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PHY 100 University Physics II CRN 22017650 (Dow 102) General Information and Grading Policies Fall 2007 Instructor: Dr. Jan Fiala 222 Dow, 774-3336, fiala1j@cmich.edu Class Times: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 AM - 01:45 PM Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM, or by appointment. Text: Conceptual Physics, 10th
edition, Paul G. Hewitt & Practicing Physics (Workbook),
Conceptual Physics, Overview: Physics is the foundation of all science. The purpose of Physics is to discover and quantify the fundamental laws and principles which govern the behavior of our universe. Sufficient understanding of these laws and their implications can explain everything from "why the sky is blue" to "the time is takes to cook a 10 lb. turkey" at a given oven temperature.
We will begin this course by discussing science
and the scientific method. Upon these foundations we will then
explore the birth of science with a study of Newton's Laws which govern
the behavior of most objects in the known universe. We will then discuss
the nature of matter and energy which will lead to a
discussion of Heat. We will end the semester on the subject Prerequisites and other Requirements: This course does not require any proficiency in mathematics, although a significant amount may be presented in lecture. Conceptual understanding of first year high-school algebra should be sufficient to follow the lectures. A scientific calculator is required capable of performing trigonometric and logarithmic operations. You should also know how to use these functions correctly. Homework: Homework will be assigned regularly from the chapters covered that week. You may work in groups or individually. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Each homework problem is worth 10 Points. The "final answer" is worth at most only 1 point. My emphasis is on how you get that answer, not the actual answer itself. No Credit is given for Unsupported Answers. The only results you can cite a priory are equations from the book (or class notes) or information specified explicitly in the problem itself. (Even then, citing references would not be a bad habit.) Furthermore, if the work does not follow a detectable and logical pattern (like scattered thoughts), it will receive little or no credit. Workbook: Workbook pages will be collected and evaluated following each exam and near the end of the semester. You may work in groups or individually on the current workbook topics. Each problem component is worth 2 Points. Some problems have more "parts" than others. A problem with 1 question is worth 2 points. A problem with 5 parts labeled a, b, c, d, and e would be worth 5 x 2 = 10 points. Scores will be 0, 1, and 2 on each component based on evidence of understanding and effort as appropriate to the problem. Reading Quiz: Prior to each class a Reading Quiz will be available on Blackboard. This is a set of 3-5 multiple choice questions covering the reading assignment for that class period. Each question is worth 10 points, all or nothing. A score of 0 will be recorded for any quiz not completed and submitted within the specified time frame. The quiz will be available for approximately 24 hours prior to the class period and may be taken at any time or location where Blackboard is available. You only have 1 attempt, but you may review and change any answers prior to submission. Blackboard will automatically grade the exam and post your score. Midterm Exams: Three midterm exams will be given during the semester. Exams will be multiple choice questions based on Homework, Workbook, and Reading assignments. The exact composition of the exam (number of computational problems, conceptual problems, etc.) will be discussed in the class periods leading up to each exam. Make-Up Exams should be arranged in advance. Once the exam has been administered, no further make-up exams will be administered. Any missed exams will receive a score of 0.
Final Exam:
A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of the
semester. The final exam will be similar to the Midterm exams. The final
exam must be taken during the assigned class period of Exam Week. You
must take the final to pass this course. Points and Grades: The "weight distribution" of each course component is as follows:
Academic Dishonesty: Campus policies concerning Academic Integrity will be strictly observed during all exams and quizzes. Although calculators will be allowed, each student must provide their own calculator, pencils, and erasers. Students must do their own work. Presentation of solutions or copied work will result in 0 Credit on the assignment and may lead to disciplinary action. Tutors: The Physics Department provides student tutors starting in the second week of the semester. Student tutors are generally available Monday through Thursday between approximately 6PM and 10PM in DOW 231 (upstairs, off lobby, near soda machines). They can be of great help when struggling through the homework problems, and they are available after most faculty (including me) have left the building. Do not expect them to do the work for you, however. Study Groups: I encourage students to exchange ideas, insights, and generally discuss the topics of the day outside of class. This promotes understanding and increases general knowledge and insight into the topics we will discuss in class. Joining together and discussing the homework can be a great opportunity to have your colleagues (classmates) help you grasp the essentials and improve your performance on exams. Students interested in such activities should band together and arrange a time and place for such activities. I encourage these groups to advertise their gatherings for other students who may need assistance. ADA: CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities, or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible.
Classroom Civility: Each student is
encouraged to help create an environment that promotes learning,
dignity, and mutual respect for everyone in the classroom. Students who
disrupt the class by speaking at inappropriate times, sleeping, arriving
late, leaving early, using cell phones or pagers, using inappropriate
language, engaging in disruptive behavior, or are verbally abusive,
deŻant, or are disrespectful or aggressive to others could be asked to
leave the classroom and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code
of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Disciplinary Procedures. COURSE
CALENDAR:
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