PS 109 General Physical Science
Fall 2012
3 credit hours Pre-requisite: MTH 120,121,123 or CI201
Co-requisite: PS 109L
Instructor:
Phone:
Email:
Text:
Mr. David L. Adkins
304-824-6000 ext. 2137
dvadkins@access.k12.wv.us or adkins20@marshall.edu
Conceptual Physical Science 5th Ed
PS 109L Lab Manual and extra materials by Bady
Office Hours: 4:00 to 4:30 in lab 179, or after lecture
Course Description:
This course is an introduction, for the non-science major, to the concepts of physics and
astronomy: motion, forces, energy transformations, electricity and magnetism, wave
motion and light, the sky, the solar system, the universe. We will be covering chapters
1-7, and 17-19 plus other materials in lecture.
Evaluation and Grading:
A – 93%
B – 85%
C – 75%
D – 65%
Homework,web homework, curriculum items: 15% of overall grade
Quizzes: 6 of them one will be dropped 35% overall grade
Tests: 3 each 40% overall grade
Final Exam: 10% overall grade
Attendance and other Policies:
For an absence to be considered for excused information concerning it must be
provided to instructor prior to next class meeting via voice mail or email.
Homework will not be accepted late, you may email it the night it is due if you needed.
Quizzes cannot be made up, if a quiz is missed it will automatically be the quiz grade
dropped.
Tests can be made up with permission of instructor if done the next class meeting.
Attendance is highly recommended a sign in sheet will be used but it will not count in
the grade.
Approximate Course Outline
Part 1 5 weeks 2 quizzes 1 test and homework
Chapters 1-5
Part 2 5 weeks 2quizzes 1 test and homework
Chapters 6-10
Part 3 5 weeks 2 quizzes 1 test and homework
Chapters 11.26.27. if time permits 28
Final Exam is cumulative
Helpful Ideas
Read the chapters before lecture. Ask questions!!!!!!!!!
Quizzes : These can be mixtures of short answer, math problems, multiple choice, true
false.
Test: similar format to quizzes
Helpful tips for quizzes and test’s:
1. don’t memorize questions and responses
2. memorize concepts and applications
3. know all units of measure and variables
4. practice your math
Reports:
1. For education majors you will be researching the content standards and the
correlation to the material covered in this course.
2. For non-education majors you must write a 1-2 ¶ paper on a science article.
For credit the resource must be sited.
Book and Extra Assignments:
1. Each chapter will have a list of questions and problems to work and answer
on your own.
2. You will called at random at the beginning of lecture to answer one from the
book, this will be recorded as a grade
Homework:
1. This will be hand outs in class or questions from the book, plus assignments
based upon mastering physics online problems.