PHY 161.003.004.005
General Physics I – Spring 2015
Instructor
: Dr. Chamaree de Silva
Office
: SEB 244
Office Hours : M 3:00 – 4:00, T 9:30 – 11:30
Email: desilva_c@mercer.edu
Phone: (478) 301-2770
Lecture: MWF 2:00 - 2:50, SEB 110
Lab: T 12:15 – 2:55, SEB 219 (PHY 161.003)
R 12:15 – 2:55, SEB 219 (PHY 161.004)
R 6:00 – 8:40, SEB 219 (PHY 161.005); Lab instructor: Dr. Sinjae Hyun.
Required Text: Fundamentals of Physics, 9th edition by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker
Co/Pre-requisite: MAT 191 or equivalent
Course Description: Physics 161 is the first course in the two semester sequence of introductory,
calculus-based physics sequence. To follow this course you must have taken Mathematics 191 or
equivalent since knowledge of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus is required to solve
Physics problems. The topics covered in this class include kinematics, vectors, Newton’s laws of
motion, momentum, work, and energy.
Course Objectives: In this course, you are expected to practice experimental and observational
science by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting empirical data. In addition, you will be able to
apply scientific logic to solve physical problems analytically and quantitatively.
Quizzes: Up to 15 prospective problems will be posted on Blackboard at least a week in advance
of scheduled quizzes. Three problems similar to these problems will appear on in-class, closedbook quizzes. Additional quiz problems from previously shown or assigned web applets, videos,
and/or readings may appear on quizzes. Prior to taking quizzes, check your answers to the
prospective problems with the instructor and/or SI during office/SI hours. There will be ten
quizzes in total. Two lowest scores Quiz #2 - #10 will be dropped. There are no make-up
quizzes. If you have an official absence, the missed quiz(zes) will receive the average of other
quizzes at the end of the semester. All quizzes are weighted equally.
Midterm Exams: There are four midterm exams. Have a perfect answer key for prospective quiz
problems and worksheets since a sub-set of these questions may appear on exams. Missed exams
which are excused by the instructor prior to the exam date/time may be made up. However, if no
alternate arrangements were made beforehand, this will be allowed only if the student has an
official excuse. Exams are closed-book, and a formula sheet will be provided by the instructor.
All exams are weighted equally.
Final Exam: Final exam will consist entirely of multiple-choice questions, and will be a
comprehensive, closed-book exam. A formula sheet will be provided.
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Laboratory:
Total number of points for each lab report: 20 points. There are no make-up labs. If you have an
official absence or a detailed doctor’s note, the missed lab(s) will receive the average score of
other labs at the end of the semester.
All members of a lab group will receive the same grade. Points are assigned for each lab report
as follows.
- Objective (2 points)
- Theory (3 points)
- Methods (3 points)
- Analysis of data including graphs and discussion (10 points)
- Conclusions (2 points)
Points will be deducted for omitting the following:
- Correct date of the experiment (1 point)
- Names and signatures of all members of the group (1 point)
- Title of the experiment (1 point)
- Not binding/stapling the report together (1 point)
- Leaving lab without tidying up your workspace and not turning off instruments (2 points)
- A work distribution breakdown of ‘who did what’ (1 point)
Notes:
- At the end of each lab report, explain the work distribution among lab members.
- Lab reports are due the following week during the lab time unless otherwise mentioned.
- 4 points will be deducted from lab reports turned in one business day late and 8 points for up to
2 business days late. After 2 business days, you will not receive any credit for the lab.
- All data sheets must be attached to receive any credit.
- You must be present during the entire lab time to receive any credit for the lab report.
Grading
The maximum possible score in PHY 161 is 1000 points (100%). There will be no extra credit.
The points are distributed as follows.
