PHYS 1415 402 - PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Introduction

Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:

PHYS1415 Physical Science

Course Prefix & Number: 

PHYS1415

Section Number: 

402

Semester/Year:

FA 2017

Semester Credit Hours:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lab Hours:

40

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

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

                                                       

Course Prerequisite(s):

MATH0305 or TSI eligible for MATH0310 or higher.

Required or Recommended Course Materials: An Introduction to Physical Science, 14th Edition,

Shipman, Wilson, and Higgins

 

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

 
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Razieh Razavi

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth/Adjunct Faculty Office

E-mail Address:

rrazavi@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1 pm-2 pm

 

1 pm- 2 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

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.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

1

Exams

60%

2

Lab

25%

3

Final Exam

15%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will be four tests given during the semester.  Each of these will be worth 15% of your total grade.

 

Your course grade will be determined as follows:

  4 Exams: 60%

  Lab Grade: 25%

  Comprehensive Final Exam: 15%

 Letter grades will be assigned to your average score according to the following scale:

            Average Score             Course Grade

90-100                                                                         A

80-89                                                                              B

70-79                                                                              C

60-69                                                                              D

below 60                                 F

There will be no Extra Credit Assignments.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Calendar

 

Week

Date

Topic

Lab

1

 

8/28

1: Measurement

 

 

 

8/30

2: Motion

 

Graphing

2

 

9/4

Labor day

 

 

9/6

 

2: Motion

 

Projectile Motion

3

 

9/11

3: Force and Motion

 

 

 

9/13

3: Force and Motion

Torque

 

4

 

9/18

Exam I: 1,2,3

 

 

 

9/20

4: Work and Energy

Friction

5

 

9/25

5: Temperature and Heat

 

 

 

 

 

9/27

5: Temperature and Heat

 

Density

6

 

10/2

6: Waves and Sound

 

 

 

10/4

6: Waves and Sound

Archimedes Principle

7

 

10/9

Exam II: 4,5,6

 

 

 

10/11

7: Optics and Wave Effects

Heat

8

 

10/16

7: Optics and Wave Effects

 

 

 

10/18

8: Electricity and Magnetism

Simple Harmonic Motion

9

 

10/23

8: Electricity and Magnetism

 

 

 

10/25

8: Electricity and Magnetism

Resonance

10

 

10/30

Exam III: 7,8

 

 

 

11/1

9: Atomic Physics

Refraction

 

11

 

11/6

9: Atomic Physics

 

 

 

 

11/8

10: Nuclear Physics

Electrical Measurements

12

 

11/13

10: Nuclear Physics

 

 

 

11/15

TBA

Circuits

13

 

11/20

Exam IV: 9, 10

 

 

 

11/22

Thanksgiving

 

14

 

11/27

TBA

 

 

 

 

11/29

TBA

 

Spectrometry

15

 

 

12/4

TBA

 

 

 

 

12/6

Review

Nuclear Waste

16

 

 

12/11

Final Exam

 

 

Note: The guidelines and days in this syllabus are subject to change, deletion, or amendment at the discretion of the instructor.

 

CLASS POLICIES:

  • Be respectful to the class and your instructor.
  • Students are expected to avoid disturbing the learning environment.
  • Please limit cell phone use to emergencies outside the classroom.
  • Missed 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. You won’t be allowed to take an exam if other students have completed it and left the classroom before you arrive.
  • 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.

 

 

 

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)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _____November 9, 2017_______.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-3300.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 111 in Gainesville.

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________     

 

          Communication

          Mathematics              

          Life and Physical Science

          Language, Philosophy & Culture

          Creative Arts

          American History

 

          Government/Political Science

          Social and Behavioral Sciences

          Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

             Critical Thinking

             Communication

             Empirical and Quantitative

 

             Teamwork

             Personal Responsibility

             Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

             Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

          WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

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:

  • Assigning a failing grade for the assignment.
  • Assigning a failing grade for the class.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Lisa Bellows

Office Location:

Gainesville Science Building Office 408

Telephone Number:

940-668-4252

E-mail Address:

lbellows@nctc.edu

 

Syllabus File(s)

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