Course Information SP2008
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Lecture 0B (CRN 12435) MWF
2:05 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. |
Lecture 0A (CRN 12434) MWF
3:05 p.m – 3:55 p.m. |
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Instructor |
Dr. John
Jaszczak |
Dr. Peter
Moran |
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Office |
102
Fisher Hall |
409
M&M Bldg |
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Office Hours |
T&R
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
W
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |
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Phone |
487-2255 |
487-3095 |
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PH2100 Website |
http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~jaszczak/Ph2100/sp08/ Printer friendly version of this document: Click Here |
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On-line
Grades and course materials |
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GTA |
Amir Shahmoradi ashahmor@mtu.edu
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INTRODUCTION
The Fundamental Questions
Questions are crucial to learning. It’s through the process of inquiry that we construct our knowledge of the natural world. We will address the following three fundamental questions in our study of "classical mechanics":
1. How do we describe motion?
2. What are the causes of changes in motion?
3. What properties of a system of particles do not change as the particles interact?
The Goals
The goals of this course are for you to become familiar with kinematics, dynamics, and conservation laws - the conceptual framework of classical mechanics - and to develop the robust problem-solving skills required by professional engineers and scientists. Our study of physics will emphasize thinking and reasoning. We will stress the use of qualitative reasoning, pictorial and graphical reasoning, and reasoning by analogy; we will also make use of mathematics to help us understand and describe patterns and relationships that exist in nature.
The Instructional Philosophy
The basic instructional philosophy of Physics 2100 involves your active participation, and can be summarized as follows:
1. Read about it (textbook)
2. Untangle it (interactive lectures)
3. Practice with it (student workbook and end-of-chapter homework)
4. Challenge yourself (web-based graded exercises/problems and exams)
The order of the above items is very important. Your first exposure to any material will be when you read about it in the textbook (1) prior to lecture. The purpose of the textbook is to provide background for lectures, to be a resource for detailed explanations, to be a reference and a study guide, to offer practice problems, and to teach a robust problem-solving strategy.
The interactive lectures (2) will not simply regurgitate what you have read; rather, the purpose of the lectures is to be inspiring and stimulating, to clarify the textbook, to explain confusing issues, to urge you to think critically, to give you lots to think about, and to spark further interest in the material. This is not a traditional approach. Your participation is needed both prior to and during each lecture! It is very important that you take notes in class.
Lots of practice is required to become a proficient problem-solver. Roughly one class in three will be set aside to allow us to practice solving end-of-chapter problems (3). The problem-solving strategy used in class will be the same as that used in every example exercise in the textbook.
To cap things off, you will demonstrate what you have learned by
completing web-based graded exercises and problems (4) and finally, exams. The
web-based activities will include skill builders, self tutoring problems, and
end-of-chapter problems.
BACKGROUND
We expect students to have a good grasp of trigonometry and to be able to differentiate and integrate simple functions such as polynomials, sines and cosines. This requires knowledge of calculus at the level of MA1150, MA1151, MA1160, or MA1161. The study of physics can help to solidify your understanding of calculus.
No prior study of physics is assumed, but students enter Physics 2100
with a broad array of backgrounds, many having studied physics in high school.
The pace of our course will be sufficiently deliberate so as to allow the
novice to learn the material. If this is your first course in physics, you may
find that initially you need to devote more time to your studies than your
more-experienced friends, but the workload tends to become more uniform as the
semester progresses.
COURSE SUPPLIES
· Textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Volume 1 (first edition), Randall D. Knight (bundled with a Student Workbook, and a Student Access Kit to MasteringPhysics)
· i>clicker classroom response transmitter (available in the campus bookstore). If you have already purchased an i>clicker for another course you may also use it in this course.
· scientific calculator
·
straight edge
COURSE STRUCTURE
Your grade for Physics 2100 will be based on the total number of points that you accumulate on the various graded activities. The total possible score is 1050 points, broken down as follows:
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Reading Quizzes |
54 |
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Participation |
60 |
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Graded Homework (MasteringPhysics) |
204 |
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Exam I |
120 |
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Exam II |
150 |
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Exam III |
150 |
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Final Exam |
300 |
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MasteringPhysics
Extra Credit |
12 |
Letter grades for the course will be determined by total points earned in the following manner:
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A |
900-1038 |
C |
700-749 |
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AB |
850-899 |
CD |
650-699 |
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B |
800-849 |
D |
600-649 |
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BC |
750-799 |
F |
0-599 |
Reading Quizzes
Beginning on Wednesday of the second week of class, each lecture session will begin with a single-question multiple-choice reading quiz. It is important that you arrive in class on time in order to take the reading quiz. The i>clicker classroom response system will be used to record your answer to the quiz question. The quiz is intended to encourage you to read the relevant assignment prior to attending lecture. The reading assignments are located on the Assignment Schedule. Twenty 3-point reading quizzes will be given for a total of 60 possible points; however, you can earn a maximum of 54 points. Thus, you can miss two reading quizzes and still earn the maximum number of reading quiz points.
