PHY 201 General Physics
Course Syllabus

1. To think critically and employ appropriate concepts to analyze qualitatively problems or situations involving the fundamental principles of physics. [SAN 1]
2. To learn the mathematical techniques and concepts needed to obtain quantitative solutions to problems in introductory physics. [SAN 2, QRE 1, QRE 2]
3. To acquire basic experimental skills by setting up and conducting experiments, with due regard to minimizing measurement error. [SAN 2, QRE 2, QRE 3]
4. To acquire basic communication skills by working in groups to solve problems that require the thoughtful discussion and interpretation of data. [SAN 3, QRE3]

The following is the abstract of a report prepared by a committee of the American Institute of Physics.

"The role of physics in engineering education is not a static one. It must respond and evolve with the momentous changes in both engineering and physics which are occurring continually. The predominent reliance of early engineering upon art is giving way to a modern technology based squarely upon the physical sciences. Since the beginning of this [the 20th] century we have seen as much progress in physics as had been obtained in the whole previous history of mankind. Yet the obvious and enormous increase in subject matter of modern physics is not the most significant factor relating to the aim of instruction in physics in the education of engineers. On the contrary, the cardinal aim should be that of imparting to the student a point of view, an attitude of mind, and a capacity to deal with the principles and methods of analysis of contemporary physics, for, without training and experience in these modes of thought, neither physicist nor engineer will prove competent to deal with the emerging problems of science and technology."

Class Meetings: Lecture, Laboratory, & Other

The course has both lecture and laboratory components. Lectures meet four times weekly for a total of 200 minutes, and serve as a review of selected material from the text. Read ahead of the lecture and attempt the assigned exercises. Even if you only read the relevant sections for about 30 minutes before each class, you will be much better prepared. Lecture attendance is required.

Laboratory meets once per week for 110 minutes; as laboratory work is also an integral part of the course, your attendance in laboratory is required.

Attendance

Experience shows that staying on schedule with homework, and active participation in all components of the lab and lecture are crucial for your success. Accordingly, I will enforce the following attendance policy: After two unexcused absences from lecture, your final T-score (see below) will be reduced by 1 point for each additional unexcused absence. A perfect lecture attendance record for the semester will merit a 1.5 point boost in your T-score. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class and will be closed 15 minutes after the class starts. Please do not be late!

All laboratory work must be completed unless officially excused by your laboratory instructor. Unexcused absences, or an unsatisfactory score (0) on a laboratory exercise, will result in a 2 point reduction in your final T-score for the first occurrence, and a 1 point reduction for each additional occurrence.

Time Management

Mastering the material of this course will require considerable determination and effort. Expect to devote at least 30 uninterrupted minutes each day to complete readings and assignments. And you should be prepared to do exercises beyond what is formally assigned, until a thorough understanding is achieved. Staying on schedule with assignments, and meaningful engagement in all aspects of the course experience will be crucial to your success.

Disability Accommodations

UNCW Disability Services supplies information about disability law, documentation procedures and accommodations that can be found at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability. To obtain accommodations the student must first contact Disability Services and present their documentation to the coordinator for review and verification.

Honor Code

Finally, all work in this course must be done in compliance with the UNCW academic honor code, which is published in Section I of the UNCW Code of Student Life. The following excerpt summarizes the responsibilities of members of the UNCW community in this regard:

"It shall be the responsibility of every faculty member, student, administrator and staff member of the university community to uphold and maintain the academic standards and integrity of the university. Any member of the university community who has reasonable grounds to believe that an infraction of the Academic Honor Code has occurred has an obligation to report the alleged violation."

Course Content

Course content is split among numerous topical modules, each with its accompanying objectives and means of assessment. The modules are collected under the heading Learning Modules. The modules address various topics in Classical Mechanics (or Newtonian Mechanics), a large and important part of the discipline of physics. We will progress through the learning modules in the listed order, and at a pace prescribed by the Class Schedule (approximately one module per week).

Assignments

Problems chosen from the text are included with each learning module. While these will not be scored, working the problems associated with each module and understanding their solutions in detail are among the most important preparations that you can make for writing the exams.

Class Exercises

Frequently, questions will be posed in class to check if you have read/understood the material under discussion that day. All responses will be recorded in real time using an electronic polling system, and will contribute to your course grade. To submit your response, you will need a 'clicker' (some may already have) or its software equivalent. See Student Response System "Clickers" for information about purchasing and registering these devices for use in this class.

Exams

Three 'hour' exams and a final exam will be administered on the dates specified on the Class Schedule. The hour exams will be administered during the weekly laboratory meetings, and will cover only the material since the preceding exam; the final exam is comprehensive, and follows the University-wide Exam Schedule.

There will be no make-up exams. Extraordinary circumstances will be evaluated on an individual basis; no general policy will apply to the class as a whole.

Grades

Course grades will be weighted as follows: Three Hour Exams (69%); Final Exam (31%). Also, if your cumulative score on the in-class Exercises exceeds your lowest Hour Exam grade, the higher score will be substituted.

Component grades are assigned (and compared) on the basis of the 'T-score', a statistical measure derived from your raw score (RS), the class average (AVG) and standard deviation (STD) as follows:

T-SCORE	GRADE
T ≥ 60	A
55 ≤ T < 60	B
45 ≤ T < 55	C
40 ≤ T < 45	D
T < 40	F

Office Hours

are times set aside each week when I will be in my office (223 DeLoach Hall) to take your questions. I will meet office hours according to the following schedule: MWF 1:00 – 2:30 pm; TR 10:30 – 11:30 am. If these times do not work for you, please contact me at moyerc@uncw.edu or 910-962-7587 for an appointment.

Exam Review Sessions

will be held to help you prepare for each scheduled hour exam. The time and place for these sessions will be announced during the week preceding the exam.

The University Learning Center

(ULC) mission is to help students become successful, independent learners. Tutoring at the ULC is NOT remediation: the ULC offers a different type of learning opportunity for those students who want to increase the quality of their education. ULC services are free to all UNCW students. For more information, visit the ULC web site.