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Required Text:
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, 3rd Ed. by Randall Knight, Addison Wesley (ISBN 0321740904)
On-Line Homework: all students are required to register for the spring 2018 semester with Expert TA. The link for initial registration is http://goeta.link/USH19KY-0295AC-1LP. The access code for our course is 0295AC-1LP.
Turning Point Student Response Clicker: During most of the lecture meetings, questions will be posed that earn credit toward your course grade when responses are entered using a iClicker registered through BlackBoard. Partial credit will be given for participation and full credit for correct answers.
Optional texts:
Student Workbook for Physics for Scientists and Engineers;
Student Solutions Manual for Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach Vol. 2 (Chs 20-42), 3rd edition.
I consider myself to be open and accessible to my students. You are always welcome to drop by my office to seek advice, discuss your progress, or ask questions. If my door is open and I am around, then I will do my best to make time to sit down with you. Anyone who finds that my availability does not live up to my desires can catch me during my scheduled office hours or make an appointment at our mutual convenience.
This is the first half of a year-long course in calculus-based classical physics for students in the physical sciences (including chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, physics, and engineering related degree programs. Topics include kinematics, dynamics, energy, conservation laws, rotation, harmonic motion, mechanical waves and thermodynamics. The emphasis will be on developing problem solving skills and understanding the basic concepts and definitions used in the study and application of physics. A calculus course equivalent to MATH 136 is a prerequisite, with differentiation and integration an important part of the course work.
The goal of early physics classes is to introduce the fundamental laws and to develop good problem solving skills. At this introductory level, the material will be a cartoon of the real world, often simplified to an unrealistic and unsatisfying level. Successful students will learn to see behind the elementary problems introduced in this class and apply the overall concepts to the complex world.
Each student will be evaluated on the ability to communicate her/his progress to the instructor. Thus, the process of solving a problem is more important than the final answer. Working to solve sample problems, both those assigned for homework and as many additional exercises as possible, is the single most important key to success in this course. However, it is not possible to learn this material just by doing problems. Successful students will also understand how the main concepts and laws came about. Memorization will not be a large component of the course. On the other hand, each student will be expected to know enough about the definitions, concepts and techniques to be able to expand their knowledge and apply it to new situations.
It is important that students take responsibility for their education. Ask questions, both inside and outside the classroom. Discuss the material with friends and classmates how this course relates to the real world. Manage your time and do not cram for exams. The student and professor make a team, you both want to learn the material and earn a good grade. During the first week of the semester, you should read these brief essays: how to achieve academic success and taking good notes. You might also check out the links on this webpage for other study skills information.
I expect prompt and regular attendance. Material presented in lecture takes precedence over the text. Lectures will largely follow the order of the book, though lecture content may differ somewhat from the text. Students are advised to keep their notes up to date and to read the text as an accompaniment to their notes. Missed classes should be covered by obtaining notes from other students.
You must attend all tests and the final exam at the scheduled times. If you are unable to take an exam with the rest of the class you must notify the instructor before the regularly scheduled exam time. The only makeup exams allowed after the class takes the test will be for students with a verified excuse of illness or extraordinary crisis. A missed exam will otherwise be scored as a zero.
The final grade will be determined from the following formula:
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100 pts (Final Exam) +60 pts (Test1) +60 pts (Test2) +60 pts (Test3) +60 pts (Test4) +25 pts (In-Class Activities) +50 pts (Homework Avg) 400 Points toward course grade, with any additional points as extra credit |
Your grade will be based on your percentage score for the course: (total points / 400) * 100.
Letter grades will be assigned on a 90, 80, 70, 60 breakpoint, with class-wide upward adjustment possible according to the instructor's judgement. Appeals of test and homework grades will be considered up to a week after return of work. Later changes in grades are entirely at the instructor's discretion.
All work turned in for a grade must be your own. Collaboration is allowed only up to the point at which you determine the approach to solving a problem. When it comes time to actually solve a given problem and record the answer for grading, each student must work independently. No credit will be given for work that is not demonstrably your own. When solutions which are too similar are submitted for grading, all parties involved will receive a grade of zero and be reported to the WKU Office of Student Conduct. With the above restrictions in mind, studying and working in groups is strongly encouraged.
You are responsible for reading the textbook before the material is introduced in lecture. Only by staying ahead of deadlines with thorough reading of the assigned chapters in the textbook and diligent practice with example problems will you be able to start your homework early and master the material. I suggest that you initially preview the readings by slowly flipping through the assigned sections and paying attention to the headings, pictures/figures and their captions, and the boxed or emphasized text. When you sit down to thoroughly read the sections, make sure you give the task your full concentration. Don't let your mind wander, read only as fast as you can thoroughly understand the material, and reread the sections until everything is completely clear to you. DO make notes in the margins. DO NOT waste your time using a highlighter.
In general, a homework assignment will be due just before the start of every lecture of the semester. All homework will be assigned and submitted via the Expert TA system. The access code for our spring 2018course is 0295AC-1LP.
The calendar and schedule of assignments is only available via ExpertTA. Each assignment will be viewable at least one week before the due date, to allow students to work ahead. Homework problems may be assigned on material which has not been covered in lecture. No homework will be accepted after the due date, unless an exception has been requested before the due date. Appeals of homework grades will be considered up to one week after the scores are returned. Later changes in grades are entirely at the instructor's discretion.
The questions will be primarily quantitative problems. A diligent effort to solve assigned homework and additional problems is the best strategy for a passing grade. However, be aware that the problems on the exams will be variations of the homework; a firm grasp of the big picture is needed to score high on exams.
You are required to bring pencils and a calculator to each exam. In addition, you may also bring a single 8.5x11 sheet with formulae and constants. No other outside material, notes, texts, etc., will be allowed.
Individual exam grades will not be curved. Appeals of exam grades will be considered up to one week after tests are first returned to the class. Later changes in grades are entirely at the instructor's discretion.
Information on a variety of topics, including Title IX (Discrimination/Harassment), Student Code of Conduct, ADA Accommodations, Emergency Preparedness, etc. is available at http://www.wku.edu/syllabusinfo/
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