Syllabus

Summer 2010, Term I, June 7 - July 1

Physics 131:  Introductory Physics I

Dr. George E. Keller
gkeller@unca.edu
Office:  Robinson 014 (not well marked, but it does exist!)

Times

Class hours:  MTWR, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., RH 217
Lab hours:  MTW, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and a second section from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  RH 123
Office hours: RH 123 (the lab), MTWR:  noon through last student question or 5:00 p.m., whichever comes first.

Text

College Physics, Serway and Vuille, eighth edition.

Math

We use algebra and trigonometry daily in Physics 131; please review your math as soon as possible!  You need to have plane geometry, algebra, trigonometry and logarithms ready to be used as tools.  There's a good, quick review of much of the math that you will need in the back of your physics text.

Course Web Site

http://www.gakeller.com/physics131. Please read the introductory class notes before you come to class on the first Monday, June 1, at 8:30 a.m.

Course Schedule

The course will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 7, and conclude with the final exam on Thursday, July 1 (see course calendar).  

Test Schedule

Note: dates are firm, but material covered on each test is tentative.   

Quiz 1

10 June 2010

chapters 1-4

Quiz 2

17 June 2010

chapters 5-7

Quiz 3

24 June 2010

chapters 8,9,13

Final Exam

1 July 2010

chapters 10,11,12,14,  a few problems from chapters 1-9,13 for extra credit

Grading

·         Three quizzes:  17.5 % each

·         Final exam: 17.5%

·         Homework: 19%

·         Labs:  11%

Grading Scale

 92.50-100

 A

 89.50-92.49

 A-

 86.50-89.49

 B+

 82.50-86.49

 B

 79.50-82.49

 B-

 76.50-79.49

 C+

 69.50-76.49

 C

 67.50-69.49

 C-

 57.50-67.49

 D

 0-57.49

 F

Course Information and Class Policies

The general policies concerning Physics 131 are described below. Any exceptions to these policies will be announced in class.

Lecture

Lectures are intended and designed to supplement your efforts outside of class to read and understand the text.  Lecture topics will consist of an overview of each subject area, along with some discussion of the most challenging concepts and problem-solving techniques associated with that subject area.  Unless a specific topic is explicitly omitted, you will be responsible for all material presented in each chapter, regardless of the content of the lectures.   

Homework

For each chapter that we cover in this course several homework problems will be assigned, usually due the next class day (see the calendar).  It must be turned in by 11:30 a.m., except on Thursday, 10 June; Thursday, 17 June; Thursday, 24 June; and Thursday, 1 July, when it is due at 9:30 a.m.    One or more problems will be graded each day, at the option of the instructor.   Homework will be graded on both form and function – that is, it must clearly show your reasoning, and it should (hopefully) get the right answer!    The sort of reasoning and homework style that is required will be illustrated almost every day in class.  

Attendance

Attendance is required in laboratory and on test days. You must provide documentation from your physician if you are unable to take a test because of illness (no exceptions).

If you miss class, it is your responsibility to acquire any important information covered during the missed lecture from other class members. Feel free to contact me in this regard, but be aware that I do not maintain class notes for you to photocopy. 

If you miss class, it is your responsibility to have your paper homework problems turned in on time.  If you do miss class, you may turn in your homework in the Physics Department office, in the box marked "Keller."

Additional attendance policies relating to laboratory are described below.

Calculators

There are no longer any restrictions placed upon calculators used for quizzes and exams. To avoid providing folks who have calculators equipped with alphanumeric displays an unfair advantage, you may bring 3x5 index card(s) of information (both sides, if you desire) to each of the first three quizzes -- one (1) to the first quiz, two (2) to the second, and three (3) to the third.  For the final exam, you may bring four (4) such 3x5 index cards or one (1) 8-1/2x11 sheet of paper.

Cell Phones

Please turn your cell phones (or other noisy electronics) off before entering the classroom or laboratory.  Please remind the instructor to do so also!

Laboratories

Attendance during laboratory periods is required. For the first absence from a laboratory you will lose one (1) point on your final grade (1/11 of 11%). After that, any laboratory absence for any reason will lower your final grade in Phys 131 by one letter.  This is department policy and cannot be changed by the instructor.

If you are late to laboratory, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have not been marked absent. Be aware that sometimes, information necessary to complete the laboratory is discussed during the first few minutes of the laboratory period.  If you are over 15 minutes late, you have missed laboratory.

Each laboratory, including your report (which is submitted electronically) is designed to be completed within the two-hour period allotted.   From time to time, Instructions for submitting your laboratory results will be distributed in paper form.

Laboratory Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 7 through June 29.  See the calendar.