-
Four mid-term exams: 480 points (48%)
Eight in-class quizzes: 160 points (16%)
Eight laboratory write-ups: 160 points (16%)
Final Exam: 200 points (20%)
A (90 and above), B+ (85-89), B (80-84), C+ (75-79), C (70-74), D (60-69), and F (below 60)
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General Education Courses: The College of Liberal Arts is keenly interested in assuring the
quality and integrity of its General Education Program. Every semester, randomly-selected
students from each General Education course will be required to submit samples of their work to
an independent and objective assessment by faculty. No personally identifiable information
about any student will be used for the purposes of this assessment, and assessment results will
have no bearing whatsoever on student grades.
Attendance Policy: Attendance is not mandatory. However, students are solely responsible for
learning the materials covered in the missed classes.
Class Etiquette: You are expected to conduct yourself in a respectful manner to your fellow
classmates and the instructor. The instructor may ask you to leave the classroom/lab if your
behavior is disturbing to the instructor or other students.
Honor Code: You are bound by the Mercer honor code. The College’s academic misconduct
policy will be followed. All work, for which a grade is received, must be the original work of the
student without aid or assistance of another party, or any printed and or electronic
data/information. Academic misconduct cases will be referred to the honor council and the
student will automatically receive a grade of incomplete (I) pending a ruling by the honor
council.
Documented Disability Statement: Students requiring accommodations for a disability should
inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor
will refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document your disability,
determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504 and to request a
Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will not be indicated on
academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class, students with sensory,
learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with a
Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must return the signed form to the Disability
Services Coordinator. A new form must be requested each semester. Students with a history of a
disability perceived as having a disability or with a current disability who does not wish to use
academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with the Disability Services
Coordinator and request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information,
please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the
Disability Support Services website at http://www.mercer.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityservices.
Mercer University – PHY 161 – Spring 2015
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Monday
Week 1
Jan 12 - 18
Week 2
Jan 19 - 25
Week 3
Jan 26-Feb 01
Week 4
Feb 02 - 08
Week 4
Feb 14 - 15
Week 5
Feb 16 - 22
Week 6
Feb 23–Mar 01
Week 7
Mar 02-08
Week 8
Mar 09–15
Week 9
Mar 16-22
Week 10
Mar 23-29
Week 11
Mar 30–April 05
Week 12
April 06 - 12
Week 13
April 13 - 19
Week 14
April 20 - 26
Week 15
April 27–May 03
Week 16
May 04 - 10
Jan 12
Tuesday
13
First day of
classes
19
14
Thursday
15
Math review
Friday
16
Chapter One
Saturday/
Sunday
17
18
20
MLK Jr. holiday
No class
26
Wednesday
21
22
27
Chapter Two
28
29
03
09
10
04
05
Founder’s Day
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
11
17
18
23
Chapter Five
24
02
Exam #2
03
04
Chapter Six
09
10
Spring Break
06
Chapter Three
12
13
Chapter Four
Quiz #3
16
Chapter Four
30
Chapter Three
Quiz #2
02
Exam #1
23
Chapter Two
Quiz #1
24
25
31
Feb 01
07
08
14
15
19
20
Chapter Five
21
26
27
Chapter Five
28
05
06
Chapter Six
07
11
12
13
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
Spring Break
14
16
Chapter Seven
17
18
19
20
Chapter Eight
21
23
Chapter Eight
24
27
No class
28
30
Exam #3
31
03
04
06
Chapter Nine
07
13
Chapter Nine
14
20
Chapter Ten
21
27
Review
28
04
05
Quiz #4
25
Quiz #5
Quiz #6
25
26
Quiz #7
Last day for
Withdrawal
April 01
Chapter Eight
02
08
09
Good Friday
No class
15
16
Quiz #9
22
23
Quiz #10
Mercer University – PHY 161 – Spring 2015
10
BEAR Day
No class
Quiz #8
29
Review
30
06
07
22
Mar 01
08
15
22
29
05
11
12
17
Chapter Ten
18
24
Exam #4
25
May 01
02
Last day of
classes
08
19
26
03
09 FINAL 2-5
10
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