Physics 1501: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I
Summer Syllabus
Course Code #2501 (M, W, F 09:00-12:00, Room 2006) Catalogue #1501
Instructor: Dr. Tom N. Oder
Contacts: Office – Ward Beecher Hall Room 1016; Phone (330) 941-7111
E-Mail: tnoder@ysu.edu, website: http://www.ysu.edu/physics/tnoder
Office Hours: M, W, F 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm.
Class web site: http://www.ysu.edu/physics/tnoder/X07-PHYS2501/index.html
Required Materials:
(a) Text: College Physics Second Edition- By A. Giambattista, B. M. Richardson and R. C. Richardson.
(b) Class Performance System Radio Frequency response Pad (CPS-RF).
(c) Sign up online at www.eInstruction.com. See instructions here attached.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is the first in a two-semester sequence of algebra-based introductory physics courses. Topics covered will
include kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, and rotational kinematics, torque, angular momentum, simple harmonic
motion, and mechanical waves.
The course is a General Education course in the Natural Science domain and emphasizes the following goals in General
Education: (2) acquiring, processing and presenting quantitative and qualitative information using the most appropriate
technologies including computers; (3) reasoning critically, drawing sound conclusions and applying those conclusions to
one’s life and society; (6) understanding the scientific method, forming and testing hypotheses as well as evaluating
results (7) realizing the evolving relationship in science, technology ad society; (13) understanding and appreciating the
natural environment and the processes that shape it.
At the end of the course, the student should be acquainted with basic physical principles and should have experience in
critical thinking and problem solving techniques and in applying scientific methods.
A strong background in algebra (Math 1504 or equivalent high school algebra and trigonometry) is a necessary
requirement before enrolling in this course.
While class attendance will not be recorded, it is strongly advised and sometimes may be rewarded. You will be
responsible for everything discussed in class during lectures. It is the student’s responsibility to be prepared for each
class by reading the text and doing the assigned homework.
In accordance with University procedures, if you have a documented disability and require accommodation to obtain
equal access in this course, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. You must be registered with the
Disability Services Office at Wick House (corner of Wick Avenue and the Access Road) and provide a letter of
accommodation to verify your eligibility. You can reach the Disability Service Office at (330) 941-1372.
Homework:
This course is a problem solving, logic-oriented course. You will find below a list of selected homework problems for
you to work on. These will not be collected or graded but should provide you with essential practice on the concepts
being studied. By working through them, you will develop experience in problem solving, critical thinking and applying
scientific method.
Quizzes
Short in-class quizzes will be given unannounced. In addition, worksheets will be given. Your QUIZ GRADE will come
from your score in the in-class quizzes and worksheets. There will be no make-up for the quizzes or worksheets. The
lowest three scores of your quizzes/worksheets will be dropped and the remainder computed as a percentage of the total
possible points obtained.
Exams
Midterm Exam 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 Friday, June 1st.
Midterm Exam 2: Chapters 5, 6, 7 Monday, June 11th.
Midterm Exam 3: Chapters 8, 10, 11 Friday, June 22nd.
Final Exam:
Chapters 1-8, 10-12. Friday, June 29th, 09:00 am – 12:00 am.
Exam questions will be developed from assigned homework, quizzes, worksheets and class notes. All exams will be inclass (closed-book) and no make-ups. In all exams, relevant equations, physical constants and conversion factors will be
provided. If one midterm exam is missed, a grade for the missed exam will be extracted from the relevant section of your
final exam. The student must inform the instructor ahead of time or not later than three days following the missed exam.
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If the final exam or more than one midterm exams are missed, an incomplete or a failing grade for the course will be
assigned, depending on the circumstances. The student must request the incomplete grade. Approval for incomplete
grades will only be given if the student is passing the course at the time of the request and if he/she has acceptable reason
for the request.
