San Jose State University Elementary Physics Section 1 PHYS 1 Fall 2014 Syllabus
Time and Location: MW 12:00pm-1:15pm in SCI 311
Instructor Information: Name: Maxine Rose Shao (Maxine), Office: SCI 324
Office Hours: TBA. Check my Webpage for my current office hours.
Email: maxine.shao@sjsu.edu
Webpage: http://www.sjsu.edu/people/maxine.shao/
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for Elementary Physics; therefore I will assume that you have no prior knowledge of physics. But, I expect that you are, or will be able to think analytically, since rote memorization will not help you to understand physics.
Course Description: This general education course will cover topics in Mechanics, the different forms of energy, Gravity, the Atomic Nature of Matter, Properties of Materials, Heat, Electromagnetics, Wave
Phenomena, and Radioactivity. Emphasis will be placed on practical applications of physics principles to contemporary problems.
Textbook: Conceptual Physics (11 th Ed.) by P.G. Hewitt
Online homework account: MasteringPhysics: Course ID: phys1section1fall2014.
Supplies: A scientific calculator, 4 form 882-E Scantron sheets, pencils, pens and notebook paper.
Student Learning Objectives (SLO): Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
(SLO1) Use the scientific method to examine existing, or preexisting, explanations about the natural world.
Through class discussions on how the scientific method is used to develop natural laws, and through applicable homework assignments this objective is satisfied. (SLO2) Understand the effect of scientific advancement on society. Students accomplish this objective through classroom discussions, and written assignments on concepts such as the connection between population and the use of natural resources. (SLO3) Students will apply quantitative and analytical reasoning techniques while problem solving in class, and in the assigned online homework.
Points: Due Date or Exam Date: Graded Course Work:
Writing assignment 1
Writing assignment 2
Writing assignment 3
Online homework
10
10
10
10
Monday September 22 nd
Wednesday October 22 nd
Monday December 1
Weekly st
Group questions
1 st exam
2 nd exam
3 rd exam
10
15
15
15
The lowest of the three exams scores will be dropped.
Final (Cumulative) 20
Unannounced
Wednesday September 24
Monday October 27 th
Wednesday December 3 rd th
Wednesday December 17 th from 9:45am-12:00pm.
Total points 100
Grades: Your course grade will be determined from the class curve, but from my past experience I know that you will need at least 90% for an A, 80% for a B, 70% for a C, and 65% for a C-. Note that it is impossible for you to pass this class without doing homework.
Reading: You need to read the relevant chapters in your textbook before I cover the material in lecture.
Please refer to the Lecture schedule on the following page for the chapters to be covered, which are listed under
Reading.

Written homework: This general education class requires you to turn in a minimum of 1500 written, which means at least 500 words per written assignment. Your writing assignments will be graded on completeness, correct answers, grammar, and correct spelling.
Your written homework must be typed, printed out, and handed in during class on the due date. No late or emailed homework will be accepted.
Plagiarism in your written homework:
1. If one or more students submit nearly identical homework, then zero credit will be given to those students for that assignment.
2. Any other type of plagiarized answer will result in zero points for the entire written assignment. Plagiarism means copying words or ideas. You should read everything you can to help you understand the physics, but write the answers to the questions, based on what you understand, in your own words.
Writing help: The Writing Center in Clark Hall 126. http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter or call 924-2308.
Tutoring: http://peerconnections.sjsu.edu/ , the Physics department also will have a tutoring schedule.
Online homework: You will be using an online homework package called MasteringPhysics. The following is a brief description of how to get your student account. For a step-by-step guide see the pdf entitled
MasteringPhysicsGettingStarted located on my faculty webpage.
1. Go to MasteringPhysics.com and register as a student. The access code is packaged with the new textbooks at the SJSU bookstore. Online booksellers do not have this access code.
2. At MasteringPhysics.com log in using your Login name and password.
3. Register for my class using the Course ID: phys1section1fall2014.
Group Questions: There will be unannounced quiz questions that are worked on in a group. I will assign the groups. If you are absent when a question is given, then you cannot get credit for this group question.
Exams: The multiple-choice exams cover the lecture material, group questions, the documentaries, class demonstrations, written and online homework, group questions, and the assigned reading material. You can bring a standard calculator and one double-sided 8.5"x 11" page of notes to each of the first three exams, and three of these pages to the final. No make-up exams.
Final: The final is a cumulative multiple-choice test. You will be allowed a calculator and three double-sided
8.5"x 11" pages of notes for the final. No make-up final.
Classroom Protocol:
1. No laptops, smartphones, or any electronic device, except a standard calculator, can be used in class.
2. No personal conversations in class.
Comments: To succeed in this course, attend class consistently and take careful notes. Complete all assignments. Read each chapter before it is discussed in class, and then read it again. If you don’t understand something ask me during class, then everyone will benefit because they probably didn’t understand either.
Study groups are incredibly helpful since you will have a chance to explain what you are learning to someone else. If you need help with the material visit me during my office hours, or email me and I will get back to you promptly.
University Policies:
Academic Integrity Statement: "Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University, and the University's Academic
Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student
Conduct and Ethical Development. Please read the student conduct code, which is on page: http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/
Campus policy in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act: "If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours.
Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with DRC to establish a record of their disability."