Physics A Syllabus
Course Information
Description / Physics is a high school science course that studies the physical world to help one understand and even predict the outcome of events occurring all around us. In addition, students will be using mathematics within a problem-solving framework to calculate quantitative values for various situations. It is a semester curriculum covering “Mechanics”.Instructor / Mr. Biver Room B-115 email:
Class Expectations / 1. Come to class on time.
2. Come to class prepared.
3. Be respectful to your peers, classroom/equipment, & teacher
4. No food or drinks allowed.
5. No use of cell phones or Ipods unless otherwise told so.
6. Do your work, don’t copy!
7. Do your best. That means no sleeping, texting, playing games, etc. when you are supposed to be learning!
Units Covered / Unit 1: Measurement & Graphical Analysis
Unit 2: Constant Velocity
Unit 3: Constant Acceleration
Unit 4: Forces: Statics
Unit 5: Forces: Dynamics
Unit 6: Circular Motion & Gravitation
Lab Groups / You will work in the lab and on assignments in 3-4 person groups. Members of your group will make oral presentations before the whole class in which you present your ideas and answer questions from your classmates. The emphasis is on the general understanding of the principles involved and how you solved the problem rather than on the answer. Part of your grade will depend on how well your group functions.
Study Skills Binder / You are expected to bring to class daily your three-ring binder with tab dividers and loose-leaf paper. You will keep all the materials for a given unit in your Study Skills binder until the unit test. On the day of the unit test I will evaluate your work. All binders must have binder check sheet in front and all papers in order to be graded.
Homework / The problems assigned as homework in this class are designed to test to see if you really understand the concepts developed in class. It is reasonable to expect that you will often experience difficulty in setting up and solving these type of problems. It's not such a bad thing that you struggle a bit in trying to complete the assignment. It is in the discussion of the homework the following day that you and your classmates really learn the material. To be a meaningful contributor to your group you must attempt to do the problems. To receive credit for attempting the assignment you must at least write down the starting facts and what you are supposed to find. Test & quiz questions will be similar to the problems you encounter in the homework.
So, it's simple: if you DO YOUR HOMEWORK you are more likely to be successful!
Quizzes / Throughout a unit, quizzes will be given at any time to check for your understanding. You will be able to re-take quizzes up to one time at given retake times. Retakes must be taken before unit test is administered. Your retake quiz grade will replace your original quiz grade regardless of score.
Tests / Tests are given at the end of major units. See Make-up/ Retake section regarding students who miss tests.
Laboratory Work
and Reports / Almost everything you learn this year in physics is based on the results of your experiments. For each experiment you will be expected to write a report in a format you will soon receive. On the date the lab is due, one of the reports from your group will be selected at random and graded; each member will receive that grade. Since you will be given class time to discuss your findings with your group, you are expected to work together to insure that each member of the group is able to turn in a quality product. If your lab is not ready to be graded on the due date, you will be expected to come in after school so that I may evaluate your work. A member who consistently lets his/her partners down will be removed from the group until he/she demonstrates a willingness to do the work.
Grades / Your % score will be computed based on a weighted average of your scores in the following categories:
Test & Quizzes 40%
Labs & Daily Work 40%
Final Exam 20%
Due to the high level of difficulty of the tests and quizzes, I may make an upward adjustment in the test percentage at the end of the semester.
Grading Scale / 100%-92.5%= A 82.4%-79.5%=B- 69.4%-66.5%=D+
92.4%-89.5%= A- 79.4%-76.5%=C+ 66.4%-62.5%=D
89.4%-86.5%= B+ 76.4%-72.5%=C 62.4%-59.5%=D-
86.4%-82.5%=B 72.4%-69.5%=C- 59.4%↓ = E
Late Work / Late work (including binders) will be accepted the following day for 50% off. There are no other exceptions. If a student is absent on the day the work is due it is expected that they turn in the work the day they return back to school.
Attendance / Attendance will be handled per school policy. Please review the student handbook for the policies on absences and tardies.
Extra Help/
Make-Up/
Retakes / Mr. Biver and Mr. Scheffler will offer Make-Up days and Extra Help days during the following time periods:
· Monday & Thursday (Mr. Biver B-115) from 2:30pm – 3:00pm
· Tuesdays / Wednesday (Mr. Scheffler B-117) from 7:15 am - 7:45am & 2:30pm – 3:00pm
All tests must be made up on the next available make-up day.
Extra Credit / Students will have the opportunity to earn extra credit by performing additional tasks throughout the semester.
Acknowledgement / Please take the time to read this guide. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's performance, please feel free to call me at 734-783-3333 or email.
Please acknowledge that you understand what I expect by signing on the lines below. Please keep this guide in the front of your binder for the entire year.
Student Name Student Signature
______
Parent Signature Date