PES 100 Physics in Everyday Life
Spring, 2006
TR 10:50-12:05 Engineering #103
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENGR 244, TR 12:30pm - 1:30pm, W 6:00pm - 7:00pm, or by appt.
UCCS Phone: 719-262-3152
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Web Address: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: None
Text: How Things Work, 2nd edition, by Louis A. Bloomfield
http://howthingswork.virginia.edu/
Course Description: A non-mathematical overview of physics and how it
affects our everyday life. Topics to be included are balancing and
equilibrium, tornadoes, weather patterns, circus balancing acts, air
conditioners, musical instruments and other interesting applications of
physics. Recommended for students with no science or mathematics
background.
GRADING
Exams: Exams will be in multiple-choice format. Exam material will be taken primarily
from the lecture, which will be based on the textbook. There will be three mid-term
exams and a non-cumulative final exam given during the semester, each counting as 25%
of your grade. I will give you at least a week’s notice as to the exact date of the exam as
well as the material you will be responsible for on each test. Unless arrangements have
been made prior to any exam, there will be no make-up exams. To account for
emergencies, I’ll drop the lowest exam grade.
Grades: In summary, your grade will be based on the following:
Evaluation
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
Approximate Date
19-Sep
17-Oct
16-Nov
12-Dec (Tue) 10:50 am to 1:20 pm
Weight
25 %
25 %
25 %
25 %
The grade ranges will be A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-70%, D: 60-69%, F: Below
60%. UCCS permits grades to be further specified using +’s and –‘s.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Reasonable accommodation: Students with a disability who require accommodations
should provide a letter of accommodation from Student Enrichment Services (MH 105,
x3354) within the first two weeks of the semester.
R. Gist
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PES 100 Spring, 2005
Calculators: Calculators will not be required for this course. Calculators will be allowed
during exams, if desired. Projects may also require use of calculators.
Cell phones, PDAs, talking, leaving the classroom: Please show respect to the other
members of the class by turning off the sound on cell phones and PDAs. Imperative
phone calls should be taken outside the classroom. Also, keep conversation to a
minimum during the lecture so that others can hear clearly. Please remain in the
classroom unless an emergency arises, since foot traffic in the class can be disruptive to
other students.
Questions, comments: It is my hope that you will feel comfortable asking questions in
class. Chances are that if you are unsure about some topic, there are others who have a
similar question. I would like the class to be as interactive as possible. If you have
relevant experience with a subject, please feel free to share comments with the class.
COURSE OUTLINE
Significant Dates
Date
Sep 4
Nov 22 – Nov 24
Dec 12 (Tue)
Event
Labor Day Holiday
Thanksgiving Break
Final Exam
Note
No class
No class
10:50 am to 1:20 pm
* Dates (except holidays and final) are approximate, and subject to change. Dates of exams will be
announced at least a week prior to administration.
Date
22-Aug
24-Aug
29-Aug
31-Aug
5-Sep
7-Sep
12-Sep
14-Sep
19-Sep
21-Sep
26-Sep
28-Sep
3-Oct
5-Oct
10-Oct
12-Oct
17-Oct
R. Gist
Date
19-Oct
24-Oct
26-Oct
31-Oct
2-Nov
7-Nov
9-Nov
14-Nov
16-Nov
21-Nov
23-Nov
28-Nov
30-Nov
5-Dec
7-Dec
14-Dec
Topic
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Introduction and Overview
Ch 1: Laws of Motion
Ch 1: Laws of Motion
Ch 2: Laws of Motion II
Labor Day Holiday
Ch 2: Laws of Motion II
Ch 2: Laws of Motion II
Review
Exam #1
Ch 3: Mechanical Objects
Ch 3: Mechanical Objects
Ch 4: Fluids
Ch 4: Fluids
Ch 7: Resonance & Waves
Ch 7: Resonance & Waves
Review
Topic
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Thu
Ch 11: E-M Waves
Ch 11: E-M Waves
(Snow day)
Ch 12: Light
Ch 12: Light
Ch 13: Optics
Ch 13: Optics
Review
Exam #3
Special Relativity
Thanksgiving Holiday
Ch 8: Elec. & Mag. Forces
Ch 9: Electrodynamics
Ch 10: Electronics
Review
Exam #4
Exam #2
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