PHYSICS 110
Instructor: Antonia Bennie-George
Phone: 253-833-9111 extension 4772
Or Voice mail extension 4578
Office hours: T, Th, 10:35 – 11:30 AM, Office SMT 229A
Email: abennie-george@greenriver.edu
Class Meetings:
Section B:
12:00 – 1:30 AM
12:00 – 1:30 AM
SMT225
SMT231
M, Th
T, F
For many of you this will be your first course in physics. Things you may have heard about
physics or about physicists may be far removed from reality. Popular media portrayals of scientists
have little to do with the reality of the scientific enterprise. In reality most scientists are reasonably
well read in disciplines outside of science such as literature, history, and philosophy and basically
are culturally literate individuals. Therefore most scientists can function well in diverse
circumstances. Many non-scientists, however, are scientifically and mathematically illiterate.
Most cannot describe how or why a telephone works much less a microwave oven or cellular
phone. Many are baffled by their own personal computers. In a society as technical as ours,
scientific and technical illiteracy is a detriment.
It may not be possible to become scientifically literate in one quarter but the groundwork can be
formed. We will begin by developing some basic tools and vocabulary; we will then discuss the
importance of scientific reasoning and experimental measurement. Physics is a quantitative
science that enables us to make predictions and seek experimental verification of those
predictions. That has led to many students to confuse mathematics with physics. Mathematics is
important as a method to express physical relationships, but physics is mainly about building an
understanding of the physical world around us and communicating that understanding to others.
An important part of this communication process will be developing team participation skills
since many course activities, and all experiments, will be done by groups of three to four students.
Prerequisites and Textbooks:
Intermediate Algebra is required for this course. You should be familiar with symbolic
manipulation to solve equations and should be able to solve systems of equations. You should be
able to recognize a linear equation and know how to graph it. You should have a scientific
calculator and be able to use it. Knowledge of solid geometry and trigonometry is helpful but the
necessary skills required in these areas will be introduced in class and practiced via handouts and
worksheets.
The required text is Physics by Cutnell and Johnson (6th edition). This text has a companion
website that has many features to aid student learning. We may also use excerpts from the Active
Learning Materials For The Introductory Physics Classroom by Clay, et al. The text and the
active learning materials emphasize a conceptual approach to physics and will be supplemented
with class handouts and laboratory exercises. Students should realize that a single textbook is not
sufficient for any course and other reference material should be used to gain further insight.
There are a number of introductory level physics texts and workbooks in the Holman library that
may be helpful. In addition, there are several textbooks in SMT230 that are available for student
use. Supplemental reading alone may not increase your understanding of physics, education
research has shown that the more time students spend doing problems and performing activities
and discussing points that are confusing with other students, the better they do overall in physics
courses. The key to your success this quarter is you!
PHYSICS 110
Goals and Course Objectives:
Green River Community College has identified several educational objectives for all courses and
all students on campus. The objectives of this course include these campus-wide objectives
which will be directly and indirectly assessed.
A. Quantitative Reasoning/Problem Solving
Mathematical skills will include the use of graphical analysis, algebra, trigonometry,
vector addition and subtraction, order of magnitude estimations for checking approximate
magnitude of quantities and/or checking the reasonableness of laboratory measurements or
computations. Students will learn to represent problem situations and data pictorially,
graphically and symbolically, and to draw quantitative and qualitative inferences
consistent with the data. You will not just learn about physics, but will learn how to do
physics.
B. Qualitative Reasoning / Critical Thinking
Given a problem, you should be able to restate the problem in your own words, sort the
relevant data from the irrelevant data and recognize the inferred data, separate your
preconceptions or biases from the analysis, identify relevant concepts applicable to the
problem, and make plausible inferences, predictions or interpretations. Recognize the
misuse or misapplication of physics to non-physical situations. Carefully conduct each
experiment to test a hypothesis or answer a question. Recognize analogous situations and
transfer insights to new contexts.
C. Communication Skills
Everyone taking this course is embarking on some field of study that will require problem
solving. It is incumbent that he/she be able to communicate the results of their analyses in
both written and oral form. Assignments that are primarily writing, such as laboratory
reports, will receive a grade based upon content (the physics) and presentation (grammar,
spelling, etc.). The reports must follow acceptable standards of writing technical reports
and will be composed of complete coherent sentences that convey the writer's thinking
regarding the topic of interest. Student teams will be asked to give at least one oral
presentation of experimental results each quarter.
D. Responsibility
All students are responsible for doing their own work and although it may be tempting to
allow others to do most of the work, successful students are those who actively participate
in all activities. Responsibility is the ability and willingness to control something.
Responsibility is demonstrated by attendance, timely completion of assignments, and
tolerance of others’ choices and lifestyles.
Course Organization:
Projects: There will at least two short term projects assigned during the quarter. One will be an
individual effort and one will be a group effort. A separate description for each project
will be disseminated.
PHYSICS 110
Lecture:
Learning physics requires active participation it does not occur by osmosis,
supernatural revelation, or memorization of notes and formulas, therefore actual lecture
time is limited. Class attendance and participation is expected. Ask questions, take
notes, and read your textbook before coming to class.. If there are no questions from the
class we will proceed to cover new material. Make use of my office hours, I enjoy
working with students and questions make my day.
Laboratory: Lab is an integral part of the course. The experiments are designed to illustrate the
concepts being studied and to help students clarify their ideas. Lab reports (or technical
summaries) will be due the week following the completion of the experiment. Lab
reports will not be accepted after their due date. There will be one laboratory period
almost every week and they will take the entire class period. Some experiments may take
more than one class period to complete. Attendance is critical, you have responsibilities
to your working group and you are responsible for all work covered. Labs are
impossible to make up as equipment may not be available.
