PHYS 1402-90L – General Physics II Syllabus (Fall 2015)
COURSE & SECTION: PHYS 1402-90L
Instructor: Mr. Satya Kachiraju
Term: Fall 2015
Phone: 956-665-2578
Location & Time: Online Instructional Method
Email: satyanarayana.kachiraju@utrgv.edu
Office: SCNE 3.162
Office Hours: MW 02:00 to 04:00 pm (Online via Blackboard) or by appointment
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TEXT BOOK: Physics, 4th Edition by Walker (Supplemental course materials are posted on
BB Learn)
and Mastering Physics (online Homework system).
Course Description: This course is a continuation of PHYS1401. The course is a non-calculusbased introduction to the principles of Electricity, Magnetism, Optics and Modern Physics. The
course includes experimental laboratories that are used to verify and reinforce the concepts
discussed during classroom lectures. Prerequisite: PHYS 1401 and MATH 1356 or MATH 1340
Student Learning Objective:
Expected Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Solve 1-D and 2-D kinematics problems.
2. Apply Newton’s laws of motion in various situations
3. Analyze problems with the principle of conservation of energy.
4. Understand energy and climate change issues in our society and public policies
5. Analyze problems with the principle of conservation of linear momentum.
6. Analyze problems with the principle of conservation of angular momentum
7. Calculate center of mass and momentum of inertia with calculus
8. Solve various static equilibrium problems
9. Calculate universal gravitational force and explain orbital motion
10. Describe physics principles underlying modern technologies such as satellites and rockets
that have significant impacts on our lives and culture
11. Describe simple harmonic motion
12. Interpret wave equations
13. Explain sound and Doppler effect
Course Philosophy:
Undergraduate study requires responsibility, dedication and self-discipline on the part of the
student. You are responsible for your own learning (and your own grade). I view myself as just
one of the resources available to you in your learning process. I will post short lectures slides to
highlight key points, guide class discussions, and answer student questions. To succeed in this
class, you need to utilize all available resources and these three primary methods of learning.
1. Readings and lecture to present the course content. To learn the key concepts, students must
read the assigned material before class each week.
2. Discussions to ensure understanding and ability to apply the key concepts of each week. I will
initiate and guide discussions in BB each week. Your active participation is essential for your
learning
Course Requirements:
Required Textbook/Course Materials
1. General Physics,4th Edition by Walker
2. Mastering Physics account (Online Homework system)
PHYS 1402-90L – General Physics II Syllabus (Fall 2015)
UTRGV Policy Statements:
Students with Disabilities:
If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which
affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please
inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to
initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility
Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time.
Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and
can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at accessibility@utrgv.edu.
Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can
be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005 (Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at
accessibility@utrgv.edu.
Mandatory Course Evaluation: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of
this course, accessed through your UTRGV account (http://my.utrgv.edu); you will be contacted
through email with further instructions. Online evaluations will be available Nov. 18 – Dec. 9,
2015. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades.
Attendance and class participation: Since class Attendance and participation will be graded,
students must attend all scheduled classes and the entire class period to earn full Attendance and
participation credit. Students may be dropped from the course for excessive absences on BB (or
significant portions of classes). UTRGV’s attendance policy excuses students from attending
class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for
observance of religious holy days; or for military service.
Scholastic Integrity: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect,
students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University.
Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion;
submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a
student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all
students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly
enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines).
All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students.
Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Violence: In accordance with UT System regulations,
your instructor is a “responsible employee” for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and
so must report any instance, occurring during a student’s time in college, of sexual assault,
stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes
aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information
can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus.
The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living
PHYS 1402-90L – General Physics II Syllabus (Fall 2015)
environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free
from sexual misconduct and discrimination.
Course Drops: According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty
earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned
a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class should be
aware of the “3-peat rule” and the “6-drop” rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may
affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that
undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career.
Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the sixcourse drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same
class for the third time.
Blackboard:
Blackboard Learn (http://mycourses.utrgv.edu/) will be utilized to augment the teaching of the
course. It will be specifically used by the instructor in making announcements, creating
assessments related to advanced reading assignments, e-mailing students, initiating online
discussion, posting course materials (e.g. syllabus, class schedules, lecture summaries, etc.) and
grades. Students are required to have access to Blackboard Learn. All e-mail correspondences to
the instructor regarding the course should be done through Blackboard. Text version of power
point slides will be available for viewing and printing
E-mail Correspondences:
University policy requires all electronic communication between the University and students be
conducted through the official University supplied systems; namely UTRGVMail for email or
Blackboard for course specific correspondence. Please identify you by name and include
‘PHYS 1402-90L’ and the section in the subject line. I will check email daily during the week
and respond within 24–48 hours. Questions about assignments should be emailed two days
before the due date to ensure you receive a timely response.
