SYLLABUS PY 131 Conceptual Physics Distance Education Instructor Contact Information Keith Warren NC State University 421 Riddick Hall Raleigh NC 27695 8202 919 513 2708 keith warren ncsu edu Always add PY 131 and your section number to the subject line Office Hours Riddick Hall I am generally in my office and available around 9am each day Please feel free to schedule an appointment or just drop by I will also be available from 2 45 3 15 each Tuesday and Thursday after class Course Description This course covers the fundamentals of physics from a conceptual rather than a mathematical viewpoint Students will learn how physics underlies their everyday experiences Real life applications which every student can relate to are used to explain concepts such as gravity motion sound electricity and magnetism Numerous discussions video demonstrations and discovery based laboratories further enrich the learning experience Course Goals This course is designed to help students enhance the way they see the world by wondering about things they may have once taken for granted begin to think about the physics in everything they see around them and gain a richer understanding of everyday physical phenomena Required Material to purchase for the course 1 Textbook Conceptual Physics Media Update 11th edition by Paul G Hewitt 2009 ISBN 0321568095 You may use an older edition if you can find one The older versions have some different homework and the chapter numbers are moved around some The material however is comparable If you have an older version ensure you are in the correct chapter 2 WebAssign for the class section 601 This will be for homework assignments and your course grades will be stored here Special Technical Requirements Adobe Flash player is needed for the videos Word processing software such as MS Word Open Office or Google Docs Adobe Acrobat Reader MS Excel Course Organization This course contains seven modules Each Module is then made up of specific chapters in the book 1 Linear Motion Kinematics and Newton s Laws 2 Momentum Energy and Rotational Motion 3 Projectile Motion Orbits and Gravity 4 Phase Temperature and Heat 5 Vibrations and Waves 6 Electricity and Magnetism 7 Optics and Relativity Course Schedule This is the schedule followed by the on campus class You should make sure you are keeping pace as you progress through the course I list each test on two days You are to schedule your test for some period during those two days 8 18 8 23 8 25 8 30 9 1 9 2 9 6 9 8 9 13 9 15 9 20 9 22 9 27 9 28 9 29 10 4 10 6 10 11 10 13 10 18 10 20 10 21 10 25 10 27 11 1 11 3 11 8 11 10 11 15 11 17 11 18 11 22 11 24 11 29 12 1 12 6 12 7 12 8 Course Introduction Linear Motion Non Linear Motion Newton s Laws TEST 1 TEST 1 Momentum Energy Rotational Motion Gravity Solids and Liquids Gases TEST 2 TEST 2 Temperature Heat and Expansion Heat Transfer Fall Break Phase Change Waves Sound TEST 3 TEST 3 Electrostatics Electric Current Magnetism Electric Induction Properties of Light Color Reflection and Refraction TEST 4 TEST 4 No Class Thanksgiving Break Special Relativity Course Review Final Exam Final Exam Final Exam Course Requirements You are expected to Complete all assignments by the due date Check into the online course at least three days a week to see new announcements check messages and view discussion postings Complete all module tests and the final exam Readings For each module you will be responsible for reading assigned textbook chapters and reviewing other online material or articles that may be provided Homework All lectures have an accompanying homework assignment that will be graded If you do not complete your homework on time you may request one automatic extension per homework assignment during the first three days after the assignment is due Should you use your extension you will automatically lose 50 on any uncompleted questions Labs Labs will be completed remotely There will be lab assignments throughout the semester requiring you to build a setup using simple things around your house or using virtual equipment You will take measurements and supply write ups as do students who take lab on campus Because lab is an integral part of the course as a whole if you receive a grade below 50 in lab you will fail the whole course Module Tests There will be four scheduled module tests over the course of the semester Students will be required to obtain a university approved proctor or take the exam at one of the DELTA facilities on campus See below Final Exam The final exam is required for all students and covers all content in the textbook for chapters covered in class The final exam is worth 15 of your final grade You will be given a choice of two days to take each test exam The dates you may choose from are listed in the Course Schedule Local Testing students in the Raleigh area This covers how to schedule exams parking hours etc ALL appointments are made online Students will need to click on the Appointment link in this page to make an appointment http distance ncsu edu testing services local testing php Students are encouraged to schedule ALL tests as soon as possible Appointment times go away quickly around Finals and there are not unlimited seats available Remote Testing instructions how to submit a Remote Proctor deadlines for submission etc http distance ncsu edu testing services remote testing php Missed Test Policy NO MAKEUP TESTS for any reason If you miss a test and present university accepted documentation within 1 week of missing the test I will assign your final exam grade to the missed test this will weigh your final more Without university accepted documentation you will receive a zero for that test Assignment Percentage Class Participation 5 Homework 10 Lab 10 Test 1 15 Test 2 15 Test 3 15 Test 4 15 Final Exam 15 TOTAL 100 A 97 0 A 93 0 A 90 0 B 87 0 B 83 0 B 80 0 C 77 0 C 73 0 C 70 0 D 67 0 D 63 0 D 60 0 Extra Credit at the End of the Term There is none You are given ample opportunities throughout the semester to obtain a good grade for the course Monitor your grades throughout the semester If you are not receiving the grades you think you should be make an appointment to discuss your grades and study habits with your professor It is far easier to fix problems early in the semester than after the last test has been taken Communication Guidelines Common courtesy in all online communications is expected including email discussion boards chats etc Please do not use inappropriate