Memorial High School
Spring Branch Independent School District
Mrs. Tamara Nixon
Physics Syllabus
tamara.nixon@springbranchisd.com
x2665
2015-2016
Rm. W101
Text: Serway and Faughn Texas Physics. USA; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. Print.
Website: my.hrw.com Login and password will be given out in class.
Course Content: (subject to change)
Chapter 1
Introduction: Lab Safety, About Science
Chapter 2-4
Motion: Linear Motion, Graphing, Vectors, Projectiles, Free Fall, Newton’s
Laws
Chapter 5-6
Momentum and Conservation Laws: Momentum, Work, Power, Energy
Chapter 6-7
Gravitation: Circular Motion, Gravity
Chapter 9-10
Thermodynamics: Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics
Chapter 16-20
Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics, Electric Fields, Electric Current,
Electric Circuits, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction
Chapter 11-12
Waves and Sound Energy: Waves, Sound
Chapter 13-15 Light Energy: Light, Color, Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction, Interference
Materials: You will need to bring the following items to class each day: a pen or pencil, a
notebook with pockets, notebook paper, composition notebook, and graph paper. In addition,
I will need to collect and store for our use in the classroom 1 box of Kleenex and 1 roll of paper
towels.
Grading System
The nine-weeks grades in this class are calculated using the following:
Type of Evaluation
Exams / Major Projects
Quizzes
Labs
Daily/Homework
Total
% of Total Grade
40%
20%
25%
15%
100%
Course Requirements
1. Homework – Mostly Online (see separate handout)
Homework is assigned to help you succeed in this class. It is essential that you do the
assignments in order to learn the material. Please see separate handout on how to log-in
and complete assignments. Paper copies must be arranged ahead of time.
2. Late/ Missing Work –
Late work will not be accepted!
It is the student’s responsibility to ask for missed work. Tests, labs and quizzes will be
made up before school from 7:00-7:45 or by special arrangement with the teacher.
As stated in the Student Handbook, students are allowed one day to make up work for
each day missed. Students should refer to the Student Handbook to review the make-up
policy for school activities, suspensions, and truancy.
3. Notebooks
It is essential that you keep a notebook for this course! Being organized makes studying
for the final much easier. Also if you have any questions or concerns about your grade –
you must provide documentation of the work you have done. In other words – don’t
throw anything away until your LAST report card.
You will use a composition notebook to record your notes and laboratory data.
Throughout the grading period, composition notebooks will be collected and graded.
4. Labs/Class activities
Each week, time will be spent completing lab activities - whether they are individual labs,
classroom activities, or student/teacher demonstrations. Labs may be graded by
participation, lab report, and/or a lab quiz. All lab data should be recorded in your
composition notebook.
Make-up Labs – If you are absent when a lab is performed you must physically come to
class and make it up. THIS DOES NOT MEAN COPYING THE INFORMATION
FROM YOUR LAB PARTNERS!!!! If you are not present on the day of a lab and do not
make it up outside of class you will receive a zero on the assignment. If a student misses a
lab, they must make it up within one week following the absence or it will be a zero.
5. Exams/Quizzes
There will be an assessment given for each unit or topic within a unit. These assessments
will include a variety of problems: multiple choice, true-false, short answer, and numerical
problems. Evaluation will be based on the correctness of the answer and the completeness
of the work shown. Assessments in this class will be given on even (date) numbered days.
Assessments may be given electronically as well. Paper versions must be arranged ahead
of time.
If a student misses a test or quiz they will make it up on the first day they return to
class.
6. TUTORIALS:
We are in this together. Please participate in class and come in to see me when you need
additional help. I am available to help you with any material that you do not understand
after school or by appointment. Please make arrangements with me so I am sure to be in
my room.
7. Technology
Students will use technology in this class including (but not limited to) laptops, netbooks,
iPads, etc… Students are expected to demonstrate responsible digital citizenship. Please
see SBISD’s Acceptable Use Policy in the Secondary Student Handbook.
8. Class Code of Conduct: The Way of the Scientist
1. I will be honest:
2. I will be safe:
3. I will be respectful:
4. I will be effective:
Scientist don’t make excuses, they make improvements.
Life is precious. Protect it.
Respect and be respected.
Think like a scientist. Work like a machine.
9. Class Rules
1. Talk appropriately: Do not swear. Do not talk while others are speaking.
2. No distractions in class: I should not see or hear electronics. Electronic devices are placed
in their appropriate container when you enter the room. Keep beauty supplies and food
put away during class.
3. Respect others’ space & property: Do not touch your peers or their stuff without
permission or inappropriately.
4. Follow directions quickly: Quickly do what I ask.
5. No arguing or defiance: If you disagree with what I say or do first breathe and think,
then let me know via a written note. We will discuss the issue the next time we meet.
9. Discipline Management Plan
Students are to follow the class rules and conduct themselves in a manner that learning to
take place. Inappropriate behavior will be addressed in the following manner:
1st Offense Warning & Documentation
2nd Offense Documentation & Parent contacted
3rd Offense
Office Referral