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RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
SCHOOL OF THEORETICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCE (TAS)
SYLLABUS - PHYS 110 – 01: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I
FALL 2009
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Instructor: Dr. C. Brisson, Assistant Professor of Engineering Physics
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E-mail: cbrisson@ramapo.edu
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Phone: (201) 684 7129
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Office Hours: G 154B, Mondays 3:30 - 4:30 pm and Thursdays 3:30– 5:30 pm;
Appointments can be scheduled for those students who cannot make official hours.
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Schedule:
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Mondays and Thursdays: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Building G, Room 117
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Mid-term exam: Thursday, 22nd October
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Final Exam: Thursday, December 17 2009 (2:00 – 4:00 pm)
Text: Serway and Vuille, College Physics, 8th ed., Brooks / Cole Cengage learning 2009,
ISBN 0-495-38693-6 |978-0-495-38693-3
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Course Objective:
The objective of this course is to develop an understanding of the principles of physics.
Emphasis will be placed on developing problem-solving skills.
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Course Description:
This is a 4-credit course including a laboratory session. During the first semester (of a
two-semester sequence) the fundamental principles of Mechanics and Thermodynamics
will be covered.
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Weekly class schedule:
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Week 1: Introduction
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Week 2: Motion in One Dimension
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Week 3: Vectors and Two-Dimensional Motion
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Week 4: The Laws of Motion
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Week 5: Energy
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Week 6: Momentum and Collisions
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Week 7: Review + Midterm Exam
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Week 8: Rotational Motion and the Law of Gravity
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Week 9: Rotational Equilibrium
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Week 10: Rotational Dynamics
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Week 11: Solids and Fluids
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Week 12: Thermal Physics
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Week 13: Energy in Thermal Processes
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Week 14: The Laws of Thermodynamics + Review
Assignments:
Homework from the textbook will be assigned weekly and be due the following week
before class. Homework problems must be done on the web using “WebAssign”
(www.webassign.net).
Note: if you encounter any problem using WebAssign, a hardcopy of your work must
be handed the due date before class. Late homework will be graded zero!
Note: If you purchased a used book, you may separately purchase WebAssign on-line.
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Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given randomly during the semester at the beginning of the class.
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Grading:
Mid-term: 30%; Final: 30%; Homework assignments: 10%; Quizzes: 10%; Class
participation: 5%; Laboratory: 15%
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Make-Up Policy:
Only under exceptional circumstances will a make-up exam be permitted. Also Make-up
exams will be more difficult since there is more time to prepare. Missed exams will be
graded zero. Missed homework and quizzes will be graded zero and cannot be made up.
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Study Hours:
In order to perform well in college level courses, students should expect to spend a
minimum of two hours of study time for each credit. For this course, it means a
minimum of 8 hours/week.
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Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. No more than two absences are permitted. Students are
required to be punctual. Two late arrival or leaving early = one absence
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College policy states that students must notify faculty within the first three weeks of the
semester if they anticipate missing any classes due to religious observance.
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Electronic Forms of Communication:
In accordance with college policy, I will use your Ramapo college email address
(@ramapo.edu) to communicate with you about all course-related matters.
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Policy on Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to read and understand Ramapo College’s Academic Integrity
Policy, listed in the Ramapo College Catalog. Members of the Ramapo College
community are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors.
Students who are suspected of violating this policy will be referred to the Office of the
Provost.
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Students with disabilities:
If you need course adaptation or accommodations because of a documented disability,
please make an appointment with me.
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Electronic devices:
Laptop computers are not to be used during class unless there is a demonstrable need for
one due to a disability. Cell phones, cameras, IPods are not to be used during class.