SYLLABUS

OBJECTIVES:
The two-semester Introduction to Physics course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of Physics and their impact on other disciplines and everyday situations. At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to discuss and analyze qualitatively a variety of problems and situations they will encounter in their professional, personal and educational activities.

Topics included in the first part of the course (PHY 101) include, but are not necessarily limited to, mechanics, the properties of solids, liquids and gases, and thermodynamics..

Each of the two semesters of Introduction to Physics is a four-credit course using arithmetic and simple algebra and is transferable for credit to most schools (check with the advisor at the school you plan to attend after NVCC).

PREREQUISITES:
MTH 002 or equivalent, or instructor/divisional approval.
It is strongly recommended that students have obtained satisfactory placement scores for ENG 111 prior to taking the Physics course.

TEXT AND MATERIALS:

Text: CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS - Paul G. Hewitt - Harper Collins College Publishers (9th edition).
Hand Calculator - A calculator enabling to perform basic operations is recommended, but not essential. Students are expected to learn how to use their own calculators. Computers are available in the lab to help in the interpretation of the lab data.

Goggles - Some laboratory experiments may require wearing goggles for safety (OSHA requirement). If this becomes necessary, the instructor will inform the students.

Supplies - Students will have to provide graph paper and have access to basic equipment such as ruler, pencils, etc.

ATTENDANCE AND APPROACH:

Attendance to the lectures is strongly recommended but is not mandatory, i.e. no explanation is needed if you miss class. Note, however, that recent state/federal regulations require that the instructor check attendance to class and report this to the division head. The latter has the option to "purge" the roster, i.e. to remove from the roster (administrative withdrawal) students who do not attend class regularly. Note, also, that material not included in the book could be discussed in class and included in quizzes and/or exams. Attendance to the labs is mandatory (see section below about lab activities).

Chapter quizzes, comprehensive mid-term and final exams and laboratory activities all contribute toward the final grade (see grading below).

A grade "F" is given to students who do not complete the mid-term and/or final exams in a timely manner. A grade "F" is also given to students who do not complete at least 70 percent of all the work required i.e. chapters quizzes, lab reports, mid-term and final, in a timely manner without having withdrawn from the course.

If it is necessary for a students to withdraw for any reason, it is the student's responsibility to complete the necessary paperwork.

Special personal situations should be discussed with the instructor ahead of time, or, as soon as they arise. Do not expect things to "fall in place" at the end of the semester: They usually do not!

GRADING:
The various course and lab activities contribute to the final grade in the following proportions:

Grades are assigned on the following basis: 90.00% and over of total possible points: A; 80.00 to 89.99%: B; 70.00 to 79.99%: C; 60.00 to 69.99%: D; less than 60.00%: F.

LABORATORY ACTIVITIES:
Laboratory activities are integral part of the course. Some course topics may be introduced as part of the lab activities. Handouts describing the lab activities will be provided by the instructor.

Missed labs cannot be made up. Students are authorized to miss one lab without penalty. For those students who complete all the labs, the lower grade of the set will be dropped. Students who foresee they will have to miss more than one lab for whatever valid reason, should inform the instructor at once: non-excused missed labs result in a grade of zero.

Lab grades will be determined on the basis of report quality and participation in the labs. Lab reports will be judged on form, content, presentation and interpretation of the results. Lab report formats will be discussed during lab sessions.

No student will be allowed in the lab without having received safety instruction: this is a federal requirement to which there will be no exception.

MISCELLANEOUS.
Chapter quizzes and lab reports must be submitted one week after being issued or one week after completion of the lab. Late submittals will be penalized by one grade, i.e. late submittals, whatever their quality, can at best achieved a B grade.

Submittals that are sloppy, illegible, disorganized, etc., i.e. below college standard, will be returned to be redone; the same penalty as above applies.

Independently of the risk of being penalized for late submittal of the required work, students are strongly advised to keep current with the material covered in class: all chapters build up on previous chapters, and, falling behind often has a disastrous cumulative effect on the final grade. Students are also encouraged to do exercises on their own to sharpen their skills: the instructor will be available to help them if needed.

Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions; to periodically compare their grade data with those kept by the instructor; and, to retain all graded materials until they have had the opportunity to check final grades.

Office hours will be announced shortly.

INSTRUCTOR:
Jean-Francois Henry, D.Sc.
Office: (703) 257-6646
Email: jhenry@nvcc.edu

WEATHER:
For closings due to inclement weather, listen to local radio/TV stations, or, call NOVANET (703) 330-3770.