Syllabus for Physics 110
Physics in Everyday Life
Summer 2009
Section 01
MWF 10:00 – 11:50
WDC 1005
Office Hours:
Tuesday
12:00 – 12:30
Wednesday
12:00 – 1:00
Thursday
12:00 – 12:30
& by appointment.
Instructor:
Peter Betz
ICB 2405
(309) 268-8643
peter.betz@heartland.edu
Course Information:
Introduction: This is an elementary course that emphasizes principles and applications of
mechanics, heat, sound, and electricity. The course is presented with an emphasis on
observations and descriptions being used to illustrate basic problem solving principles and laws,
with students learning to solve problems applying these principles and laws.
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: MATH 087 with a “C” or better.
Text:
Hewitt, Paul and Suchocki, John and Hewitt, Leslie, Conceptual Physical Science Explorations,
San Francisco, CA: Addison Wesley 2003.
Hewitt, Paul and Suchocki, John and Hewitt, Leslie, Conceptual Physical Science Explorations
Practice Book, San Francisco, CA: Addison Wesley 2003.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer: PHYS 110 should transfer as
part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to
other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult
an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI
web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org
Topic outline for the course:
1. Motion
2. Newton’s Laws
3. Momentum and Energy
4. Gravity and Satellite Motion
5. Fluid Mechanics
6. Thermal Energy
7. Heat Transfers and Thermodynamics
8. Electricity
9. Magnetism
10. Sound Waves
11. Light Waves
12. Properties of light
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Syllabus for Physics 110
Physics in Everyday Life
Summer 2009
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.
Apply the following physics concepts to solve
problems based on physical situations and explain
theoretical concepts.
 Motion in One and Two Dimensions
 Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
 Work and Energy Principles
 Conservation of Energy and Momentum
 Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum
 Gravity, Static Equilibrium, and Fluids
 Oscillations
 Wave Motion, Superposition, and Standing
Waves
 Electricity and Magnetism Principles
2. analyze physical data, integrate concepts, formulate
a method of solution, and clearly articulate the
method of solution and why it was chosen
 Homework
 Tests
 Rubric
 Student self/peer
assessment
 Homework
 Tests
Grading Policy:
Course grades: The grade you receive will be based on your exam scores 55%, quiz scores 15%,
and final exam score 30%. Note, the final is cumulative.
90% will guarantee a grade of at least A
80% will guarantee a grade of at least B
70% will guarantee a grade of at least C
60% will guarantee a grade of at least D
Exams: Attendance is required at scheduled exams and the final exam.
Make-up of Exams: There will be no makeup exams! If you miss an exam it will be recorded as
a zero. If your final exam percentage is higher than your lowest exam score then your lowest
exam will be replaced by your final percentage. If more than one exam is missed it will be
recorded as a zero.
Quizzes: You will have several quizzes throughout the semester. Quizzes will be worth 10 points
each.
Make-up of Quizzes: Since your lowest quiz grades will be thrown out there will be no makeup
quizzes!
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Syllabus for Physics 110
Physics in Everyday Life
Summer 2009
Attendance: Regular class attendance is an important part of educational success and is expected of
all students. Students who miss class are responsible for the material covered that day, including
obtaining the homework assignments and lecture notes. Attendance will not be a calculated part
of your grade, but you are responsible for all announcements made in class. I also reserve the
right to give unannounced quizzes.
Classroom restrictions:
Children will not be allowed into the classroom.
Food will not be allowed into the classroom.
Beverages, except water, will not be allowed into the classroom.
Required Writing and Reading: Students are expected to read the material in the textbook for each
section studied. Required writings will be part of most assignments and exams as students
explain how they found the solution, describe their solution graphically, and interpret their
answer in the context of the problem.
Homework: You are expected to do the assigned homework. It is expected that, at a minimum, 2
hours of outside work will be required for each hour in the classroom. This is a minimum. Some
students will require more outside homework time. Also note that nothing precludes you from
doing more than the required work. Extra work may be brought up by you in class or during
office hours for questions and help.
Incomplete grade: An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date, can
reasonably be expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by
extreme circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate
family). Incomplete grades are not given for such reasons as unjustified failure to appear for the
final examination. A written agreement, outline the requirements to be met, must be signed by
the instructor and the student. The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the
end of the following semester (spring semester for incompletes granted during the fall, and the
following fall for incompletes given during the spring and summer semesters). By the agreed
upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or the incomplete will be changed to an ‘F’ if the
requirements are not completed.
Beliefs:
Student Learning: Learning is a life-long process. In order to enhance the learning process,
students need to take responsibility for their learning. This means being responsible in
completing assignments, attending and participating in classes, and studying. It also means taking
the initiative to ask questions when something is not understood and seeking assistance outside
of class, from the instructor or tutors if there are further unanswered questions or problems.
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Syllabus for Physics 110
Physics in Everyday Life
Summer 2009
Instructor’s Role: The instructor’s role is to aid the students by creating a positive learning
environment where students feel free to ask questions, feel free to learn from mistakes, and are
encouraged to develop their curiosity. The instructor’s role is to help the students develop
problem solving skills and to provide guidance to students in discovering concepts and solutions
themselves.
Methods of Instruction will include lectures, discussions, and group work that will emphasize
applying problem solving strategies to discover and reinforce concepts.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland
Community College and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs.
Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work
violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic
dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure,
suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may
have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification
of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or
administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college
catalog.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you
write a paper, create a project, do a presentation, or create anything original, it is assumed
that all the work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own.
Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
 Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
 Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
 Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
 Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
 Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were
your own.
 Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it
were your own.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for plagiarism
may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in the course or
expulsion from school in extreme cases.
Syllabus Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.
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