GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS - II

(PHY 202)

SYLLABUS

OBJECTIVES:

The two-semester General College Physics course will provide the 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 quantitatively a variety of problems and situations they will encounter in their professional, personal and educational activities.

Topics included in the second part of the course (PHY 202) include, but are not limited to, electromagnetism, optics, relativity, and modern physics.

Each of the two semesters of General Physics is a four-credit course using algebra up to and including quadratic equations, basic trigonometry, logarithmic and exponential functions, scientific notations and vectors.

This non-calculus course is intended for students in some two-year technical programs and also for pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dental, physical therapy, liberal arts and pre-teaching non-science majors, thus satisfying the requirements for a laboratory science course at many four-year institutions. Students are advised to check with the four-year institution of their choice whether this course will be accepted for transfer.

PREREQUISITES:

MTH 163 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 courses.

TEXT AND MATERIALS:

PHYSICS - Principles with Applications - Douglas C. Giancoli

Prentice Hall, NJ - Fifth Edition.

Hand Calculator - Model including scientific functions, sin, cos, log, exp, etc. If possible, model enabling regression and statistical analyses; graphing is not necessary. Students are expected to learn how to use their own calculators.

Goggles - Some 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 pencils, rulers, etc.

ATTENDANCE AND APPROACH:

Attendance to lectures is strongly recommended but is not mandatory. Note, however, that material discussed in class but not covered in the book may be included in tests. Attendance to the laboratory sessions is mandatory (see section about lab activities below).

Chapter quizzes, three comprehensive tests and laboratory activities all contribute toward the final grade (see grading below).

A grade "F" is given to students who do not complete all three tests in a timely manner. A grade "F" is also given to students who do not complete at least 70 percent of all work required: chapter quizzes, lab reports, and tests in a timely manner without having withdrawn from the course.

If it is necessary for a student 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:

Activities: Percent of Final Grade:

Chapter quizzes 25

Test 1 15

Test 2 15

Test 3 20

Laboratory work and reports 25

Total 100

All tests are comprehensive and will comprise an in-class part (closed book, formula sheet provided, each 5% of the final grade) and a take-home part (open book, honor system, 10% of the final grade for tests 1 and 2 and 15% of the final grade for test 3).

Grades are assigned on the following basis: 90% and over of total possible points: A; 80 to 89.99%: B; 70 to 79.99%: C; 60 to 69.99%: D; less than 60%: F.

LABORATORY ACTIVITIES:

Laboratory activities are integral part of the course. Some topics may be introduced as part of the lab activities and may be included in the tests.

A tentative schedule of labs is included in the tentative class schedule. Handouts describing the various 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 lab activities. Lab reports will be judged on form, content, and interpretation of the results. Lab report formats will be discussed in the labs.

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:

Except when otherwise stated, 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 according to the following schedule: one week (or fraction thereof) after the deadline, penalty of one grade, i.e. late submittals, whatever their quality, can at best receive a B grade; two weeks after the deadline, penalty of two grades; three weeks after the deadline, the submittal is not accepted resulting in zero grade points. Submittals that are sloppy, illegible, disorganized, etc., i.e. below college standards, will be returned to be redone; the same penalties as above apply.

Independently 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 and/or to ask questions during class or lab sessions; to periodically compare their grade data with those kept by the instructor, and, to retain all graded material until they have had the opportunity to check their final grades.

The instructor does not "curve" the grades and does not allow for "extra work" to improve one's average: there are plenty of opportunities for serious students to earn good grades without these gimmicks. Remember that the instructor does not give you a grade, you earn your own grade!

Office hours will be announced shortly.

INSTRUCTOR: Jean-Francois Henry, D.Sc.

Office: Colgan Building (MC), Room 335A (access through room 335 - lab)

Phone: (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.