PH 106 – GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS – Spring 2011

MEETINGS: see schedule, room 329 Gallalee Hall

CREDIT: 4 Hrs

INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. Rainer Schad

 

 

Office: 1048 Bevill

Office:  Gallalee Hall

 

e-mail: 
rschad@bama.ua.edu
tel: 348-2404

=> HelpDesk

 

office hrs: M,W after class

and by appointment

 

 

TEXT: Serway and Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. II, …, 5th, 6th, or 7th Ed. [not much difference, except in price]

PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: MATH 126 or MATH 146; and PH 101 or PH 105 or PH 125.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory calculus-based course in classical physics, including electricity, magnetism, and optics for students in science and engineering with lectures and laboratory.

Course Topics: Electricity and Magnetism, simple electric circuits, optics.

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, you should have a basic introductory understanding of classical electricity on both a qualitative and quantitative level. You should be able to solve basic problems using mathematics through differential and integral calculus. You should then have the necessary background so that you can take modern physics.

The anticipated General Outcomes are:

·       Students will be able to recognize and explain the scientific method, and evaluate scientific information.

·       Students will be able to collaborate and perform effectively in team activities.

 

The anticipated Course-Specific Learning Outcomes are:

·       To have developed a solid conceptual understanding of electrical and magnetic forces

·       Be able to use the laws of physics to formulate a solution to a problem

·       Students are expected to understand the concepts of electric fields and electric potential, and to apply them to relevant problems.

·       Electric Circuits:

·       Students are expected to be able to analyze electric circuits

·       Students are expected to understand the concepts of magnetic fields and to apply them to relevant problems.

·       Students are expected to have competence in the area of ray optics and optical image formation.

 

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.

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 some textbooks 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: See breakdown of total grade components and their respective weight listed below.
 

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.