PHYS 2210, Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
Fall 2007 MTWF, 1:30-2:20 SCNCE 326
Instructor: Dr. Larry Smith office: SCNCE 111 phone: 283-7520 e-mail: ude.wons@htims.yrral
Goals: We will use physics as a vehicle to learn to apply scientific reasoning and computational skills in a variety of contexts. Students will learn to think deeply about the physical universe and how to solve problems. Students will become familiar with important scientific laws and principles and will learn that science is a process to gain knowledge.
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, by Randall D. Knight (a five-volume boxed set ISBN: 0-8053-8978-4 is available, as is the combined extended one-volume version ISBN: 0-8053-8685-8 for all year). Make sure you get a bundled version with the student workbook and MasteringPhysics. You also need a nice scientific calculator, some colored pencils, and a 6� (15 cm) ruler (or a protractor with an included ruler).
Prerequisites: Calculus, facility with spreadsheets Corequisites: PHYS 2215
Course Content: First semester in the calculus-based majors/engineering physics sequence. Covers measurement, motion, vectors, work, energy, momentum, gravity, fluids, oscillations, and waves. Chapters (un)covered are: 1-15, 20-21.
Homework: Homework will be assigned every chapter, both on paper and on the MasteringPhysics web site (http://www.masteringphysics.com). You will need the class ID when you register on MasteringPhysics: PHYS2210F07. You are strongly encouraged to study in groups to achieve understanding, but what you turn in must be your own work––don't turn homework in without understanding it. Paper is cheap so use lots of it. Write every step neatly. Draw diagrams and figures. Communicate well and use the problem-solving strategy outlined in the textbook. Each chapter�s assignment will be due a day or so after we finish discussing the chapter in class. Paper homework that is late for any reason other than a pre-approved legitimate excuse will be worth 50% up to one week late; thereafter no credit will be given. No late homework after December 3 will be accepted.
Participation: Ask questions in class, come to office hours, and help other students. If you are serious about this class the majority of your learning will take place outside of class time. A large part of the participation grade will come from your answering/discussing one of the questions from each chapter in front of the class, and from submitting a written question for me to answer concerning something you didn�t understand from reading the chapter. Both asking and answering questions should prove you�ve delved deeply into the chapter material. You also need to subscribe to the class e-mail list (LS-Yellow) and participate in the discussion there. You are responsible for information given over e-mail. Please try to learn as much as you can in this class; don�t cheat.
Help: You are encouraged to see me during my regular office hours (M-F 10:30-11:20), and at other times by appointment. Please also frequent the math/science lab and use your classmates and the class e-mail list as other resources. Don�t get behind, and don�t stay lost for more than a few hours at a time. See the ADA policy on my web site.
Quizzes: Frequent unannounced quizzes will keep you apprised of your progress. You may raise your quiz scores by watching certain video episodes, as explained on the class website. Video reports are due November 30.
Tests: There will be five multiple choice tests in the testing center before the final exam. Testing Center hours are M-R 9-9, F 9-5, Sa 12-4, Su 5-9.
Final Exam: Thurs., December 13, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.; in the classroom. It will be comprehensive.
Grading: Homework 20% Quizzes 20%
Tests 25% Participation 10% Final Exam 25%
