PHYS101 Introduction to Physics Spring 2010
Text: Hewitt, Conceptual Physic, 10th edition, 2006 Pearson/Addison Wesley (ISBN 0-8053-9190-8)
Wk. Tuesday/Wednesday   Laboratory
1.1/19    Orientation &C1 About Science Read specified chapters Prior to class
 
No labs
2.1/26   C2 Inertia & C3 Linear Motion  
 
Shadows
3. 2/2   C3 Linear Motion, C4 Second Law  
 
Free Fall
4.2/9   Exam 1 (C1-4) 
 
Force Table
5.2/16   C6 Momentum & Energy 
 
Impulse-momentum
6.2/23   C8 Rotation & C9 Gravity 
 
Exam 2 (C6-9)
7.3/2   C11 Atoms C12 Solids, C13 Liquids 
 
Density
8.3/9   C14 Gases and Plasmas, C15 Temperature 
 
Heating
9.3/16   C16 Heat Transfer & C17 Change of Phase 
 
Exam 3 (C11-17)
10.3/23   C19 Vibrations and Waves, C20 Sound, C22 Electrostatics 
 
Sound/Resonance
11.3/30   Holiday  
 
NO labs
12.4/6   C23 Electric Current, C24 Magnetism & C25 EM Induction  
 
Bulbs
13.4/13   C26 Properties of Light & C28 Reflection and Refraction  
 
Exam 4 (C19-25)
14.4/20   C29 Light Waves & C30 Light Emission  
 
Mirrors/Lenses
15.4/27   C31 Light Quanta, & C32 Quantum Exam 5 (C26-31)  
 
Spectra
16.5/4   C23 Nucleus & Radioactivity & C34 Fission/Fusion  
 
Radioactivity
17.5/11   FINAL EXAM: Tuesday 3:30-5:30  
 
No Labs


Grading is based on your Activity Sheets scaled to 100 points
best 10 out of 11 Labs at 20 points each for 200 points
Mini-Research paper at 50 points - due after Thanksgiving break
best 4 out of 5 multiple-choice exams at 100 points each for 400 points
final review exam at 200 points
Extra Credit up to 75 points max - to be discussed

Total possible=950 points. Borderline cases will be determined by performance on the Final Review Exam and attendance.

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"x11" page of notes (both sides). It should be generated by yourself 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 and arrangements. 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 can be completed.

Instructor:   Tiffany Watkins                   Voice:   559-3649                Email:    tiffanywatkins@boisestate.edu




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.