Quizzes and Final Exam: Several quizzes will be given during the quarter on a nearly weekly
basis. A comprehensive final exam will also be given. Dates for all quizzes may be
announced ahead of time. There will be no make-up for quizzes except under
extraordinary circumstances. If a student has a compelling scheduling conflict, the student
must notify the instructor in advance. In some cases it will be possible to make special
arrangements. The final exam will take place at the date and time indicated in the Class
Schedule for this quarter.
Homework: There will be many problem sets assigned during the quarter. You are not required
to do your homework individually; in fact, I encourage you to work together. Homework
and take-home assignments must be submitted at the beginning of the period on the due
date for credit. Late homework papers are not accepted so please turn in whatever you
have completed or attempted of the homework assignment at the time it is due. Some
homework assignments will be graded using a “Homework Quiz”, which will be an open
book open notebook quiz over homework that has already been assigned.
Grading Policy:
Your grade in this course will be based on the following components.
Projects ----------------------------Final exam ----------------------Quizzes --------------------------Homework* ---------------------Lab work and tutorials-----------
15%
15%
25%
20%
25%
* includes in-class work
PHYSICS 110
To determine your final grade the weighted percentage of the total possible points will be
computed using the fractions shown above. The total weighted percentage will be scaled
to a 0.0 to 4.0 system using the scheme shown in the table.
%
Grade
95 +
94
4.0
3.9
A
93
92
91
90
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
A-
89
88
87
3.4
3.3
3.2
B+
86
85
84
3.1
3.0
2.9
B
83
82
81
80
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
B-
79
78
77
2.4
2.3
2.2
C+
Dates to note:
%
Grade
75 - 76
73 - 74
71 - 72
2.1
2.0
1.9
C
70
69
68
67
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
C-
66
65
64
1.4
1.3
1.2
D+
63
62
61
1.1
1.0
0.9
D
60
59
0.8
0.7
D-
%
50 - 58
40 - 49
31 - 39
24 - 30
16 - 23
8 - 15
0-7
Grade
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
F
Study Day is March 17th, the Final Exam is Tuesday, March 21st,
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, room to be announced.
To switch to Pass/Non-Credit option you must file a petition with
Enrollment Services by February 24, 2006. Last day to officially
withdraw from Winter quarter class is February 24th, 2006.
“Guests” in the Classroom:
Due to GRCC policy, no one who is not either registered for the class or an employee of
GRCC will be allowed in the classroom during lecture or laboratory periods. This
includes children, friends, visiting students, and prospective students. Exceptions will be
made in the cases of students who require the assistance of others for the completion of
essential classroom tasks or for students who are registered for another section of Physics
110 but have made special arrangements with their instructors to attend at a special time.
PHYSICS 110
Outside Help:
Physics students are encouraged to make use of tutoring services should they find the need
for outside help. Physics help may be found in the tutoring center on the second floor of
the Holman Library. Students who have trouble with the mathematics associated with
their physics work may find additional help in the Math Learning Center (SMT 355).
Class Breaks and Interruptions:
Official class breaks are required for all class periods of length two hours or longer. Since
this class meets for less than two hours at a time, we will not be having official class
breaks. However, if you need to leave the classroom, stretch, or take a break, please do
so. This is better than falling asleep during class or fidgeting and disturbing others in the
class. Note: GRCC policy prohibits the answering of pagers and cellular phones
during class periods. No food is allowed in the laboratories.
Discipline:
Disruptions: In accordance with GRCC policy, students who disrupt the academic
atmosphere of the class will be asked to leave and will be referred to an academic dean for
further action. Disruptions of academic atmosphere include any behavior that interferes
with ability of faculty or other students to perform the work necessary for this class.
Comments, discussions, or actions of a racist, sexist, or otherwise degrading nature will
absolutely not be tolerated.
Cheating: Students who are suspected of academic dishonesty will receive a grade
of zero on the suspicious assignment, quiz, or exam. Those caught cheating will be
referred to an academic dean for further discipline. The results of this discipline can range
from failing the class to academic probation or expulsion from GRCC.
Special Needs:
If you believe you qualify for course adaptations or special accommodations under the
Americans with Disabilities Act, it is your responsibility to contact the Disabled Students
Services Coordinator and provide the appropriate documentation. If you have already
documented a disability or other condition which would qualify you for special
accommodations, or if you have emergency medical information or special needs that I
should know about, please notify me during the first week of class. You can reach me by
phone at 833-9111, extension 4322. Or you can schedule an office appointment to meet me
in the SMT Building, room 229A during posted office hours or at another mutually
determined time. If this location is not convenient for you, we will schedule an alternative
place for the meeting. If you use an alternative medium for communicating, let me know well
in advance of the meeting (at least one week) so that appropriate accommodations can be
arranged.
Carpe Diem ! Carpe Diem ! Carpe Diem ! Carpe Diem ! Carpe Diem !
If you have any questions about the course or the assignments; or have any problems with due
dates or your grade; or just want to talk, please come and see me. Do not put it off, do not get
behind.
PHYSICS 110
Syllabus Quiz (due Thursday)
NAME: _______________________________ (please print)
PHYSICS 110 Section: ________
Instructions: Read the syllabus, answer the questions below, and sign the form at the bottom
indicating that you have read the syllabus. Return this form to the instructor on Thursday.
When are the meeting times for Physics 110?
When are Antonia Bennie-George’s office hours and where is her office located?
What method will be used to grade some of the homework this quarter?
Is late homework accepted?
What is the maximum a grade a student can achieve if they decide to not do the homework?
When is the deadline for applying for a Pass/Non-Credit grade? (Check the quarterly schedule.)
How are missed quizzes and tests handled?
I have read the syllabus for Physics 110.
Signed,
________________________________
(Signature of Student)
__________________
(Date)