Physical Principles I (PHYS 2014) Course Syllabus
Dr. Daniel Bullock
Email: dbullock@atu.edu
Phone: 479.968.0230
WHEN: 11:00AM-11:50AM MWF
WHERE: McEver 204
COURSE INFORMATION: General course information can be found on the course
website. The website can be found at pls.atu.edu/physic/people/bullock.
Follow the link titled: “Teaching”. Finally click on the link for Physical Principles I.
COURSE MATERIALS: The textbook we are using is titled, “Physics” by James S.
Walker. Additionally, each student will need to purchase an Interwrite-PRS transmitter
from the bookstore.
CLASSROOM RULES: Each student is expected to show mutual respect for one
another. Most food and drinks are allowed however food that has a definite odor are NOT
allowed (e.g. hamburgers, fries, tacos, etc.). Children are not allowed in class. If a student
has any questions they should ask the instructor.
OFFICE HOURS: My office is located in McEver 03. Phone: 479.968.0230 I have an
“open door policy” meaning that anytime I am in my office you can stop by for help. My
designated office hours are Monday- Friday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
CO/PRE-REQUISITES: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 2000 is required. Due to the
mathematically intensive nature of this course a grade of C or better in MATH 1113
(College Algebra) is required. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Fall, and summer (On demand). Concurrent enrollment in
PHYS 2000 is required. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MATH 1113 or consent of
the instructor. Open to freshmen. A broad survey course emphasizing the understanding
of the principles of physics necessary for students not specifically interested in advanced
work in physics, chemistry or engineering. Topics include mechanics, heat, sound, wave
motion, and fluid mechanics. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $10 laboratory
fee.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this introductory physics course are:
 Provide the student with a clear and logical presentation of the basic concepts and
principles of physics.
 Strengthen an understanding of the concepts and principles through a broad range
of the interesting applications to the real world.
This course attempts to motivate students by presenting practical applications that
demonstrates the importance of physics for other disciplines. The course will cover
fifteen chapters from the text. Upon completion of the course students will be able to:







Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the different kinds of units, dimensional
analysis.
Solve both one and two-dimensional Kinematics problems.
Understand and apply Newton’s three laws of motion.
Demonstrate knowledge of work, kinetic energy, and potential energy.
Solve linear momentum and collision problems.
Demonstrate knowledge of rotational motion.
Understand and apply knowledge of harmonic oscillators
GENERAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES: Students who consider this course to
complete one of their science requirements of the General Education courses, will receive
a more detailed coverage of some of the concepts of physics. This course will particularly
help students to “show competence in reasoning and handling of abstract and quantitative
ideas and be able to create mathematical models and use mathematical techniques to
solve the problems which they encounter.”
IN-CLASS QUIZZING: In an effort to engage the class during the lecture period, each
student will be expected to participate in class. This will be accomplished both by inclass quizzing and each student being called on to answer questions during the lecture.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Each student will be expected to solve the assigned
homework problems on his/her own time. The homework assignments will be collected
in the form of online computer quizzes. Some of the homework problems will be used as
examples in class and regular help sessions will be scheduled during the semester to
accommodate the majority of students. Additionally, students should come by my office
and ask for help if they are having problems with the homework assignments. Generally,
weekly homework assignments will be assigned on Monday and turned in electronically
on Friday at the beginning of class.
EXAMS: There will be four exams during the semester. Each exam will be a closed book
exam. No notes or equation cards/sheets will be allowed. Additionally, programmable
calculators will NOT be allowed. Each student is responsible for pre-approving his or her
calculator with the instructor BEFORE each exam. Each exam will count toward your
overall course grade.
LAB: Each student is required to attend the weekly labs (according to your schedule).
The lab reports and quizzes in the lab will count 25% toward your overall course grade.
GRADING: The grading for the lecture portion of this course is very unique. It is each
students’ responsibility to understand the grading scheme. If there are any questions you
should ask the instructor. There are THREE grading schemes for the lecture portion of
the course:
SCHEME 1: 0-100. In SCHEME 1 0% will come from the in-class
quizzing/participation, and 100% will come from the exams.
SCHEME 2: 50-50: In SCHEME 2 50% will come from the in class
quizing/participation and weekly homework quizzes, and 50% will come from exams.
SCHEME 3: 70-30: In SCHEME 3 70% of your lecture grade will come from the
in-class quizzing/participation, and 30% will come from the exams. Your lecture grade
will be determined from the HIGHEST of the three schemes.
Your lecture grade will then be determined by the HIGHEST of the three
schemes. For example, if you score a 90% using SCHEME 1, 88% using SCHEME 2,
and 82% using SCHEME 3 this your lecture grade will be 90%
****NOTE: The lecture grade accounts for only 75% of your overall course grade,
the other 25% comes from your lab grade.
The overall course grade will be as follows:
A : 100-90%
B: 89.999-80%
C: 79.999-70%
D: 69.999-60%
F: 59.999-0%
So how do you calculate your grade? As an example let's look at Jane Doe. Jane Doe
scored a 89% with SCHEME 1 and a 92% with SCHEME 2 and a 75% with SCHEME 3.
Also, Jane's lab grade was a 80%. To calculate Jane's course grade we first choose her
highest grade from the three grading schemes. In this example she would receive a 92%
from SCHEME 2. Since the lecture portion of the grade is worth 75% of her overall
course grade we must now multiply 75% by her lecture grade (0.75 X 92% = 69%). Now
we must multiply her lab grade by 25% (0.25 X 80% = 20%). So Jane's overall course
grade will be the sum of the two weight grades (weighted lecture grade + weighted lab
grade = overall course grade: 69% + 20% = 89%). So our friend Jane has earned a letter
grade of B in her class. Finally, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the grading scale
as he sees fit.
Finally, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the grading scale as he sees fit.
POLICY ON ABSENCES AND CHEATING: Any absence will be excused if the
student presents the instructor with a letter from the doctor (NOTE: This letter must
contain the doctor’s contact information). If an absence has occurred due to a death in the
family the student must present the instructor with a copy of the obituary. If a student
misses class because he/she is attending a professional school related meeting, the student
must present the instructor with a program from the meeting.
Any student caught cheating will be reported to the appropriate University
authorities.
SUMMARY: This syllabus is meant to be a guideline for the course and the instructor
reserves the right to make modifications as he sees fit.
This course will be a challenge but I guarantee that if you do the work you will learn
some fascinating material. I look forward to having each of you as my student! GOOD
LUCK!