Physics 001

The Science of Physics

Spring, 2011
TR 2:00 - 3:15 PM
128 Science and Technology Building
Final Exam: To Be Determined

About Me

Steve Carabello
Office: TL 126
Email: sac130@psu.edu
Phone: 948-6622
Office Hours: M 2:00-3:00, TR 9:30-10:30, and by appointment

Required Materials:

Access to the internet. We will be using ANGEL (http://cms.psu.edu/) extensively throughout the course, and the "textbook" is The Physics Classroom, a site that explains many of the topics in physics very well.
A calculator. Almost any calculator should do; scientific functions will not be required.

Grading:

Grading will be based on participation, quizzes, tests, and a final exam.

Participation
In order to receive a good participation grade, you should come prepared with answers to the following questions, for each topic:

What did you learn from the reading?

Which particular sentences/paragraphs/sections did you find most interesting? Why?

Which particular sentences/paragraphs/sections did you find most surprising? Why?

What tangents did you/would you like to explore?

What questions do you have -- either about the current material, or things that we may answer in future topics in the course?

The participation grade will be worth 15 points.

Quizzes
Approximately once per week, you will have a quiz covering the most recent topics. Many of these quizzes will be about 15 minutes long, given at the beginning of class. The remaining quizzes will be take-home quizzes, usually involving some discussion of what you've learned. Some topics will cover primarily what has been discussed in class; others will focus mainly on the reading. Many will include calculations. Each quiz is worth 10 points.

Tests
The two tests (on Thursday February 17 and Thursday March 31) will be about 40 minutes long, are each worth 25 points, and will cover much of the material since the last test.

The final exam (date to be determined) will be 1 hour and 50 minutes long, will include material from throughout the course (but will emphasize the material after test 2), and will be worth 40 points.

At the end of the semester, your two lowest 10 point quizzes will be dropped, before computing your average for the course.

Grades will be determined approximately by the standard cutoffs: 90% for an A, 80% for a B, etc. Plus and minus grades will be assigned as refinements of this scale. After all of the grades are in, the grades may have a slight curve toward your benefit, at the instructor's option. (But there will never be a curve leading to a score of over 90% being needed for an A, etc.)

Course Topics:

The Blue Book catalog description for this course is available at: http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/bluebook/long/phys/001.htm

It states:

Introduction to the basic concepts of physics at a conceptual level for students in non-technical majors. Provides a broad survey of the history, concepts, and applications of physics including topics such as classical mechanics in one- and two-dimensions, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, momentum, rotational motion, vibration, sound, and waves, heat and the laws of thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, including simple electrical circuits, and topics in 20th century physics, including relativity and quantum mechanics. Course objectives include the development of an understanding of the scientific method, its application to physics problems of historical interest, as well as to modern applications; providing an appreciation of the historical role played by physics in the development of modern science, its role in important cultural and societal issues, and in understanding the basic laws of nature, as applied to everyday experience, natural phenomena, or applications technologies (old and new); the development of scientific literacy, to help motivate the many connections of physics to other fundamental scientific fields and applications disciplines; providing experience in problem solving and the conceptual understanding of physics, and emphasizing the recurring role of a few important concepts, cutting across many scientific disciplines, such as the fundamental laws of classical mechanics, the basic laws of thermodynamics (including conservation of energy), as well as applications of modern quantum theory.

This list of topics is so extensive that it is hard to gather a good appreciation of them all in one semester. Also, this is only the second time I've taught this course (the first time was during the summer of 2006). As a result, the topics to be covered are still rather tentative. You can get an idea of what I plan to cover by looking at the Tentative Course Schedule on ANGEL, and referring to your textbook.

Academic Integrity Statement:

As described in http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/ and The Penn State Principles, academic integrity is the basic guiding principle for all academic activity at Penn State University, allowing the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest, and responsible manner. We expect that each student will practice integrity in regard to all academic assignments and will not tolerate or engage in acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception.
What is cheating? A separate handout explaining what is, and isn't, considered cheating, is posted in the "course handouts" folder on ANGEL. The basic premise is this: your grade must reflect how well you understand physics. If what you turn in makes it difficult or impossible to determine how well you understand physics, then it is cheating. If you are ever unsure of what is or is not permitted, please contact the instructor.
What is done about it? To protect the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and the worth of work completed by others, we will record and report to the College's Office of Academic Affairs all instances of academic dishonesty. Additionally, anyone found cheating during a quiz or exam will receive a zero on that item. Any additional instances of cheating on any part of the course will result in an automatic F for the course.
Why is this important? Scientists and engineers need to work in groups as well as alone. As a result, you are strongly encouraged to form study groups, discuss topics, etc. However, everything that is turned in for a grade must be your own work, to reflect your own level of understanding. That is why any deceptive copying from any source (including the internet, other students, any books, work from previous semesters, etc.) is not permitted on work you present as your own (this includes lab reports).

If You Need Help:

As a teacher, I see it as my job to help as many people as possible understand as much as possible. So, I'm happy to help during my office hours, or at other times we can arrange individually.

You may also find The Learning Center helpful. They've asked me to pass along this message:

The Learning Center provides tutoring services and academic resources. To see the range of courses that we support, visit our Web site, www.hbg.psu.edu/LearningCenter/, call 948-6475, or drop in to Olmsted C-216. You can schedule an appointment (individual or study group) for most math courses, any writing tutoring, or an academic skills coach at www.rich15.com/psuh. For tutoring in other courses, email tutorrequest@psu.edu. We almost always can find a tutor, but canít guarantee it. Learning Center handouts are available at the Learning Center and posted in the ANGEL group, Harrisburg Learning Center Resources. Contact Janice Smith, coordinator, jes57@psu.edu, with any questions.

Some of the Learning Center math tutors can also tutor physics. Math tutoring is available Monday through Friday. For the specific schedule, go to www.hbg.psu.edu/LearningCenter/. You can schedule an appointment there or at www.rich15.com/psuh. Be sure to read the notes section and schedule with a math tutor who is qualified in physics! You can also drop in to the Learning Center, C-216, or call 948-6475 or email tutorrequest@psu.edu.

Note to Students with Disabilities:

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for modifications or reasonable accommodations in this course, contact the Disability Services Coordinator in the Student Assistance Center (W117).

A Final Note:

This is the first semester in which I've tried to teach using Six Easy Pieces and internet resources. I'm hoping this experiment leads to a better understanding of and appreciation for physics, for as many students as possible. But since it is an experiment, all items in this syllabus are subject to change during the semester, if it becomes necessary.