Master Syllabus
Physics 101 College Physics
INSTRUCTOR: Dr Russell Herman
OFFICE: DeLoach 203
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 9:00-10:00,
TR 9:30-11, or by appointment
Fall 2009
PHONE: (910) 962-3722
E-MAIL: hermanr@uncw.edu
WEB SITE http://people.uncw.edu/hermanr/phy101
CATALOGUE COURSE DESCRIPTION: PHY 101. Elementary College Physics (4) Corequisite:
MAT 111. First semester of a two semester algebra-based introduction to the fundamental principles of
physics. Topics include kinematics, Newtonian statics and dynamics, gravitation, oscillations, and mechanical waves. Three lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: Physics, 8th Edition by J.D. Cutnell and K.W. Johnson.
[There are various options - hardback text, loose binder version, Wiley-Plus with online access to text.
Used or new. You need Wiley-Plus.]
Required Online Homework: Wiley-PLUS - Note - if you do not buy text in bookstore with Wiley-Plus
part of package, then you will need to purchase Wiley-Plus license! This is needed almost immediately.
TOPICS COVERED
We will cover Chapters 1 - 10, 16 and 17 of the textbook. You will learn about linear and circular motion,
gravitational and frictional forces, rotational motion, work and energy, momentum, and wave motion.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: This is not a complete list of all you will be asked to study and encouraged to
learn. However, after successfully completing this lecture and laboratory course you should at least be able
to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The student will demonstrate the ability to think critically and to use appropriate concepts to analyze qualitatively problems or situations involving the fundamental principles of physics. [SAN 1]
The student will demonstrate the ability to use appropriate mathematical techniques and concepts
to obtain quantitative solutions to problems in physics. [SAN 2, QRE 1, QRE 2]
Students will demonstrate basic experimental skills by the practice of setting up and conducting an
experiment with due regards to minimizing measurement error. [SAN 2, QRE 2, QRE 3]
Students will demonstrate basic communication skills by working in groups on laboratory experiments and the thoughtful discussion and interpretation of data. [SAN 3, QRE3]
These learning objectives satisfy the Common Student Learning Outcomes of University studies for Scientific Approaches to the Natural World and Quantitative and Logical Reasoning as listed below.
University Studies – Scientific Approaches to the Natural World
SAN 1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic scientific principles, theories, and laws as well as
an awareness of the changing nature of science.
SAN 2. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific hypotheses and theories using rigorous methods
(including statistical and mathematical techniques).
SAN 3. Demonstrate the ability to write and speak critically about the essential questions addressed by the natural sciences, using the conventions and language of one of those disciplines.
University Studies – Quantitative and Natural Reasoning
QRE1. Create, solve and interpret basic mathematical models.
QRE2. Make sound arguments based on mathematical reasoning and/or careful analysis of data.
QRE3. Effectively communicate the substance and meaning of mathematical problems and solutions.
Student Opportunities to Learn: Both lecture and laboratory classes are provided to meet these learning
objectives. Students are assigned reading from the assigned text, laboratory experiments, and homework
sets. These all contribute to the student thinking about the course content. Students learn problem solving
techniques in the classroom and then apply these methods in homework, which contains a significant number of quantitative problems. In the lab students complete laboratory experiments covering topics from the
Master Syllabus
Physics 101 College Physics
Fall 2009
lecture material in which they explore basic concepts in physics, acquiring both qualitative and quantitative
data using the laboratory equipment provided and present their quantitative data. Students collect and analyze data. They report verbally and in written language the experimental data, results, and assessment of
reliability though communication with each other and reporting to the instructor.
Methods of Assessment: Assessment is accomplished with a variety of formats, such as exams, laboratory
reports, homework assignments, or in-class quizzes. Assessment in the lab is accomplished using laboratory reports, participation, and the assessment of laboratory skills during the execution of the labs.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance: YOU ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL OF THE LECTURES! After three excused absences, there will be a penalty of 2% for each absence from your total grade.
Homework: Homework assignments will be handed out on a regular basis and graded using Wiley-Plus.
As doing the homework is very important for learning the material in this course, it will count 30% of your
grade. Homework assignments are listed at the course web site.
Labs: Satisfactory lab performance is a required part of this course. For each missed lab, your final grade
will be dropped by half a letter grade according to departmental policy. There will be an opportunity to
made up one lab at the end of the semester. Labs will count 10% of your final grade. Specific labs and the
lab schedule are listed online:
Exams and Grades: There will be three 75minute exams and a final for this course. The exams will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, definitions or conceptual questions plus selected problems similar to
those covered in class and in the homework. You will be tested on your grasp of the concepts and ability to
use these concepts to solve problems.
All exams will be closed book and no formulae will be included. There will be no makeup exams without
prior permission. Graphing calculators are not permitted for the exams.
The final exam will be cumulative, covering all seventeen chapters, and is to be given 8:00 am -11:00 am
on December 10th. The tentative exam schedule is given below.
Exams
Chapters
Date
Exam I
Ch 1-4
Sep 15
Exam II
Ch 5-9
Oct 22
Exam III
Ch 10,16,17
Nov 19
Final
Ch 1-10,16,17 Dec 10, 8:00 AM
Your grade will be based on the following information:
Homework
30%
Exams
40%
Labs
10%
Final
20%
0-100
A
80-89.5
B
Master Syllabus
Physics 101 College Physics
Fall 2009
70-79.5
C
60-69.5
D
Plus-minus grading may be used in special cases.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a series of peer-facilitated group review sessions designed to help students
succeed in this difficult introductory physics course. SI instructors are experienced undergraduates who are
majoring in physics. They have been selected to run these sessions for you and are in regular contact with
your professor for this class and with the UNCW Learning Center who organize the sessions. You can visit
UNCW’s SI website at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/si.htm for further details about SI.
Academic Honor Code: All members of UNCW's community are expected to follow the academic Honor
Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Please be especially familiar with UNCW's
position on plagiarism as outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone else's ideas and represent them as your own.
Student Disabilities: UNCW Disability Services supplies information about disability law, documentation
procedures and accommodations that can be found at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability/.To obtain accommodations the student should first contact Disability Services and present their documentation to the
coordinator for review and verification.
Campus Respect Compact. UNCW has recently instituted a Respect Compact to affirm our commitment
to a civil community, characterized by mutual respect. The Compact is posted in each classroom and can
be accessed at: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/pdc/documents/SeahawkRespectCompact.pdf