Physics 1101:  General Physics I                                Fall 2009 Course Syllabus

4 credits – no explicit pre-requisites, although algebra and trig skills are necessary.

 

Instructor:  David A. Bahr (interim)

Office:  S313B

E-mail:  dbahr@bemidjistate.edu

Phone:  (218) 755-2916

Office hours:  www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/physics/D_Bahr/d_bahr_office_hrs_F09.htm

Class meetings:  MTWR 9:00-9:50 in Rm S212;  Laboratory in Rm S307

Website:  http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/physics/

Text (required):

Giancoli, Douglas C., Physics, 6th Ed., Vol.1, Prentice-Hall 2004 (ISBN 0-13-035256-X). 

A scientific calculator is required, but excessively powerful, programmable, memory-endowed calculators are strongly discouraged.

A lab notebook and a lecture notebook are required.  The lecture notes dramatically condense textbook content and fully represent what is expected to be learned in the course.

 

Course objectives:

A survey introduction to algebra-based physics is presented in this first course of a two-course sequence for non-physics and non-engineering majors.  Topics covered include linear and rotational kinematics, statics, dynamics, and fluid mechanics; work and energy; impulse and momentum; thermal physics; and introductory wave theory.  A concurrent laboratory is integrated with the lecture course and serves to reinforce classroom concept development with hands-on practice.

Periodic online homework will be assigned via WebAssign and must be completed by the dates posted at:

www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/physics/Physics%201101/physics_1101.htm constituting 30% of the course grade (four homeworks).  Also, four quizzes will contribute 30% of the course grade, attendance at 2/3 of lectures or more will contribute 15%, and eight lab write-ups will contribute the remaining 25% of the course grade.  Homework and quizzes will be online, using WebAssign.

Problem sessions will be conducted upon request.  Attendance is a course requirement, and it does contribute to grades via the notebook grade.

 

Grade weighting: 

Homework:   

30%

 

Quizzes:

30%

 

Lab

25%

 

Attendance

15%

Letter grade assignments to success ratios:

100%-90%

A

 

90%-78%

B

 

78%-62%

C

 

62%-50%

D

           

Chapters to cover :  (See web page indicated above for schedule.)  Asterisks mark chapters that will receive scant coverage due to time-constrained lesser emphasis in this course.

1    *Introduction and Measurement

2    1-D Kinematics

3    2-D Kinematics

4    Dynamics:  Force and Motion

5    Circular Motion and Gravitation

6    Work and Energy

7    Linear Momentum

8    Rotational Motion

9    Statics and Elasticity

10   Fluid Mechanics

11   Vibrations and Waves

12   *Sound

13   Temperature and Kinetic Theory

14   *Heat

15   The Laws of Thermodynamics

Instructor reserves the right to make minor changes to this syllabus as needed.

 

Please note that timeliness and neatness are essential to grades for written work.  Late work loses half its score for each day late unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.  Illegible work will not be graded and will be considered not attempted.

Academic Integrity Policy:

Students are encouraged to collaborate on but not to copy each others’ written work (not applicable to online homework and quizzes, since those are impossible to copy) and to acknowledge their collaborators by listing the names of all who contributed to the collaboration.    Students are reminded that unacknowledged use of others’ work is plagiarism, and copying each other's work is cheating.  Collaboration on exams is not acceptable.

Upon request this document can be made available in alternate formats.

If you have a documented disability and need accommodations for this course please contact Kathi Hagen in the Disability Services Office in 202 Sanford Hall.  Any other questions about this course should be directed to the instructor.