Welcome to General Physics I

Physics 201, section H01, Fall 2013
Tentative course syllabus

Text: Contemporary College Physics by Edwin R. Jones and Richard L. Childers, Third Edition.
(Any edition of the book is acceptable. Clickers are not required.)

Prerequisites: Algebra and trigonometry.

Learning outcomes:
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the definitions of scalar and vector physical quantities and know examples of each.
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply vectors and vector operations to solve problems in physics.
Students will demonstrate a knowledge of Newton's laws and be able to apply them to solve problems involving rigid bodies.
Students will be able to use the relationships between work, kinetic, and potential energies to solve problems.
Students will be able to apply the conservation of angular momentum to solve problems.
Students will be able state and apply the Law of Universal Gravitation to solve problems.

Course description and outline: This is an algebra and trigonometry based introductory physics course that covers mechanics and fluids. The approximate goal will be to cover parts of the material from the first 10 chapters of the text. The text will not be followed exactly and some sections may be dropped or additional material outside the book covered. Also the style and treatment may be different from the book, so attendance at all classes is essential. If you do miss a class, please get notes from someone immediately—it may be difficult to learn the missed material just from reading the book. The quizzes, tests and final exam will be based on what is actually covered in class and the assigned homework.

Homework (HW) will consist of assignments from the back of each chapter plus other questions/problems given in class. You will usually have an in-class quiz (unless you have a test) upon completion of a chapter/chapter-group. This will check how well you have understood the HW as well as the general concepts and theory. Besides the quizzes, there will 2 tests and a final exam.
Quizzes and tests are closed-book. Besides numerical problems, the tests and quizzes will contain derivationsand qualitative/essay type of questions. However, the questions will not be open ended (like "What's your philosophy of life?").

The overall grade will be based on quizzes (25%), 2 tests (40%), and a cumulative final exam (35%). Plus there is a 2% bonus for participation in classroom discussions. You are advised to save all course material (especially the graded tests that you get back) until the course has ended and a final letter grade has been assigned. No quizzes or tests are dropped!
The following grades boundaries will serve as a guide:
0 ≤ F < 50 ≤ D < 56 ≤ D+ < 63 ≤ C < 70 ≤ C+ < 76 ≤  B < 83 ≤ B+ < 90 ≤  A ≤ 100
I may adjust these if the overall curve is much lower. Makeup exams will be given for exceptional situations such as valid medical excuses.

Attendance policy: Attendance is required. Please note that there is no CAPA. The "recitation period" is like any other class and requires mandatory attendance. (Quizzes and tests may be given during this period.)

You will need to bring a scientific calculator for the quizzes, tests, and final (graphing calculators and other instruments with memories are not allowed).
Laptops, ipads, cellphones, and other distracting electronic devices need to be turned off and stowed away during class.

Tips for getting the most out of the class:
Be as attentive and involved as possible. You have an absolute right to understand every word I say,  so make sure you do. Stop me with questions whenever you have the slightest doubt. No question is too naive. Note that there is a 2% reward for being interactive. When you leave the room, your understanding of the discussed material should be complete (don't leave with the notion of trying to figure it  out on your own later -- this will waste your time). You may have seen some of this course material earlier, perhaps presented using simplified informal techniques. The present course tries to give you a conceptual understanding, and teaches you the rigorous formal structure and thorough theoretical foundation of physics. Understand the theory well and practice the assigned problems (and some extra ones) using the correct "government approved" procedures. This will greatly reduce the effort needed to master the material and apply the methods. Notes and other materials will be posted on the course web site from time to time. Nevertheless it is still useful to take some notes in class.

Dates for the tests and final

~ GOOD LUCK ~