Reading technical material is a skill that can be developed with practice. Read actively with questions in mind. A passive approach to reading physics wastes your time. Read with a pencil in hand and paper beside your book and jot down questions and notes. Read to learn, not merely to cover material. Be sure to answer the Stop to Think questions that are sprinkled throughout each chapter - the answers with full explanations are located at the very end of each chapter. Test your comprehension of a reading assignment by completing the related exercises in the Student Workbook. After completing the workbook exercises, you can approach the end-of-chapter exercises and problems with confidence.
Participation
During each interactive lecture and each problem-solving session, you will respond to several questions using the i>clicker classroom response system. Questions will be cast in a multiple-choice format, and you will answer by pressing a number on your pocket-size wireless transmitter. Your response will be collected by a radio receiver and routed to the presentation computer from which it will be sent to the central display. Your transmitter will confirm receipt of your response. Your actual answer will be hidden from view. You will receive 2 participation points for responding to a majority of the participation questions, independent of whether your answer is right or wrong.
Two participation
points are available for each of 34 scored class sessions for a total of 68
points; however, you can earn a maximum of 60 participation points. This allows
you to miss four classes and still earn the maximum number of participation
points.
Here
are some details about the classroom response system: The portable radio frequency transmitter
operates with three AAA batteries. The
transmitter shuts off automatically when not in use; the lifetime of the
batteries is about 200 hours. In
addition to the On/Off button, the transmitter has 5 buttons for choices. When a question is asked, check the Power LED
to ascertain that the transmitter is on, then press your choice of letter A
through E. If the Vote Status LED
flashes green, your answer has been registered by the receiver; if the Vote
Status LED flashes red, resubmit your answer.
You may change your answer as often as you like; the system records only
your latest response.
I>CLICKER
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS: In order to
receive credit for both the reading quizzes and participation exercises, please
provide me with the eight digit identification number located on the back of
your transmitter. To do so, please take the i>clicker registration quiz in
WebCT in which you’re asked to enter your eight digit transmitter number.
Complete the quiz by 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 20th.
If
the i>clicker registration quiz does not appear, turn off the popup blocker
in your browser and try again.
If
you're unable to complete the i>clicker registration quiz on time or if
during the course of the semester you find it necessary to change your
transmitter number, please send me an email with your new transmitter number.
I
will show your registered clicker ID in WebCT so that you can be certain that
you have entered, and the system has recorded, the correct clicker ID.
Graded Homework (MasteringPhysics)
MasteringPhysics is a state-of-the-art online tutorial and homework
system. We will use three types of exercises within MasteringPhysics: skill
builders, self-tutoring problems, and end-of-chapter problems. The skill
builders and self-tutoring problems have extensive hints and subparts that you
may request if you get stuck. The end-of-chapter problems are derived from
problems in the textbook and most do not offer hints. Your individual
end-of-chapter problems will be unique due to the use of random numbers for
some of the numerical parameters. For all types of problems, once you submit
your answers, your work will be graded instantly. You will be permitted an
unlimited number of submissions for each problem part, but there will be a
deduction of 3% for each incorrect answer. You will receive a 2% bonus for each
unopened hint. Multiple-choice questions are graded specially: in order
to discourage guessing on multiple-choice questions, if a question has n choices, each incorrect answer results
in a percent loss of 100/(n-1) for
that question. Note that problem subparts are distinct from hints, and are
graded as a fraction of the total problem. There is no point deduction for
opening a hint, however, you may lose points for requesting answers/solutions
on hints. You will also lose points for requesting solutions on subparts. It is
usually to your advantage to use the hints if you are unsure about a problem.
It is always best to ask your instructor or GTA about a problem before you
request a solution (since that gives zero credit on the problem or subpart of
the problem).
