Physics 203 Fall 2009

General Information

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Kevin Crosby
DSC 204 x5855
kcrosby@carthage.edu
http://personal.carthage.edu/kcrosby/
Office Hours: MWF 11-12; T 2-4 (appt. only on Tuesday)

Course Prerequisites

MATH 112, concurrent registration in MATH 113

Textbooks and other supplies

Required Texts:

Software Used in the Course:

Course Description

In this course we will cover about 400 years of the most revolutionary and exciting science that human culture has discovered. This is not a traditional mechanics-based physics course. We will cover a wider range of important discoveries and introduce more modern and relevant discoveries and ideas than is typical in a traditional introductory physics courses. The format of the course is student-centered in the sense that most class meetings will emphasize group discussions and hands-on activities. We will have occasion to learn through traditional lecture, but students should be prepared to participate in the course through discussion, reading reflection, problems solving, and lab work.

Course Objectives

You will have succeeded in this course to the extent that you have made progress in the following areas:

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Requirements

Homework

Homework will be assigned on a daily basis (see schedule), and is the single most important element of the course. If you can do the homework problems, chances are good that you will succeed in the course. Homework is administered through the WebAssign system and is automatically graded. Three attempts are allowed for each problem. Late homework is not accepted so that solutions may be made available in a timely manner. While collaboration is encouraged, each student should submit homework that reflects their own understanding of the problems.  Homework is assigned and submitted within WebAssign.

Homework Quizzes

Quizzes covering the assigned problems will be given each Friday. Lowest quiz will be dropped (excluding missed quizzes). Quizzes are typically graded out of 10-15 points. Missed quizzes may not be made up for credit. If you have a pre-arranged athletic or academic trip on the day of the quiz, you may take the quiz early. A week's notice is required to arrange an early quiz.

Exams

There will be two in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam. Each exam is 5% of the overall course grade. You may bring one 8.5"x11" sheet of notes to each exam. Exams may not be made up. If a medical emergency causes you to miss an exam, the missed points will be added to your Final Exam. Documentation is required.

Computers

We will make regular use of computer tools. Many of the lab studios involve programming in the easy-to-learn language, Visual Python (vpython). Vpython allows us to quickly and easily write simple simulations that display 3D environments and allow the programmer to apply physical laws to objects to make dynamical simulations. If you have a laptop computer, install VPython on it, and bring it to class on days when we do VPython studios (see calendar).

Lab Studios

Lab studios are short, directed experiments and computer simulations that are tightly integrated with the course material. Studios typically consist of experiments coupled with model-building activities and calculations. You will complete 2-3 studios each week in teams of 2-3 people. These must be completed during class time. Given the frequency, and the experimental, team-based nature of studios, makeups are not possible.

In Class Assignments

We will do many in class assignments in place of traditional lecture. These assignments are designed to develop a particular skill, concept, or principle. Keep the desired goal of the assignments in mind as you work on them within your groups. Some assignments will be collected and graded.

Blackboard

http://blackboard.carthage.edu
You will be required to enroll in this Physics course on Blackboard. You can find it in Blackboard's Course Catalog in the Physics folder. There, you will find announcements, supplementary course materials, and communication capability with the instructor and fellow students.

Learning Accommodations

If you have a disability-related need for accommodations in this course, please contact the professor during the first week of class. You will also need to provide documentation of your disability to Diane Schowalter in the Advising Center, x5802.

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Grading and Policies

Academic Honesty

Students are bound by the terms of the Carthage College Academic Honesty Contract in the Student Handbook. Any act of academic dishonesty is sufficient cause for failure of the course.

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Course Calendar

Course Calendar is available here.

Necessary revisions will be distributed in class.

Cell Phone Policy

The cell phone policy for the course is available here. It will be strictly enforced.

 

 

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