PHYS111-001 - GENERAL PHYSICS - FALL 2014
Location: MP-101 Time: Tuesday and Thursday 10:30-11:45
Instructor: Steve Schroeder Voice: 890-8270 Office: Multipurpose Building – Room 304
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-2:30, or by appointment
Email: [email protected]
Textbook: College Physics, 3rd Ed - Knight, Jones, and Field (see page 8 of this syllabus)
Labs: RealTime Physics, Module 1
Turning Point Clicker or App
Prerequisite: Math 144 or 147 with a score of C or better or satisfactory score on math placement exam
Overview: Physics is the most fundamental of all of the sciences. In fact, all branches of science
rely of principles of physics. It teaches you to think in a new way, it gives you a new appreciation
of the world around you, and it really can be quite phun.
But physics, that is a hard subject! The biggest myth about physics is that you have to be an
Einstein to understand it. What it really requires is someone who is interested and willing to work
hard. Initially, each person has an idea about how the world works. As you grow up, your ideas adjust to
fit what you observe. Unfortunately, many of those ideas are not correct. Physics teaches you the real laws
that control our world. It requires a lot of time and effort to change your original ideas, but once you do, the
world will make much more sense. This course will help you make this transformation. We will use simple
demonstrations, discussions, and numerous modeling activities to help with the process. As the semester
goes by, do not be surprised if your thinking process undergoes some major changes.
I have enjoyed teaching physics for over 40 years. Over those years I have seen literally thousands of
students transform into true physics thinkers. That is what makes teaching physics so rewarding. I am
confident that the trend will continue during this course. Just remember that in spite of the time and energy
you put into the class, “Physics Is Phun!!!”
Boise State’s Foundational Studies Program provides undergraduates with a
broad-based background that spans the entire university experience. PHYS 111: General Physics satisfies four credits
of the Foundational Studies Program’s Disciplinary Lens requirement. It supports the following University Learning
Outcome, along with a variety of other course-specific goals:
Disciplinary Lens Statement:
8. Apply knowledge and the methods characteristic of scientific inquiry to think critically about and solve theoretical
and practical problems about physical structures and processes.
PHYS 111: General Physics is designed to develop an understanding of the nature of Newton’s Laws of motion,
conservation laws of Momentum and Energy, Fluids, Thermodynamics, and Simple harmonic motion. This course
helps to achieve the goals of the Foundational Studies Program by focusing on the following course learning outcomes.
After successful completion of this course, you should be able to:




Correctly interpret and draw motion diagrams as well as plots of motion.
Correctly interpret and solve problems involving Newton’s laws of motion.
Correctly interpret and solve problems involving conservation of momentum and conservation of energy.
Correctly interpret and solve problems involving fluids, thermodynamics, and simple harmonic motion.
PHYS111-001- GENERAL PHYSICS – ©FALL, 2014-shs
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Methodology: Many different activities have been chosen to help you to succeed. Collectively, they will
offer many different opportunities for practicing and learning physics.
Participation and Clicker Activities: Course lectures will be presented on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The format will consist of several short note-taking sessions interspersed with relevant demonstrations, small
group discussions, and problem solving modeling and practice. Activity points are accessed on activities
where you will be asked to perform some calculation, write your interpretation about a graph or diagram,
predict the outcome of a demonstration, or use a clicker to answer a question. Most activities encourage you
to work with other students. You must be present to earn participation activity and clicker points.
Homework:
Prelecture Reading Questions: The purpose of the Reading Questions is to encourage you to thoughtfully
read the chapter prior to coming to class. The lecture will make much more sense if you already have some
knowledge of the material. Besides, there will always be some parts of the chapter that we will not have time
to cover in class – especially all the different sample problems. At the Mastering Physics website you will
find a set of questions, all due by 11:59 pm, Monday, before the topics are covered in lecture. There is no
grace period for this deadline. These questions will use the straightforward aspects of the chapter. You are
encouraged to work in groups and help each other to get these problems. Each Reading Question
assignment will be worth a maximum four points.
Flexible Homework: The approach used here assumes that you are a mature and responsible learner who
wishes to understand the material. Homework will be assigned regularly and due each week by 11:59 pm,
Saturday. Homework problems will be drawn from the text and the Mastering Physics tutorials. The
homework system will typically follow the format below:
 Approximately 20-21 problems will be assigned from the end of the chapter.
 You will select any 15 of those problems. Working more than 15 problems is fine; it will actually
make you smarter.
 Each homework assignment will be worth a maximum of 7.5 points regardless of how many
problems you complete.
 The homework will be done on-line, at the www.masteringphysics.com website.
 The Mastering Physics homework system reduces the credit given by 4% per hour for late
homework. Any homework more than 24 hours late will receive zero credit.
