PH 105 – GENERAL
PHYSICS
WITH CALCULUS - spring, 2007
MEETINGS: TR 10:00 – 11:50 AM , F 11:00 -11:50 AM, 203 Gallalee
CREDIT: 4 Hrs
INSTRUCTORS:
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Dr. Rainer Schad |
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Office: 1048 Bevill |
Office: Gallalee Hall |
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e-mail:
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=> HelpDesk |
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office hrs: by appointment |
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TEXT: Serway
and
Jewett,
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. I, …, 5th,
6th, or 7th Ed. [not much difference, except in
price]
PREREQUISITES: MA131
(or MA125)
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory
calculus-based
course in classical mechanics and thermal physics for students in
science and
engineering.
Course
Topics: Kinematics in one and two
dimensions, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of
energy,
linear momentum, collisions, rotational motion, oscillations,
gravitation,
fluids, thermal physics.
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course, you should have a basic introductory understanding of classical mechanics on both a qualitative and quantitative level. You should be able to solve basic mechanics problems using mathematics through differential and integral calculus. You should then have the necessary background so that you can take PH106 (or PH102).
COURSE APPROACH: The course will emphasize fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques in physics using interactive instruction, computer-based techniques, and cooperative learning. There will be no separate lab and lecture sections as is the case in the traditional physics course. The course will be team-taught by a faculty member and a graduate teaching assistant. During classes on Monday and Wednesday (two hours each) there will be a mix of short lectures and group activities. The group activities will include short lab experiments using the computer for data acquisition and analysis and other short ‘exercises’. The exercises will consist of real-world problems and computer simulations. The one-hour Friday class will be a ‘recitation’ devoted to problem solving.
PROBLEMS: Problems from the textbook
are assigned weekly. The problem solutions must be submitted on the web
using a
web-based program called WEBASSIGN
(http://webassign.net/). WEBASSIGN
can
be
accessed using Netscape, Internet Explorer or … and requires a
student
password (mailed to you). First-Time-Users will need for initial
sign-up
an access code which come with a newly bought book or can be purchased
on the
WebAssign webpage.
WEBASSIGN gives immediate feedback on the correctness of each problem,
and
students can resubmit problems if they are incorrect, up to a maximum
of five
attempts. The numbers in the problem are different for each student,
but are
not changed each time a problem is resubmitted. The first Friday
recitation
session will be devoted to explaining how to use WEBASSIGN. It is
important to understand how to work a problem and not just to submit a
correct
answer. Students must keep a notebook of how they work each problem and
be
prepared to turn this in for spot grading as requested. Although
students may
collaborate when working problems, each student should keep a record of
problem
solutions (not just answers) and should submit their own answers –
based on the
particular numbers in their problems.
There is an excellent website associated with the textbook that can be
used by
students for assistance with working problems (http://www.pse6.com/),
including practice problems and detailed solutions to selected problems.
GRADING: Problems will be submitted each week outside
of class. In-class work
will be collected at the end of each class period and will count as
part of the
course grade. Occasionally, short (10 min) quizzes will be given on
Friday
based on in-class work done during the week and the most recently
submitted
problem assignment. Problem notebooks will also be occasionally
collected on
Friday for spot-checking. Thus, class attendance is very important.
There will
be no make up of missed class work. The two lowest exercise grades and
the
lowest recitation grade will be dropped when computing the final course
grade.
There will be two exams and a comprehensive final exam.
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Labs & Exercises** |
10% |
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In-class
clicker questions |
15% |
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Homework Problems |
10% |
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Recitation = Quizzes * |
10% |
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Exam I |
15% |
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Exam II |
20% |
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Final Exam |
20% |
** The 2 lowest grades will be
dropped.
* The lowest grade will be dropped.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKEUP POLICY: No makeup of in-class work or exams will be given. If you have a legitimate reason for missing a major exam, then you must inform me as soon as possible. If the reason is acceptable, then the final exam will count proportionately more. As described above, the lowest grades on labs, in-class exercises, and recitation work will be dropped.This will allow a limited number of missed classes regardless of the reason for missing.
ACADEMIC
MISCONDUCT
POLICY: All acts
of dishonesty in any work constitute
academic misconduct. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy
will be
followed in the event of academic misconduct.
DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:
Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office
of Disability Services, 348-4285. Thereafter, you are invited to
schedule appointments to see me during office hours to discuss
accomodations and other special needs.