Course Information
&
Syllabus
Prerequisites
• Math
• Physics
Materials
• Loose leaf paper for homework
• Scientific/Graphing Calculator (not a cell
phone, iTouch, etc)
• Textbook
Homework
• Assigned on web
http://www.austincc.edu/bechtold/
• Due at beginning of class on due day (see
class calendar)
• No late homework (one is dropped)
• Homework is spot checked
Reading
• Alternate textbooks (Alibris.com, Goodwill,
Halfprice Books, garage sales, etc.)
• Hyperphysics
• Wikipedia
• Physics Classroom
• & many others
Studying
• http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~turner/classes/
HowToStudyPhysics.htm
• Have a schedule
• Study everyday
• Move on when you get stuck (but write
down your problem)
• Test yourself by re-solving problems on
blank paper with no aids
Getting Help
• Form a small study group
• Use the Learning Center
• If your lab finishes early, stay and study
and ask questions
Academic Honesty
• Study collaboration is encouraged,
however, all work on exams, quizzes,
worksheets, and labs must be the original
work of the student.
Class & Class Preparation
• Survey the topics that will be discussed
and think about them before class
• Take outline notes only so you can listen
• Go over your notes after class
• Repeat examples done in class
Test Preparation
• Go over class notes
• Attend the review and study the topics I
review.
• Look at all problems, examples, &
questions.
• If after reading the question, you are
unsure of it, then repeat it.
• Review as needed in text or other source
Grading Policies
• The correct answer by itself is worth
nothing.
• Credit is based on your individual work
and explanations.
• Recitation from the text or other sources is
not an explanation.
• All calculations must begin with a written
formula or concept.
Grading Policies cont.
• Express homework final answers in the
form of a complete sentence, with the
correct units and number of significant
figures.
• disorganized, hard to read, will receive
little or no credit.
Exam Policies
• No makeup exams are given. However, one low
or missed exam will be replaced by the Final
Exam score
• Exams cover all of the class e.g. a question
might begin with “As done in lab…”, “As
discussed in class…”, etc.
• Graphing calculators and scientific calculators
are allowed.
• Phones/wireless devices (itouch, iphone,
blackberry), etc. are not allowed.
• No talking or sharing of materials during the
exam.
Exam Policies cont.
• I will not comment on your work during the exam
and will not give hints.
• “Am I doing this right?”, “Is this the right
formula?”, etc. will not be answered.
• All exams are given during regular class times. If
you know you will need more testing time you
should contact OSD
http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/.
• Exams are given in class (not in testing center)
• The Final Exam is comprehensive (by
departmental policy).
Lab
• Labs will be handed out in class
• Lab score is weighted average of labs and
lab quizzes.
• Up to 3 labs can be made up. Friday 9-12
is the official time for makeups.
• You are responsible for learning the Lab
Safety information and signing the form
with risk of being withdrawn for failure to
do so.
Attendance/Participation
• Counts 5%
• Good attendance and effective
participation can help you in borderline
grade decisions
• Students may be withdrawn after the 4th
unexcused absence.
Class Grade
• You must earn a “C” in the Lecture and the
Lab portion of the class in order to get a
“C” in the class.
• If you are at or above 70% in Lecture &
Lab then your score is 75% of Lecture +
25% of Lab.
• A (90-100), B(80-89), C(70-79), D(60-69),
F(0-60)
Lecture Score
•
•
•
•
•
Lecture score is sum:
65% Mid-term test average
20% Final Exam
10% Homework
5% Attendance/Participation
• End