Honors Physics 1150 Syllabus for Fall, 1997

Dr. Patricia E. Allen
162 Rankin, 262-2436 (office)
159c Rankin, 262-2989 (lab)
e-mail: allenpe@appstate.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Honors PHY1150, Analytical Physics, provides an analytical and quantitative treatment of physics at a mathematical level beyond algebra and trigonometry. This course is intended for those students majoring in the natural sciences, mathematical sciences and pre-engineering. The topics included in PHY1150 include primarily Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Waves.

In the Honors section, lecture and lab will often be combined to provide a more "hands-on" approach to the material. Field trips, guest lecturers, the World Wide Web, and projects will be used to integrate current issues in Physics with the introductory material.

PREREQUISITES:

There are no prerequisites for PHY1150. However, MAT1110 is a co-requisite for PHY1150 (and a prerequisite for PHY1151).

DESIGNATORS:

PHY1150 is a five (5) credit hour course which satisfies half of the Core Curriculum Science requirement (the other half is satisfied with PHY1151). The course also carries the Numerical Data and Writing designation.

MEETINGS:

Class MTWR 10 - 10:50 AM, 154 Rankin

Lab W 12 - 2:50 PM, 102 Rankin

COURSE TEXTS &MATERIALS:

University Physics, 9th ed., H. Young (University Rental)
PHY1150/1151 Laboratory Manual, 1997 Ed. (University Bookstore purchase)
Scientific Calculator that you know how to use (a graphics calculator is recommended, but not required)
Notebook for Journal entries

OFFICE HOURS: MTWR 9 - 9:50 AM; and 11 - 11:50 AM

Other times by appointment.

Note: It is rare that my schedule and yours coincides. As a result, you may have questions, but are unable to attend any of my office hours. You have at least three choices: 1) do nothing (the worst choice possible); 2) see Drs. Mamola or Peters (the other instructors for PHY1150); or 3) let me know about the conflict so we can arrange a mutual time to meet. I am, in all honesty, the best person to tell you what is expected from my course and how to handle any problems associated with the course. It is up to you to handle the matter as I do not read minds, nor do I wish to.

POLICIES:

Attendance is NOT mandatory. I do not take roll or grade off for missing class (although I do appreciate notes or calls whenever you have to miss a class). I also do not mind it if you are late to class. I would rather you show for some of the class than to miss the entire class. HOWEVER, material covered during the lecture is usually presented with a different emphasis than the text. Missing many classes will result in time spent studying material not covered in the course. Also, announcements about changes in the schedule, exam information, etc. are made in the classroom. When it comes time to asses final grades, borderline cases usually benefit from regular attendance AND participation in class.
NOTE: Missing three (3) labs results in a grade of F for the entire 5 credit hour course.

GRADING:

Final grades will be based on your performance in the following areas:
a) Best 3 of 4 Hour Exams 30%
b) Laboratory/Lab Activities 20%
c) Final Exam 15%
d) Project 10%
e) Classwork 25%
Final grades will be assigned according to the following: 90+: A- to A; 80-89: B- to B+; 70-79: C- to C+; 60-69: D- to D+; 59-: F. Actual +/- cutoffs will be determined at the end of the semester.

a) "Hour" Exams: Each exam will be given in the following format: 60% In-Class closed note, closed-book, closed-neigbor (i.e., you're on your own) portion (stressing concepts, short problems, etc.) and 40% Take-Home portion (stressing more detailed problems, extensions of concepts, etc.). For the Take Home portion, any resource is available EXCEPT individuals holding a degree in Physics AND as long as you properly reference the resource. It is recommended that the take-home portion be done in groups, where the score of the group is the average of the members' scores.

b) Laboratory/Lab Activities: Lab WILL meet every Wednesday during the semester. Lab reports will be due by the next class meeting. (More on the report format during the lab meeting.) Lab activities will be any activity which is not a lecture. On some occasions, a one-page maximum write-up is to be turned in. These will be announced at random moments during the semester.

c) Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive. The exam will be divided into two parts: 1) a Multiple-Guess section of concepts and short problems; and 2) a problems section with one to two part problems.

d) Project: The class will be divide into groups which will be responsible for designing and building apparatus to demonstrate some principles of physics. The grading will be based on the design, implementation, teamwork and the quality of the physics. A handout with additional information will be handed out later in the semester.

e) Classwork: This portion of the course grade will depend on the following factors:
1) Weekly group quizzes which will be given only on Mondays during the semester; 2) Homework assignments which will be randomly collected during the semester; 3) Journal daily entries which will be collected each Thursday until the first exam, then every exam day after that. The journal entries should be an explanation of a physics concept as if you were explaining this to someone NOT in Physics; 4) Class participation; 5) Class presentations (book reports, short problems, etc.); 6) Short, one-page, papers which will be assigned during the semester; and 7) 3-5 page paper on a Woman Scientist or Engineer (excluding Marie Curie) which is due after Thanksgiving. The woman must be cleared by FALL BREAK!

FINAL COMMENTS:

This is a five (5) credit hour class. A lot of time will have to be spent by the student preparing and studying for this course. Failure of the student to: study; ask for assistance from the instructor; participate in study groups; attend the Physics Help Room sessions; prepare BEFORE coming to class; and, in general, do whatever it takes, as long as it is legal, to pass this course, will find themselves in academic trouble very quickly. Contrary to common belief, I am not a Professor of Physics to teach you all about physics. You are there to learn! (an active, not a passive process!) I will do whatever I can to assist those who are having difficulty, but the first thing each student must do is to give an honest effort in learning the material. GOOD LUCK!

Please sign and date the Physics Survey form to indicate that you have read the above AND that you agree to abide by the policies and guidelines provided.

Click here to view the Fall, 1997 schedule of activities.