus.

 

TESTING CENTER POLICY:  Physics tests may not be given in the testing center except for make up tests.