PHYS 107
Technical Physics I
Syllabus Spring 2015
Instructor: Dave Douglas
Office: DCIT 126
Phone: 775-753-2213
email: dave.douglas@gbcnv.edu
Office Hours: M/W 8:30 – 10:00 AM, T/R 3:30 – 4:30 PM, Fridays by Appointment
Course Information
Course Title:
Course Number:
Course Discipline:
Course Description:
Submission Time:
Course Prerequisites
Course Location:
Course Times:
Textbooks
Required Textbooks:
Required Tools:
Technical Physics I
PHYS 107
Science
Technical Physics investigates traditional topics of physics as
they apply to mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and thermal
systems. This course provides a basic understanding of how
physical systems are related and their technical applications.
Hands-on activities, demonstrations, and calculations are an
integral part of the course. Prerequisite: MATH 096 or higher
or equivalent.
All lab assignments are to be turned in on the day of the
experiment before the student leaves the class. Homework
is to be turned in on the next day we meet. Do not hand in
anything late! A copy machine will be available to make
copies from your book.
MATH 096 or higher
Lundberg 123
Tuesday/Thursday 5:30 – 6:45 PM
Technical Physics with 30 Experiments (1st Edition)
authors: G. Hanington & M. Kurka
ISBN: 9-780-615-23231-7
Lab book black speckled (By Mead for example) or graph
type from Walmart or GBC bookstore
Learner Expected Outcomes and Measurement of Outcomes
Outcomes
--------------------------------------------1.
The student will be able to discuss basic concepts and principles
in the areas of physics that we will study.
Measurements
-------------------------------------Homework, Midterm, FINAL
2.
3.
4.
5.
The student will gain a deeper understanding of the above concepts
and principles through a broad range of problems and applications to
the real world.
The student will become proficient in lab report completion.
The student will learn problem-solving skills that are useful in physics,
as well as other disciplines.
The student will gain an appreciation of the basics of technology and
its role in society.
Homework, Midterm, FINAL
Lab reports
Homework, Midterm, FINAL
Homework, Midterm, FINAL
Method of Instruction
This course is basically a hands-on laboratory course with open discussion about the
material being covered. You are to read the chapter that we will work on BEFORE you
come to class. We you arrive you can begin to work on the lab assignment.
We will have:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Homework
Lab reports
MID TERM
FINAL EXAM
One Page Term Paper
New lessons start every time we meet. It is your responsibility to check the schedule
(attached to this syllabus) to see what is required and when the assignment is due. You
should print out the schedule and constantly refer to it so you do not miss a deadline to turn
material in. Everything is turned in as a hard copy in class. Do not hand in anything late.
Grading Policy and Grading Scale
Not all activities carry the same weight. Here is how we will partition the sections:
Homework:
Lab reports:
MIDTERM test:
FINAL EXAM:
One Page Term Paper:
40%
35%
10%
10%
5%
Obviously, it is important to be prepared to do your best on the homework since this
carries the most weight for your grade. In the past it was noticed that some students
may gather together and complete the homework collectively. This usually improves
the stronger students who tend to lead the group but injures the weaker ones who
just copy and follow. Remember both the MIDTERM and the FINAL exam are an
independent effort - you take it solo since the questions will be different for each
student. It is best if you work the homework problems yourself. If you are having
trouble, see the Tutoring Center for math help.
TERM PAPER: (Measurement)
In addition to the above, a One Page Term paper will be required. It is to be
written about any famous scientist, engineer, chemist, astronomer, inventor,
physicist, that you select. This One Page Term paper will count as 5 points
toward your final grade. It is due at the end of the course, one the day of the
FINAL EXAM. You can turn it in earlier to get it out of the way. You will have
to turn this in using WORD format. If you do not have WORD, save your report
in Rich Text Format so I can open it.
If your calculated grade is:
Between
100% and 97%
96% and 90%
89% and 87%
86% and 80%
79% and 77%
76% and 70%
69% and 51%
less than 50%
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
A+ (listed as A)
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
About missing an assignment (Lab Report, Homework, Paper, MIDTERM, or FINAL):
Here are the rules:
1.
If you do not submit the assignment when due, or do not take the exam
when it is given, you will receive a zero for that assignment. It cannot
be made up. Please do not ask.
2.
You can be excused and the due date shifted if you make prior
arrangements with me. For example, you may have to go on a business
trip where there is just no way you can complete an assignment being
out of town. We will work it out but you must let me know ahead of time
and not after the fact. You may email me, call me or have someone else
contact me before the due date (or test time). As long as you let me know
ahead of time! There are reasonable limitations set on this section
however.
3.
You can be excused if you provide a medical doctors note explaining
that you could not complete the homework or be present for the test due
to a medical emergency. This exception is listed for students who have
an unforeseeable emergency occur and are just unable to complete the
material. There are reasonable limitations set on this section however.
4.
If you are excused for missing an assignment or TEST and have to take
a makeup or submit the homework or lab at another agreed upon time it may take weeks to get it graded since it is out of synchronization.
Course Requirements


Students will be required to hand in homework assignments by due date.
NO CELL PHONES, MP3 PLAYERS, CD PLAYERS, ETC. WILL BE
ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM
Violation of this policy will result in the student being dismissed from class that day and
will count as an absence.
Attendance Policy:
You are expected to attend all class meetings. Exceptions may
be discussed with the instructor with suitable make-up
activities agreed upon. All course work is due on the assigned
dates whether or not you are present. The instructor assumes
no responsibility for making sure you receive any course
material for which you were absent.
Students with Disabilities:
GBC supports providing equal access for students with
disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate
accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA
Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at 775.753.2271 at your earliest
convenience to request timely and appropriate
accommodations.
Campus Security:
GBC is committed to the safety of our students and has a duty
to promote awareness and prevention programs for violence
on campus under the Jeanne Clery Act as well as the Campus
SaVE (Sexual Violence Elimination Act) and VAWA
(Violence Against Women Act), which are amendments to
Clery. Acts of violence include, but are not limited to, sexual
assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Acts
of violence can occur on the physical campus or centers of
GBC in addition to field placement sites, clinical practice
settings, and other places where college or class activities
occur. As well, the online environment at GBC is considered
a GBC site. If you experience any incidence where your
safety has been threatened or violated, or if you feel
threatened or harassed, immediately report this to me, any
center director, faculty, or staff member, or directly to the
Director of Environmental Health, Safety &
Security(775.753.2115) or the Vice President for Student
Services(775.753.2282).
Policy of Academic
Integrity:
The NSHE CODE (BOARD OF REGENTS HANDBOOK
6.2.2q) expressly forbids all acts of academic dishonesty,
including, but not limited to, “cheating, plagiarism, falsifying
research data or results, or assisting others to do the same.
Any acts of cheating, copying, and/or plagiarizing are
violations of the NSHE CODE and may result in dismissal.