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Fall 2006 |
Instructor: Linda R. Jones Office: 401 Bell Lab: 105 SCIC Office Phone: (843) 953 - 4985 Home Phone: (843) 849-9521 Email: jonesL@cofc.edu URL: https://www.cofc.edu/~jonesl/jonesl.html Office Hours: Wed 11 - 1:30 PM; Thursday 1:30 - 2:30 PM and Friday 11 - 12:30 in SCIC 105 |
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James S. Walker Physics Third Edition Prentice Hall Publisher
A general physics course intended for those students who plan to take only one physics sequence. A working knowledge of algebra and simple trigonometry is assumed. Subjects covered are: mechanics (vectors, linear and rotational motion, equilibrium and gravitational fields); heat (mechanical and thermal; properties of solids, liquids and gases); and wave motion. With permission from the Department of Physics and Astronomy a students may transfer to PHYS 202 after completion of PHYS 101. Note that the co-requisite for PHYS 202 is MATH 220. To take additional physics courses the same permission may be granted. PHYS 101L is a co-requisite or prerequisite for PHYS 101.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy has adopted the following goals and objectives for this course:
Goals
Objectives
Students will be able to:
As students differ in their learning styles, we will be using several different learning techniques during the semester. These "minds-on" methods require active engagement of the students during class. While the effort required on the part of the student is greater than passive note-taking, the enjoyment and rewards are also greater for most students.
I. Peer Instruction: Interactive lectures
* A "simple", conceptual multiple choice question is posed.
* Students are given about one minute to think about the question.
* Students' answers are tallied. We will be using classroom response clickers furnished by the Physics department.
* Students are given about a minute to discuss their answers with their neighboring peers. This is the crucial step, to explain to others why you chose the answer that you chose.
* Revised answers are tallied. Almost always, the discussion leads to many more correct answers because discussing the question with others helps the students to think it through better.
* The correct answer is explored by the instructor and/or selected volunteers. Students very often have good reasons for choosing incorrect answers and it is very interesting to discover their reasoning.
II. Small group problem solving
Physics principles will be applied in open-ended real-world problems, also known as "context-rich" problems.
Groups of four students will work together in with a physics-specific strategy:
1. Focus the problem
2. Describe the physics
3. Plan the solution
4. Execute the plan
5. Evaluate the answer
My custom is to allow students to choose their own working groups. I reserve the right to rearrange groups if necessary.
III. Multiple Representation Tutorials
Students will learn to represent motion, force and energy problems
1. Pictorially
2. Graphically
3. Mathematically
4. As a word problem
What counts in Physics 101 is an understanding of the basic physical concepts. Memorization is not required and may be a waste of time. Formula sheets will be provided for the exams. To achieve the goal of understanding physics, it is important to work consistently rather than trying to catch up before exams. You should plan to put in a substantial amount of time each week. Reading, regular attendance, homework and serious preparation for the exams are the keys to success. You are free to work together with fellow students for the homework but be sure not to copy solutions because you will not have adequate opportunity to train yourself in working problems.
Reading from the text and homework problems from the text will be assigned. Selected homework problems will be collected and graded. Some additional assignments will be posted regularly on WebCT. Homework is absolutely essential in the physics learning process, perhaps more than in any other course. Extra help with homework is available during the instructor's office hours. Students should present written evidence of their attempt at solution of the homework in question when wishing to receive extra help from the instructor.
We will use WebCT for some specific types of assignments: Just-in-time-teaching and Ranking Exercises. Just-in-time-teaching involves conceptual questions that are either preliminary to a topic (Warm-ups) or a test of your understanding of a topic (Puzzles). These will be given for each chapter. Ranking Exercises are designed to help you think through certain concepts. These will be given for most chapters. WebCT assignments will have due dates that must be adhered to in order to receive credit. They will be part of your homework grade.
This class will utilize a wireless response system for an interactive learning environment. The department will furnish clickers to use in class. Clicker participation (regardless of correct answers) will count as 5% of your semester grade.
WebCT will be used to post grades, communicate between classes, and post assignments. The discussion area will be used for questions about how to do homework problems, what will be on the exam and other topics of interest to students. The WebCT page will include a calendar with test dates and other important information. Powerpoint slides from lectures will be posted on WebCT.
Short quizzes will be given regularly and will be based on the homework. The quizzes will be carefully checked, and will be part of your grade. The quizzes are a mechanism for the instructor to gauge the progress of the class as well as to help you determine whether you have mastered the important concepts that will appear on exams and to check your problem solving skills.
There will be 3 exams. There are no make-up exams. Exams that are missed for unexcused reasons will receive a grade of zero. Exams that are missed for undergraduate dean-excused absences will be replaced with the final exam grade. The exams will require understanding of physics rather than memorization of previously worked-out problems. Formula sheets will be provided. A very common complaint from students is that exams contain "unfamiliar" material. It seems that students are used to memorizing facts and are not accustomed to having to analyze new situations. However, in this course the purpose of the exam is to apply your knowledge, not to "spit it back out". There will not be any test grades "dropped."
Attendance at every class is important. The understanding gained from demonstrations, group activities and interactive lectures can not be duplicated by copying a classmate's notes.
The final exam is comprehensive and must be taken at the scheduled time. The exam for the 9:00 section is scheduled for Friday, December 8 from 8 to 11 AM. The final exam for the 10:00 section is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 from 8 to 11 AM. Excuses for missing the final exam or permission to reschedule the exam must be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Studies
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93-100 |
A |
Two grading schemes are available. The one that gives you the higher grade will be used to determine your course grade. This applies to each student in the class. So your best strategy is to do all of the homework AND try to get a good grade on the final exam. It is not easy to raise your grade by doing well on the final exam, but it is possible.
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Exam average |
40% |
or
Exam average |
40% |