Since both the Reading Questions and the Homework are submitted on-line, an Internet failure
could be catastrophic. Do not wait until the last minute to submit them. If you lose points for
lateness in submission, the points cannot be made up.
Please check in your textbook for the Mastering Physics access code, or purchase one on their website. Enter
MPSCHROEDER92270 as the course ID. Please check the Mastering Physics website for assignment due
dates. Typically the Reading Questions and Homework Problems will be available by noon, Saturday,
preceding the week they are due.
Labs: You must register for a laboratory section. There are 14 lab activities available, but only 13 are
required. You may use the 14th activity as a make-up lab should you miss any of the first 13. The lowest lab
score will be dropped at the end of the semester. Should a time conflict occur, you can attend a different lab
section at the discretion of the lab instructor. This opportunity can only be used once during the semester,
so use it wisely. Be aware that any lab instructor can refuse your request if the lab is filled to its
maximum.
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Exams: These provide an opportunity for you to get feedback and see if you understand the material. The
exams are closely focused on materials presented during the lectures and labs and are similar to the
homework problems, lab questions, and the conceptual ideas discussed during lecture. Four exams will be
given, three during the semester and one during finals week. The three exams during the semester will focus
on material covered during that four-week module. The final will be comprehensive over the entire
semester.
Scheduling Your Exam: All exams are to be taken in the Online Testing Center , located on the 4th floor
of the Education building. You must schedule your exam sometime on the Monday through Friday of the
week in which the exam is scheduled. Once your exam is scheduled, you must be on time. If you are more
than 10 minutes late for your appointment, you may not be allowed to complete your exam. It is your
responsibility to become familiar with the policies and procedures of the Testing Center, which will be
enforced in full. The testing center policies are listed at
http://at.boisestate.edu/tools-and-facilities/online-testing-center/ . Some highlights include:
 Schedule your appointment early. If you procrastinate, you might find that you must schedule your
exam during an inconvenient time or that the appointment spots might fill up.
 To schedule an exam, proceed to the Testing Center page using the link above, scroll down to the
student column and click “Schedule an Exam.” Follow the instructions and be prepared to enter your
broncoweb username and password.
 Do not miss your appointment. You probably will not be able to reschedule.
 The Testing Center requires a valid student ID.
 You are allowed to bring one 5 x 8 inch note card with handwritten formulas to the exam. Be sure to
write your name on your note card as they will be collected after you finish your exam.
 A language dictionary (if needed), and a scientific calculator will both be supplied by the Testing
Center. All materials will be inspected by the proctors at check-in and collected at check out. Be
prepared to have the proctors collect this material when you leave.
 No cell phones are allowed in the Testing Center.
 Any examples of academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to using non-sanctioned test aids,
using cell phones, observing the work of others in the testing center, etc.) will be reported and taken
seriously by the department and the university. Repercussions can include point deductions, a zero
on the exam, an F in the course, or expulsion from the university, at the prerogative of the
instructor/department.
Missed Exams: If you must miss an exam for some compelling reason, you must make arrangements
with me PRIOR to the exam. If no arrangements are made prior to the exam, a grade of zero will be earned.
Extra Credit: Opportunities for extra credit will include, but not be limited to, seminars of interest, at
home labs, and extra homework. There will be several extra credit problems/assignments during the
semester. This will usually cover topics not addressed during lecture time. There is a department limit of
40 extra credit points per semester.
Blackboard: Here you will find announcements, class documents, and the points you have earned. It is
your responsibility to keep track of your points, so please check the Blackboard grade book often to make
sure your points are correct. If you see any discrepancies, please let me know ASAP with the actual
graded assignment/test. Any discrepancies with lab scores must be presented to your lab instructor. If you
do not have the actual graded assignment/test, your points will stand as posted. A separate spreadsheet will
assign grades at the end of the semester based on these points.
Check your Bronco email account often or forward it to your most used email. It is your responsibility to be
aware of any announcements that are sent out for the class.
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Grades: A single grade is assigned for the entire course, including lab activities. Contributions to the grade
are as follows:
ACTIVITY
Participation Activities/Clickers
On-line Reading Questions & Homework
Labs
Exams
Final Exam
Total Possible
HOW
MANY
25
15
13
3
1
POINTS
EACH
3
11.5
20
120
150
TOTAL
POINTS
75
172.5
260
360
150
1017.5
A spreadsheet will assign the grades at the end of the semester using the scale below:
GRADE
A
B+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS
12 Labs
12 Labs
12 Labs
12 Labs
10 Labs
10 Labs
10 Labs
MINIMUM
POINTS
900
875
825
800
775
675
650
575
0
MAXIMUM
POINTS
1000+
899
874
824
799
774
674
649
574
Disability Resource Center (DRC): All instructors are committed to working with the university’s
DRC to meet the needs of students with documented disabilities. Students that feel they may need
accommodations will be met with privately, and steered to the DRC for further coordination. Approved
accommodations may include, but are not limited to: checking pdf reading assignments for readability by a
screen reader, videos chosen for use in the course will be those that have been close-captioned by the content
producer to provide access to students with hearing impairment, graphics in PowerPoint presentations used in
class lectures will be verbally described to students on an as-needed basis, providing textual descriptions
accessible by screen readers to images used on the course web site, extra time on tests and oral examinations,
or other accommodations.
