SYLLABUS
GSP 1010 CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS
TWO SEMESTER HOURS
Dr. Thomas L. Rokoske Tel: 262-7499, Office: CAP 253 email: rokosketl@appstate.edu
NOTE: I do not use my applenet email, only the above email address!
Course web site: http://www.phys.appstate.edu/courses/tlr_fcourses9.html
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
A course in a series of four mini-courses for the non-science major. (Each MINI-COURSE
LASTS FOR ONE-HALF SEMESTER. STUDENTS SHOULD BE ADVISED TO REGISTER FOR TWO MINI
-COURSES IN ONE SEMESTER TO TOTAL FOUR SEMESTER HOURS.) The course presents a broad
view of important areas of contemporary physics. Concepts of modern physics are
studied at an introductory level with the necessary classical physics needed for
their comprehension. Co- or prerequisite: a college level mathematics course.
Corequisite: GSC 1020. Contemporary Chemistry. Lecture three hours, laboratory two
hours. This course will not satisfy program requirements for students majoring in
biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, or physics. (NUMERICAL DATA)
(CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES) (ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or
successfull completion of MAT 0010.)
OBJECTIVES
To introduce the basic descriptive concepts of contemporary physics necessary
for a mature understanding of our technical society. Many of these topics will
be investigated by laboratory exercises and practical examples illustrating how
physics is used in everyday life. Energy is the theme that runs through all the
courses.
OUTLINE OF CONTENT
LECTURE
Introduction
Modeling - Big Bang Model from the Beginning to Today
Force and Motion.
Momentum and its Conservation.
Work and Energy.
Electromagnetic Phenomena.
Waves and the Wave Nature of Light.
Quantum Theory Applied to the Atom and Nucleus
LABORATORY
Mathematics Refresher
Measurement of Physical Quantaties
Introduction to Motion
Hooke's Law
Ohm's Law
Circuits
Atomic Spectroscopy
METHODOLOGY
The lecture part of the course is an instructor initiated discussion of the
concepts of physics along with demonstrations to illustrate the phenomena.
A review of how to analyze algebraic word problems and examples of how to
work problems will be given. Homework is assigned periodically using Web Assign.
Late homework will be assigned reduced credit. For students with questions,
Minute Feedback Papers will be filled out at the end of the period and will either
be discussed at the beginning of the next class or by email.
Laboratory periods consist of investigations of physical phenomena. Students
will use experimental apparatus to make scientific measurements of meaningful
physical parameters by the use of a personal computer. Usually students work in
groups of two and each will hand in a laboratory report.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to read the assigned readings from the text and lab manual,
take one hour test and a two hour final exam, work out and hand in the requested
homework, attend all laboratory sessions and hand in an individual report for
each period. All answers are to be written in complete sentences. Occasionally
there will be either announced or unannounced quizzes. A calculator with
trigometric functions may be used during quizes and exams. Students are required
to purchase Web Assign either on-line or at the ASU Bookstore. Web Assign allows
one to work homework and obtain their results immediately. This feedback is important
for rapid comprehension of the concepts in this mini-course.
EVALUATION/GRADING
The following schedules will be used to determine the final numerical grade. You
will obtain an individual grade for this course. (Note: This course is not
graded with any other mini-course, i.e., GSC-1020, GSG-1030 or GSB-1040.)
30% Lab (lab work & reports) 35% Comprehensive Final Exam
20% Test 15% Quizzes, Homework, etc.
Homework and other written work must be completed on time, otherwise substantial
late penalties will be assessed. Grading will be based on the class average of C+
= 78. If exam grades are below this average they will be curved to 78. Exam grades
at or above 78 will not be curved. Grades will be determined by the final points
of each student placed on a number line. These final points will clump into four
of five separate groups. The group at 75 will be a C, the group higher will be the
B group and the highest group will be assigned an A. The group lower than C will
be assigned a D and the lowest group will be assigned an F.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION POLICY
Lecture attendance is expected since exams are based on the readings, homework,
laboratory and lectures. The class roll will not be called after the first few
classes, instead a roster sheet will be passed around the classroom. Make sure to
sign it. Your attendance record may be used in determining your final grade. There
may be special grades given when the attendance is extremely low. Lectures and
Laboratory Sessions are CELL PHONE, IPOD, IPHONE OFF ZONES. Students should arrive
on time, be ready for learning at the beginning of class, that means: you have had
adequate rest and have eaten. If you are having difficulty arriving on time, consult
the Appalcart Schedule and determine the proper lead time to arrive at the classroom
on time. Increase your travel time during inclement weather. Check the ASU Home
page if there is a possibilty that classes may be cancelled during extreme weather.
