NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: College Physics I

Course prefix, number, and section number: PHYS1401 400

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2022

Semester start and end dates: 8/22/2022 – 12/10/2022

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times: MW 9:30 – 10:50 RM 355

Lab meeting location, days, and times: ; M 11 – 1:30 RM 263

Semester credit hours: 4

Course description: Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Fundamental principles of physics, using algebra and trigonometry; the principles and applications of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, including harmonic motion, mechanical waves and sound, physical systems, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and gravitation and other fundamental forces; with emphasis on problem solving.

Course prerequisites: MATH1314 and MATH1316, or MATH2412, or placement test score required by NCTC Math Department.

Required course materials: Textbook: Physics:  Principles with Applications, 7^th Edition by Giancoli

Scientific Calculator: Does not need to be a graphing calculator. No cell phone calculator.

TI-30XIIS recommended.

Name of instructor: Don Abernathy

Office location: Corinth Room 331/333

Telephone number: 940 498 6282 X6308

E-mail address: dabernathy@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Tuesday 11:00 – 12:00; Wednesday 11:00 – 2:00

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

Exam I 16%

   Exam II 16%

   Exam III 16%

   Exam IV 16%

   Lab Average 17%

   Class Participation 3%

   Final Exam 16%

Final grade scale:  A: 90-100 B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: Below 60

The Class Participation Grade is primarily based on attendance.

After 3 absences, the grade will drop to 70.

After 5 absences, the grade will drop to 40.

If there is a problem which causes you to have excessive absences and I need to be made aware of it, we need to have an in person meeting my office to discuss the situation.

If a student has 6 absences, the grade will be 0, and the student will be dropped from the course.

Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will be considered absent. All absences, for whatever reason, will be counted.

Extra Credit for Homework: Students who complete all the homework assignments and turn them in on time will receive 2 points added to their final average at the end of the semester. If you fail to complete just one assignment, you will not receive this credit.

There will be no other Extra Credit Assignments.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Conceptual questions and problems will be assigned for each chapter that is covered.  These will be discussed during class sessions.  It is very important that these assignments be completed outside of class.  The questions and problems on the tests will be very similar to those on the assignments.

LABORATORY: The laboratory period may be used for performing experiments, problem sessions, or test taking.  Each experiment will involve the setting of apparatus, taking and analyzing data and completing a laboratory report.  The reports will be graded and the average of all reports and assignments will constitute your laboratory score. There may be some online assignments to complete before the lab. There will be no make-up labs for absences; one lab grade will be dropped.

CELL PHONES: Students using cell phones (including texting) is prohibited.

PHOTOGRAPHY: No photography or filming in class.

Late work policy: No late assignments accepted.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy:

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:

1.  Assigning a failing grade for the assignment.
2. Assigning a failing grade for the class.

Attendance Policy:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Regular attendance is expected of all students at all lectures and laboratory sessions.  You may be dropped from the course for excessive absences (20% total or 2 consecutive weeks).  All tests must be taken and all experiments must be performed at the assigned time. If you find that you must miss a test and have a valid excuse, notify the Instructor on the day of the test. To notify the instructor, use the NCTC email.  If I do not respond to you, I did not get the email – follow up with a phone call. A make-up test may be taken at the discretion of the Instructor; failure to notify the instructor immediately will result in a grade of “0” for the test.  

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: October 31

Student Learning Outcomes:

Lecture Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, and acceleration), and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration.

2. Apply Newton’s laws to physical problems including gravity.

3. Solve problems using principles of energy.

4. Use principles of impulse and linear momentum to solve problems.

5. Solve problems in rotational kinematics and dynamics, including the determination of the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.

6. Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.

7. Describe the components of a wave and relate those components to mechanical vibrations, sound, and decibel level.

8. Demonstrate an understanding of equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.

9. Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to quantitative problems or qualitative questions.

10. Solve problems using the principles of heat and thermodynamics.

11. Solve basic fluid mechanics problems.

Lab Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate techniques to set up and perform experiments, collect data from those experiments, and formulate conclusions from an experiment.

 2. Record experimental work completely and accurately in laboratory notebooks, and communicate experimental results clearly in written reports.

3. Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, and acceleration), and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration.

4. Apply Newton’s laws to physical problems including gravity.

5. Solve problems using principles of energy.

6. Describe the components of a wave and relate those components to mechanical vibrations, sound, and decibel level.

7. Use principles of impulse and linear momentum to solve problems.

8. Solve problems in rotational kinematics and dynamics, including the determination of the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.

9. Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.

10. Demonstrate an understanding of equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.

11. Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to quantitative problems or qualitative questions.

12. Solve problems using the principles of heat and thermodynamics.

13. Solve basic fluid mechanics problems.

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Empirical and Quantitative Analysis

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS