COURSE TITLE: Introductory Physics PREFIX NUMBER: PHY 100

LECTURE HOURS 3.0 LAB HOURS: 0

CONTACT HOURS: 3.0 CREDIT HOURS: 3.0

This is a course in general physics. It is an introduction to the principles of physics with a minimum of mathematics. This nondegree credit course is recommended for those students who have never had a physics course.

Prerequisite: Mat 102 or appropriate placement score

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course describes the basic ideas involved in Newtonian mechanics, waves, heat and temperature, electricity, magnetism, light, and atomic structure. The course is mostly descriptive, but the student is introduced to physics problem solving. At the end of this course, with the appropriate math prerequisites, you should be able to take either the PHY 201-202 of PHY 221-222-223 sequence.

TEXTBOOKS AND REQUIRED MATERIALS:

TEXT: Paul G. Hewitt. Conceptual Physics 8^th edition. Addison Wesley, Pub.

CALCULATOR: any calculator with scientific notation and roots and powers will be sufficient for this course. The student should consider purchasing a calculator that will be sufficient for later courses. The calculator recommended for PHY 201 or 221 is a scientific calculator; any calculator that has as a minimum the trig functions, logarithms (base 10 and base e), exponential, and scientific notation. (The TI-86 graphing calculator is a good choice, but not required.)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to

State Newton’s laws of motion and use them to calculate the acceleration of a mass.

State and calculate the kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy of a mass.

Recognize harmonic motion and find the amplitude and frequency.

State the difference between heat and temperature.

Calculate the heat needed to change the temperature of a substance.

Calculate the wavelength from the speed and frequency of a wave.

Find the refracted or reflected angle of a light wave.

Find the field and potential of a point charge.

Find the force on a moving charge in a magnetic field.

 

GRADING SYSTEM AND POLICY:

The grade for this course will be based on the weighted average of classroom test, the daily grade, laboratory reports and the final examination.

Final exam 25%

Classroom tests 70%

Daily grade 5%

Final grades will be awarded according to the college-wide grading scale:

91 - 100 = A

81 - 90 = B

71 - 80 = C

65 - 70 = D

Below 65 = F

If a scheduled classroom test is missed, arrangements for a make-up test must be made. Failure to do so will result in the grade of zero. Each instructor will inform you of his/her grading policies regarding scheduled and make-up test, reports, and the final examination.

The daily grade may be based on quizzes, homework and/or special assignments, class participation and the student’s overall attendance record. Quizzes may be given without prior notification. The instructor will explain policies regarding the daily grade. Absence on the day of a final exam will result in the grade of I (incomplete) or F, at the discretion of the instructor. Incomplete grades must be cleared according to the policies of the registrar as listed in the college catalog. A student who wishes to withdraw from the course must follow procedures of the registrar and the department chairman.

 

FACULTY ACCESS

Your instructor is available to you outside of class for academic assistance. Full-time faculty maintain and post regularly scheduled office hours. Part-time faculty are accessible in a variety of ways, which may include conferences before and after class or by appointment, telephone conferences, and e-mail. The phone number for contacting your instructor is provided on your syllabus addendum or cover sheet.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

The college will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities should notify the disabled students’ counselor (located in the student success center) and their instructors of any special needs. Instructors should be notified on the first day of classes.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

The college attendance policy is designed to foster student success. Prompt and regular attendance is the responsibility of each student. In most cases, a student must attend at least 80% of classes in order to have an opportunity to earn a passing grade. The student is responsible for all material covered and all assignments made in class. Any time a student is absent from a class, laboratory, or other scheduled event, it is the student’s responsibility to make satisfactory arrangements for any make-up work permitted by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the paper work required to drop or withdraw from courses. Failure to attend classes does not constitute proper procedure for dropping or withdrawal and may result in the grade of F. Contact the Admissions and Records office for additional information.

All veteran students are required to maintain attendance in order to earn VA benefits. Whenever a veteran student’s absences exceed 20% of the hours assigned to the course, the VA student will be administratively dropped for excessive absences. An instructor may administratively withdraw a student who has missed more than 10% of contact hours for the course if the student has not notified the instructor of reasons for the absences prior to reaching the 10% limit. Contact the veteran’s assistance office for additional information.

 

TEXTBOOK PORTIONS COVERED:

The contents of this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor and the department head.