PH 105 – GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS - spring, 2007

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MEETINGS: see schedule, room 203 Gallalee Hall
Laptops and cell phone have to remain switched off during class as they might interfere with signals transmitted by the instructor.

CREDIT: 4 Hrs

INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. Rainer Schad	Vibha Gill
Office: 1048 Bevill	Office:  215 Gallalee Hall
e-mail:  rschad@bama.ua.edu tel: 348-2404	email vgill@crimson.ua.edu tel 348 8478
office hrs: after class, TR 11-11:40	=> HelpDesk

communication via email : please do not use email functions through elearning, webassign etc -
just direct email to  above address is what i read.

TEXT: Serway and Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. I, …, 5^th, 6^th, or 7^th 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).

Expected learning outcomes include but are not limited to:

General learning outcomes

· Scientific method: You should be able to recognize and explain the scientific method, and evaluate scientific information.

· Effective teamwork: You should be able to collaborate and perform effectively in team activities.

Course specific learning outcomes

• Conceptual understanding:
• You should be able to answer conceptual questions which require a solid understanding of forces and kinematics.
• You should be able to apply the concept of conservation of energy to relevant problems.
• You should be able to apply the Newton’s Laws to relevant problems.
• Application of basics laws of physics: You should be able to apply the laws of physics to formulate a solution to a problem.
• Analysis of force diagrams: You should be able to analyze the motion of a mass under the influence of multiple forces.
  
• Knowledge of thermodynamics: You should be able to solve problems which require the knowledge of thermodynamics.

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 Thuesday and Thursday (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.

CLICKERS:
[Sometimes conveniently being referred to as Remote-In-Class-Student-Response-and-Testing-Systems].
This year we use the: our own system !!!

PROBLEMS: Problems from the textbook are assigned weekly. The problem solutions must be submitted on the web using a web-based program called

QUEST at UT Austin. How you get enrolled?
Instructions are here. Just follow those.

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.

Labs & Exercises**	10%
In-class clicker questions	10%
Homework Problems	10%
Recitation = Quizzes *	10%
Exam I ^+	15%
Exam II ^+	20%
Final Exam ^+	25%

** The 2 lowest grades will be dropped.
* The lowest grade will be dropped.
⁺ The weakest of the 2 exams & final counting 15%, …
Click here for an Excel sheet to do the math

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.