Course Description:

This course outlines a study of principles and application of concepts in mechanics, energy, heat, wave motion, and sound. PHYS 1401/1402 is the standard algebra-based physics sequence. PHYS 1401 also satisfies the physics prerequisite for the calculus-based PHYS 2425/2426 sequence for students who have not taken high school physics.

Instructional Methodology:

This course is designed for students who are pursuing degrees in scientific, health, and technical majors.  It is intended to provide an overview of basic physics to help students fulfill degree requirements and to prepare students for further studies.  Since our courses are intended for transfer to a four-year institution, they will be taught at the University level.

Course Rationale:

           This course is designed for students who are pursuing degrees in scientific and technical majors other than physics and engineering.  It is intended to provide an overview of basic physics to assist these students in their further studies in science and technology.  Because many if not most students will be using this course for transfer credit, the course will be taught at the University level.

Course Prerequisites

Grade of "C" or better in MATH 1314 or equivalenttudent Learning Outcomes

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of Newton's Laws of Motion, and apply those laws to simple physical systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of physical conservation laws, and apply those laws to simple physical systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of wave motion and oscillations and apply that knowledge to simple physical systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of thermal physics and apply that knowledge to simple physical systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to translate common language descriptions into multiple physical representations (e. g. diagrams, mathematical equations, physical models) and vice versa.
• Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate findings in terms of fundamental physical concepts.

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competence in:

• Critical Thinking: Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.
• Interpersonal Skills: Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning: Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
• Technology Skills: Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.

Textbooks and other materials

• College Physics: Reasoning and Relationships, 2nd Edition, by Nicholas Giordano
• Scientific calculator
• USB mass storage devic
•  
•  

• Grading System

  Criteria for Grading:  Grades will be based on journals, lab reports, quizzes, Homework and exams.

   

  An Important Note about Earning a Passing Grade in this Class!  This is Official ACC Department of Physical Sciences Policy!

  You must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If you do not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then your grade for the course will be a “D” unless due to your overall course average you have earned an “F” for the course.  In this course, the “laboratory component” is defined as the lab reports and lab journals only.  The “lecture component” is the rest of the course.

   

  Lab Portion:                 25%    Lab Reports              15%    Lab Journal               10%   Lecture Portion:          75%    Daily Quizzes             10%    Homework                 15%    Midterm Exams         30%    Final Exam                 20%

  The grading system is as follows*: A = 90 –100   Superior B = 80 – 89   Above Average C = 70 – 79   Average D = 60 – 69   Passing F =       < 60   Failing

  Homework Policies

  Homework (15%):  Homework will be assigned for each chapter.  Homework will be completed through the Advanced WebAssign online homework system.  

  https://www.webassign.net/   Class Key: austincc 3769 6816

  Also there will be a reading assignment which will be completed before each class day. These reading assignments are listed at the end of this document in the daily schedule.

  Exam and Quiz Policies

  Exams (30% + 20% = 50%):  There will be 3 midterm exams and a final. Exams will be composed of multiple choice questions~30% of exam (simple one step problems and conceptual questions), and show your work style problems ~70% of exam credit (multi-step problems where partial credit will be given for steps that lead to the correct answer)

  Class Quizzes (10%): An in class quiz will be given everyday we meet; it will cover the material from the reading assignment and other selected topics. Students’ lowest 3 quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

  Lab Policies

  Most lab days we will conduct experiments. There will be instructions for each experiment available on Blackboard ™, and students will need to have read over the instructions before class.

  Some days we will have recitation (problem solving sessions) where students will work together as a group to solve multistep problems and draw up a proper solution using the problem solving techniques taught in class.

   

  Lab Journals (10%):  Students are required to keep a lab journal chronicling their daily activities. Lab journals are meant to guide students on how to keep a professional journal, so the standards are pretty much the same; No pages are skipped or removed, use pen only and cross out all mistakes (no erasing or white out), extra material (graphs, computer generated, etc.) shall be taped or pasted into the journal.  The journals are kept in the lab room at all times, so if you need to use information from them, you will have to scan or photograph the pages and print it out for yourself. Journal entries will be graded daily, and at the end of the semester I will tally the total grade on the lab journal based your participation and post it in blackboard. 

  Lab journal grades are split into 2 parts

• Each member of the group will write in the journal at least 5 times over the semester and the grades for these entries will account for 50% of your journal grade.
• At the beginning of each lab, the names of each group member that is present is recorded next to the days date, I will then check this list at the end of lab and sign off that the experiment is completed. 50% of your journal grade will come from participation in lab each day.

