95.103 General Physics I  (Fall 2009)

COURSE POLICY / INFORMATION

Instructor                      Dr. Lonberg      (office -  Olney - O127, tel. 978.934.3777)

                                                            (email – flonberg@gmail.com)

     Office Hours

                                    Mon., Wed, Fri. 12:30-1:30

                                    (or by appointment)

e-Communication         Please the section number in the subject of your email. Email questions concerning homework will be reliably answered only if sent more than one day before the due date of the assignment.

Websites                      Course:            http://faculty.uml.edu/flonberg/95.103/

                                                            Course Materials:  Class Notes posted after class

                                                            Resource Links:  additional website links

                                    Text:    PHYSICS, by Giancoli Pearson Press.
                        

                                    PRS wiki:         http://clickers.wiki.uml.edu/  

Class Sections

201 8:30 AM

202 9:30 AM

203 10:30 AM

Prerequisite                  A functional knowledge of algebra, geometry, and elementary trigonometry that includes  the sine, cosine, and tangent functions is required.

Most of the mathematics you need will be presented in class as we need it.

If you encounter mathematics which is not explained in the course of the classes, and which you are unsure of, you should avail yourself of help in the tutoring section.

Corequisite                   96.103  General Experimental Physics I (separate lab course)

                                    (You must either have completed this course or are currently enrolled in it.)

                                    Material covered in the lab course compliments that of the lecture course.

Additional Course Material

                                    b)         Student Solutions Manual (optional) 

                                    c)         Response Pad (clicker):  Personal Response System PRS by InterWrite

                                    (Course materials are available at the UML bookstore.)

Catalog Description      This is the first semester of a two-semester course on introductory physics using

algebra and trigonometry.  Topics include forces, one- and two-dimensional

motion, gravity, special relativity, energy, linear momentum, torque, angular momentum, fluids,

oscillations, waves, sound, heat, and thermodynamics. Although there is an

emphasis on conceptual understanding, a significant amount of problem solving is required.

Course Coverage         Chapters 1 through 15. in the textbook.

Attendance and Class Participation

I will do my best to make the time we spend in class optimally useful to your effort to do well in the course. Only through you presence and you participation can this optimization occur. I need you to ask questions as soon as I say something you do not understand. If you do you best to help me I think we can make you time in this class useful for you.

Calculator                     You must have for all classes a working hand-held battery-operated scientific calculator that has at least the following capabilities: four basic arithmetic operations, trigonometric functions, square roots, powers, logarithms and scientific notation. 

GRADING

Distribution                  

“Clicker” quizzes 5%

In-class weekly quizzes            20 % 

Hand-in homework                   20 %

Hour exams (3)                         30 %

Final exam                                25 %

On time completion of homework with clear, well organized presentation is considered to be in indication of effort and can be influential when a grade falls close to a grade line, e. g. between B and B+.

Nobody who attended class and made a conscientious effort to do the homework has ever failed to pass my course.

In-class Questions/Quizzes

a) Your response pad (PRS) may be used to answer in-class questions/quizzes.

b) Bring your response pad every day if so instructed as quizzes may be given daily.

100. All quizzes will be open notebook.

d. There

You will never be allowed to hand in written results in place response pads on quizzes.

It is your responsibility to see that your response pad is working.

No makeup questions/quizzes will be given.

Your in-class question/quiz grade will be determined by taking the average of your best 75% of the given quizzes.

Hand-in Homework     

a)  Only 8.5 x 11 inch paper with no tear outs may be used.

b)  Multiple pages for a given assignment must be stapled together.

c)  Your name and the assignment label must be on the outside of the outer sheet.

d)  Detailed solutions must include diagrams, equations in symbolic form, and an ordered set of steps.

e)  Late hand-in homework will be penalized by lowering the grade. 

f)  Your hand-in homework grade will be determined by taking the average of your best 15 of the 18 assignments.

Hour Exams

a)  Three hour exams will be given during late afternoon Tuesday or Thursday. If you have a documented reason for not being able to attend the 4 PM time you may come at 5PM.

1. Hour Exam #1 September 24 4:00 PM

2. Hour Exam #2 October 27 4:00 PM

3. Hour Exam #3 November 24 4:00 PM

b)  You are only allowed to use a calculator and writing implement to take an exam.

c)  Formulae sheets will be provided for each exam.

d)  Chapter coverage for each exam will be specified 1 week before the exam.

e)  You must have your student identification card with you during all exams.

Missed Exam 

a)  Illness on the day of an exam must be verified by submission of a letter from a physician or nurse showing that you were seen prior to or on the day of the exam and attesting that your illness made you unable to take the exam. 

b)  Absences for varsity sports must be approved one week in advance by written request. 

c)  Any other unusual personal situation must be reported to your instructor. 

d)   If your instructor approves your excuse for missing an exam, your grade evaluation be determined using increased emphasis on the final exam.

Final Exam      

The final exam will cover the ENTIRE semester's work (chapters 1 through 15) and will be scheduled by the registrar’s office.  You will be notified by email when the final exam schedule is available.  You will only be able to take the final exam at the time that is scheduled.

Restrictions                No consumption of any FOOD or DRINKS is allowed in the classroom.

During class time all electronic devices (except response pads and caculators) must be turned off.

ACADEMIC CONDUCT

You are responsible for appropriate academic conduct - please refer to the university's policy regarding

academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism at:

http://www.uml.edu/catalog/undergraduate/policies/academic_dishonesty.htm

Strategyfor Success       Success in the course generally results from a positive attitude towards learning the course material, careful reading and digesting of the information given in the text, regular class attendance, working out each assignment (you are encouraged to consult with your classmates but do not copy solutions), and concentrating on understanding the physical concepts which invariably includes learning the definitions of physical terms.

Assistance        For course assistance please consult your instructor.  You may attend office hours (see first page), you may set up individual office appointments, or you may just drop in if my office door is open.  In addition, the University provides peer tutoring at three sites by the Center for Learning and Academic Support Services (CLASS): on South Campus (O’Leary Library, 3rd floor, ext 2941), on North  Campus (Southwick Hall 321, ext 2947 – Suzanne Gamache), and in Fox Hall (6^th floor).  There will also be 'online tutoring' available.  URL for CLASS:   http://www.uml.edu/class/Tutoring/tutor.html 

COURSE GOALS and STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understanding that physics views the world through extrapolation to ideals which follow strict mathematical laws.

Understanding of the fundamental ideas in the physics of mechanics and thermodynamics.

Development of strategies for solving multi-step problems.

Presentation of solutions of problems in a clear written form with drawings when necessary. On homework and exams, partial credit will be strongly influenced by the clarity and organization of the presentation.

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