PHYS111-001- GENERAL PHYSICS – ©FALL, 2014-shs
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Student Conduct: The student conduct code for this course can philosophically be summed up as:
 Show respect for your fellow students - this includes no yelling and no cursing (either verbal or
printed on clothing).
 Show respect by refraining from disruptive behavior during lecture – this includes watching videos
or listening to music on laptops, tablets, or cell phones. These activities can be very distracting to
your neighbors.
 Show respect for your lab partners and the lab equipment. Do not “horse around” while in the lab – it
could lead to serious injury or costly damage.
 Show respect for your lab instructors – they are there to help you.
 Show respect for your course instructor – he is doing the best he can. He lost his class, but now he
thinks he has found it again.
The actual Conduct Code document is at: http://www.boisestate.edu/osrr/scp/student_code.html . In
particular note article 4, which establishes student conduct norms for the lab setting. The home page for this
issue which contains some other material on how misconduct is handled can be found at:
http://www.boisestate.edu/osrr/
Academic Integrity: The Importance of Being Honest
No form of academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this class. You should expect any instance of dishonesty
might become known and will have consequences. Do the right thing. Do your own work, and do not allow
others to do your work nor complete the work of others. Do not plagiarize: attribute all words and ideas to
their sources (expect that any writing will be scanned by plagiarism detecting software). Any material that
you have not created should be referenced to the source where you obtained it. Please do not misrepresent
your circumstances – and this includes claiming technical failures to excuse a late assignment. Any
observed academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Students
(http://deanofstudents.boisestate.edu/). Depending on the circumstances, penalties can include failing this
course, or suspension/expulsion from the university. Students who observe academic dishonesty on the part
of others should contact their instructor privately, but students as well as faculty can file complaints for
academic dishonesty. Please go to http://deanofstudents.boisestate.edu/student-code-of-conduct/ for
additional information about the conduct process, including procedures and possible sanctions regarding
academic dishonesty. Included on the following pages are three sections of the Student Code of Conduct that
pertain to this course.
Section 18- Academic Dishonesty
The term “academic dishonesty” may include cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty.
All assignments submitted by a student must represent her/his own ideas, concepts, and current
understanding or must cite the original source. Attempts to violate the academic integrity of an assignment
do not have to be successful to be considered academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty may include, but is
not limited to:
1. Stealing and/or Possessing Unauthorized Material – The unauthorized appropriation,
possession or use of the property of another; the forgery or misuse of documents;
2. Fabrication and Falsification - The unauthorized alteration or invention of any information or
citation;
3. Multiple Submission – The submission of substantial portions of the same assignment for credit
more than once without the prior permission of all involved faculty members.
4. Abuse of Academic Material – Destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible library or other
academic resource material;
5. Complicity in Academic Dishonesty – Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help
another commit an act of academic dishonesty.
PHYS111-001- GENERAL PHYSICS – ©FALL, 2014-shs
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Section 18A – Cheating
The term “cheating” includes any action where an individual or group either carries out or attempts to carry
out dishonest work and/or where an individual or group either assists or attempts to assist an individual or
group to carry out dishonest work. If students are uncertain whether an action constitutes cheating, they have
a responsibility to ask the faculty member for the course for clarification. Cheating includes, but is not
limited to:
1. Using or providing any unauthorized assistance in class assignments, standardized tests,
credential tests, or professional licensing tests;
2. Unauthorized copying of class assignments – such as examinations – before, during, or after the
assignment, either for your own use or for the use of others;
3. Having someone else complete a class assignment in your place;
4. Completing a class assignment for someone else;
5. Collaborating on an assignment unless it has been explicitly permitted by the faculty member;
6. Depending on or providing the aid of sources not authorized by the faculty member in preparing
for exams, writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other
assignments;
7. Acquiring, without permission, any assignment or other academic material belonging to a
member of the University faculty or staff;
8. Creating, keeping, or using unauthorized collections of assignments;
9. Turning in substantial portions of the same academic work to more than one course without the
prior permission of the faculty members;
