AP PHYSICS 1 SYLLABUS
Teacher: Mrs. Syverson
Email: jsyverson@newcaneyisd.org
Welcome to AP Physics 1!
Course description: AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course
that explores topics such as: Kinematics, Dynamics, Gravitation, Momentum, Energy, Rotation,
Electrostatics, Circuits, Oscillations, and Waves.
I consider the AP program a very serious matter, and I expect you to be as serious about the work as
I am. The primary purpose of the course is to have a fabulous introductory physics experience
while preparing also for the AP physics 1 exam. For more information about the AP course and the
AP Exam please visit the College Board website.
AP Physics 1 is designed and conducted as a serious course with special emphasis placed on those
skills necessary for success in college, including note taking, reading, and understanding the college
text.
Grading:
-40% lab write-ups, homework, daily work, notes checks, and quizzes
- 60% Tests (which also includes major projects, presentations, and major labs with typed lab
reports)
-Each semester will have a final exam worth 10% of the overall semester average
Late work will accepted the following class period for a maximum grade of 70. If a student fails a test,
they must attend at least one tutoring session before taking a makeup exam. The maximum grade on
a retest is a 70.
Required supplies: Students are required to maintain a binder with all notes and handouts, a
composition book with graph paper pages for all lab write-ups, pencils, and a fully charged chrome
book. It is helpful to have fine-tipped colored pens for graphing and labeling diagrams.
Tests: There will be a test at the end of each unit, about every 2-3 weeks. These tests will consist of
20 multiple choice and 2 free response. These tests will closely mimic the AP exam (with the # of test
questions scaled down to meet each unit’s material). Once I've graded the tests using the AP grading
criteria, the grades are scaled appropriately. These tests can be very challenging for students;
therefore, you should never wait until the last minute to study!
Other test grades will include major projects, presentations, or major labs that require a full typed lab
report. There will always be an accompanying rubric for these major assignments and grading will be
based on the rubric requirements.
Labs: Labs in this course are designed as discovery situations. The goal is to take data in class,
derive an equation(s) from the trends of that data and use that equation to work problems involving
physical situations that we couldn’t or wouldn’t want to handle in the lab. All performed labs will
require a lab write-up in your lab composition book. These are miniature versions of a major lab
report and are required in any college science lab course. You will be given an outline and example
for these lab write-ups (they will also be posted in Google Classroom). It is imperative you keep a
neat, clean, complete lab notebook. While you may score extremely high on the AP exam and
receive credit for the course, some colleges require you to produce a lab notebook for review before
awarding you credit for the lab portion of the course.
Homework: As with many college-level courses, homework is assigned to help prepare you for the
unit exams and to provide you with practice for the concepts learned in class. I never ever assign
“busy work” or non-important, repetitive homework problems and you will not be bombarded with tons
of problems to work (unless you wait until the last minute to complete them all). Homework in this
course will be directed in several different ways. There may be assigned problems or readings from
the online textbook, problem sets via handout (or online in Google Classroom), and problems sets
from our online MasteringPhysics sources. All homework requiring you to solve algebraic problems
must include a formula (or derived formula) and a clear and concise explanation and/or calculation.
No exceptions. I will not grade problems that are not worked in the prescribed manner. The goal is
for you to get every point possible on the AP exam. This means working the problems so the grader
can find those points on your exam. We will practice this all year.
You will essentially receive 2 grades for each homework set. One will be the actual grade from your
problem set(especially if they are graded online through Mastering Physics), and one will come from
your turned in written work from those problems. Therefore, even if your assignment is multiple
choice, you must turn in your work with your formula/equation and derivations. We may also have
quizzes that come from the homework (so as you can see, completing these assignments are really
important for your success in this course).
It is good to work together on homework. We will have study-group sign-up during the first week of
school. Although it is not mandatory for your group to meet outside of class, it is a good idea to do so
to collaborate on homework problems and study for exams. New groups may be chosen by the
teacher periodically.
These study groups are a big deal. They are the only way most folks make it through tough
classes in college, so learning the skill now is a real advantage. To make the best of this type
of collaboration, be sure you understand how to work each problem. Simply copying down
answers from the group will not benefit you (and it wastes your time). Everybody in the study
group gets together at the house with the most food, and even though the numerical values in
each assignment have been changed to protect the “not-so-innocent”, everyone can work
together and get to the bottom of things for the most part. If you cannot coordinate meeting at
someone’s house, I will have my classroom open before (around 7:30) and after school (until
4:30) on Monday’s and Wednesday’s for you to meet with your group. You can always meet in
the library as well.
What to do if you're absent:
Don't be if you can absolutely help it.
The concepts here are really among the most abstract that you will encounter in high school. You are
taking a college course and preparing for a very difficult exam. I will expect you to take care of
anything you miss, post-haste. Use the other students in the class first and then come to me if you
still have questions.
Tests: Don't miss a test unless you could not possibly perform on that day. If you do miss, you must
make the exam up immediately before or after school. If it is not made up before I hand back the
graded exam, you will be required to take an alternative assessment.
Quiz: If you miss a quiz, you will receive an alternate make-up assignment.
Labs: If you miss a lab, you are none-the-less responsible for what happened. You will get the data
either by performing that experiment some morning before school (most likely scenario) or by getting
data from your partner, at my discretion. You may be assigned some alternate activity to make up for
the absence. If you miss a pre-lab, you should come in early so you will be prepared to do the
experiment with your group. If you don't know what you missed, call your lab partner.
Lecture, etc.: Get notes from your lab partner and check Google Classroom. Many helpful things
will be posted there. Something may have been discussed or demonstrated that you will need in
order to understand the following day's work. Call your lab partner to find out.
AP Physics 1 exam:
The AP Physics 1 exam will be administered May 2nd. We will prepare for this as a team. Passing
this exam will allow you to take credit for physics as an elective course for science majors. If you do
not want to have a career in science, the Physics 1 exam will usually count as a non-science major’s
entire science requirement in college! I will be by your side all year and we will knock it out of the park
this day!!!
Electronics Use: Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted at any time during
class.
We will use Chromebooks often during this course. Be sure to use these accordingly.
This document is intended as a guide and is subject to alterations as needed.
Physics Laboratory Safety Rules
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The Physics laboratory is to be used for serious work.
Do not perform unauthorized experiments in the lab. Always obtain your instructor's permission.
Use the safety equipment provided for you. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, safety shower, fire
blanket, and first aid kit.
Report any accident, injury, or incorrect procedure to your instructor immediately.
Do not sit on the lab tables or open lab drawers/cabinets.
Make sure your lab area is neat and clean before and after any experiment.
Electricity and Electronics Safety:
 Electricity can Kill! If you want to be around long enough to enjoy experimenting with electronics,
always treat electricity with the respect it deserves.
 Soldering precautions:
A hot soldering iron can burn a finger or even start a fire. Use Care!
Unplug the iron when you're not using it.
Be sure the power cord is not where you can trip over it.