PHYS 1114_401_22455
Tulsa Community College – West Campus
Syllabus for General Physics I
Spring 2015
Course: PHYS1114
CRN: 22455
Section: 401
Time: 11:00 – 12:20pm T R
Lab: 1:00 – 3:50pm T
Room: WCSM 216
Instructor: Dr. Christine Russell
Email: christine.russell1@tulsacc.edu
The best way to reach me is via email. If you cannot email, then you can leave a message with the
Academic and Campus Services Department. Office Hours are by appointment only.
ACS: Room I-106 (Information Commons Building)
Math and Science Department:
Office Phone: 595-8193
Office #:
S-160
Phone: (918) 595-8060
Associate Dean: Dr. Bryan Coppage, Interm
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR
When emailing me, please put in the subject line: PHYS-401 in the subject line along with an
appropriate subject line. Please allow 24 hours for a reply during the week and 48 hours on the
weekend. USE YOUR TCC Outlook email account ONLY! I will not reply to non-TCC email
accounts. I will frequently contact you via Blackboard which only sends email to your TCC
account - this includes class cancellations - so check it frequently. When you e-mail me, use proper
English, spelling, and punctuation (not text messaging).
STUDENT SUPPORT INFORMATION:
https://bb.tulsacc.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/DL/student_support.htm
Read the entire syllabus and print it for your reference during the semester!
COURSE PREREQUISITE
MTH 1513 or MTH 1454 or equivalent, or by permission of instructor. Recent successful completion of
these prerequisites is assumed.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An algebra based approach to the study of classical physics. Physics for the liberal arts student. Study of
the principles of elementary physics involving mechanics, heat, fluids, waves, sound.
PHYS 1114_401_22455
NEXT COURSE IN SEQUENCE
General Physics 2.
TRANSFERABILITY
Please visit with the TCC Counseling Center or the Counseling Center at the college or university to
which you plan to transfer to determine transferability status of this course.
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS





Textbook: Physics, 4th Edition, by James Walker
Lab handouts will be given each week.
A scientific calculator. It does not need to be a graphing calculator. Any calculator with an “EE”,
“E”, or “EXP” button will do. You may use a graphing calculator if you have one and wish to.
You will need to bring your calculator to every class. You will also need a computer with internet
access. If you do not have one at home, you have access to the computer lab at any TCC
campus.
Addition Math/Science help: Technology Learning Center - Information Commons I-166. (918595-8122)
GENERAL EDUCATION GOAL STATEMENT
The General Education Goals are designed to ensure that graduates of Tulsa Community College have
the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to carry them successfully through their work and their personal
lives. General Education Goals relevant to this course include: Critical Thinking; Effective
Communication; Engaged Learning; Technological Proficiency.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student should be able to analyze a problem and proceed through a series of logical mathematical
steps to solve it.
TEACHING METHODS
Class will consist of lecture, demonstrations, and problem solving. Class feedback, participation, and
questions are expected from all students. Lecture notes will be available online.
BLACKBOARD
When you enrolled for this course you were automatically enrolled in our Blackboard course site. To
access Blackboard you can select Blackboard from the top of TCC’s website or use
https://bb.tulsacc.edu. You log into the site using your campus wide ID (CWID) and
password. If you have any questions, ask a computer tech in the computer lab for help or call the help
desk at 595-2000. During the semester I will post grades on our Blackboard course site. At the end of
the semester your course grade will be posted on our Blackboard site and TED.
PHYS 1114_401_22455
ATTENDANCE
You are encouraged to attend class regularly and be on time. Attendance will be taken at each class
session. Poor attendance usually has a negative effect upon your grade. After six undocumented
absences, you will be given a grade of AW. Students who are absent from class are responsible for
obtaining information and handouts given in the missed class session. I will not meet with you
separately to simply tell you what was missed.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
This is a college level course; therefore, your behavior is expected to reflect accordingly.
•
•
•
•
•
Your cell phone or other electronic devices should not be used during class unless required for
an assignment. Keep your phone on silent and refrain from texting or surfing during class. I
reserve the right to ask you to leave the classroom if you are texting or otherwise disturbing the
class. If you have a reason for needing to maintain your cellular activity during class, please
speak with me privately regarding your situation.
Please do not leave the classroom except in case of an emergency.
Comments and language should be respectful and appropriate for a college community.
You must clean up your lab station appropriately before leaving the room. Neglecting to do so
will lower your lab grade.
NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE LAB!
HOMEWORK
Homework will be completed online using the Mastering Physics program. This program should have
been bundled with your textbook. If not, you can purchase it via the vendor’s website:
masteringphysics.com
Any problems with your account should be directed to them first.
You are responsible for registering for this class. You will need the following things to register:
 Your name
 Your student ID number
 The course ID: TCCWEST22455
 An email address that you check frequently.
EXAMS
Four tests will be given in class. One exam grade will be dropped. If you miss an exam for any reason,
that exam becomes a zero and will be your dropped grade. If you miss no exams, your lowest grade
will be dropped.
PHYS 1114_401_22455
FINAL EXAM
The comprehensive Final Exam must be taken on campus during our scheduled final exam time as noted
on the class calendar. Use your exams to review and prepare for the final. You will be given a sheet of
formulas. No books or other notes may be used on the tests.
EVALUATION TECHNIQUES
Grading will be based on the following percentages:
Lab Reports
25%
Exams (10% each for three out of four exams)
30%
Final Exam
15%
Homework
20%
Classwork and Participation
10%
Total
100%
Grade:
Percentage:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
MAKE-UP POLICY
There will be no makeup opportunities for coursework. One lab report will be dropped and one exam
will be dropped to accommodate absences.
