Physics 101
Fall 2007
Teacher: Bonnie W. Price, Trexler 161B, Telephone #: 375-2408, Email: price@roanoke.edu
Office Hours: MWF: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Will post additional hours on a weekly basis
Text: David P. Jackson, Priscilla W. Laws, and Scott V. Franklin, Explorations in Physics, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003
Overview/Philosophy: While we will cover the traditional topics of an introductory physics course,
the format of the course will be quite different than the traditional approach. Very little formal
lecturing will take place. Instead, we will attempt to have a very hands-on class where students will do
experiments. Cooperative learning groups, computer-assisted activities, worksheets, etc, will facilitate
the conceptual understanding process. The emphasis here is on understanding not memorizing.
Physics is essentially an experimental science, not a collection of tenets to be handed down. In this
class the focus will be on the process of science as it is motivated through measurements and inquiry.
To that end, it is important to keep up with the material, to do the homework, and attend and
participate in every class.
DATES
August 29—September 17
TOPICS
Introduction; Unit A: Force
September 19-24
Projects for Unit A
September 26
Presentations of Projects for Unit A
September 28
Test on Unit A
October 1 – 12
Unit B: Light, Sight, and Rainbows
October 15-19
Fall Break
October 22 - 26
Continue Unit B: Light, Sight and Rainbows
October 29 – November 2
Projects for Unit B
November 5
Presentations of Projects for Unit B
November 7
Test on Unit B
November 9 - 19
Unit C: Heat, Temperature, and Cloud Formation
November 21 & 23
Thanksgiving Break
November 26 – December 3
Continue Unit C: Heat, Temperature, and Cloud Formation
December 5
Test on Unit C
December 7
Review
December 11, 2007
December 14, 2007
or
Final Exam 8:30 - 11:30 am Block 3
Final Exam 2:00 - 5:00 pm Block 4
Statement of Class Policies
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend every class. Attendance is checked at each meeting. When a student attends class and
participates, completing all assigned work, he/she receives 3 points. Being tardy or leaving early will result in a reduction
of points. If a student is absent for any reason, no points will be awarded for attendance. If a student accumulates five
absences during the semester, a warning letter will be sent. If the sixth absence occurs, for any reason, the student
may be dropped from the course.
Grading:
Exams
Quizzes
Homework
Lab Book
Attendance
Daily Questions
Projects
MCSP Lecture
Final Exam
100 points each
20 points each
10 points each
150 points
3 points each
5 points each
50 points each
20 points
200 points
Grading Scale:
A: > 93
A-: 90-92.9
B+: 87-89.9
B: 83-86.9
B-: 80-82.9
C+: 77-79.9
C: 73-76.9
C-: 70-72.9
D+: 67-69.9
D: 63-66.9
D-: 60-62.9
F: <60
Daily Questions:
At the end of each lab session, several questions posted on Blackboard are to be answered online by each lab group. Each
group discusses their answers before submitting one answer for the group. If a group member is absent, they are still
responsible for the work done in class that day, and need to obtain the experimental data from another student for their lab
book. Also they must answer the Blackboard questions by themselves within 48 hours of returning to class to receive
credit for the daily questions.
Quizzes:
Announced quizzes will be given on Fridays. No makeup quizzes will be given, and a missed grade will be recorded as
a zero. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped when determining your final grade in the course.
Homework:
Homework assignments will be made on Blackboard and in class. A due date will be given for each written assignment.
No late papers will be accepted, even if the student is absent on the assignment’s due date. However, electronic
submissions will be accepted before 5 pm on the due date.
Make-up Exams:
Make-up exams will be given only at the discretion of the instructor. It will be considered only in the event of prior
notification of the absence. Otherwise, a missed exam results in the final exam counting an additional 100 points.
MCSP Lecture:
The Math/Computer Science/Physics professors will be presenting talks to Roanoke College students throughout the
semester. The schedule will be posted in the lab, and announced in class. You are required to attend one session for the
entire length of the talk and questioning time, listen attentively, and write a paragraph on the content of the talk. To receive
credit, the written assignment is to be received within 7 days of the attended lecture.
Electronic Use Policy:
Computers in the lab are networked and you are required to log onto them with your username and password. Printing
graphs will be necessary throughout the semester and pages printed are counted in your total pages allotted by the college.
Therefore, the group should rotate the responsibility of logging onto the system to share the cost of printing. Computers,
including laptops, are not to be used to check email or access the Internet for personal reasons during class. Out of
courtesy to others, all cell phones should be silenced upon arrival to class. Also, MP3 players, cameras and other personal
devices are not to be used during class, except cameras may be helpful during project time. Personal laptops and
calculators may be used as directed.
Students with special academic needs:
If you are on record with the college’s Special Services as having special academic or physical needs requiring
accommodation, please meet with me during my office hours as soon as possible to discuss implementation of your
requests.
Course Restrictions:
Be aware that if you have received credit for any other higher level physics courses at Roanoke College, you can not
receive credit for this course.
Academic Integrity:
The College academic integrity policies are vigorously enforced.