Course Name & Number

Physical Science

PHYS1415

Semester & Year

Fall

2016

Instructor's Name

E-mail Address

Razieh Razavi

rrazavi@nctc.edu

Office Hours

By appointment only

MW 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

Catalog Description

Pre-requisites: Meet TSI college readiness standard for intermediate algebra

48 lecture hours + 32 laboratory hours.

Course, designed for non-science majors, that surveys topics from physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and meteorology.

Textbook & Materials Required/ Recommended

An Introduction to Physical Science, 13th Edition,

Shipman, Wilson, and Higgins

 (REQUIRED)

Calculator (TI30XIIS or equivalent). Cell-phone calculators are not allowed.

Learning Outcomes

By taking this course you will learn to successfully answer conceptual questions and solve simple problems.  Students will gain a conceptual understanding and appreciation of the principles and laws of the physical world in which they live.  In particular they will conceptually understand and be able to apply this knowledge to the solving of simple problems dealing with the following:

1)      Use the principles of mechanics to solve problems involving motion, forces, energy, momentum, and repetitive motion.

2)      Describe the basic principles of fluid mechanics.

3)      Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of heat and thermodynamics.

4)      Solve basic problems involving electricity.

5)      Describe the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

6)      Describe the characteristics of light and the electromagnetic spectrum.

7)      Demonstrate an understanding the atomic model and nuclear energy.

8)      Demonstrate understanding of the basis of science using terms such as scientific method, hypothesis, law, theory, and pseudoscience.

9)      Discuss energy resources.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities:  Student Conduct [FLB (LOCAL)]” #20 on page 175.

Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Students are responsible for keeping up with what occurs in class when they are absent.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

Grading Policy & Procedures

• Exams – 40%:  There will be 4 in-class unit exams given during the course; see the attached schedule for dates.  No make-up exams will be given. Details about exam format and grading will be discussed in class.
• Lab Reports – 20%:  Each experiment has two parts.  The first is a Pre-lab assignment to be completed individually before class.  The second is a Lab Report which will include data taken during lab and analysis of that data, to be completed by your lab group and turned in as a group with a representative Pre-lab.  All students in a group will receive the same grade and it is expected that each group member will fully contribute.  Please note that groups may be rearranged at my discretion.  Lab Reports will be due before leaving class unless I say otherwise in class, in which case the lab will be due at the beginning of the next class meeting.  Attendance is required as there will be no make-up labs.
• Homework – 10%:  The homework due is at the beginning of the class period and you should turn in your homework in person. In my experience students who keep up with the homework generally perform better on exams. It is strongly recommended that the students keep all graded assignments through the end of course.
• Final Exam – 30%:  The final exam will be cumulative and will take place on Monday, December 5^th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.  Exam format and grading will be discussed in class.

Late work will not be accepted.  Exams and labs will not be rescheduled and may not be made-up.

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

A: 90-100       B:  80-89      C:  70-79      D:  60-69     F:  0- 59

Class Policies

•      Disruptive conversations, eating, sleeping and putting your feet on the furniture are not acceptable behavior in the class.

•      Be respectful to the class and your instructor. Extra credit may only be given to the students who are respectful to the class and instructor. The percentage of extra credit is based on your participation in class.  

Example: Two students (X and Y) have received the same percentage for the final grade (69.1%). Student X has participated in lecture discussions and labs, he/she is on time and is respectful to the instructor and other students. Student X may receive extra credit points and pass this class. Student Y is not on time and/or has not attended the lecture discussions and labs, or he/she is disrespectful to the class. This student will not receive any extra credits and will fail this class with 69.1%

•      Students are expected to avoid disturbing the learning environment.

•      Please limit cell phone use to emergencies outside the classroom.

•      Missed quizzes, exams and lab experiments cannot be made up.

•      Students are expected to be prepared for class.

•      In addition to arriving on time, students are expected to stay the whole class period.  Please avoid disrupting instructor and other students by arriving late or leaving early.

•      Arrive on time for exams or risk missing them.  Once a test or exam has begun, students may not leave until the exam is completed and turned in. You won’t be allowed to take an exam if other students have completed it and left the classroom before you arrive. If you arrive after the exam has begun, you may not ask other students for pencils, scantrons or other supplies.

•      Homework is due at the beginning of the class period and you should turn in your homework in person.  In my experience, students who keep up with the homework generally perform better on exams.  It is strongly recommended that the student keep all graded assignments through the end of the course.

•      A scientific calculator must be brought to each lab session.

•      During the lab, groups of 2-4 students can work together in data collection and analysis. Lack of participation and collaboration will affect your grade. 

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

 Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

EEOC Statement

  North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national

  origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Course Outline

Ch.1 Measurement

Ch.2 Motion

Ch.3 Force and Motion

Exam#1 Ch.1-Ch3

Ch.4 Work and Energy

Ch.5 Temperature and Heat

Ch.6 Waves and Sound

Exam#2 Ch.4-Ch.6

Ch.7 Optics and Wave Effects

Ch.8 Electricity and Magnetism

Ch.9 Atomic Physics

Exam#3 Ch.7-Ch.9

Ch.10 Nuclear Physics

Ch.11 The Chemical Elements

Ch.12 Chemical Bonding

Exam#4 Ch.10-Ch.12

Comprehensive Final Exam

12/5/2016

7:00 PM-8:30 PM