Physics 1110: General Physics 1
Quick information
|
Lectures: |
MWF 9-9:50A (Lec. 100) and 11-11:50A (Lec. 200) Duane G-1B30 |
|
|
Professors: |
Heather Lewandowski |
Chuck Rogers |
|
Office: |
Duane A-600 ( |
Duane F-631 ( |
|
Phone: |
(303) 492-1446 |
(303) 492-4476 |
|
e-mail: |
||
|
Web page: |
||
Required materials (available at the bookstores)
Introduction
Physics 1110, General Physics 1, is the first semester of a
three semester sequence in introductory physics. We will cover topics in
mechanics,
What we cover and why
The material we will cover is at the foundation of our technological society. Most of the material involves discoveries no more than 300 years old (of course, even the ancients knew some things about physics). We are so comfortable with technologies like cars, electrical appliances, and home computers, that it is easy to forget just how recent these developments are: Some of you have relatives old enough to remember the days before radio (first licensed broadcast station opened in 1920). There are still people alive today who were born before the first powered flight. We live radically more convenient, typically longer, and perhaps more enjoyable lives due to the revolution in physical and biological sciences over the last couple of centuries. This course aims to introduce you to our present understanding of how the world works, and shows you how to use important tools of physics to understand and solve problems on your own.
The text
We will use University Physics, Volume 1, 12th Edition, by Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman. We will cover Chapters 1 through 20 at a rate of roughly one chapter per week. The textbook is one of the best tools you have in the class. READ CHAPTERS BEFORE WE COVER THEM IN CLASS. If you do, you’ll get much more out of the lectures.
Homework
We will be using CAPA, an on-line homework system. You will receive a print-out of your homework problems each week (find your assignments in the bins on the wall in the Duane G2B hallway outside the recitation area), and can enter your homework solutions directly online. Homework will be due on Friday evenings at 10 PM. Your lowest CAPA homework score will be dropped.
The CAPA system is available on the internet at http://www.colorado.edu/physics/CAPA/Cindex.html, or from the course home page at http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phys1110/phys1110_fa07/ CAPA is a tool that provides you with immediate feedback on your solutions to homework problems. If you take the time to start homework early, there is no reason why you cannot have a perfect homework score by the end of the class. The first homework will review the use of CAPA.
You are encouraged to work together on the homework, but each person must enter their own solutions. Do not fall into the trap of working with a group where others routinely provide solutions; you will have big problems with the exams, which you must take alone.
Recitation/Tutorials
This is a chance to work in a smaller setting with fellow students and trained teaching and learning assistants. Tutorials are designed to enhance your understanding of key principles dealt with in the class. You will hand in "tutorial homework", and work through worksheets in small groups at your own pace. It's more important for you to understand the material than to "cover" all the questions. You must take responsibility for your own learning! If you find yourself ahead of your partners, try to explain some physics to them. (Explainers learn even more than listeners.) Remember to bring your workbook to tutorial every week!
Tutorial Pretests: There will be a
"pretest" (usually online) every week due before tutorial
(generally between Mon and Wed lectures). You get full credit for participation.
Exams
Three 90 minute exams and a final exam will be given, which will test your mastery of material covered in the textbook, lectures, tutorials and homework. The mid-term exams are given on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm in Chem 140, Muen. E050, and Math 100. For your location, see the Instructors link on the sidebar. The dates are:
Tues Sept. 25, Tues Oct. 23, and Tues Nov. 27. Mark these on your calendar and, if you are employed, arrange with your employer to be absent from work.
The final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 10:30 am -1:00 pm.
You may be excused from an exam only for a medical or personal emergency beyond your control. You must present written documentation to one of us no later than one week subsequent to the exam you missed. If you are excused from an exam, your grade will be based upon your remaining exam scores. The athletic dept. will handle exams for athletes who must be absent. Exams will be closed-book, but you may bring a single sheet of 8.5 in. x 11 in. paper to exams, with your own handwritten notes (front and back sides are OK). Calculators with scientific notation are allowed and usually needed.
You will need to bring your "clicker'' or electronic response transmitter to lecture each day to be used for audience feedback. If your clicker is lost, buy and register and new one. Put your name and phone number on your clicker so that if it is lost you have a chance of getting it back.
Once you have the clicker, you'll have to register your clicker on CUConnect under the "Schedule and Grades" channel. You must register your clicker if you are to receive credit for your in-class responses. In addition, you must attend the lecture section in which you are registered to receive credit.
Three of your lowest clicker scores will be dropped.
Grading
The three midterm exams will be worth 15% of your grade each, for a total 45% of the course grade. The cumulative final exam will contribute 20%. The remaining contributions come from your recitation tutorial pretests (2%), tutorial participation (2%), in-class clicker answers (1%), tutorial homework (15%), and weekly CAPA homework (15%).
Final grades will be assigned on an absolute scale according to your final point total:
A/A- = 100 - 88
B+/B/B- = 88 - 77
C+/C/C- = 77 - 65
D+/D/D- = 65 - 55
F < 55
These grade cuts may be lowered (made easier) but they will not be raised (made harder). In the past, the average grade for this course has been C+/B- and it will likely be the same this semester, unless there is evidence that this year's students are unusual.
To assure a distraction free environment for all students, laptop computers, MP3 players, cell phones, and similar devices are not allowed to be used during lecture.
Honor Code: We trust every individual in this class to understand and follow the CU honor code.
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should discuss options with Professors Lewandowski or Rogers during the first two weeks of class. You must provide documentation of your disability from the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671) or visit www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices.
How to succeed in this course
The course topics that we will cover in Physics 1110 are among the greatest intellectual achievements of humans. Don’t be surprised if you have to think and work hard to master the material. You can perform very well in this class if you follow this time-tested system:
1. Read the chapter material before lecture and recitation. If you read it first, it’ll sink in faster during lecture.
2. Take notes on your reading and try to write down questions you may have. If you ask those questions in class, we’ll try to answer them.
3. Come to class. Stay involved in class and recitation. Come to office hours at the Physics Help Room.
4. Start the homework early. Give yourself the time to work and understand. Remember that it’s possible to have a perfect homework score by putting in the effort and time.
5. But first: Do the reading. Don’t try the homework until you finish the reading.
6. Work together. Physicists often work in groups. You need to do your own thinking, but talking to others is a great way to sort out your own thoughts.
7. Don’t get behind. It’s very hard to catch up.
8. Please, get help early if you feel you are struggling with any aspect of the course (from your TA, either of the professors, etc). We're here to help!
9. Don’t give up.
Any information in this syllabus is as accurate as is possible at the time of writing. Announcements about changes of any kind will be made via e-mail as well as in class and on the web page, and will take precedence over this syllabus. You are responsible for announcements made in class, whether or not you are in attendance.