A
total of 12 homework assignments from MasteringPhysics will be assigned for
grading. Each assignments is worth 17 points, for a total of 204 points. Each
assignment must be completed by its Thursday due date at 11:00 p.m. for full
credit. Partial credit will be awarded for late work as follows: A problem submitted between 0 and 24 hours after the
deadline receives an amount of credit that decreases linearly from 100% to 50%
depending on exactly when the problem was submitted. A problem submitted later
than 24 hours after the deadline still receives 50% of possible credit.
Please plan on submitting your answers well in advance of the deadline to avoid
problems with the internet. No partial credit will be awarded for any
assignment after 11:00 p.m. on April 27.
The
first (ungraded!) assignment is entitled Introduction
to MasteringPhysics. This initial assignment takes about 45 minutes to
complete and consists of simple exercises to help you become familiar with the
use of MasteringPhysics. This first assignment should be completed prior to
attempting the graded assignments. We also recommend that you carefully read
the following links on MasteringPhysics' home page after completing the
introductory assignment:
- 5 Ways to Improve Your Grade with
MasteringPhysics
- Getting Started with MasteringPhysics
- FAQs
MASTERINGPHYSICS REGISTRATION
INSTRUCTIONS: To use
MasteringPhysics, please register at the MasteringPhysics website located at http://www.masteringphysics.com.
Click on MasteringPhysics for Knight
Physics for Scientists and Engineers (first edition),
First time users: Click on First Time User: Register on the
page that follows. Here you’ll be
prompted for the access code that came bundled with your textbook. As you continue with the registration
process, you'll be prompted for our course ID, your MTU email address, and your
Student ID:
Course ID: MTUPH2100SP08
(all digits that look like zeros in the
Course ID are zeros)
Email Address: please
use your MTU email address
Student ID: your
MTU M-number
Prior users: Log in as an established user as you did
previously. Sign up for PH2100 by
entering as the Course ID: MTUPH2100SP08
Occasional
problems arise with MasteringPhysics that are browser-related. If the graphics
or the hints to a problem are missing, turn off the popup blocker in your
browser. If you continue to have problems, try a different browser –
MasteringPhysics recommends the use of Firefox. Also, be sure that you have the
latest version of the Flash player installed on your computer. If the problem
persists, contact me or the technical support staff at MasteringPhysics. It's been my experience that MasteringPhysics
responds very quickly to requests for help.
MasteringPhysics
Extra Credit
You may earn up to 12 additional course points of extra credit by completing all of the assignments identified as Extra Credit in MasteringPhysics. There are twelve Extra Credit collections of problems, one for each chapter. Each of the twelve Extra Credit collections of problems is worth five MasteringPhysics points for a total of sixty MasteringPhysics points. Your extra credit score that contributes to your course grade will be computed by dividing your total MasteringPhysics extra credit points by five. For example, if you earn 40 MasteringPhysics points of extra credit, 8 points will be added to your course total.
Exams and Final Exam
The three exams and final exam are scheduled as follows:
Exam
I Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Exam
II Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Exam
III Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Final
Exam determined after the 3rd
week of the semester
The
three exams will be 90 minutes long, each beginning at 6:00 p.m. The final exam
will be a comprehensive two-hour examination. The location of the exams will be
announced in class and via the class email list about a week before each exam.
All exams will be closed book and closed notes. You may use the PH2100
formula sheet that will be included with the exam booklet. You will need a
scientific calculator for the exams; however, equations may not be stored in
calculators, nor may calculators be exchanged.
Laptops, cell phones and any other communication devices may not be used during the exams. Please turn them off before entering the examination rooms and keep them put away.
Exam I will consist of 30 conceptual questions and traditional problems with each answer worth four points. Exams II and III will consist of 30 conceptual questions and traditional problems with each answer worth five points. The final exam will consist of 50 conceptual questions and problems with each question worth six points. Both the questions and problems will be multiple-choice. The questions and problems will be similar to the Stop to Think questions and worked examples found in the textbook, the assigned end-of-chapter exercises and problems, the graded homework problems (MasteringPhysics), and questions and problems posed and answered during lecture.
There will be no scaling, redemption, or any other adjustment of exam scores.
It is your responsibility to appear at the scheduled times to take the exams. Conflicts should be avoided by changing the conflicting event. No late exams will be given, and an unexcused absence from any exam will result in a grade of zero.
Grade Tracking
Your reading quiz and participation scores will be updated at the end of each week and the results will be available to you in the gradebook maintained in WebCT. In addition to grades, I will use WebCT to obtain and list your i>clicker transmitter number so that you can verify that I have your correct number. This is where your exam scores and ultimately your course grade may be found as well. It’s your responsibility to examine the gradebook periodically for accuracy and to report any discrepancies to me.
