PHYSICS 1110 - College Physics I

COURSE ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Office:  S1307           Internet:  mark.hollabaugh@normandale.edu         Office Phone:  952-487-8461

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Course Description:  An introductory course in which the applications, problems, and experiments are selected not only to illustrate fundamental principles of physics, but also to demonstrate the relevance of physics to other areas of interest, particular the health science professions.  This semester of the year-long sequence is organized around the fundamental principles of forces and interactions, conservation of momentum and conservation of energy. Topics covered include force and motion with applications of Newton's Laws of Motion, gravitational force, angular momentum, torque and equilibrium, work, energy, static and dynamic fluids, and thermal physics.  To facilitate learning how to solve problems, cooperative learning methods will be used in this section.  (Note:  Physics 1111 applies these basic principles of physics to understand wave phenomena, electricity and magnetism, light, and nuclear physics.)

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

1.  State and apply the fundamental laws and concepts of classical physics.
2.  Demonstrate an ability to solve realistic physics problems.
3.  Use the terminology of physics intelligently.
4.  Demonstrate the ability to do experiments and give oral lab reports.

5.  Recognize the importance of physics to medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other health sciences.

Prerequisite:  Math 1100.  (Note:  you are expected to have received a grade of "C" or better in Math 1100, to be concurrently registered in Math 1100, or to have placed at the Math 1500 level on the Math Placement Exam.  You are responsible for knowing if you have the necessary prerequisite skills .)

You should have a basic scientific calculator with these specialized functions and their inverses:  [sin x], [cos x], [tan x], [log x], [10^x], [ln x], [e^x], [1/x] or [x^-1], and [y^x].  If your calculator has theses functions, it should be adequate.  Graphing calculators not required. Only traditional calculators may be used on exams.  You may not use the calculator function of a cell phone, PDA or similar device.

Textbook:  Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2005.

Recommended Books:  Paul Davidovits, Physics in Biology and Medicine, 2nd. Edition, 2001.

Kenneth Heller, Patricia Heller, Ronald Keith, Mark Hollabaugh, The Competent Problem Solver, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota; available on reserve in the library.

Additional Bibliography:  Physics Problem Solver, Research Education Associates.
College Physics, F. J. Bueche (Schaum Outline Series). Pertinent Periodicals: Nature, Physics Today, Science, Science News, Scientific American, Smithsonian.

Evaluation and Exams:   Individual quizzes will consist of a problem and five multiple choice conceptual questions.  You also will solve three graded problems in a cooperative group.  There will be no make-up or rescheduling opportunities for any lab, graded group problem, quiz, or the final exam.

Note:  There are no makeup group or individual graded problems or quizzes.  There will be five individual quizzes and your lowest score will be dropped.  If you miss an individual quiz, you will receive a "0" for that quiz, and it will become the lowest score and hence dropped.   If you are taking this class in summer, see the special note below.

When I grade a problem, the "correct answer" is worth about 20%.  Other equally important aspects of your solution include:  Showing your work, using reasonable logic, drawing suitable diagrams, having the appropriate units, and, of course, following the problem-solving strategy.  In short, you must demonstrate know how to get the answer.

Important grading policy:  Any request for a reconsideration of the grading of any quiz, problem, lab or any graded assignment or test must be made within two class days of the return of the item in question or prior to the day of the final exam, whichever comes first.  A class day is a day on which lecture section of the course meets.  If your class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and a quiz is returned on Monday, you must submit the request for reconsideration by Friday immediately after class.

Exemption from Final Exam:  You will be excused from the Final Exam and your grade ("A") will be based on all pre-final work if you meet the following criteria:  (1)  Your predicted final standing, based on all pre-final work must be 90.0% or greater.  (Your predicted final grade is based on your work to date and a prediction of your performance on the final exam based on the average of your individual quizzes.)  (2) You must have NOT missed any individual quizzes, graded group problems, labs, or any other required, graded work.
 

Grading Breakdown:

Grading Scale:

SPECIAL SUMMER SESSION NOTE:  The summer session schedule is set by Normandale Commmunity College and may conflict with the schedule of other schools.  You should only take the course if you can be here for all labs and class meetings.  There are only four quizzes, all four count, and there are NO makeup quizzes or graded group problems.  There may be only 11 labs instead of  12 depending on the scheduling of the summer sessions. (The total number of points is adjusted for this.)  Summer sessions sometimes begin on a Monday when only the labs meet and there is no "lecture" section.  Or, you may have a lab before the first lecture section.  You are required to attend your first scheduled lab in order to guarantee a seat in the course for yourself and to pick up course materials.

Cooperative Learning Groups:  A substantial portion of the work this course involves working with other students.  You will engage in two basic types of cooperative group activities:  Laboratory and problem solving.  There will be three graded-group problems.  You should be aware of three important rules governing these groups.  These rules are necessary to ensure effective groups:  1. If you are more than five (5) minutes late, you may not be allowed to join your group.  2. If you miss the group session immediately preceding a graded group problem, you will not be allowed to work with your group and will receive a "0" for that problem.  3. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP PROBLEMS.

Laboratory:  We will undertake lab experiments  each week.    Your group will give an oral summary of your work.  Each lab is worth 5 points:  1 point for attendance, 2 points for making proper predictions and being prepared, and 2 points for demonstrating an understanding of what you have done. It is important that you do not miss a laboratory session.  THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP LABS and you cannot successfully complete the course without doing the laboratory work.

Policy on Missing Labs:

Miss one lab	0 points for that lab
Miss a second lab	- 5 points for that lab
Miss a third lab	Final grade lowered one letter grade
Miss four labs	Final grade will be "F"

Problem Assignments:  Problems will be assigned from each chapter.  These will not be graded.  Answers will be on reserve in the library.  You are, of course, urged to work additional problems.

How to Get the Most Out of This Class :  Don't miss class!  Read the book.  Don't get behind in your reading.  (Unlike other disciplines, it is IMPOSSIBLE to cram for a physics exam the night before and count on a passing grade.)  Start by reading the chapter Summary, then the text.  Work on the Problems, and Questions at the end of each chapter with other students.  Finally, be sure to see me for help.  My office hours will be posted on my office door.  If you need to see me outside of the those times, please arrange an appointment with me in person, via phone or via email.  Don't wait until it is too late if you are having difficulties.

From the Normandale Community College Catalog:  "Normandale Community College believes that every person’s education is the product of his/her own intellectual efforts.  Each student who enrolls and remains at Normandale, therefore, understands that to submit [individual] work which is not their own violates the purpose of the college and of  his/her presence here.  No intellectual community can maintain its integrity or be faithful to its members if violations of its central purpose are tolerated.  In case such violations do occur, the instructor has the prerogative to take appropriate action."
 

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