COURSE SYLLABUS
1. TITLE OF COURSE: Conceptual Physics
PREFIX/NUMBER: PHY 105 CREDIT HOURS: 4/3
2. PREREQUISITES: REA 060, MAT 060, ENG 060, or equivalent assessment test scores .
Strongly recommend MAT 090 (an introduction to Algebra is needed).
3. RESOURCES NEEDED:
TEXT: Conceptual Physics, any edition, Paul Hewitt
SUPPLIES: Scientific calculator and lecture packet. PHY 105 students also need a lab manual.
4. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Focuses on mechanics, heat, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism, light and modern physics. Incorporates Laboratory experience
5. COURSE COMPETENCIES
a) Define each of the related vocabulary words.
b) Recognize symbols used.
c) Distinguish between closely related concepts.
d) Summarize statements of the concepts into their own words.
e) Collect and organize data in a systematic manner.
f) Estimate future consequences implied in data.
g) interpret charts, tables and/or graphs.
h) Demonstrate standard problem solving methods.
i) Apply the new knowledge/thinking to one’s own life.
j) Read, analyze, and apply to new situations, written material related to the study of Physics
k) Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays about topics related to Physics.
l) Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information in the study of Physics.
6. EVALUATION PROCEDURES: Lecture for PHY 105/100
There will be 6 unit exams and an optional comprehensive final. The comprehensive final (100 pts.) may be used to replace your lowest exam score or a missed exam. The points will be determined as follows:
6 Exams (100 pts. each) 600 pts.
Worksheets (25 pts/unit) 150 pts.
Total 750 pts.
In PHY 105, 75% of the grade will come from lecture with the remaining 25% being determined from lab. (3 x lecture % + lab %) divided by 4 = final % for PHY 105.
The lab grade will be determined by:
13 lab quizzes (10 pts. each) 130 pts.
13 lab write ups (20 pts. each) 260 pts.
{drop lowest one}
13 participation & clean-up (5 pts. each) 65 pts.
Total 455 pt
GRADE PERCENT LETTER GRADE
92 - 100 % A
82 - 91 % B
72 - 81 % C
65 - 71 % D
64% and below F
7. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) In the event that the school or building is closed during the semester, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructor concerning missed exams, labs or lectures.
b) It is the students’ responsibility to comply with all of the course prerequisites.
c) Teaching and learning require a team effort. The Science Department expects students to show up for class on time and be prepared for lecture (i.e. you’ve read the assigned chapters and be prepared with questions over the material). We strongly encourage cooperation among students to help in each other understanding of the material. The Science Faculty greatly appreciates specific feedback on any aspects of the course, both positive and negative.
d) Respect and common courtesy to your peers, staff and instructors is expected.
e) There will be no extra credit (point) projects for individuals.
f) Submitted assignments must be your own work even though you may have worked on it as a group (in your own words & handwriting). Plagiarizing other students’ work is cheating and will result in a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenders will not only lose points for the assignment, they will lose points for participating in the lab/project and are subject to disciplinary actions.
8. LECTURES:
a) Attendance is required. The lecture material is supplemental to the text. Your exams will cover both lecture and text materials. To reap your investment of time and money, please attend class. In the event that you cannot possible attend, make arrangements with a classmate to obtained missed lecture notes or watch the appropriate videos.
b) There are review sheets in you lecture packet for each unit test.
c) Worksheets (in lecture packet) are due at testing time.
9. EXAM RULES:
a) If you have a prior obligation the day of the exam you must arrange with your instructor to take the exam prior to the scheduled date.
There are no retakes of exams if a student should fail an exam.
b) Cell phones, pagers, and electronic devices with sound are to be turned off, and put away during class times, unless otherwise documented. If you must use your electronic devices, please leave the classroom. This includes text messages (“txting” and “pix”) during any class time.
d) Cheating on an exam will result in a zero for that exam. No make up exam will be given.
e) On exam days, students arriving 20 minutes or more late, will not be allowed to take the exam.
f) There are no make-up exams! The comprehensive final may be used to replace a missed exam.
10. LAB RULES:
a) Participation in lab is mandatory. Even though you will be working with your lab partners, it is expected that you complete your own work. Submitted assignments must be your own work (in your own words & handwriting) even though you may have worked on it as a group. Plagiarizing other students' work is cheating and will result in a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenders will not only lose points for the assignment, they will lost points for participating in the lab/project and are subject to disciplinary action.
b) Quiz questions for each lab are in your lab manual. They must be completed and turned in during the first five minutes of class. This will motivate you to come to lab prepared to do the lab.
c) Lab write-ups are due at the next week’s lab time. Lab write-ups will not be accepted more than two week late. Late lab write-ups scores will be reduced by ½ point per working day that it is late.
d) Lab Participation points will reflect not only your participation but also the cleaning of lab counter tops and sinks. If your work area and sink are not clean, participation points will be deducted.
e) Protective eye wear (provided by PCC science dept.) is required for all students during all experiments involving chemicals.
f) There are no make-up labs. Lowest lab or missed lab will be dropped.
g) A new lab manual is required for the course.
11. MISSED LABS:
a) For documented emergencies only, if a student misses a lab, the student may make prior arrangements with the instructor of another lab to attend it. You must make-up the lab during the week of the missed lab.
b) School policy states a student must attend a minimum of 80% of the class or may be withdrawn by the instructor.
12. SPECIAL REMARKS:
a) There are no extra credit (point) projects for individuals.
b) If after 20% of classes are missed, the student can be withdrawn from the class.
c) If a student has not met the course prerequisites, the student should not be in the class.
d) Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class and in lab. This is essential in lab.
e) In the event a student receives a failing grade in this course, the student will be required to repeat BOTH the lecture and lab components
f) College policy prohibits the use of tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco, in all College buildings and facilities.
g) Students giving presentations who arrive 10 minutes or more late for class, points will be deducted from their presentation score.
h) Lecture and lab cover the same concepts but often from different perspectives.
i) In the event that a problem occurs between students or students and faculty, the appropriate process for addressing student concerns is as follows
· First, address concern with course instructor.
· If your concerns are not rectified, then schedule an appointment with Department Chair.
· If your concerns are still unresolved then schedule an appointment with the appropriate divisional dean.
13. ADA Notice: Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.
14. Academic Integrity:
The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor