PHYSICS 101 - Fall 2007
Instructor: Dr. Dan Bruton
Email: astro@sfasu.edu
Office: 322H, 315A Miller Science
Phone: 468-2360
Office Hours: 11am -12:20pm TR, 2-5pm T, 2-4pm R, 12-2pm F, or by appointment
Course Home Page: http://www.physics.sfasu.edu/astro/courses/phy101.html
Material: Conceptual Physics 10th Edition by P.G. Hewitt with Clicker and Physics 101 Lab Manual
I. Course Objective
The objective of this course is to become familiar with the basic physical concepts and principles of waves, sound, light,
and mechanics. A conceptual rather than a mathematical point of view is emphasized.
II. Course Information
PHY 101L laboratory is a corequisite, and a new edition of the lab manual is available in the bookstores. For each
student, lecture and lab scores will be combined to determine an overall grade in PHY 101. Each student will then receive
this overall grade for both lecture and lab
III. Exams
There will be three major exams plus a comprehensive final exam. The exam questions cover the material in the
assigned chapters. The second and final exams will contain special sections devoted to questions pertaining to the lab.
The dates of these exams are listed in the course outline on the back of this page. The exams are multiple-choice with
about 50 questions. Each student must provide a SCANTRON form number 882-ES in order to take each exam.
Students will have three class days after each exam to review the exams and discuss the grades. No make-up exams will
be given except in the case of an excused absence. A written and signed notice is required for an excused absence
within three days of the exam. Laboratory test will be given with Exam 2 and with the Final Exam. The first lab test
covers the first six experiments, and the second lab test covers the remaining six experiments.
IV. In-Class Participation – Clicker Grade
You must bring your clicker to class every day. Attendance will be taken using the clicker on most days during the first 60
seconds of class. To make sure that you are going to arrive to class on time you can set your watch here:
http://www.time.gov/. During class, we will engage in discussions and occasional activities using clicker technology
(PRS, Presentation Response System). Participation in these activities will form part of your final grade. You cannot earn
class participation points if you don’t have a clicker. Do not let anyone else use your clicker. If you are observed using
two clickers you will receive no credit for the In-Class Participation Grade portion of your final grade.
V. Grading
Course Points = 140  (Exam 1)
+ 140  (Exam 2)
+ 140  (Exam 3)
+ 140  (Final Exam)
+ 50  (Lab Exam 1)
+ 50  (Lab Exam 2)
+ 100  (Lab Experiments)
+ 80 x (Clicker Grade)
720-800 Points
640-719 Points
560-639 Points
480-559 Points
0-479 Points
-
A
B
C
D
F
Stephen F. Austin
State University
All exams (including the final) are weighted equally, and the lecture portion of the course accounts for 75% of the total
grade. The cutoffs for each letter grade are firm. No extra credit work will be assigned to individuals. The final exam
cannot be taken early. Notice that 40 out of the 80 possible points for the Clicker Grades are bonus points. This means
that not participating in the clicker exercises can cost you 5% of your grade if you do not participate, or improve your
overall grade by a much as 5% if you do participate in the clicker activities.
VI. Special Accommodations
If special accommodations for individuals with disabilities are needed that can be provided by this program, please contact
me or the department chair. Alternate formats for this material are available upon request.
VII. Classroom Policies
For the benefit of your fellow students and your instructor, you are expected to practice common courtesy with regard to
all course interactions. For example:
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Be considerate toward your classmates and instructor and arrive to class on time.
Do not leave class early and do not rustle papers in preparation to leave before class is dismissed.
Avoid classroom distractions. Be attentive in class: stay awake, do not read newspapers, etc.
If you are late to class or must leave early please inform your instructor in advance (enter or leave quietly,
don’t walk across the front of the classroom (use the side aisles) and don’t walk in front of the projector).
Cell phones, pagers and other communication devices must be turned off during class.
Play well with others. Be kind and respectful to your fellow students and your teachers.
Here is the University Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:
http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/academic_integrity.asp
Cheating includes but is not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better
grade on a component of a class (homework, clicker, exams, lecture or lab); (2) the falsification or invention of any
information, and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Penalties may include no
credit for component or failure of the course.
VIII. Email Communications
Make sure you always use your SFA e-mail account for network correspondence. Messages from your instructor
will be sent to your SFA email account periodically. To get a free SFA email account go to
https://apache.sfasu.edu/accountman/. You may forward e-mail from your SFA e-mail address to another address of
your choice. To do this use this link: https://apache.sfasu.edu/accountman/mailindex.html
IX. Hints for Success in Physics 101
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You will benefit much more from lecture if you scan or read the text material before coming to class.
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Attend class and take notes. Don’t try to copy everything I say, write on the board, or show in slides or video. Leave
enough space in your notes to complement them through a thorough reading of the text material. I generally present
material in class in the same order as the text. This makes it easier for you to augment your notes.
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Make use of the material at the end of each chapter. Study the “Summary of Terms” and answer the “Review
Questions” (the answers for which are found in the text). Practice on the “Exercises” for they will assist you in
applying physics.
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As an exam draws near, read the applicable chapters again a few days prior to the exam. On the night before an
exam rely on your notes and the material at the ends of the chapters.
If you have problems in trying to comprehend this material, please do not hesitate to come and visit with me. I have
truly enjoyed working with students and often I have found I am most effective with them when they have brought their
questions and problems to me in my office.