ACCESSING WebCT: WebCT is located at https://courses.mtu.edu . Your User ID is
your campus email address without the @mtu.edu and, by default, your Password
is the same as your user ID. If you previously used WebCT and changed your
password, your updated password is needed. If you have forgotten your password,
take your ID to Customer Service in the EERC basement and request a new password.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Formula Sheet
The formula sheet, found at http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~jaszczak/Ph2100/sp08/formulasheet.pdf, will be provided during all exams - no other formula sheet or table is allowed. Keep the formula sheet by your side as you solve homework problems in order to be efficient in using it.
Excused Absences
Events beyond your control may cause you to miss a homework deadline or an exam. Whenever possible, contact your instructor prior to your absence to arrange to make-up missed work. If you are unable to notify me concerning an absence or if you need to notify several instructors on short notice, contact the Office of Student Affairs for assistance. The Dean of Students will then inform all your instructors that you face a situation that requires that you miss class, and you are granted an excused absence. It's then your responsibility to contact each of your instructors after you recover from your illness or return to campus.
An absence is excused under the following conditions:
- If you participate in off-campus
University-sponsored activities, such as field trips, fine arts performances,
intercollegiate athletics, job fairs, etc. you are granted an excused absence
if your activity conflicts with an exam. Ask your advisor/instructor/coach to
provide documentation prior to your absence. Furthermore, we consider plant
trips, job interviews requiring travel, and professional society meetings as
excusable with proof of your attendance.
It is imperative that for an absence of this type, for which a conflict
with an exam is known well ahead of time, that you arrange with me to take the
exam earlier than its normally scheduled time.
- If you encounter circumstances beyond
your control such as illness, the funeral of any relative or close friend, or
other personal emergency, you are granted an excused absence. You must provide
verification of the special circumstances that led to your absence- this should
be done through the Dean of Students office to preserve your privacy. In the
event of a missed exam due to an excused absence, it is not possible to make-up
the exam. Instead, an excused absence from an exam will receive the score EX.
At the end of the semester, exam EX scores will be replaced by a weighted
average of all of your non-EX scores on exams (exams and final exam). If the final exam is missed as a result of an
excused absence, you will be awarded the letter grade of I (incomplete) and
must take the PH2100 final exam at the end of any one of the next three
semesters that you're in residence. Two
or more exams missed as a result of excused absences will be handled on an
individual basis.
If a homework due date is missed as a result of an excused absence, the
due date will be extended after you notify us.
GETTING
HELP
Office
Hours
In order to encourage you to ask questions, We've set aside office hours as shown in the instructor information table above. If these times are inconvenient, please let us know so that we might find a mutually agreeable meeting time.
The
If approaching me for help seems intimidating, you may also see the recitation instructor for help. You may also wish to visit the Physics Learning Center Physics Learning Center Sunday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday 3:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Times are subject to change. Please check the
learning center door for current hours.
The coaches may provide help with the graded homework assignments, but don't expect them to work the problems for you. The coaches will provide hints in the form of questions that should enable you to work the problems yourself.
Drop
Dates
Last
day to drop with no grade: February 1, 2008 (no refund)
Last day to drop with W grade: March 7, 2008
Late drop: If after the drop date circumstances
beyond your control prevent you from completing the course, you may be a
candidate for a late drop. The process begins with the Dean of Students,
to whom you confide the details of your situation.
Academic
Dishonesty
New technologies engender new forms of
cheating. Some known types of cheating and the action that will result
when cheating is identified are described below.
-Giving someone else your i>clicker transmitter is
just like letting someone else take a quiz or exam for you. Last
semester, one of the things students liked most about the i>clicker system
was the immediate feedback it provided about their conceptual understanding of
important topics. You lose this learning opportunity if you give your
transmitter to someone else.
-Copying someone else's answers in MasteringPhysics
is cheating. MasteringPhysics includes tools to help instructors identify
cheating. In addition, the support staff at MasteringPhysics, if requested,
will assist instructors to identify cheating. MasteringPhysics will prohibit
students identified as cheaters from using their website.
If cheating is suspected, the matter will be referred
to the Office of Student Affairs. The penalty for cheating is not less than an
academic integrity warning and not more than expulsion.
MTU
MTU complies with all federal and state laws and
regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (