GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS (with Studio & Lab)
PH 211
GENERAL INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. Danielle Skinner
Email: skinneda@oregonstate.edu
Drop-in Hours: Monday 1-3pm Weniger 212
Book Individual Time with Me: https://beav.es/GsM
Office: Weniger 411
Course Name General Physics with Calculus
Course Number PH 211
Course Credits 4
Lecture: 2 hours/week
Meeting Times Studio: 2 hours/week
Lab: 2 hours/week
Prerequisite MTH 251 (Differential Calculus)
Corequisite MTH 252 (Integral Calculus)
Catalog Course Description
Develops models for motion based on both forces and energy for describing and quantifying the
fundamental physical phenomena underlying motion through a combination of observation and theory.
Applies these models in one- and two-dimensional contexts to predict, describe, and explain the motion of
point-like objects. Explores how multiple representations, mathematical sensemaking, and physical
explanations strengthen the construction and deployment of the models. Introduces the methods by which
physics is built through experiment and observation.
Flexibility
Your instructor wants you to succeed. I always attempt to address special circumstances or personal issues
that arise during the term. I encourage you to contact me if you have concerns about the course, your
standing in it, or your ability to complete your work.
Attendance and Participation
Attendance and participation are essential and expected in all components of this course. We will not
introduce much content in class; instead, class is used for you to practice using principles of physics in the
presence of the instructional team. Thus, it is critical you complete the post-class homework on time.
Class Times
See the OSU website for the scheduled times of lecture, studio, and lab. Quizzes are on select Wednesday
nights at 7 PM. Expected dates are posted in the schedule on Canvas.
Illness
We have a shared responsibility to each other to help reduce the spread and transmission of illnesses. To
help facilitate this, all participation components of the course allow some flexibility.
If you experience symptoms of any communicable illness, please take advantage of the structures we have
set up for you to stay home and rest. You can always contact Student Health Services and consult OSU
Quarantine and Isolation guidelines to determine your next steps.
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GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS (with Studio & Lab)
PH 211
Professional Behavior:
Professional behavior is expected at all times. Each of us has a role to play. This includes listening with
patience and empathy and creating an environment conducive to dialogue. It means asking questions,
respecting answers, being open to fresh perspectives, and appreciating one another’s contributions.
All persons, statements, and questions should be treated with respect. There is no place for harassment of
any type. All activity in this course may and often will be recorded. You should assume everything you do
using the technology in this course is being saved.
Academic Integrity
See the OSU Code of Student Conduct. Collaboration is strongly encouraged on all non-quiz assignments.
Your name on a submission signifies that you made a significant contribution to the effort. You should be
sure to cite all students you collaborate with on any given assignment and any resources you use.
Communication
Canvas is the source of class information (including this syllabus), videos, resources, assignments, and
grades. We also send information via email, so be sure to check your official OSU email account regularly.
There will be a single, integrated Canvas site for all aspects of the course.
The best way to reach your instructor is via email, either through Canvas or directly to my email address. I
do my best to respond within 24 hours during the week or by Monday over the weekend.
Course Materials and Technology
Textbook: We will use two online and open-source textbooks as our main source of information.
o Learning Introductory Physics with Activities
o OpenStax: University Physics Volume 1
o (Optional) If you would like a physical book, I recommend Physics for Scientists and Engineers,
Knight. The 4th edition is the most recent, but any edition will suffice.
• Poll Everywhere: We will use Poll Everywhere for in class clicker questions and attendance. This is a
new tool made available to OSU, so bear with me while I work out the kinks! No subscription is
required. You can use the web to answer questions, or download the Poll Everywhere app.
• Assignment submissions: Gradescope (no subscription required)
Getting Academic Help
• Your instructor has drop-in office hours (see above) – please join me freely during these times. If you
would like to meet privately with me, please book time with me via my bookings page (see above). If
you would like to meet with me at an alternate time, simply send me an email to schedule a time.
• The Physics Help Center (Wormhole) in the Valley Library is a space for collaborating with other
students and getting help from TAs and LAs. Remote help is available on MS Teams in the channel
Virtual Wormhole and through Zoom. More information is on the physics department Wormhole
website.
• Our course has specific Homework Help Hours that will be held on Mondays from 1-4 PM in Weniger
212. This is dedicated to students taking PH 211.
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GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS (with Studio & Lab)
PH 211
Course Content Overview
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Topic
Introduction / Vectors
Acceleration / Forces
Forces
Interactions
Calculus in Physics
Kinematics
Energy
Potential Energy
Momentum
Energy and Momentum
Evaluation
Your final grade will be calculated using the following average:
• Homework (10%)
• In-class engagement (5%)
o You will be assigned a course grade of F if your engagement score is less than 80%.
o You can make up no more than two weeks of missed engagement for half-credit.
o If your engagement score is 80% or higher, you earn full credit in this category.
