Spring 2012
PHYS 105: Concepts of the Physical World
Richard Gelderman
(270) 745-6203
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy
richard.gelderman@wku.edu
230 Thompson Complex, Central Wing
http://astro.wku.edu/gelderman/
Catalog Description:
A one-semester introduction to the concepts of physics for students planning to teach in elementary and middle schools. Topics include structure and properties of matter, mechanics, electricity, magnetism, heat, light and sound. Laboratory experiments are an integral part of this course.
General Education:
Successful completion of PHYS 105 fulfills 3 credit hours toward WKU's General Education Requirement in Category DL. In particular, after completing this course the student will have an understanding of the scientific method and knowledge of natural science and its relevance in our lives. This understanding will be assessed at the end of the semester.
Course Goals and Philosophy: PHYS 105 is designed to serve the needs of pre-service elementary and middle grade teachers.
From a belief that science is for all students and that learning science is an active process, we have made a conscious choice to:
1. structure PHYS 105 without lecture, but as series of open-ended, hands-on activities that teach science the way that science should be taught in P-8 grades;
2. use Physics By Inquiry, by Lillian McDermott and the Physics Education Group at the University of Washington, rather than a traditional physics textbook;
3. cover only a few topics in physics, instead of all topics related to the P-8 physical science core content.
In other words, this will be a lab-based course that emphasizes the process of science over specific physics content knowledge. PHYS 105 will provide an intense emphasis on two important, often misinterpreted, foundations of physics – properties of matter (such as mass, volume, and density) and the basics of electric circuits.
Studies of learning show that students who manage to truly understand and master a few topics are able to easily extend this knowledge to other topics. In addition, studies indicate that a deep focus on a few topics increases the likelihood that the student will develop or maintain good attitudes toward science.
This class will require your active participation. Unlike the typical science text, the Physics By Inquiry activities do not provide a list of facts, definitions, or explanations of reasoning. Instead these steps must be provided by the student. Your instructor will try to guide you thru challenging steps in the process, but will typically not tell you the answers directly.
At times it may seem frustrating to have your questions answered with questions; however, this is the essence of active mental engagement and is essential to scientific discovery.
Required Text:
Physics By Inquiry, Lilian McDermott & the U. Washington Physics Education Research Group, Volumes I & II, 1996, J.Wiley & Sons. (ISBN#0471-548707)
Required Supplies: splash-proof chemistry safety goggles and a 1.5-inch 3-ring binder for lab notebook
Recommended Texts:
Conceptual Physics, 10th ed., P. Hewitt,
2005, Addison-Wesley (ISBN#0805-391908)
Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards, 2000, National Research Council, National Academy of
Science Press (ISBN#0309-064767)
National Science Education Standards, 1996, National Research Council, National Academy of
Science Press (ISBN#0309-053269)
Grading:
100 Daily Lab Notebook entries (total of
scores for 35 scheduled labs)
25 Participation and Group work
(determined by instructor at end of semester)
45 Homework problems and take-home
exercises (total of scores on all assignments)
55 Quick Quizzes (total of ten quiz
scores)
50 1st midterm exam
50 2nd midterm exam
75 Final examination
400
TOTAL points toward course grade
Letter Minimum
Letter Minimum Letter Minimum
Letter Minimum
Grade Point Total Grade Point Total Grade Point Total Grade Point Total
A 360 B 320 C 280 p; D 240
Attendance: Prompt
attendance is required for every class meeting. Almost all work required for
this class occurs during the scheduled meeting time, missing a class put you
and your group at a disadvantage. A missed notebook entry, quiz or exam will be
scored as zero.
Schedule: The course meets each week for 80 minutes on Tuesday, 55 minutes on Wednesday, and 80 minutes on Thursday. A tentative calendar is available online.
Examinations: Two
tests will be given, covering assignments from the Physics By Inquiry text. The exam format is based on the daily lab
activities; but all work on the exams will be independent with a strict time
limit. No makeup tests will be given without prior arrangement.
Quick Quizzes: Every
few class periods you will be given a short quiz worth 5 points each. These may
or may not be announced. Absolutely no makeup quizzes will be given.
Homework Problems and
Out-of-Class Assignments: A number of exercises from the Physics By Inquiry text will be assigned as out of class assignments.
Additionally, there will be a few homework problems assigned from other
sources. The most important part of these assignments is your explanation as to
why you believe your answer is correct. Correct facts are not as important as
being able to express clear thinking. These will be due at the beginning of
class on the next class period (unless a later due date is given). Students not
in class when the assignment is given may submit their response, but no
extension on the due date will be given.
Student Lab Notebook: Each
class meeting, as you work through the activities from the text, you will
record what you do as you do it. In your lab notebook you will write down the
answers to all direct questions, exercises, and problems. In addition, you will
keep a record of your observations and personal reflections on how your
understanding is evolving. At the end of each class meeting you should include
a summary section of what was learned, and what issues are still confusing to
you.
Your notes must be legible, organized, and
dated. The entire three-ring binder must be available for grading at the
instructor's request. You may find it is useful to have both pens and pencils
available for your entries, and both graph and lined notebook paper for your
notebook.
Each day's activities will be graded on a
3-point scale. All three-points will be awarded for entries that clearly
demonstrate all assigned activities were completed; with responses that exhibit
clear and well reasoned thinking; and, with meaningful reflection included.
Two-points will be awarded for completion of most activities; acceptable
documentation of your thought processes; and some attempt at reflection.
Excessive sloppiness or missing components will earn only one-point. No points
will be awarded for an absence, though that does not absolve a student from
making up the work at a later date.
Group Work and Academic
Integrity: Throughout this semester, all of your in-class time will be
spent working in groups. Cooperation with your classmates is mandatory in this
class. Discussing and explaining physical concepts with your peers should
provide you with a higher level of understanding. You will be graded on your
ability to work in a group. At the end of the end of the semester, the instructor
will assign a score for the participation and group work component of the
course grade. This grade will be a subjective assessment, such that average or
normal participation and cooperation is worth 25 points with better (or worse)
work resulting in more (or fewer) points. The highest scores will be given to
those who play well with others, maintain a strong focus, and share the
responsibility for learning. There will be opportunities to change lab
partners, though everyone is expected to make the best of each situation. If
reasonable attempts fail to resolve a problem with your group, please discuss
the incompatibility with the instructor.
Given the above policy, everything
submitted for grade must be your own work. After your group discusses an
assignment, you must write it up by yourself. Everything recorded in your lab
notebook and on out of class assignments must either be your own words, or be
clearly attributed to the original source. No credit will be given for work
that is not demonstrably your own.
Students with Disabilities: Students
with disabilities who require accomodations (academic adjustments and/or
auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student
Disability Service, DUC A201, (270) 745-5004, 745-3030/TTY. Please do not
request accomodations directly from the professor without a letter from the
office of Student Disability Services.