Syllabus - Physics

Course Description:  This course is a survey course in physics with the focus on Mechanics for about the first three quarters and Electricity and Magnetism during the fourth quarter.  Topics covered include one and two dimensional motion, gravitation, momentum, energy, rotational motion, harmonic motion, static electricity, electric fields, current electricity, circuits, magnetic fields electromagnetic induction, and electromagnetism.

Textbook:  Physics, Principles and Problems, by Zitzewitz, Elliott, Haase, Harper, Herzog, Nelson, Schuler, Zorn.

Grade Determination:   The following are sources of points used in calculating your grade.

1.  Homework and Quizzes.  In physics the completion of your homework is critical for your success.  Your problems allow you to test your concepts.  Your homework points will be earned in several ways.

a.  I may take the homework up or walk around the room to look at it and assign from 2 to 5 points for completeness.

b.  I may give an unannounced quiz.

c.  Most often we will have recitations.  Students will be randomly selected to present problems to the class.  I will assign one point per recitation to the whole class. For other class members to receive their points, their must be appropriate discussions on the problems.  If you are called on, but are not prepared to present a problem, then you will be given a zero for all recitations on that chapter.  For example, if we had 15 recitations in that chapter, you would get a zero.  All other students will get 15 points.

As you can see, when you come to class, be prepared as far as homework is concerned. 

2.  Lab points (about 5 to 10 points for each lab).  I will either look at your lab report or give a quiz over the lab.

3.  Tests (100 points per exam, about 3 per quarter).

4.  Semester final exam (between 100 to 200 points depending on whether it is given in conjunction with a chapter test).  These points will be totaled into the 2nd quarter or 4th quarter points.  The grade on the final exam will be used in a subjective manner in borderline cases.

Grading Scale:            90 - 100   A

                                        80 -  90   B

                                        70 -  80   C

                                        60 -  70   D

                                        Below 60   E or F

The grade is calculated by dividing your total points by the total possible points.

Grade, Test, and Assignment Communication:  Assignments will be placed on Teacher Web, however this class is very dynamic and adjustments will continually be made depending on how much progress we make in class, so the web site may be updated through the week.  About the middle of the first quarter your grades will be available on the web as soon as they are posted.  Until that time I will try to figure out a way to give you test scores and averages after tests.

Make-up Policy:

1.  Labs and quizzes will not usually be made up.  You will be given a no-grade for missed quizzes.  These scores do not add into your grade as possible points.  However, if you miss a lab, you should talk to your lab team and complete a lab report for your own records.  In addition there may be lab questions on a test and not being here for the lab does not excuse you from answering lab questions on tests.

2.  Tests will be made up as soon as possible.   I reserve the right to give an oral make-up exam.

General Comments

1.  You will be required to use pencil in this class on all homework and tests.

2.  You will need a scientific calculator for this course.

3.  You are required to label all problems clearly and show work clearly.  Answers only on tests and homework will never be acceptable.