Physics 170
Lecture 1:00 - 1:50pm M, W, F GSC 207
Labs 10:40 - 12:30 and 1:00 - 2:50 Tuesdays GSC 211
Dr. Amy Engebretson
GSC 200
Office: 274-4910
Home: 275-2334
engebretson@augie.edu
Office hours: 9:00 – 10:00am (M, W, F)
Description: This is the second semester of an algebra based introductory physics
course with an emphasis on life science applications.
Course Objectives: During the first half of this semester we will discover the
principles and laws governing electromagnetism. We will then study the properties and
behavior of light as it passes through and interacts with various media. Finally, we will
discuss the structure of the atom and the rules governing its substructures. While
discussing these topics, we will apply our knowledge to explain some of the physical
phenomena that we experience every day. The student will also develop problem
solving skills which then can be applied to other areas of study.
Learning Outcomes. By the end of the semester, the student should be confident
enough in their understanding of the physics of electromagnetism, light, and atoms to
solve basic physics problems and understand some of the physical phenomena which
surround us everyday.
Class participation: Physics is a subject best learned through active participation
of the student in classroom lectures and activities. Thus class attendance is
expected. During the M, W, F class time, there will be both lecture and problem solving
sessions. The calendar on WebAssign will display the material to be covered each day
and/or the activity so that students can be prepared when they enter the classroom. If
you are unable to attend a class or lab session, please let me know so that we
can make alternative arrangements.
Course information: As stated above, information about this course, such as
homework assignments, their due dates and a class schedule can be found on the
WebAssign calendar. This calendar will be updated weekly. This course also has a
web site www.augie.edu/dept/phys/Physics170.shtml. This web site contains an
example of the proper format for problems which are turned in, solutions for exams and
problem days and useful links.
Text: College Physics, 2nd Edition by Paul Peter Urone
Grades: Your course grades will be based on homework, in class problem solving,
labs, 4 unit exams, and a comprehensive final. No late assignments will be graded
unless previous arrangements have been made.
Homework:
The homework is Web assigned and worth 7.5% of your grade. To do this
homework, you must log on to http:/www.webassign.net/student.html. Your
username is the same as your name on the Augustana network, your institution
is Augie, and your password is initially set to your student ID number. You
should change your password once you have successfully logged in. You will
have to purchase a student access code, either from the book store or online
from WebAssign. The homework is set up so that you may submit a solution for
each problem until you get it correct or you have tried 20 times. You will no
longer be able to input solutions for a grade after 5 pm on the due date of the
assignment. Occasionally WebAssign will have a glitch and not accept a correct
answer. If you are confident in your answer and WebAssign will not accept it,
please send me an email or stop by my office so I can check your answer.
Problem Days:
After each chapter or two, we will have a day devoted to problem solving. These
“Problem Days” will be worth 7.5% of your grade. The purpose of these days is
to apply the physics learned in the chapters and to improve problem solving
skills. For these problems, the method is much more important then the final
numerical answer. See the attached example for the proper solution format for
these problems.
Labs: These are a mixture of experiments, computer simulations, and problem
solving. They are worth 15% of your grade.
Exams: There will be four unit exams. Exams 1 and 4 are worth 15% of your
grade and exams 2 and 3 are worth 12.5% due to the fact that they cover less
material. They are tentatively scheduled as follows:




Exam 1 Ch 17 - 20
Exam 2 Ch 21 - 23
Exam 3 Ch 24 - 25
Exam 4 Ch 26 - 30
March 5
March 28
April 18
May 14th – concurrent with the final
There will also be a comprehensive final May 14th at 8:00 am worth 15% of your
grade. It will consist of 3 sections which coincide with the first three unit exams
and one section which will be the 4th exam. Students will be allowed to pick one
section of the final to replace a unit exam score if they wish.
Grades will be assigned along the following percentages:
Grade
A+
A
A-
Percentage Grade
100 - 98
B+
97 - 92
B
91 - 90
B-
Percentage Grade
89 - 88
C+
87 - 82
C
81 - 80
C-
Percentage Grade
79 - 78
D+
77 - 72
D
71 - 70
D-
Percentage
69 - 66
65 - 62
61 - 55
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing
in any form, you will receive a failing grade for the course and be reported to the college
for appropriate disciplinary action.
Extra help: Tutors will be provided in Rm 210 during the evenings. Their schedule
will be posted on the physics office door.
Augustana College seeks to maintain a supportive academic environment for students
with disabilities. Students who have documented disabilities on file with the Student
Academic Support Office (SASS) may choose to meet with me at the beginning of the
semester to discuss reasonable accommodations. Other students who may have
questions or concerns about disability services are encouraged to contact Susan Bies in
the SASS Office which is located in the Career Center Suite, room 100 in the Edith
Mortenson Center.
It is the responsibility of each student to know and follow all of the written
guidance given by the instructor in this syllabus.