Lab Reports (15%):  You will turn in 4 written lab reports over one of the labs you did. Each group will be responsible for a report on each of the labs covered, but the grade will only be given to the person writing it. There is a template available on Blackboard to guide you on how to write your lab reports, as well as a rubric to let you know what criteria I am looking for while grading them. The lowest lab report grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Grading System

Criteria for Grading:  Grades will be based on journals, lab reports, quizzes, Homework and exams.

An Important Note about Earning a Passing Grade in this Class!  This is Official ACC Department of Physical Sciences Policy!

You must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If you do not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then your grade for the course will be a “D” unless due to your overall course average you have earned an “F” for the course.  In this course, the “laboratory component” is defined as the lab reports and lab journals only.  The “lecture component” is the rest of the course.

Homework Policies

Homework (15%):  Homework will be assigned for each chapter.  Homework will be completed through the Advanced WebAssign online homework system.  

https://www.webassign.net/   Class Key: austincc 3769 6816

Also there will be a reading assignment which will be completed before each class day. These reading assignments are listed at the end of this document in the daily schedule.

Exam and Quiz Policies

Exams (30% + 20% = 50%):  There will be 3 midterm exams and a final. Exams will be composed of multiple choice questions~30% of exam (simple one step problems and conceptual questions), and show your work style problems ~70% of exam credit (multi-step problems where partial credit will be given for steps that lead to the correct answer)

Class Quizzes (10%): An in class quiz will be given everyday we meet; it will cover the material from the reading assignment and other selected topics. Students’ lowest 3 quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Lab Policies

Most lab days we will conduct experiments. There will be instructions for each experiment available on Blackboard ™, and students will need to have read over the instructions before class.

Some days we will have recitation (problem solving sessions) where students will work together as a group to solve multistep problems and draw up a proper solution using the problem solving techniques taught in class.

Lab Journals (10%):  Students are required to keep a lab journal chronicling their daily activities. Lab journals are meant to guide students on how to keep a professional journal, so the standards are pretty much the same; No pages are skipped or removed, use pen only and cross out all mistakes (no erasing or white out), extra material (graphs, computer generated, etc.) shall be taped or pasted into the journal.  The journals are kept in the lab room at all times, so if you need to use information from them, you will have to scan or photograph the pages and print it out for yourself. Journal entries will be graded daily, and at the end of the semester I will tally the total grade on the lab journal based your participation and post it in blackboard. 

Lab journal grades are split into 2 parts

1. Each member of the group will write in the journal at least 5 times over the semester and the grades for these entries will account for 50% of your journal grade.
2. At the beginning of each lab, the names of each group member that is present is recorded next to the days date, I will then check this list at the end of lab and sign off that the experiment is completed. 50% of your journal grade will come from participation in lab each day.

Lab Reports (15%):  You will turn in 4 written lab reports over one of the labs you did. Each group will be responsible for a report on each of the labs covered, but the grade will only be given to the person writing it. There is a template available on Blackboard to guide you on how to write your lab reports, as well as a rubric to let you know what criteria I am looking for while grading them. The lowest lab report grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

• e (at least 1GB)
• Advanced WebAssign Homework system
  • https://www.webassign.net/    Class Key: austincc 3769 6816

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Class time is when you can interact with your fellow students and with the instructor.  There are assignments done each day, and everything that is on the exam is discussed in class. Failure to attend class will directly impair your grade, and create a great deal of confusion for you since material is cumulative.

1)  If you are not present for an assignment, you will get a zero on it. There will be quizzes, and lab work to be done every day. If you miss this work, you will get a zero for those assignments.

2)  If you are not present and no communication for 3 consecutive class periods I will drop you from my roster. No exceptions.In this day and age of cell phones with internet in eveyones pocket, any situation that would prevent you from contacting me about a series of absences would have prevented you from completing the course anyway. (serious accident, arrested, or kidnapped are about the only things I can think up, and they all would prevent you from completing the semester)

ed Exam and Late Work Policies

If you miss an exam or an in class assignment, you will receive a zero on it. Make-up work will only be allowed if you arrange to do it before returning to class (Send me an e-mail letting me know that you will absent and why) If no advanced warning is given, you will not be allowed to make it up. Of course I will make exceptions for extreme situations that can be verified. (ie. car accident or hospitalization) But if you are sick or have a family emergency, I better get an e-mail before hand if you intend to do any make-up work.

