Physics 103
Spring 2008
Instructor Information
Instructor
Kristen Meilicke
Office
SAM 213
E-Mail
kmeilicke@sccd.ctc.edu
Office hours*
M, T 12:30-1:30, Th 2-3
*Note: I am often in my office at other times. If I am in and available to answer
questions, I will leave a sign on my door indicating this, feel free to knock.
Course Information
Textbook
"Physics", 6th ed., by Giancoli
Tutorials in Physics books by McDermott (we’ll need it this
quarter)
Meeting Times
Lectures:
Lab:
Room SAM 206
Room SAM 205
MTThF 10:00-10:50 am
M 3:00–4:50pm
Note: Lab attendance is required!
Prerequisites
MAT 098 with 2.5 or better, PHY 102 with 2.0 or better
Outcomes for Students Include:
1. Understand the interconnectedness of mathematics and
physics; specifically the application of calculus, trigonometry,
geometry & systems of equations.
2. Understand how physics variables and equations relate to
mathematical variables, functions and operations.
3. Extract abstract physical principles from observations of the
physical world.
4. Actively apply and informally experiment with physical
concepts in daily life.
5. Design, perform and analyze experiments in and out of the
classroom environment
6. Create & interpret empirical models.
7. Critically compare theoretical physical models to empirical
ones.
Course Content:
Week 1 - Chapter 11: Oscillations
Week 2 - Chapter 11: Wave Motion
Week 3 - Chapter 12: Sound
Week 4 - Chapter 23: Reflection – Plane Mirrors
Week 5 - Chapter 23: Reflection – Spherical Mirrors
Week 6 - Chapter 23: Refraction
Week 7 - Chapter 23: Refraction – Lenses
Week 8 - Chapter 24: Interference
Week 9 - Chapter 24: Interference
Week 10 Chapter 25: Polarization
Course Format
There will be four lectures and one two hour lab per week. The
lab will be held on Thursdays. We may use some of the lab time
for lecture. Your active participation is essential in making the
class a success. Read the material before class and come equipped
with questions.
Grading
Quizzes: 50%, the lowest score will be dropped. A missed quiz
will NOT be dropped. (If you can not make a quiz, arrangements
must be made with me PRIOR to the quiz to take it at another
time.)
Lab write ups: 30%
Homework: 20%.
Homework
Homework will be assigned once a week and will be due regularly
on Monday. If we have time, we will discuss the homework in
class the Friday before it is due. The grade for homework will be
either a 1, for having completed all of the problems, or a zero.
I strongly encourage you to solve homework assignments in
cooperation with others. However, your homework write-up has to
be your own, not a copy of somebody else’s work.
Your homework must be turned in on time. I won't accept any late
homework.
Lab
There will be weekly 2 hour labs. During this time, we will
conduct an experiment, do a tutorial or go over problems together
on the board.
A draft of your write up will be due on Thursday following your
Monday lab. The draft will make up half your lab grade. Your final
write-up will be due on Tuesday, eight days after the lab (to allow
for any question on the lab in the following lab class). Your final
write-up will be the other half of your lab grade.
Attendance
Attendance in lecture will not be taken. I will do my best to make
this time a useful and interesting part of the class. As such, it
should help your grade significantly to attend regularly. Although
attendance in lecture will not be taken, attendance in lab is
required.
Special Assistance
If you need course adaptations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need
special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated,
please see me during my office hours as soon as possible. I am
happy to help you in any way I possibly can.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING POLICY:
1. Copying work from other people will result in a zero for that quiz, exam or lab report.
Work that has the same or very similar writing will be given a score of zero for all
parties involved. If you are unsure what plagiarism is or how to avoid it, please check
with me and/or see this University of Washington Website:
http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm . If you plagiarize or cheat
(even unintentionally) you will be reported to the Vice President for Student
Development and I will recommend that you lose all privileges of dropping a low
quiz and making up a missed lab.
2. During a test or final exam you may not share calculators, paper, or notes. You may
not talk with anyone except your instructor for any reason until after the test is over.
Failure to comply will result in a score of zero for all parties involved. Please feel
free to ask me clarifying questions during a test or exam.
How to Succeed in Physics 103
1. Attend class every day. If you miss class be sure to email or phone me to find out
what you may have missed. Do not assume that the schedule will not change.
2. Read your text. Plan 3 pages/hour to really understand what is being said. The
attached schedule lists the sections you should be reading for each day of the
quarter.
3. Do your homework regularly and as soon as possible. You must practice daily in
order to allow your mind time to absorb and organize the physics we are studying.
Homework is listed on the attached schedule.
4. Do not overcollaborate. While working and studying in groups is encouraged,
make sure to spend time on your own organizing your work or rewriting your
homework or labs in your own words.
5. Ask for help as soon as you need it. Do not wait until you are really behind or
confused. Feel free to drop by office hours or email me with your questions.
6. Physics 299 meets weekly. Consider enrolling in this problem solving course for
physics students. Even if you are not enrolled in the class you are welcome to
come to get help with your work. Also utilize the tutoring center.
7. If you have a personal/family emergency that is affecting your ability to work in
or attend the class be sure to contact me as soon as possible so that we can discuss
appropriate accomodations to help you to succeed in the class.