• Lab Activities (25%)
You will be assigned a course grade of F if you do not complete all labs, or if you receive
a score of “unsatisfactory” in more than one lab.
o There will be a short period at the end of the term when you will be able to make up one or
two labs. Resubmissions will not be accepted for make-up labs.
Project (10%)
Quizzes (30%)
Final (20%)
o
•
•
•
Verifying grades: Grades are posted on Canvas. Assignment grade details will be available in Gradescope.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the posted grades are correct. There are two ways to do this:
• For assignments submitted through Gradescope, you should use the “Request Regrade” feature.
• For all other assignments you should contact the instructo.
Once a grade is posted on Canvas or Gradescope, you will have three days to inquire about it. After that,
the grade will be considered final, and changes will only be considered in extraordinary circumstances.
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GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS (with Studio & Lab)
PH 211
Final Grade Assignment:
A
over 93%
A–
90% – 92%
B+
88% – 89%
B
86% – 87%
B–
84% – 85%
C+
82% – 83%
C
80% – 81%
C–
78% – 79%
D+
75% – 77%
D
72% – 74%
D–
69% – 71%
F
under 69%
We reserve the right to adjust these categories if necessary to accommodate special circumstances.
Late Work:
• Canvas homework can be turned in late for 25% less credit each day, down to a minimum of 25%
• Gradescope homework can be turned in late for 25% less credit, but can be turned in late by no more
than one day.
Academic Calendar
All students are subject to the registration and refund deadlines as stated in the Academic Calendar:
https://registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services
(DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval
please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and
faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those
accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the
implementation of individual accommodations."
Student Conduct Expectations link: https://beav.es/codeofconduct
Student Bill of Rights
OSU has twelve established student rights. They include due process in all university disciplinary
processes, an equal opportunity to learn, and grading in accordance with the course syllabus:
https://asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/rights
Reach Out for Success
University students encounter setbacks from time to time. If you encounter difficulties and need assistance,
it’s important to reach out. Consider discussing the situation with an instructor or academic advisor. Learn
about resources that assist with wellness and academic success at oregonstate.edu/ReachOut. If you are in
immediate crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting OREGON to 741-741 or call the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
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GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS (with Studio & Lab)
PH 211
Student Evaluation of Courses
During Fall, Winter, and Spring term the online Student Learning Experience surveys open to students the
Wednesday of week 9 and close the Sunday before Finals Week. Students will receive notification,
instructions and the link through their ONID email. They may also log into the system via MyOregonState
or directly at beaves.es/Student-Learning-Survey. Survey results are extremely important and are used to
help improve courses and the learning experience of future students. Responses are anonymous (unless a
student chooses to “sign” their comments, agreeing to relinquish anonymity of written comments) and are
not available to instructors until after grades have been posted. The results of scaled questions and signed
comments go to both the instructor and their unit head/supervisor. Anonymous (unsigned) comments go to
the instructor only.
Statement on AI:
The use of generative AI is prohibited in this course. Use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT is
prohibited on all assignments and assessments. Ask your instructor if you have any questions about this
policy.
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GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS (with Studio & Lab)
PH 211
Course Specific Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
1. Make observations of physical behavior, construct explanations that are consistent with the
observations, and identify relevant physical laws. Apply these explanations and established physical
laws to make predictions. Represent information using diagrams, graphs, words, and equations and
translate from one representation to another. Use multiple representations to solve problems, predict
behavior, and assess solutions.
2. Apply Newton’s laws and conservation laws to analyze the behavior of physical systems under certain
conditions, identify reasonable assumptions and simplifications, and evaluate whether or not a solution
or explanation makes physical sense.
3. Investigate our surroundings to test models and draw conclusions using the scientific method.
4. Explain how physics principles have led to the development of real-world inventions and devices and
how these inventions and devices have impacted society.
Your learning will be assessed using a wide variety of assignments. Most assignments in this class are
formative, in which you receive feedback on your work and use this feedback to learn and improve. Your
responses to the pre-class Get-ready Activities and to the weekly Homework Activities will serve a primary
formative role in how you learn physics. Your learning will also be assessed by several projects and
quizzes, for which you will also receive detailed feedback.
The Baccalaureate Core Student Learning Outcomes for this category are: 1) recognize and apply
concepts and theories of basic physical or biological sciences, 2) apply scientific methodology and
demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions based on observation, analysis, and synthesis, and 3)
demonstrate connections with other subject areas.
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