10. Plagiarizing (see section 18B).
Section 18B – Plagiarism
The term “plagiarism” at its most basic level means to steal someone else’s words, composition, research,
and/or ideas. Plagiarism is both cheating and theft. Given the seriousness of this offense, students have a
responsibility to understand its meaning and implications for the academic community. Plagiarism can be
committed in any type of assignment. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:
1. The use by direct quotation of another person’s work, published or unpublished, without clearly
setting off the quotation and/or without full and clear acknowledgement;
2. The use of paraphrase of another person’s work, published or unpublished, without full and clear
acknowledgement;
3. The use of another person’s ideas, arguments, and/or thesis from a published or unpublished
work without full and clear acknowledgement;
4. The use of another person’s research from a published or unpublished work without full and
clear acknowledgement;
5. The use of materials prepared by a person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or
other academic materials.
Note: If you feel you do not understand what constitutes plagiarism, I highly recommend the Indiana State
University website which contains specific examples. The website is:
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphleets/plagiarism.shtml .
PHYS111-001- GENERAL PHYSICS – ©FALL, 2014-shs
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Schedule:
PHYS 111 – General Physics – Fall, 2014
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
DATES
Aug 25
Sept 1
Sept 8
Sept 15
Sept 22
Sept 29
Oct 6
Oct 13
Oct 20
Oct 27
Nov 3
Nov 10
Nov 17
Nov 24
Dec 1
Dec 8
Dec 15
TOPICS
LABS
CH 1- Concepts of Motion
None
CH 2-Kinematics
L1- Intro to Motion
CH 3 Motion in 2D
L2- Changing Motion
CH 3/4- Newton’s Laws
L3- Force and Motion
CH 4/5- Newton’s Laws
L4- Combining Forces
CH 5- Applying Newton’s Laws Force Table (handout)
CH 6- Circular Motion
L5- Force, Mass, Accel
CH 7- Rotational Motion
L6- Gravitational Forces
CH 8- Equilibrium
L7- Passive Forces
CH 9- Momentum
Torque (handout)
CH 9/10- Energy and Work
L8- 1D Collisions
CH 10/11- Using Energy
L9- Newton’s 3rd Law
CH 12- Thermodynamics
L11- Work and Energy
Thanksgiving Break
CH 13- Fluids
L12- Conserva of Energy
CH 14- Oscillations
Ballistics Pendulum (ho)
Final Exam Week
EXAMS
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
Deviations from the above course plan may occur. Some topics may take longer to cover than expected
and some labs may be substituted for others. Check Blackboard for any major updates to the calendar.
Also be aware that certain sections of some chapters may be omitted or not covered during lecture while
other material that is not in the textbook may be added. It is important to come to class so you know
exactly for what information your are responsible.
Physics Is Phun!!!
PHYS111-001- GENERAL PHYSICS – ©FALL, 2014-shs
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PHYS111-001 GENERAL PHYSICS
NOTE-TAKING FORMAT
AND GENERAL INFORMATION
This is a relative fast-paced course. It is essential that you read the assigned chapters PRIOR to class.
Lecture outlines will be available before their respective class dates on Blackboard.
The notes for this course are designed to keep you actively engaged. They are presented in the Cornell
format; that is, the topic is listed on the left side of the page and notes are to be recorded on the right side. If
you prefer to take notes in another fashion, that is perfectly fine, however, it is expected that you come to
class with a printed copy of the course note outlines. Sample problems referred to in class as well as other
materials are printed on them. The notes are available on the PHYS111-001 page of Blackboard. Look in
the course documents section.
Be sure to bring a scientific calculator to class. A graphing calculator is not necessary, but could be useful in
lab.
The text for this course is College Physics, 3rd Ed., by Knight, Jones, & Field. It is rather expensive. If you
can find a cheap used 3rd or 2nd edition text online, that would be fine. A code for Mastering Physics is also
required for this course. I believe the new 3rd edition texts do come with one, but check to make sure. If you
buy a used book, you will have to purchase a code from the Mastering Physics website. It is good for two
years of access. Purchasing a code and a used text is still cheaper than buying the new 3rd edition text. If
you like ebooks, you can purchase access to an electronic version of the text at the Mastering Physics
website.
Stay up-to-date on reading assignments. You may find it helpful to read things twice: once to get a feel for
the topic, and a second time to concentrate on the detail. After class, use your class notes and the text to
review the day’s material. Form study groups with other students in the course to review the material,
especially before a test. Write down any questions you might have and share them during your group
meetings. If your group cannot come up with a satisfactory answer, have someone check with me during
office hours or after class.
You will be successful in this course if you remember these five things: (1) keep an open mind; (2) have a
positive attitude; (3) ask questions; (4) do not get behind; and (5) have phun.
Believe it can be done! When you believe something can be
done, really believe, your mind will find a way to do it.
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