PH 201-OP
COLLEGE PHYSICS I
Summer 2014
SYLLABUS
Dr. George Bruhn, instructor
Campbell Hall 383
gbruhn@uab.edu
205-934-8064
Lectures: MWF from 9:40am-11:00am in Campbell Hall 301.
Office Hours: Usually, an open-door policy: stop by. The official office hours are Thursdays 2-4pm,
and by appointment.
Text: Physics by Cutnell and Johnson, 9th ed (John Wiley and Sons)
Overview: Welcome to Physics I! If this is your first exposure to physics, you will find that the
subject is quite different from any other science. While other sciences collect facts, physics seeks to
connect and simplify facts by explaining nature quantitatively from only a handful of principles.
The course covers the basics of mechanics. We begin with exploring coordinates and motion
quantitatively, using vector techniques, and then Newton's laws governing how this motion is caused
by forces, and their applications, including gravity. We describe energy and its conservation. We then
consider systems of particles, conservation of momentum and collisions. Our consideration of systems
of particles then gets directed towards rigid bodies and rotational dynamics. We then apply these tools
to various applications including fluids, heat and waves. The goal is to cover Chapters 1-17 of the
book.
Related UAB Core Learning Outcomes: Students successfully completing this course will
demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts in mechanics, and the ability to apply this knowledge
to quantitative reasoning and problem solving.
Students will build their problem-solving skills from weekly problem sets relevant to the week's
material; the recitation section is designed to provide assistance and practice in solving similar
problems. The homework is graded in order to ascertain the effectiveness of the course. Further
assessment comes from written exams given at certain points in the semester, and a comprehensive
final. It is a goal that this course will be useful in preparation for the MCAT.
Prerequisites: This course assumes that the student has had no prior exposure to physics, although it
would be helpful. We assume that students are comfortable with algebra and trigonometry, but we do
not assume calculus. Prerequisites for the course are MA 106 or 107, or MA 125.
Enrollment Policy: In addition to the lecture portion of this course, there is also a lab portion
(PH201L) and a recitation section (PH201R) associated with PH201. These entities essentially operate
independently of each other, and the student can pick either recitation section. You must be enrolled in
all three parts, simultaneously. The last day to drop/add is June 9; anyone who is not enrolled in all
three will be dropped from the course, after then. The last day to withdraw with a 'W' is July 3. See
the undergraduate catalog for further details of this policy.
Composition of Final Course Grade:
Exams I,II,III: 10% (each)
Lab: 15%
Recitation: 10%
Homework: 20%
Final Exam: 25%
Grading Scale: 100-89 := A, 88-77 := B, 76-65 := C, 64-58 := D, < 58 := F
Exam Policies: Three in-class tests and one comprehensive final exam will be given. Their effect on
the course grade and dates are located elsewhere in the syllabus. The content will be a combination of
short-answer and longer problems similar to (but different) from the problems in homework and class.
You may bring one 8.5 x 11” sheet on which you may write anything that you feel may be useful. I
will also provide my own sheet of facts that I do not think need to be memorized. Books and notes are
not allowed. Calculators will not be needed, but they are allowed, provided they are not part of a cell
phone or any other multimedia device. Any use of multimedia to communicate with anyone inside or
outside of the classroom is prohibited during exams and lecture. Exceptions may be made only in
accordance with DSS policy.
Test Make-up Policy: If a student misses a test because of an absence, the instructor must be contacted
within a 24 hour period of the absence with an acceptable explanation, either by the student or by a
friend or relative. The test must be taken within a number of days to be specified. The student must
submit a doctor's note if a major delay (more than three days) for rescheduling is required.
Lecture: Attendance in lecture is not required, except for the in-class tests and final exam. However,
each student is responsible for the information that is covered in lecture and assigned reading. I do
intend to post my lecture notes to Blackboard, but I make no promises regarding their legibility and
completeness.
Recitation: Each week, there will be a problem-based workshop, where students can build their skills
and confidence by actively working on problems, with a TA on-hand to answer questions and assist
with any ambiguity or confusion, in a casual environment. The recitation grade (10% of the final grade
in the class) is based on attendance and completion of the associated workshop sets.
Labs: The assignments, due dates and grading of the labs are all independent of the lecture portion of
PH201. These will all be discussed in the first lab meeting. The faculty member in charge of the
introductory physics labs is Dr. Todd Devore (devore@uab.edu).
Homework: Homework is web-based via WebAssign and located at the website
http://www.webassign.net/uab/login.html. The class key for this course is uab 5381 7424 .
It is important for each student to work and struggle through the problems. Doing problems is not only
the best way to learn physics, it is the only way. Although working together is highly encouraged, and
indeed lively discussion is what has led to much progress in physics, each student is expected to turn in
his/her own work.
Problem sets will tentatively be assigned each Friday evening, to be completed by the time class meets,
the Monday after the next. Since every topic in the course builds on previous material, it is imperative
that students complete each assignment when it is due, in order to keep pace with the course.
Extensions may be granted, with a legitimate reason, within a week of the due date. Requests for
extensions should be made via WebAssign.
Students with Disabilities: The university can accommodate students who need assistance (examples
include peer note-takers and extra time for tests) due to any type of disability. Students who may need
course accommodations are welcome to make an appointment to see me. Students with disabilities
must be registered with Disability Support Services and a DSS accommodation letter must be received
before receiving academic adjustments. Of course, all situations will be handled in accordance with the
university's policies on confidentiality.
Tentative Schedule (subject to changes)
Week #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Dates
Jun 2, 4, 6
Jun 9, 11, 13
Jun 16, 18, 20
Jun 23, 25, 27
Jun 30, Jul 2, 4
Jul 7, 9, 11
Jul 14, 16, 18
Jul 21, 23, 25
Jul 28, 30, Aug 1
M
W
F
Basics of Measurement and Motion: Ch 1-3
Reference Frames, Force and Newton's Laws: Ch 4-5
Work, Energy and its Conservation: Ch 6
Test 1 (Ch 1-6)
Systems of Particles: Momentum and Rotation: Ch 7-8
Rigid Body Rotations: Ch 8-9
No Class
Oscillations, Elasticity; Fluids: Ch 10-11
Test 2 (Ch 7-10)
Temperature and Heat: Ch 12-13
Thermodynamics: Ch 14-15
Waves and Interference: Ch 16-17
Test 3 (Ch 11-17)
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, Aug 6, 8am-11am.