PHY2053: Physics without Calculus I

Summer B, 2017

 

 

Overview

PHY 2053 is the first half of the physics without calculus sequence. It covers kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, properties of fluids, thermodynamics, and wave motion. Trigonometry (MAC 1114 or equivalent) should be taken prior to this course.

Requirements

In developing this course, proficiency in the fundamentals mathematical concepts of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry was assumed. Even though the fundamental ideas of physics are given precedence over the rote memorization of facts it must be emphasized that this is a foundational course for scientists and engineers. It is therefore quite rigorous and should definitely not be regarded as an 'easy A class'. A willingness to work hard should be regarded as a prerequisite for success. You should dedicate at least 12-15 hours per week outside of class time to homework, reading the text, and studying for tests.

Course outline

Note: Subject to change at the decision of the instructor.

 

 

Note: Please note that due to the dynamic nature of the course outline, it is understood that the professor may change, add, or omit any material contained therein, without previous notice, as is needed throughout the course

 

Home Learning

25% of your course grade will be based on assignments available on the online tutorial/homework website at www.masteringphysics.com. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with the website since it contains a great deal of information to help you master this course. As soon as you have access, complete the introductory practice assignment to learn how to complete questions and submit them for credit. It is due before the second class.

 

To use the website:

·       Purchase the text package or the student access kit or the access code (online).

·       Go to www.masteringphysics.com.

·       Click on the image of the course textbook for this course (College Physics, 10^th edition).

·       If you are accessing the site for the first time: click on [Register] and enter the access code that came with your text. This is a printed code supplied with your book and found under the pull-tab inside your Mastering Physics Student Access Kit. It is valid for registering one student.

·       If the tab in this kit has been pulled back, the code may no longer be valid. If you buy a secondhand textbook, any code supplied with it is probably no longer valid. In either case, you can purchase a Student Access Code online using a credit card for ~$66.00 by clicking on BUY NOW. Don not forget to consider this additional cost when negotiating the price of a second hand book.

·       After entering your code complete your registration with your last name, first name and student Panther ID number exactly as they appear in Panthersoft (i.e., your Student ID is your seven-digit FIU Panther ID).

·       This allows us to correlate your work in Mastering Physics with your in-class exams.

·       Make sure you enter your email address correctly. If you forget your password, this is the email address that your password information will be sent to.

 

Once you are registered, your code is valid for 18 months. You won't need to buy another student access code to register for a second course using the Mastering Physics website during this time. You would, however, have to add the semester's course using the new course ID.

 

You must add this course to have full access to the online assignments. The Course ID for this course is: PHY2053SummerB2017

 

You cannot edit this field after you record it, so please pay very careful attention to entering the code accurately. If you register but don't enter the course ID, you will not have access to the entire Mastering Physics website including our specific assignments. If you were registered previously with Mastering Physics, then log in to your account as usual and click on [change your password and other personal information]. Enter the course ID in the appropriate box.

 

Online help is available under the Help tab on the Mastering Physics website.

 

Homework Due Dates: Daily assignments are due no later than 11:59 pm the day before each lecture. You will lose 10% for each day that an assignment is late. This means that after 10 days, you will receive zero credit.  Worse however is how fast the assignments pile up!

 

Exams

There will be three exams given in class: 1^st exam (Ch 1-4), 2^nd exam (Ch 5- 10), and 3^rd exam (Ch 11- 15). The exams may consist of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended response questions. Each chapter in the text ends with a chapter summary which reviews the major points described in the chapter. These, along with the assignments from the Mastering Physics website, should be of great help in preparing for exams. No review sheets will be produced. Each of the exams (1^st exam, 2^nd exam, and final exam) will contribute 25% toward your final grade.

 

Take special note of the following:

 

a.     You will not be permitted to take the exam if

-       You arrive more than 30 minutes late for an exam, or

-       Anyone has finished and left the exam room

b.     All exams are mandatory so please plan accordingly. Arrange your schedule so that you can attend the exams on time. Under no circumstances will makeup exams be offered.

c.     Cheating on exams will not be tolerated and will be reported according to established university procedures. Students should carefully read the section of the student handbook entitled "academic misconduct". Academic misconduct will be reported as prescribed in this handbook.

d.     All exams are closed book, and no notes are allowed.

 

Grades

 

 

 

 

Disability Notice

If you have a disability and need assistance, please contact the Disability Resource Center (University Park: GC190; 305-348-3532) (North Campus: WUC139, 305-919-5345). Upon contact, the Disability Resource Center will review your request and contact your professors or other personnel to make arrangements for appropriate modification and/or assistance.

Religious Holidays

The University's policy on religious holy days as stated in the University Catalog and Student Handbook will be followed in this class. Any student may request to be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of his or her faith.

 

Rules, Policies, and Academic Misconduct

Assignments from the text and other resources are listed in Mastering Physics for each class session. Students are expected to pace their assignments and learning according to the posted course assignments. [This means that you should please stay current with the homework and reading! If you get behind in Summer B, it snowballs quickly because of the rapid pace of the course.]

 

It is expected that interactive learning and teaching will enrich the learning experience of all students, and that each student will work in partnership with the professor to create a positive learning experience for all. Student engagement is a necessary condition for an effective learning experience, and includes contributions to debate and discussion, positive interactive learning with others, and an enthusiastic attitude towards inquiry. Everyone is expected to be a positive contributor to the class learning community, and students are expected to share the responsibility of teaching each other.

 

Statement of Understanding between Professor and Student

Every student must respect the right of all to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students must adhere to a standard of academic conduct, demonstrating respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. As a student taking this class:

 

-       I will not represent someone else's work as my own.

-       I will not cheat, nor will I aid in another's cheating.

-       I will be honest in my academic endeavors.

-       I understand that if I am found responsible for academic misconduct, I will be subject to the academic misconduct procedures and sanctions as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Failure to adhere to the guidelines stated above may result in one of the following:

-       Expulsion: Permanent separation of the student from the University, preventing readmission to the institution. This sanction shall be recorded on the student's transcript.

-       Suspension: Temporary separation of the student from the University for a specific period of time.

 

By taking this course, I promise to adhere to FIU's Student Code of Academic Integrity. For details on the policy and procedures go to ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT (Section 2.44).