ONLINE INFORMATION & EXPECTATIONS This course is a Online course, in which you
will have only online components. In this course you will have an active role in your learning
where you will be required to complete reading assignments, view pre-recorded lectures and
answer assessment questions in Blackboard Learn and MasteringPhysics.
Expectations: you are expected to have completed the activities (e.g. reading, watching a video,
and answering assessment questions) every week. We will be using a web-based classroom
interaction system in order to enhance the interactivity our classroom discussion and as a
formative assessment tool for your instructor to better design subsequent activities to help you
learn.
Suggestions for success:
 ACTIVELY WATCH lecture videos when assigned, and complete all parts. Actively
means free of ALL distractions (no multitasking).
 Participate in discussion etc….
Homework: Using MasteringPhysics ,you are expected to answer all the problems/questions in
the homework sets.
PHYS 1402-90L – General Physics II Syllabus (Fall 2015)
Note #1: Each Homework should be submitted complete and on time in order to receive for full
consideration. Late submissions receive penalty.
Quizzes: Short quizzes will be given on Masteringphysics based on a reading assignment or on
the topics discussed and is due every Sunday 11:59 pm (central time). It is anticipated that
there will be at least one quiz for each class meeting. There will be no make up for a missed quiz.
No Exceptions!
Chapter Exams: There will be Four (4) exams during the term, The exams will be designed in
order to assess both your qualitative and quantitative knowledge about the topics. All exams will
be given on the dates indicated in the schedule for PHYS 1402-90L. The exam will consist of
multiple-choice question. There will be no make up for a missed exam.
Note #3: The lowest grade of these four exams will be dropped.
Final Exam: a comprehensive final exam will be given on last week of the semester.
Laboratory Class: in order to pass the course you should be enrolled in lab component for this
class and get a grade at least 65%
Extra Credit (optional): A group or individual Presentation / paper will earn you extra credit up
to 5%. Details will be announced.
Grading System:
You will find below the basis for determining your course grade. (Note that there will be no
curves on all exams)
LECTURE:
75%
Discussion Participation
Homework & Quizzes
Chapter Exams
Final Exam
LABORATORY:
(10%)
(15%)
(35%)
(15%)
25%
Total
100%
Extra Credit (Bonus points)
5%
Grading Assignment:
 90.0%...
A;
< 70.0% but  60.0%...D;
< 90.0% but  80.0% …B;
< 60.0%....
F.
< 80.0% but  70.0% …..
C;
PHYS 1402-90L – General Physics II Syllabus (Fall 2015)
Tentative class Schedule
Week Date
1
Topics
Introduction
Math Skills Practice
Chapter 19: Electric Charges, Forces and Fields
Mon Sep 7
No Classes (Labor Day)
Chapter 20: Electric Potential and Electric Potential
Energy
Chapter 21: Electric Current and Direct-Current Circuits
2
3
Wed Sep 16
Last day to drop a class before it appears on the
transcript
Chapter 22: Magnetism
4
Exam # 1 (Chap # 1 – 4, Math Skills Practice )
Chapter 23: Magnetic Flux and Faraday’s Law of
5
6
7
8
Exam # 2 (Chap # 5 – 8)
9
10
11
Exam # 3 (Chap # 9 – 12)
12
Induction
Chapter 24: Alternating-Current Circuits
Chapter 25: Electromagnetic Waves
Chapter 26: Geometric Optics
Chapter 27: Optical Instruments
Chapter 28: Physical Optics: Interference and Diffraction
Chapter 29: Relativity
Chapter 30: Quantum Physics
Drop/Withdrawal deadline, receive DR
13
Tuesday, Nov 24
Chapter 31: Atomic Physics Chapter
Thanksgiving Holiday: University closed
14
Exam # 4 (Chap # 13 - 17)
15
Dec 10
Final Exam (Comprehensive)
*Subject to change
32: Nuclear Physics
Final Exam ..
Study Days