PHYS101: Introduction to Physics - Spring 2010

Text:       Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, 10th edition, 2006 Pearson/Addison-Wesley     (ISBN 0-8053-9190-8) (from 6/30/05)    or     Hewitt, Conceptual Physics Media Update, 10th edition, 2008 Pearson/Addison-Wesley (ISBN 0-3215-4809-4) (from 5/19/08); either with the accompanying Hewitt, Practicing Physics for Conceptual Physics, 2006 Pearson/Addison-Wesley (ISBN 0-8053-9198-3).

Investigations in Physics 101 by R.J. Reimann, Boise State University, January 2008 required for the lab.
Lecture:   MPF 207, TU/TH 4:40-5:55;       Lab:   MPF 304, TH 6:10-8:00

Wk. Tuesday Thursday Laboratory
Read specified chapters (Labeled Cn) prior to class
1.1/19: Orientation, C1 About Science, C2 Inertia 1/21: C2 Inertia 1/21: No lab
2.1/26: C3 Linear Motion 1/28: C3 Linear Motion1/28: Shadows
3.2/2: C4 2[sup]nd[/sup] Law 2/4: C5- 3[sup]rd[/sup] Law & Review 2/4: Free Fall
4.2/9: Exam 1(C1-5) 2/11: C6 Momentum 2/11: Force Table
5.2/16: C7 Energy2/18: C8 Rotation 2/18: Impulse-momentum
6.2/23: C9 Gravity 2/25: C10 Projectiles & Review 2/25: Exam 2(C6-10)
7.3/2: C11 Atoms & C12 Solids 3/4: C12 Solids & C13 Liquids3/4: Density
8.3/9: C13 Liquids & C14 Gases 3/11: C15 Temperature & C16 Heat Transfer 3/11: Heating
9.3/16: C17 Change of Phase 3/18: C19 Vibrations & Waves 3/18: Exam 3 (C11-17)
10.3/23: C20 Sound3/25: C22 Electrostatics 3/25: Sound/Resonance
11. 3/29 - 4/2: Spring Vacation: No class, no lab
12.4/6: C22 Electrostatics & C23 Electric Current 4/8: C24 Magnetism & C25 Induction4/8: Bulbs
13.4/13: C26 Properties of Light 4/15: C28 Reflection & Refraction 4/15: Exam 4 (C19-25)
14.4/20: C29 Light Waves 4/22: C30 Light Emission4/22: Mirrors/Lenses
15.4/27: C31 Light Quanta & C32 Quantum 4/29: Exam 5 (C26-31) 4/29: Spectra
16.5/4: C33 Nucleus & Radioactivity 5/6: C34 Fission & Fusion5/6: Radioactivity
17. 5/13 Thursday: Final Exam 3:30-5:30 PM No Lab


Grading is based on your  
 •  Class participation at 3 points per day - 70 points maximum
 •  Best 13 out of 14 assignments at 10 points each - 130 points
 •  Best 10 out of 11 Labs at 20 points each - 200 points
 •  Best 4 out of 5 multiple-choice exams at 100 points each - 400 points
 •  Final review exam - 200 points

Total Possible= 1000 points. Grading is based on the following: F< 52%, D-≥ 52%, D≥ 57%, D+≥ 62%, C-≥ 66%, C ≥ 70%, C+ ≥ 74%, B- ≥ 78%, B ≥ 82%, B+ ≥ 86%, A- ≥ 90% and A ≥ 94%, A+ > 97%. Borderline cases will be determined by performance on the Final Review Exam.

Assignments are either quizzes or problem sets that are due the beginning of the following Tuesday class period.

Exams are multiple-choice. The regular hour exams are closed-book and no notes, but you may use a hand-held calculator with a cleared memory. For the 110-minute final exam, you may also prepare your own 8.5"x11r" page of notes (both sides). It should be generated by you and either be handwritten or typed in italics or Courier font so that it is distinguishable from published text. Put your name in the upper-right corner and turn it in with the exam. The value of this sheet is more in its preparation than its possession.

No make-up exams are offered without prior approval, which requires an email request from a faculty member or medical doctor. Instead, the lowest (or zero) score is automatically dropped, except for the final exam. In addition, one take-home lab is available to ensure that the required 10 labs can be completed.

Instructor:  Prof.-Dr. Stan Schriber      Email:   stanschriber@boisestate.edu,    Help sessions will be available Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-4:39 or by appointment.





Pedagogy of PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics


(rev. 7/22/08)


This course is part of the University Core Curriculum that shares a commont philosophy and addresses the same general goals.

Expected Learning Outcomes

   1. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills
Nurture symbolic thought using basic algebra
Think in terms of direct and inverse proportions
Learn the scientific method and problem solving processes
Learn to analyze and to generalize results while guided by demonstrated physical concepts.
Use dimensional analysis to check results
   2. Communication Skills
Read and assimilate technical writing
Work effectively as a team member in small laboratory, discussion, and study groups
   3. Cultural Perspective
Realize how physics transcends cultural boundaries
   4. Breadth of Knowledge and Intellectual Perspective
Realize how physics is universally applicable and forms the basis of other sciences and engineering

Course Objective is for the students to develop appreciation and familiarity with basic physics concepts which will give them a new perspective for critical and analytical thinking and lead to continued learning.

Methodology features hands-on laboratory exercises that show how nature really works and our measuring limitations. These exercises foster cooperative learning in small groups and feature written analysis. Individual textbook reading is scheduled according to the attached syllabus. Associated classroom activities include demonstrations, multi-media presentations, examples, and group discussions.

Course content emphasizes the subject matter with related vocabulary but places it in historical context by crediting the discoverers. Interdisciplinary examples are utilized to encourage socially responsible applications. Aesthetic and philosophical implications are addressed. The course covers a broad spectrum of classical and modern physics including motion, energy, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, atoms, fission/fusion, and relativity. All of these topics lend understanding to the physical processes surrounding us and the technological worlds that we create, along with our related social responsibility.

Assessment of student attainment of the above outcomes and goals will be made through the written laboratory reports, classroom participation, and individualized multiple-choice exams.