PES 111 General Physics I
TR 12:35p-4:20p ENGR 103
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office Hours: TRF, Noon to 12:30, or by appt.
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Web Site: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 6th Ed.,
by Tipler and Mosca
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
Co-requisite: Math 135 (Calculus I)
EVALUATION
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 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 10% per class day 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 for each unit, 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, and practice exams will be available prior to the review. For each exam a 5” by 7”
CUE CARD with formulas or any other information will be allowed for use during the
exam.
Grades: In summary, your grade will be based on the following:
Homework
Exams (3)
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.
R. Gist
1 of 2
7/9/2009
PES 111 General Physics I
TR 12:35p-4:20p ENGR 103
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 in the final answer (excepting unitless values).
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.
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE*
Date
16-Jun
18-Jun
23-Jun
25-Jun
30-Jun
2-Jul
7-Jul
9-Jul
14-Jul
16-Jul
21-Jul
23-Jul
28-Jul
30-Jul
4-Aug
6-Aug
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
Tue
Thu
(Chapter) Topic
(Ch 2) 1-D Motion
(Ch 3) 2-D & 3-D Motion
(Ch 4) Newton's Laws
(Ch 5) Appl. of Newton's Laws
Review & Exam #1
(Ch 6) Work and Energy
(Ch 7) Conserv. Of Energy
(Ch 8) Sys. Of Particles
(Ch 9) Rotation
Review & Exam #2
(Ch 10) Conserv. Of Ang. Mom.
(Ch 11) Gravity
(Ch 12) Static Equilbrium
(Ch 14) Oscillations
(Ch R) Relativity & Review
Exam #3
Homework Due
----Ch. 1 & 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4 & 5
--Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8 & 9
--Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Ch. 14
* Schedule (except holidays and final) is approximate, and subject to change. Dates of exams will be
announced at least a week prior to administration.
R. Gist
2 of 2
7/9/2009