PHY 1054C Syllabus(Dean)

Instructor Course Information - Fall 2008

PHY 1053C - General Physics I

Pre/Corequisite : MAC 1114 (Plane Trigonometry).

Instructor : Dr.Jeff R. Bodart

Text : CollegePhysics–Serway&Faughn(8th Ed.-Saunders College Publishing)

WEB SITE:

General course syllabus is available at:

syllabus with learning outcomes/PHY 1053C syllabus revised.doc

Course Description: The first course in a two-semester sequence intended primarily for students majoring in biology, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, pre-optometry, pre-agriculture, pre-forestry, or medical terminology. Includes the study of kinematics, forces, linear motion, circular motion, energy, hydrostatics, heat, thermal expansion and thermodynamics, with laboratory applications of these topics. Most of the material discussed in class will be taken from Chapters 1-15 of the text.

Attendance : You are expected to attend all lectures since some material may be discussed which is not in the text. In addition, anyone not present during a quiz, exam, or when homework is collected will receive zero credit unless the absence is arranged ahead of time. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to arrange to make up an excused absence promptly.

Homework and Quizzes : The lecture will closely follow the material covered in the book. You are expected to read the text as topics are covered in the lecture. In order to be prepared for the exams, you should keep up in class and work all suggested problems as they are assigned. It is recommended that you work additional chapter problems and examples in order to gain confidence in your problem-solving abilities. Periodic unannounced quizzes may be given throughout the term consisting of typically one or two questions related to the suggested chapter problems. You might expect 7-10 quizzes, of which the lowest score will be dropped in the final grading. Homework may at times be assigned and collected which will count towards your quiz grade.

Exams : Exams will cover the lectures and reading assignments up to the date of the test. No exam grades will be dropped in the final grade determination and no credit will be given for a missed exam and there will be no makeup exams unless the absence is prearranged. The exams are designed to test your problem-solving skills and understanding of the material covered. The exams will contain three to four problem-solving questions with the possibility of additional short answer format questions. You are strongly encouraged to work through the solutions of previous exam examples handed out in class or posted on the PHY1053-1054 section of the instructor's web site.

Laboratory : There is a required laboratory section in which some of the topics discussed in class will be examined in an applied situation. No make-up labs will be offered and lab reports must be turned in together in a notebook when they are called for near the end of the semester. Laboratory exercises include measuring uniform and accelerated motions using a PC data acquisition interface and motion detector, examining the dynamics of collisions using an air track and photogate system, testing the conservation of energy, the simple pendulum, and work done by friction. Some lab time before each test may be used to strengthen your problem-solving skills.

Final Exam : The final exam will be a comprehensive review of all the material covered in class. You can expect 5 to 6 problems of the same format as the regular exams including cumulative subject questions. The actual date of the final will be confirmed in class at a later time.

Grading : Your final grade will be determined using the following percentage weights and grading scale. Extra credit may be earned on exams by attending Science Club sponsored science seminars given throughout the term.

Quizzes10%Lab15%

Exams50%Final Exam25%

Grading Scale :

93-100A70-82C

83-92B60-69D

Office Hours : I will be happy to answer any questions you have either during the regular class meeting or during the lab. If you need additional help, I will be available for individual instruction during my regular office hours. Please feel free to visit my office if the subject matter is unclear or if you need help with your problem-solving techniques. If you cannot make my regular office hours, we can arrange a mutually convenient time.

Academic Integrity: You are responsible for maintaining the academic integrity of your work. Anyone involved in cheating on assignments or exams or helping others cheat will receive a zero on the exam, and student services will be informed at the instructor’s discretion.

Along with the practice problems, the instructor site has links to interesting physics and astronomy web pages. Feel free to contact me via email at:

Tentative Lecture Schedule - PHY 1053C Fall 2009

Week of:Topic

Aug24Introduction, Chapter 1

31Motion in One Dimension, Chapter 2

Vectors and Two Dimensional Motion, Chapter 3

Sept8Vectors and Two Dimensional Motion, Chapter 3 continued

Exam I

14The Laws of Motion, Chapter 4

21The Laws of Motion, Chapter 4 continued

28Exam II

Energy, Chapter 5

Oct5Energy, Chapter 5 (continued)

12Exam III

Momentum and Collisions, Chapter 6 continued

21Fall Break on Oct. 19 & 20

Rotational Motion and the Law of Gravity, Chapter 7

26Exam IV

The Law of Gravity, Chapter 7 continued

Nov2The Law of Gravity, Chapter 7 continued

9Exam V

Solids and Fluids, Chapter 9

16Thermal Physics, Chapter 10

23Energy in Thermal Processes, Chapter 11

Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 25-27

30The Laws of Thermodynamics, Chapter 12

Exam VI

Dec7The Laws of Thermodynamics, Chapter 12 continued

14-16Final Exams