PH 105-001 – GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS I – Fall, 2008

(http://www.bama.ua.edu/~jharrell/PH105-F08)

CLASS SCHEDULE

MEETINGS: Tues, Thurs 9:00 –10:50 AM, Fri 10:00-10:50 AM, 203 Gallalee

CREDIT: 4 Hrs

INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. J.W. Harrell

Jian Yu (GTA)

Curt Barry (UTA)

Office:  134 Bevill

Office:  327 Gallalee

 

e-mail:  jharrell@bama.ua.edu

e-mail:  jyu18@bama.ua.edu

e-mail:  kmbarry1@bama.ua.edu

Phone:  348-9404

Phone:  348-4908

 

Office hours:  Tues, Thurs 2-4 pm, 134 Bevill (and by appointment or by chance)

Office hours: 

 

Physics Help Center office hours - xxx Gallalee

TEXT:  Serway and Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. I, 7th Ed.

PREREQUISITES: MA125 

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory calculus-based course in classical mechanics and heat for students in science and engineering.

COURSE TOPICS: Kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of energy, linear momentum, collisions, rotational motion, oscillations, gravitation, waves, sound, heat.

COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course, you should have a basic introductory understanding of classical mechanics on both a conceptual and quantitative level. You should then have the necessary background so that you can take PH106 (or PH126). The specific objectives for this course are listed below:

Learning outcomes for 100- and 200-level physics courses

1.      Application of basics laws of physics:

Students will be able to apply basic laws of physics to formulate a solution to a problem.

 

2.      Data and mathematical relationships representation:

Students will be able to represent data and mathematical relationships using tables, equations, graphs and words.

 

3.      Draw conclusions from experimental data:

Students will be able to draw valid conclusions from experimental data.

 

4.      Magnitude estimation and dimensional analysis

Students will be able to estimate the magnitude of the solution to a problem and will be able to exclude wrong solutions based on such estimates or by use of dimensional analysis.

 

5.      Effective teamwork:

Students will be able to collaborate and perform effectively in team activities.

 

6.      Discrimination between reliable and less reliable information:

Students will be able to discriminate between reliable and less reliable information in their decision-making.

 

Learning outcomes for PH 105

 

1.      Knowledge of Newton’s laws of motion:

Students will be able to answer conceptual questions that require knowledge of Newton’s laws of motion, and use Newton’s laws in the analysis of physical problems.

 

2.      Understanding of the significance of conservation laws

Students will be able to answer conceptual questions that require knowledge of conservation laws, and use them in the analysis of physical problems.

 

COURSE APPROACH: The course will emphasize fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques in physics using interactive instruction, computer-based techniques, and cooperative learning. There will be no separate lab and lecture sections as is the case in the traditional physics course. The course will be team-taught by a faculty member (Harrell) and a graduate teaching assistant.  During classes on Tuesday and Thursday (two hours each) there will be a mix of short lectures and group activities. The group activities will include short lab experiments using the computer for data acquisition and analysis and other short ‘exercises’. The exercises will consist of real-world problems and computer simulations. The one-hour Friday class will be a ‘recitation’ devoted to problem solving.

 

MATH:  It is expected that you know some calculus, and are fluent in trigonometry.  You are urged to consult a free online service that assesses your readiness mathematically.  If you find you are not ready, this service can be used (for a fee) as a tutorial to help get you prepared.  The service is found at http://www.aleks.com/, and “math for physics” is located in the “Adult and Continuing Education” section.

PROBLEMS: Problems from the textbook are assigned weekly and are normally due before 5 pm Friday (unless stated otherwise). The problem solutions must be submitted on the web using a web-based program called WebAssign (http://webassign.net/student.html).WebAssign can be accessed using a common browser such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Mozilla Firefox and requires a student password. WebAssign gives immediate feedback on the correctness of each problem, and students can resubmit problems if they are incorrect, up to a maximum of 10 attempts. The numbers in the problem are different for each student, but are not changed each time a problem is resubmitted. The first Friday recitation session will be devoted to explaining how to use WebAssign.  An access code is required to register for WebAssign.  The access code comes with the purchase of a new textbook from the University Supply Store, or it can be purchased online if you do not purchase a new book.   Online price is $25.

It is important to understand how to work a problem and not just to submit a correct answer. Although students may collaborate when working problems, each student should keep a record of problem solutions (not just answers) and should submit their own answers – based on the particular numbers in their problems.

CONCEPT QUESTIONS:  Each student will be assigned a personal response system (clicker) to be used in class for answering conceptual questions.  (No purchase of a clicker is necessary – they are provided during each class period.)  Extra credit will be given for answering the concept questions.  One point will be given for a wrong response and two points will be given for a correct response.  No points will be given if a student does not respond.  These concept questions can increase the total course grade by a maximum of 5% (all correct responses).

GRADING:    Online homework problems will be submitted each week outside of class. In-class work will be collected at the end of each class period and will count as part of the course grade. Short (10 min) quizzes will be given on most Friday recitations based on in-class work done during the week and the most recent problem assignment. Thus, class attendance is very important. There will be no makeup of missed class work. The lowest two group activity grades and the lowest recitation grade will be dropped when computing the final course grade. There will be three one-hour exams and a comprehensive final exam.

Labs and Group Exercises*

20%

Problems (WebAssign)

10%

Quizzes**

10%

Hour Exam I

12%

Hour Exam II

12% 

Hour Exam III

12%

Final Exam***

24%

* The lowest lab grade and the lowest 2 non-lab group exercises will be dropped.

* *The lowest Friday quiz will be dropped.

*** The final exam will be comprehensive.

ATTENDANCE AND MAKEUP POLICY: No makeup of in-class work or exams will be given. If you have a legitimate reason for missing a major exam, then you must inform me as soon as possible. If the reason is acceptable, then the final exam will count proportionately more. As described above, the lowest lab grade, the lowest 2 grades on other in-class group activities, and the lowest Friday quiz will be dropped. This will allow a limited number of missed classes regardless of the reason for missing.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY: All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: To request disability accommodations, please contact Disabilities Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with that office, contact Dr. Harrell.