NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: University Physics I
Course prefix, number, and section number: PHYS2425 400
Semester/Year of course: Spring 2023
Semester start and end dates: 01/17 - 05/13
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Face-to-face
Class meeting location, days, and times: Monday & Wednesday 9:30 - 10:50 Room 314
Lab meeting location, days, and times: Monday 11:00 - 1:30 Room 263
Semester credit hours: 4
Course description: Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Fundamental principles of physics, using calculus, for science, computer science, and engineering majors; the principles and applications of classical mechanics, including harmonic motion, physical systems and thermodynamics; and emphasis on problem solving. Basic laboratory experiments supporting theoretical principles involving the principles and applications of classical mechanics, including harmonic motion and physical systems; experimental design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of laboratory reports
Course prerequisites: : MATH2413 or Concurrent enrollment in MATH2413
Required course materials: Physics for Scientists and Engineers 5th Edition, Douglas C. Giancoli
Scientific Calculator (does not need to be a Graphing calculator)
Name of instructor: Don Abernathy
Office location: Corinth Room 331/ 333
Telephone number: 940 498 6282 X 6308
E-mail address: dabernathy@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: Wednesday: 11:00 – 2:00; Thursday: 10:00 - 11:00
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 if 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: Assignments must be turned in on time.
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:
- Assigning a failing grade for the assignment.
- 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. If you wish to receive a “W” grade then you MUST go to the Registrar’s office and request to drop the course
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: April 3
Student Learning Outcomes:
Lecture Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, and acceleration), and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration.
- Solve problems involving forces and work.
- Apply Newton’s laws to physical problems.
- Identify the different types of energy.
- Solve problems using principles of conservation of energy.
- Define the principles of impulse, momentum, and collisions.
- Use principles of impulse and momentum to solve problems.
- Determine the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.
- Discuss rotational kinematics and dynamics and the relationship between linear and rotational motion.
- Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.
- Define equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.
- Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to real-world problems.
- Solve problems involving the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics.
Lab Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Prepare laboratory reports that clearly communicate experimental information in a logical and scientific manner.
- Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.
- Relate physical observations and measurements involving classical mechanics to theoretical principles.
- Evaluate the accuracy of physical measurements and the potential sources of error in the measurements.
- Design fundamental experiments involving principles of classical mechanics.
- Identify appropriate sources of information for conducting laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.
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
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Jaime Noles
Office location: Gainesville 408
Telephone number: 940-668-7731 ext. 4930
E-mail address: jnoles@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Mary Martinson
Office location: Gainesville
Telephone number: 940-668-7731 X 4377
E-mail address: mmartinson@nctc.ed