Physics 1401-C4

College Physics I

Blinn College – Bryan Campus

Fall 2009

 

Course Information Sheet

 

Instructor:  Lianxi Ma                                        Email:  lianxi.ma@blinn.edu

Office:  G203                                                    Tel:  (979) 209-7419 (Office)

Office Hours: 45 min. before class or as long as my door is open. (Or by appointment)

 

Course Web site:  http://www.blinn.edu/brazos/natscience/lma

 

Classroom Locations and Meeting Times: Tuesday and Thursday

 

Lecture

Lab

Room G214

5:40 -  6:55 PM

Room G231

7:05 – 8:20 PM

 

Course Description

A course designed primarily for students preparing for careers in architecture, biology, medicine, pharmacy and other fields requiring two semesters of physics. Topics covered include fundamentals of classical mechanics, heat and sound.  Prerequisites: Two years of high school algebra with grade of “C” or better or Math 1314.  Knowledge of basic trigonometry is also useful.

 

Core Curriculum Course

This is a course in the 42-hour Core Curriculum of Blinn College. Students will develop proficiency in appropriate intellectual competencies, exemplary educational objectives and general perspectives. The URL of the Blinn College core curriculum web site is www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum.htm.

 

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, students should be able to accomplish the following goals using algebra and basic trigonometry. Lecture and laboratory work will focus on these learning outcomes.

 

·         Apply the equations of kinematics for objects moving with constant acceleration in one and two dimensions.

·         Use vectors in solving physics problems.

·         Apply Newton's laws of motion to one- and two-dimensional linear dynamics problems.

·         Utilize the definition of work, the work-energy theorem and the principle of conservation of energy in solving physics problems.

·         Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum.

·         Apply the equations of rotational kinematics for objects rotating with constant angular acceleration.

·         Apply the equations of rotational dynamics, including the principle of conservation of angular momentum.

·         Utilize principles such as Newton's law of universal gravitation, conservation of energy or Kepler's laws to solve problems in gravitation.

·         Describe selected properties of oscillations and waves.

·         Distinguish between the concepts of heat and temperature. Use the concept of specific heat in solving problems in calorimetry.

·         Apply the concept of latent heat to problems involving phase changes. Describe various properties of ideal gases.

·         Recognize, explain and apply the laws of thermodynamics.

 

Overall objectives for the course include the following:

  • The student will maintain grade of D (60%) for completion of the course. This grade will include both lecture and laboratory components.
  • The student will develop improved problem-solving skills.
  • The student will develop an enhanced appreciation for the integration of physics and math and improved skill in interpreting the physical meaning of mathematical equations which occur naturally in the course.

 

Laboratory work will be chosen to reinforce the above lecture topics. The student will demonstrate in the laboratory an understanding of the experiment through writing a report that analyzes the data and interprets the results.

 

Textbooks and other materials

  • Required Textbook:  James S. Walker, Physics, 3rd edition (Vol. I)
  • Required Homework System: Students must purchase an access key to MasteringPhysics, the textbook publisher's online homework system. This is bundled with the textbook at the Blinn bookstore. Alternatively, the access key can be purchased online at www.masteringphysics.com; be sure to select the Walker text above to pair with MasteringPhysics. The MasteringPhysics CourseID for this section is: BLINN1401C4FA09.
  • Required Laboratory Manual:  Physics 1401 Laboratory Manual.  Available for a nominal fee at the copy center on the first floor of the Bookstore Building on the Blinn campus.
  • A scientific calculator

 

ADA Statement

Students with physical or learning disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (Room 165, Science Bldg.) to receive accommodation on exams and assignments. The Office of Disability Services will provide the student with an accommodation letter specifying the accommodations that are to be provided to the student.  The student must present this letter to the instructor in order to receive accommodation.  Accommodation is not retroactive.

 

Class Policies

Attendance

The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes.  Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade.  It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how participation is achieved in his or her class. Faculty will require students to attend class regularly and will keep a record of attendance from the first day of class or the first day the student’s name appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student accumulates one week’s worth of unexcused absences during the semester, he or she will be sent an e-mail by the College requiring the student to contact his or her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss his or her attendance issues. Should the student accumulate two weeks’ worth of unexcused absences he or she will be administratively withdrawn from class.

 

There are three forms of excused absence officially designated by Blinn College:  (1) observance of religious holy days:  The student should notify his or her instructor not later than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious holy day(s); (2) representing Blinn College at an official institutional function and (3) official involvement in a high school activity for “dual credit” students. Other excuses will be considered and may be considered excused at the instructor’s discretion, with documentation. Missing lecture or lab counts as one absence. If a student misses both lecture and lab periods for a given day, this counts as only one absence.

 

Dropping

If a student chooses to drop the course, it is that student’s responsibility to complete a drop order at the Office of Enrollment Services.  Failure to do so could result in a grade of F in the course.

 

Eating and Drinking

Eating and drinking are not allowed in classrooms or laboratories.

 

Classroom Civility

Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and physical and intellectual property of others.

 

If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until the issue is resolved.  A written resolution report is sent to the Dean for Academic Affairs.

 

Mobile Phones

All mobile phones must be turned off at all times while in the classroom or lab.

 

Scholastic Dishonesty

Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or other acts of dishonesty.  Definitions of these acts and procedures for dealing with them are described in “Scholastic Dishonesty” in the Blinn College Student Handbook, copies of which are available at the information desk in the Administration Building.

Description of Course Content and Tentative Class Schedule

Criteria for Grading:

Tests:  3 major tests will be given. Here is the tentative schedule: (class starts on 8/31/09)

Test 1:        Chapters 1 – 5 (9/17, Thursday)

Test 2:        Chapters 6 – 9 (10/15, Thursday)

Test 3:        Chapters 10 – 14 (11/17, Tuesday)

Final exam (chapters 1 – 18, no chapter 15): 12/15/09, Tuesday, 3:15 – 5:15pm (G214)

Grading:     

Tests                                              39% of total (13% each)

Quizzes                                         12% of total (one lowest grade is dropped)

MasteringPhysics                        12% of total (pay attention to the due days)

Lab                                                 15% of total (1 lowest grade is dropped)

Comprehensive Final                 22% of total (including post test from department)

 

The grading system of Blinn College is as follows*:

A = 90   – 100    Superior

B = 80   – 89    Above Average

C = 70   – 79    Average

D = 60   – 69    Passing

F =          < 60    Failing

*from Board Policy Manual EGA(LOCAL), issued 05/24/2004

 

 

Important academic dates/deadlines:

 

11/20/09: Last day to drop with “W”

12/10/09: Last day of class

12/11/09: Final exams begin

12/17/09: Final grades due at 5:00 PM

 

Student E-mails: Students are assigned an E-mail address that must be checked regularly for official Blinn communications and course information.  The address is of the form:
Firstname.LastnameLast2digitsBlinnID@buc.blinn.edu.  Information about accessing this account can be found at: www.blinn.edu/acadtech/studentemail/