If there is one unexcused absence from the laboratory, then the student will
receive a grade of F for the entire course. If you know that you will miss your
enrolled section of laboratory, then upon request to the lab instructor you may
be allowed to attend a different section for just that lab. You must return to
your usual lab for the other labs. You may be excused from a laboratory for
legitimate reasons. Excuses must be presented within one week of returning to
the lab. If excused, you are still responsible for the missed material.
If the hour test is missed, then a grade of zero will be assigned unless it is
excused. If the miss is excused then the student will take a make-up hour test
no later than one week after the scheduled. Anyone using a CELL PHONE DURING AN
EXAM WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF F ON THAT EXAM.
Information about the course is available from the web site. Start from Appalnet
or type the following URL in your browser
http://www.phys.appstate.edu/courses/tlr_fcourses9.html
Participation is encouraged in class discussion, but is not necessary to receive
an excellent grade. Optional review sessions will be held outside of class time.
This is a unique semester because of the possibility of the Swine Flu (novel influenza
A H1N1). If you have severe coughing, running a fever, you should either stay home
or visit the infirmary. The H1N1 flu is an extremely contagious flu and is passed to
others by coughing or uncontrolled sneezing. Please learn how to sneeze in your
arm, to minimize the broadcasting of contagions. If you miss class you are
responsible for the material missed. You can have another student in the course
provide you with the class material and you can read the PowerPoint from a local
computer. For further information about novel influenza A H1N1 see the ASU
Emergency Information page link: Emergency Page
REQUIRED READING
The required readings are listed on the class assignment page at the course web site.
A summary of the topics covered are given on the class schedule and are from the
text readings and laboratory manual. These should be read before the class
or laboratory period. PowerPoint notes are available at the course site.
REQUIREMENTS: READINGS, REPRINTS, LABORATORY MANUAL, CALCULATOR AND WEB ASSIGN
Students are required to have in their possession a textbook:
INQUIRY INTO PHYSICS, 6th Edition, by V. J. Ostdick and D. J. Bord, class
handouts and a current laboratory manual, CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS GSP-1010
LABORATORY MANUAL (2008-2009 version), a calculator having trig functions (for
example Casio fx-260 Solar) and a subscription to Web Assign for this course.
UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS
This course is the first part of four two hour half-semester courses. The next
course to be taken in this sequence is GSC-1020 and is offered during the second
half of the present semester. GSP-1010 should be taken before the other three courses
as it introduces basic scientific concepts, and especially the energy theme.
This course is part of the Gen Education Program and is classified in the
Science Inquiry Theme as Contemporary Science.
WebAssign LOGIN
Either go to the Web Assign and purchase a subscription on-line or
go to the bookstore and purchase your subscription there. In either
case make sure you have the subscription number copied down so you can
use it while loging on the first time.
Look at the PowerPoint presentation at the link below to see how to
login for the first time:Login to WebAssign
Here is a summary of the steps to initially Log in to WebAssign:
1) Obtain the key for this course from your instructor.
2) Go to the link: http://www.webassign.net
3) Go to the tab outlined with a Key
4) Enter the class key the instructor gave you.
5) Create an account: Under username use your ASU id, select a new password.
Now register for the course by the following:
6) In the first box 'institution' enter 'appstate'
7) In the second box enter the access code on the subscription ticket.
(if you purchased a subscription at the bookstore
it is on the ticket or if you purchased the subscription on line it
should be written down.)
The second time you log in, if necessary, you can change your password.
Subsequent Logins are done by going to the login tab and
inputting your id, institution and password.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:
We will strictly adhere to Appalachian's Academic Integrity Policy. Upon admission
to Appalachian, all students agreed to abide by the following Code:
* Students will not lie, cheat or steal to gain academic advantage.
* Students will oppose every instance of academic dishonesty.
A full description of this policy can be found at the Office of Student Conduct's
website http://studentconduct.appstate.edu/ under the heading "Academic Integrity
Code." Violations of the code will be dealth with according to the rules described
at the website.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Appalachain State University is committed to making reasonable accomodations for
individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the American
with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilition Act of 1973.
Those seeking accomodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact
and register with The Office of Disability Services(ODS) http://www.ods.appstate.edu/
or 828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with the ODS
staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accomodations.
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