FINAL EXAM: If there is a scheduling conflict, your instructor must be informed at least 2 weeks prior
to the scheduled final exam.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Withdrawing from the class is the responsibility of the student. To withdraw from the
class, the student must initiate an official withdrawal through the counseling office. Failure to withdraw
may result in the student earning a grade of “F” at the end of the semester. (See attendance policy.) No
incomplete grade will be issued for this course.
Withdrawal or change to an audit after the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the
current and future semesters. Students may receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation
leaves a balance due to TCC. The last date to withdraw or change from credit to audit for
the Spring 2015 session is Friday, April 10, 2015.
ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL FOR NON-PARTICIPATION
If the student does not attend a course or participate in an online course by the end of the refund period
the student will be issued a final grade of AW (Administrative Withdrawal) for the course, and will be
PHYS 1114_401_22455
responsible for tuition and fees. To receive a refund, the student must officially withdraw by the end of
the refund period.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY OR MISCONDUCT
Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about
the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses
within the TCC system. TCC adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action
to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include but are not limited to, the
dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a
faculty member may:
 Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a
substitute assignment or test. (Not an option in my class.)
 Record a “zero” for the assignment or test in question.
 Record a grade of “F” for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that
disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a
request to the dean of Student Services.
Do not hand in identical copies of your lab reports. Each student should turn in their individual work.
The only shared information is data. Calculations and summaries should be your own work. Copied
reports will result in a zero for all parties.
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned nor tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa
Community College system. See the college’s Academic Integrity Statement in the student handbook:
http://www.tulsacc.edu/sites/default/files/StudentHandbook2014.pdf#page=7
DISABILITY RESOURCES
It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments.
Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the
Education Access Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918)
595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT
Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC
Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, TCC Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook, and
semester information listed in the Class Schedule. This includes academic
dishonesty or misconduct, and computer services acceptable use.
INCLEMENT WEATHER AND CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY
TCC will be open for classes unless it is announced otherwise through TCC Alerts, television or radio
stations. TCC Alerts is a mass notification system used by the College to notify students and
employees of critical incidents or weather related emergencies. You can register for TCC Alerts in your
PHYS 1114_401_22455
MyTCC Account. Look for the “TCC Alerts” tab. If I decide to cancel class because of inclement weather
or other unexpected reasons, I will post an announcement on Blackboard and send an email to your TCC
address.
CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS
Changes to the syllabus or schedule will be announced in class and on Blackboard.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Time, focus, energy, and time priority management are all necessary to be
successful in Physics.
•
•
Designate several times each week as study times.
Be organized. Use a notebook to keep your syllabus, notes, activities and homework. Get a TCC
planner at the Student Activities Office and use it.
Keep up with assignments and tests. This is the single most important way to succeed
in this class and there is no substitute. If you don't have time to keep-up, you won't find
time to catch-up.
If you have computer problems at home, remember computers are available on all TCC campuses.
Lack of internet access is not an excuse for late work.
Do class work regularly.
If you run into trouble, get help immediately. Ask for help by e-mail or at the Math Lab.
•
•
•
•
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Chapters
Introduction and One-Dimensional Kinematics (Chapters 1-2)
One-Dimensional Kinematics and Vectors (Chapters 2-3)
Two-Dimensional Kinematics (Chapter 4)
Newton’s Laws (Chapter 5)
Applications of Newton’s Laws (Chapter 6)
Gravity and Work (Chapters 12, 7)
Work and Energy (Chapters 7-8)
Conservation of Energy (8)
Linear Momentum and Collisions (Chapter 9)
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Rotational Kinematics & Dynamics (Chapters 10-11)
Equilibrium (Chapter 11)
Simple Harmonic Motion (Chapter 13)
Waves & Sound (Chapters 14)
Fluids & Temperature and Heat (Chapters 15-16)
Ideal Gases & Thermodynamics
Thursday, May 7th, 2015 11am-12:50pm
SPRING 2015
Exam
Exam 1 (Th)
Exam 2 (Th)
Exam 3 (Th)
Exam 4 (Th)
Final Exam
PHYS 1114_401_22455
LABORATORY












All laboratory experiments must be conducted with an instructor present.
Food, beverages and smoking are not permitted in the laboratory.
Know the location and how to operate emergency equipment within the lab.
Immediately report all injuries to the instructor.
Open toed shoes are not permitted during lab.
Do not place coats, backpacks, purses, etc. on the lab benches.
Keep your work area clean, neat, and free from spills.
Report any chemical spills to the instructor then clean them up ASAP.
Dispose of all laboratory waste in the appropriate waste receptacles:
o Paper, disposable items, and gloves in regular trash receptacle.
o Broken glass ONLY in broken glass boxes.
o Biohazards in white biohazard buckets.
Report broken equipment to your instructor.
Clean your work area and common lab areas prior to leaving lab.
Return all equipment and supplies to their appropriate places at the conclusion of lab.
All lab reports are due at the beginning of the next lab session. Late reports will not be accepted. If you
miss a lab or report, that report will become a zero and will be dropped from your scores. If all lab
reports are turned in, then the lowest grade will be dropped from your scores.
TENTATIVE LAB SCHEDULE
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
EXPERIMENT
Measurements
Motion
Vectors
Newton’s Laws
Friction
Simple Pendulum
Work and Energy
TBA
TBA
SPRING BREAK
Equilibrium
Springs and Simple Harmonic Motion
Sound
Fluids
Heat and Temperature
Review
SPRING 2015
PHYS 1114_401_22455
What should go in my lab report?
1. Title Page:
a. Name
b. Lab Partner
c. Date of Experiment
d. Title of Experiment
2. Data
3. Calculations
4. Analysis
a. Summarize your results. If your answers did not match theory – why?
b. Answer any questions posted by the lab handout
c. List three sources of error