Final Grade:
540 – 600 points (90% - 100%) = A
Grading:
480 – 539 points (80% - 89%) = B
Quizzes/Worksheets---------------------100 points
420 – 479 points (70% - 79%) = C
Midterm Exams (100 points each) --- 300 points
360 – 419 points (60% - 69%) = D
Final Exams ----------------------------- 200 points
0 – 359 points (0% - 59%) = F
Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned off during class and exam sessions. A student whose cell phone audibly goes
on during any exam will lose 5% of his/her points in that exam.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty constitute a serious violation of University conduct
regulations and may be punished by failure in the exam, paper or project; failure in the course; and/or additional
sanctions. For more information refer to the “Academic Misconduct” page 40 of the YSU Undergraduate Bulletin, 20062007.
Assigned Homework
Week
Date
Chapter
1
May 21, 23, 25
Ch. 1, Ch. 2
2
May 30, June 1
3
June 4, 6, 8
Ch. 3, Ch. 4,
Exam #1 (Ch. 1, 2, 3)
Ch. 5, Ch. 6
4
June 11, 13, 15
5
June 18, 20, 22
6
June 25, 27, 29
Ch.7, Ch. 8
Exam #2 (Ch. 4, 5, 6)
Ch. 10, Ch. 11
Exam #3 (Ch. 7, 8, 10)
Ch. 11, Ch. 12
Final Exam (Ch. 1-12)
Homework [CQ = Conceptual Questions, MCQ = Multiple
Choice Questions, P = Problems]
Appendix A1– A8, Ch.1: CQ 4,9, MCQ 1,3,7,9,10 and P 1,12,23,62
Ch.2: CQ 6, 12, MCQ 4, 5, 7, 9 and P 1, 10, 19, 27,33,48,56,74
Ch.3: CQ 9,11,14,15, MCQ 2,5,17 and P 5,16,31,34,47,48,62
Ch.4: CQ 2,4,7 MCQ 1, 4, 8, 13 and P 6,12,16,17,22,36,46,53
Ch.5: CQ 4, 8, MCQ 1, 7, 8 and P 3, 5, 16, 20,21,30,50,61
Ch.6: CQ 1, 2, 9, MCQ 7, 8 and P 1,2,15,19,23,31,53,57,64,69
Ch.7: CQ 2,10, MCQ 2,7, 8, 9 10,11,12 and P1, 2, 9,18,20,41,47,62
Ch.8, CQ5, MCQ 1,6 and P 4,5,7,11,16,20,23,24,27,33,36,60,70
Ch.10: CQ 2, 8, MCQ 5, 11, 12, 13 and P 28,30,47,49,55,60
Ch.11: MCQ1, 4, 6 and P 2,7,12,13,36,41,47,51
Ch.12: CQ3, 12, MCQ 1, 2, 3, 8 and P 1,2,11,12,25,30
Study Hints:
1. Arm yourself with a good positive attitude. Physics isn't as complicated as most people think. A majority of the
ideas are of the simple, common sense type. Review the required math (e.g. Appendix A in the text) from time to
time.
2. Read through the textbook ahead of the lecture. Pay attention to the equations and figures. Try to think up examples
of where the physical ideas might be applicable. In class, don't just copy equations and diagrams. Listen to the
instructor and write down relevant ideas behind the equations and diagrams even if they appear obvious!
3. If you need clarification, write down your questions so you can ask the instructor later. Then ask the instructor later!
4. It helps to study the examples in the book in order to learn how to solve problems. Work through the assigned
problems neatly and keep your work. Read the questions and simple exercises at the end of the chapter. Can you
answer them?
5. In physics, the same idea may be expressed in several ways: in words, as a picture, as an equation, and as a graph.
Look for the main idea and try to transform one type of expression into another e.g. equation into words, graph into
equation etc.
6. Make use of the resources available at YSU. The Center for Student Progress is a resource on Campus established to
help student successfully complete their university experience. Please phone (330) 941-3538 or visit the Center for
assistance “working the system” for tutoring or for individualized assistance with social and academic success. It is
located at Kilcawley West under the bookstore.
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