For missed lectures make-up work will be an assignment of my choice to be completed before you return. (Typically 10 questions & answers related to the reading material) For missed labs you will need to come to the Friday make-up lab (Fridays from 9:00a-noon) and repeat the work your lab group did while you were absent. If you miss an exam, I will give an alternate exam over the same material to be taken in the testing center.  No curve is given on alternate exams.

For missed labs you will need to make arrangements to attend a make-up lab (there is a sign-up sheet in the lab) When you come in to make-up the lab you will need to record your work in your lab journal and get the lab tech to initial your work when you are done. The journal entry should include the date, which lab you are making up, and what day that lab was done by your group members.

For missed recitation days, you will be required to give me a completed solution to a similar set of problems to what your group did that day, and it will have to be completed and brought to me within a week of the missed recitation day.

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002 may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

Incompletes

An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course.  An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

Statement on Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  

Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.    Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available athttp://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

Safety Statement

AustinCommunity Collegeis committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/

You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.  

Specific safety training will take place before lab activities.  If you are late or miss this training, you will not be able to participate in the activity.  The complete ACC science safety policy can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/sci_safe/

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php. In addition, I may reply to phone messages by email.

Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center.  Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam.  To request an exam, one must have:

·         ACC Photo ID

·         Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)

·         Course Number (e.g.,1301)

·         Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)

·         Course Section (e.g., 005)

·         Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center.  Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester.  ACCTesting Centerpolicies can be found athttp://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Student and Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/s4/

Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored.  The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Grading System

Criteria for Grading:  Grades will be based on journals, lab reports, quizzes, Homework and exams.

An Important Note about Earning a Passing Grade in this Class!  This is Official ACC Department of Physical Sciences Policy!

You must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If you do not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then your grade for the course will be a “D” unless due to your overall course average you have earned an “F” for the course.  In this course, the “laboratory component” is defined as the lab reports and lab journals only.  The “lecture component” is the rest of the course.

Homework Policies

Homework (15%):  Homework will be assigned for each chapter.  Homework will be completed through the Advanced WebAssign online homework system.  

https://www.webassign.net/   Class Key: austincc 3769 6816

Also there will be a reading assignment which will be completed before each class day. These reading assignments are listed at the end of this document in the daily schedule.

Exam and Quiz Policies

Exams (30% + 20% = 50%):  There will be 3 midterm exams and a final. Exams will be composed of multiple choice questions~30% of exam (simple one step problems and conceptual questions), and show your work style problems ~70% of exam credit (multi-step problems where partial credit will be given for steps that lead to the correct answer)

Class Quizzes (10%): An in class quiz will be given everyday we meet; it will cover the material from the reading assignment and other selected topics. Students’ lowest 3 quiz grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Lab Policies

Most lab days we will conduct experiments. There will be instructions for each experiment available on Blackboard ™, and students will need to have read over the instructions before class.

Some days we will have recitation (problem solving sessions) where students will work together as a group to solve multistep problems and draw up a proper solution using the problem solving techniques taught in class.

Lab Journals (10%):  Students are required to keep a lab journal chronicling their daily activities. Lab journals are meant to guide students on how to keep a professional journal, so the standards are pretty much the same; No pages are skipped or removed, use pen only and cross out all mistakes (no erasing or white out), extra material (graphs, computer generated, etc.) shall be taped or pasted into the journal.  The journals are kept in the lab room at all times, so if you need to use information from them, you will have to scan or photograph the pages and print it out for yourself. Journal entries will be graded daily, and at the end of the semester I will tally the total grade on the lab journal based your participation and post it in blackboard. 

Lab journal grades are split into 2 parts

1. Each member of the group will write in the journal at least 5 times over the semester and the grades for these entries will account for 50% of your journal grade.
2. At the beginning of each lab, the names of each group member that is present is recorded next to the days date, I will then check this list at the end of lab and sign off that the experiment is completed. 50% of your journal grade will come from participation in lab each day.

Lab Reports (15%):  You will turn in 4 written lab reports over one of the labs you did. Each group will be responsible for a report on each of the labs covered, but the grade will only be given to the person writing it. There is a template available on Blackboard to guide you on how to write your lab reports, as well as a rubric to let you know what criteria I am looking for while grading them. The lowest lab report grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR