UNIVERSITY PHYSICS – II
(PHY 242)
OBJECTIVES:
The
two-semesters University Physics course (PHY 241-242) will provide science and
engineering students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of
Physics and their impact on other disciplines and on everyday situations. At the conclusion of the sequence, students
should be able to quantitatively discuss and analyze a variety of problems and
situations they will encounter in their professional, personal and educational
activities.
Topics
for the second part of the course (PHY 242) include, but are not necessarily
limited to, mechanical waves, electricity and magnetism and optics.
Each
of the two semesters of University Physics is a four-credit course using
trigonometry, vectors, and calculus.
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite
MTH 173, co-requisite MTH 174, 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:
PHYSICS
for Scientists and Engineers -
D.C.Giancoli – Third edition – Prentice Hall.
Hand
Calculator
– Model including scientific functions, sin, cos, log, exp, etc.. If possible, model enabling regression and
statistical analysis; graphing is not necessary. Students are expected to learn how to use their own calculators.
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.
Attendance to the labs is mandatory (see section below about lab
activities).
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 the three comprehensive
tests and /or do not complete at least 70 percent of all the work required in a
timely manner.
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:
Test
1 15
Test
2 20
Test
3 20
Labs
25
Total 100
Chapter
quizzes are take home; tests are in-class: the instructor will provide formula
sheets.
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES:
Laboratory
activities are integral part of the course.
Some course topics may be introduced as part of the lab activities. A tentative schedule of labs is attached. Hand-outs describing the various 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 lab activities.
Lab
reports will be judged on form, content, and interpretation of the
results. Lab report formats will be
discussed in 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 exceptions.
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 point. Submittals that are sloppy, illegible, disorganized, etc., below
college standards, 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 their final grades.
Office
hours will be announced shortly.
INSTRUCTOR:
Jean-Francois Henry, D.Sc.
Office:
(703) 257-6646 – Room 335A Colgan Building
Email:
jhenry@nvcc.edu
WEATHER:
For
closings due to inclement weather, listen to local radio stations, or, call
NOVANET (703) 330-3770.