PHYS 215: Engineering Physics I
Section 1
Spring 2008
Department of Physics
College of Arts and Sciences
New Mexico State University
Instructor and Class Information
Date and Time:
Location:
Instructor:
Website:
Office Hours:
11:30am-12:20pm Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays
Gardiner Hall 230
Dr. Michael DeAntonio
Office: Gardiner Hall 201
Phone: (505) 646-3707
Email: mdeanton@nmsu.edu
http://salsa.nmsu.edu
See class website
Catalog
Description:
Calculus level treatment of kinematics, work and energy, particle
dynamics, conservation principles, simple harmonic motion.
Prerequisite
MATH 191
Suggested
Co-requisite
MATH 192
Required
textbook and
other required
material
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. 1, by Randall Knight
Student Workbook, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. 1, by
Randall Knight
CPS RF Student Response Transmitter
1 out of 6
Course
Objectives
The main aim of the course is that the student will become familiar
with the concepts and methods used to find a workable description of
the physical world. Understanding of the concepts is stressed more
than the memorization of mathematical formulas, and the
meaning behind the formulas is explained. The students are
expected to develop skills and to acquire knowledge to approach
typical problems that are found in many engineering and scientific
applications. We will cover the main principles of mechanics and
oscillations and show how these principles can be applied to solve
problems.
Skills Covered
Skill 1: Building Models
Skill 2: Using Vectors and Coordinate Systems
Skill 3: Problem Solving
Skill 4: Systems of Measurement
Skill 5: Using Free-Body Diagrams
Skill 6: Using the Idea of Conservation
Skill 7: Using Impulse-Momentum Diagrams and Equations
Skill 8: Using Work-Energy Diagrams and Equations
Skill 9: Determining Rotation from Translational Equations
Skill 10: Connecting Rotation and Oscillation
Topics covered
Topic 1: Mathematics
Topic 2: Kinematics
Topic 2: Force
Topic 3: Work/Energy
Topic 4: Impulse/Momentum
Topic 5: Systems
Topic 6: Rotation
Topic 7: Oscillation
Grades
The following system determines the total numerical and letter grade.
The students will determine the blank percentages after the first week
of class.
Preassignments
Homework
Quizzes
Exams
Final Exam
TOTAL
*A+
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
=
5%
5%
10%
30% ea. (total 60%)
30%
110 %
100-110
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0-59
2 out of 6
All class final grades will be rounded to the nearest integer. (e.g. 79.5
= 80 = B and 79.4999999999... = 79 = C)
Preassignments: There will typically be one preassignment for each
class period. These will be due before the beginning of the class
period. Preassignments will be completed on WebAssign. Students are
allowed to get outside help (study groups, tutors, etc.) to complete the
preassignments; however, they are encouraged to do the work on their
own. Each assignment will be graded out of 100%. Assignment grades
will be averaged and this average grade will be worth 5% of the final
class grade.
Homework: There will typically be at one homework assignment for
each topic. The due dates will be decided at the time the homework is
posted. Homework will be completed on WebAssign. Assignment
grades will be averaged and this average grade will be worth 5% of the
final class grade.
Quizzes: There will be a quiz during one or more class period(s) of
each week. Quizzes will be done using the Student Response System.
The student should read the material assigned on the WebCT website
before class to be prepared for the quizzes. Each quiz question will be
worth 1% of the total quiz grade if answered incorrectly and 2% if
answered correctly. Quiz grades will not be greater than 100%. A quiz
grade of 100% will be worth 10% of the class grade.
Exams: There will be two exams in the class. The dates for the exams
are posted on the schedule on the website, but are subject to change
without notice. Students will only be allowed to bring a spiral bound
notebook or notebooks with handwritten material. Each exam is worth
30% of the final class grade.
Final Exam: The final exam will be given on the last day of class.
Students will only be allowed to bring a spiral bound notebook or
notebooks with handwritten material. The final exam is
comprehensive and is worth 30% of the final class grade.
3 out of 6
TOTAL: The final grade for the class will be the best of the overall
total grade or (if the student has completed ALL of the quizzes,
preassignments, homework, and exams to the instructor’s
satisfaction) the final exam grade, whichever is higher.
A missed, quiz, preassignment or homework will be counted as a
zero. There will be no makeup homework, preassignments or
quizzes.
All notes used for the exams must be in a spiral bound notebook and
handwritten. No typed, xeroxed or computer generated work will be
allowed in the exam. Makeup exams will be scheduled at the request
of the student and the discretion of the instructor. Makeup exams
must be discussed with the instructor at least two days prior to the
original exam. No makeup exam will be provided unless approval
is given by the instructor before the original exam. The only
exceptions to this are a death in the immediate family, serious
injury/illness requiring hospitalization, or a certified natural or
personal disaster (fire, flood, etc.). In these cases, the student should
consult with the instructor as soon as possible.
All notes used for the final exam must be in a spiral bound notebook
and handwritten. No typed, xeroxed or computer generated work will
be allowed in the exam. There will in most cases be no makeup for
the final exam. A missed final exam will be counted as zero. The only
exceptions to this are a death in the immediate family, serious
injury/illness requiring hospitalization, or a certified natural or
personal disaster (fire, flood, etc.). In this case, (if the student has a
passing grade to that point) the student will be assigned an “I” grade
for the class and will take a makeup exam as soon as possible. Makeup
exams will be scheduled at the request of the student and the
discretion of the instructor.
Withdrawals
It is the students’ responsibility in this course to withdraw if any
circumstances should prevent them from completing the class. The
professor reserves the right to choose to either request withdrawal or
to give a failing grade for any student who misses an exam, more than
half of the homework assignments, preassignments or quizzes, or is
not making significant progress toward a passing grade in the class.
4 out of 6
5 out of 6
Academic and
nonacademic
misconduct
This information is found in the Student Handbook and may be
accessed on the web ate the URL http://www.nmsu.edu/~vpsa/0102handbook.pdf.
Students with
disabilities or
special needs
If you have or believe that you have a disability and would benefit
from any accommodations, you may wish to self-identify by
contacting the Services for Students with disabilities (SSD) Office
located at Garcia Annex (phone: 646-6840). If you have already
registered, please make sure that your instructor receives a copy of the
accommodation memorandum from SSD within the first two weeks of
classes. It is your responsibility to inform either your instructor or an
SSD representative in a timely manner if services or accommodations
provided are not meeting your needs.
Prepared by
Michael DeAntonio of the Physics Department on January 16, 2008.
6 out of 6