SYLLABUS
Physics 203A: College Physics I
Dr. Richard West
Fall 2015
I. TIME/PLACE Delivered and completed entirely on SIU Online (online.siu.edu) during the
Fall 2015 semester. Please see the Syllabus Attachment - Fall 2015 for important
information and dates.
II. REQUIRED RESOURCES
TEXTBOOK: Cutnell & Johnson Physics with WileyPlus, 10th ed., Young and Stadler.
Tentatively: Chapters 1-17
Options:
1) Physics with WileyPLUS CODE ONLY (w/ eBook) - ISBN 9781118651896
2) Text (looseleaf version) Physics with WileyPLUS - ISBN 9781119030713
INTERNET CONNECTION and a computer with minimum requirements below:
http://www.wiley.com/college/fdoc/wiley_plus_sys_rec.pdf
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Better understand the fundamental concepts and principles of classical mechanics;
- Relate these laws/principles to the modern technological world;
- To better our problem solving techniques;
IV. COURSE STRUCTURE
The entire course is delivered through SIU Online. The course is divided into learning
modules. These modules come with reading assignments. Notes will normally be
provided in PDF format. However, certain concepts will require explanation, using
occasional audio and video. Materials will be posted online throughout the semester.
There are quizzes covering each module. These quizzes will be taken at the end of each
learning module and be delivered using WileyPlus with Orion. They are timed. There are
no late or make-up quizzes.
Homework assignments will be assigned each module. These assignments will be delivered
using WileyPlus with Orion. No late homework will be accepted.
There are 3 midterm exams. We drop the lowest grade. The midterm exams must be
proctored. Midterm Exam 1 covers modules 1-2. Midterm Exam 2 covers modules 3-4.
Midterm Exam 3 covers modules 5-6.
The final exam is comprehensive (covers modules 1-7) and must be proctored.
V. GRADES:
(a) Grade Breakdown:
On-line quizzes: 7%
Homework: 18%
Exams: 50%
Final exam: 25%
(b) Grade Scale:
A: 85-100%
B: 75-84.9%
C: 65-74.9%
D: 55-64.9%
F: 0-54.9%
VI. THE COURSE WEBSITE – https://online.siu.edu/
You must go to the above website, sign in, and follow the link to PHYS 203A. On the site
you can get the following:
(1) Notes
(2) Important announcements and due dates
(3) The syllabus attachment
(4) Homeworks
(5) Access to quizzes and exams
(6) Grades!
VII. CONTACT
Dr. Richard West
Email: rdwest@siu.edu
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OVERVIEW - PHYS 203A - Online
See website (https://online.siu.edu/) for all due dates
Week of class
Activities
Learn SIU Online
1&2
Assignment 1
Quiz 1
3&4
5&6
Assignment 2
Quiz 2,
Assignment 3
Quiz 3,
7&8
9&10
Assignment 4
Quiz 4,
15&16
MIDTERM EXAM 2
Assignment 5
Quiz 5
11&12
13&14
MIDTERM EXAM 1
Assignment 6
Quiz 6,
MIDTERM EXAM 3
Assignment 7
Quiz 7
FINAL EXAM
Topics
Vectors and
Kinematics
Newton's Laws
and Circular
Motion
Work, Energy, and
Momentum
Rotational Motion
Harmonic Motion
and Fluids
Temperature and
Heat
Thermodynamics
and Waves