PES 111 General Physics I
TR 12:35p-4:20p COB 333
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENG 244, Tue & Thu 12:00 noon - 12:30pm, or by appointment
Phone: 719-262-3152
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Web Address: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
Co-requisite: Math 135 (Calculus I)
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 5th Ed., by Tipler and Mosca
http://www.whfreeman.com/tipler5e
Course Description:
Rigorous calculus-level course in classical physics for science and engineering
students. Includes measurements, vectors, motion in one dimension, motion in a place, particle dynamics,
work and energy, linear and angular momentum, rotation of rigid bodies, static equilibrium, oscillation, and
gravity.
Credit Hours: 4
GRADING
Homework: Homework is an important part of cementing the information from the
lectures into practical application that will fulfill the objectives of this course.
Homework will count as 20% of the course grade, and should be based on INDIVIDUAL
EFFORT. It will be due at the start of the class on the day it is due. To be graded,
homework must be neat, readable and should show your work in arriving at the answers
with intermediate calculations. Homework turned in late is subject to a 30% penalty. If
extreme circumstances should present themselves, consult with me as soon as possible. I
will drop the lowest homework grade.
I’ll assign about 6-8 problems each week, which will be due no earlier than one week
later. Grading will be on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0=not attempted and 5 is correct
answer with all work shown. Extra credit problems may be offered. All assigned
problems must be at least attempted in order to get credit for extra problems.
Exams: There will be three exams given during the semester. 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. The last of the exams will be given on the last day of class.
Unless arrangements have been made prior to any exam, there will be no make-up exams.
Since the material in this class is foundation for many subsequent classes, no exam scores
will be dropped. There will be a review session at the first part of class on each exam
day.
Applications: The theories examined in class will be applied to real problems at the last
part of each class day. Application problems are similar to homework problems, and are
an indication of the type of problems that may be encountered on the exam.
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PES 111 General Physics I
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Grades: In summary, your grade will be based on the following:
Homework
Exams (4)
20%
80%
I grade on a standard A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-70%, D: 60-69%, F: Below 60%.
Ranges include +’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.
Units: Keeping track and showing units (where they exist) is a critical aspect of
computing and reporting scientific results. Reminders will appear on homework
problems with missing units prior to the first exam. After that (including all exams)
DEDUCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR MISSING UNITS.
Calculators: Calculators and computers are a part of the modern scientist’s tool set.
They provide an alternate means to check your answers and to reduce computation errors.
If you can program and apply calculators to assist you in your problem solving, you are
increasing your skill set. Calculators will be necessary for homework and will be
allowed to be used during exams; HOWEVER, enough INTERMEDIATE STEPS MUST
BE SHOWN to convince me that you understand how to solve the problem. A basic
scientific calculator capable of trigonometry functions, square roots, logarithms, etc. is
sufficient.
Cell phones, pagers, talking: Please show respect to the other members of the class by
turning off the sound on cell phones and pagers. Imperative phone calls should be taken
outside the classroom. Also, keep conversation to a minimum during the lecture so that
others can hear clearly.
Questions, comments: It is my hope that you will feel free enough to ask 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.
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TR 12:35p-4:20p COB 333
Significant Dates
Date
Event
Independence Day Holiday
Final Exam
Note
No class
12:35-4:20p (COB. 333)
Read-ahead and Exam Schedule*
Date
13-Jun
15-Jun
20-Jun
22-Jun
27-Jun
29-Jun
4-Jul
6-Jul
11-Jul
13-Jul
18-Jul
20-Jul
25-Jul
27-Jul
1-Aug
3-Aug
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Topic
HW Due
(2) 1-D Motion
--(3) 2-D & 3-D Motion
--(4) Newton's Laws
Ch. 1 & 2
(5) Appl. of Newton's Laws
Ch. 3
Review & Exam #1
Ch. 4
(6) Work and Energy
Ch. 5
Indep. Day Holiday
--(7) Conserv. Of Energy
--(8) Sys. Of Particles
Ch. 6
(9) Rotation
Ch. 7
Review & Exam #2
Ch. 8
(10) Conserv. Of Ang. Mo
Ch. 9
(11) Gravity
--(12) Static Equilbrium
Ch. 10
(14) Oscillations
Ch. 11
Review & Exam #3
Ch. 12
Reading
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Ch. 14
* Dates (except holidays and final) are approximate, and subject to change. Dates of exams will be
announced a week prior to administration.
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