Course Syllabus

Physics 2A-1627

General Physics with Lab

 Spring 2018 (4.00 units)

Instructor:  Asma Said

E-mail:  asaid@elcamino.edu

Webpage: https://elcamino.instructure.com/courses/1859

Phone: (424) 255-9026

Office Location: PHYS117F                                                             

Section: 1627

Meeting Days & Times:  MW: 7:45 am-9:10 am & Lab: 7:45 am -10:55 am

Class/Lab Room:  PHYS 109

Course Description:

This course is part of a one-year algebra- and trigonometry-based survey of physics.  Topics covered include kinematics, statics, dynamics, momentum, energy, rotation, gravitation and planetary motion, fluids, kinetic theory of gases, and thermodynamics. In addition, the course covers elasticity and vibration, wave motion, interference, standing waves, and sound.

Prerequisites or Departmental advisories: 

Mathematics 170 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent.

Required Texts and Materials: 

The OpenStack “College Physics “

Recommended Resources:

1. Physics2A Canvas Shell
2. Computer skills necessary for success : Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat Reader: Fill in form.
3. Technology requirements : Flash, Java, Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Google Chrome browser .

 

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Analyze physical problems in order to recognize the physical principles required to solve the problem, isolate and model the physical principles underlying each part of the problem, formulate the equations for each part,
   combine and solve the system of equations for the problem, and analyze and explain the results of computations for a variety of physical situations.
   
   2. Conceptually explain physical phenomena perhaps too difficult for realistic mathematical modeling at the introductory physics level.
   
   3. Demonstrate the ability to construct simple mechanical systems,
   make meaningful measurements using basic mechanical measuring devices,
   manipulate the collected data using basic error theories, report the outcome of the experiment, and explain the results physically.
   
   4. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems using Newton’s Laws of Motion,
   momentum and impulse, work-energy theorem, conservation of energy, torque,
   the laws of thermodynamics, hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, and simple harmonic motion.

 

Student and Institutional Learning Outcomes:

PHYS 2A General Physics: SLO #1

Students will demonstrate ability to correctly read and record, with appropriate units and uncertainties, measurements taken from a vernier caliper and a micrometer caliper by measuring the lengths and diameters of several cylindrical objects. Students will be asked to perform mathematical operations using the measured quantities in order to calculate results from those measurements, and to record those results with appropriate units and uncertainties.

PHYS 2A General Physics: SLO #2

Students can identify the physical principles, which are relevant in a given physical situation involving mechanics, heat, fluids or sound and describe how these principles are manifested in, and influence the behavior of that physical situation.

PHYS 2A General Physics: SLO #3

Students can identify and apply the applicable laws of physics along with the necessary mathematics to successfully solve a mechanics problem.

1. able to state a clear and testable hypothesis, taking careful measurements, estimating uncertainties, and drawing appropriate conclusions based on gathered data and sound scientific principles.

Methods of Presentation:

• Lecture
• Class discussions
• Problem solving sessions
• Asking and answering questions (Socratic method)
• Interactive peer-to-peer activities, and group work
• Lab demonstrations and Videos
• The “flipped classroom”

Method of Evaluation and Grading Scale:

 

Assessments	Points Possible	Percentage of Total Points (1000)		Grading Scale:
3 exams (@100 pts each)	300	30%		A	90 - 100%
Homework Assignments	150	15%		B	80 – 89.9%
In class Quizzes	200	20%		B	80 – 89.9%
Final Exam	150	15%		C	65 – 79.9%
Labs	200	20%		F	Less than 60%
TOTAL	1000	100%

Lecture Exams:  Exams (2 @100 pts each) are mandatory and must be taken when scheduled. Each exam will have a scantron section (multiple-choice, true or false, and/or matching format) and an essay section (typically 4-6 short answer questions).

Missed Work/Make-up/Late Policy:  There should be no penalty for late work due to a documented religious holiday. 

• Lecture Exams, quizzes, and Lab assignments are mandatory and must be taken when scheduled. They cannot be made up. If you missed a quiz or an exam for a “good documented reason”, and emailed me before the assignment is due, you will have this work excluded from your total. If you didn’t email, you’ll receive a zero on that assignment.
• Generally, to receive full credit, assignments must be turned in on time.
• No homework may be turned in late.
• Students who will be absent for religious holidays must inform instructor in writing of that intent by the end of the second week of class. In the subject line of your email write, "Religious Holiday," and include your name, student ID, holiday and dates in question.  You will also be responsible for making up any missed work in a timely way.
• I reserve the right to make exceptions on a case by case basis for students with emergency situations requiring rescheduling.

Attendance, Drop and Withdrawal Policy:

Students are responsible for maintaining their own enrollment status. Students may drop the course with a W through the twelfth week in a regular semester. It is NOT possible to drop the class after the twelfth week of the semester.

Specific drop policy and expectations.:

Attendance is crucial to your success.  You are expected to attend every class on time!   Some material presented in the lecture will not be covered by the notes or textbook; therefore, notes during class are very important tools for the successful development in the course.  Laboratory work is to be done in lab; makeup labs are almost impossible to schedule.  If you miss a lab, the practical experience of your learning process will be lost.  If you must miss a lecture or laboratory, it is your responsibility to obtain missing material.  A student missing 3 class sessions in a row MAY be dropped from the course by the instructor as it will be assumed the student is no longer attending class.

General information regarding drop dates, withdrawals, and other enrollment matters may be found at El Camino College  website: http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/calendar.aspx

During the semester, a student may be dropped from class when, in the instructor's judgment, the number of absences has become excessive, or in the case of online classes, for lack of substantive participation. Normally this is one hour more than twice the number of hours the class is scheduled per week, unless there are extenuating circumstances and the student and the instructor come to a different agreement.

Student Responsibility/Class Policies:

• Classroom conduct:

• I expect everyone to be respectful to each and every person in this class. I have a zero-tolerance policy toward racist, sexist and/or homophobic language. 
• Please conduct yourself as you would in a business environment: on-time attendance, respect for others, respectful language and personal integrity. Private conversations with the instructor should be held in office hours, not during class time.
• Cell Phones, tablets, laptops, pagers, and other electronic devices:
• Laptops are not allowed during lecture time. You can use your laptop during lab time.
• Cell phone: Do not use them during class.
• IPads: Can be used to take notes or during lab.
• Electronic device use is permitted in this class. Devices must be kept on the desk—not in your lap. Activities using these devices must be limited to activities supporting concurrent class topics. Students using devices for other purposes will lose the privilege of device use during class.
• Please turn your cell phone OFF during lab. Silent (or vibrate) isn’t enough, because any attempt to acknowledge a call creates a disruption for fellow students, and usually for the instructor.  Dictionaries, calculators, cell phones, head phones, Blue Tooth, iPods or other electronic devices cannot be used during exams.
• .  Food or drink is prohibited in the classroom with the exception of water bottles, which are permitted as long as they remain closed when not in active use, and are kept away from all equipment.

 

1. No restroom breaks during tests.

 

1. Arriving more that 10 minutes late to class, may result in earning a zero on the classwork of that day.

 

5.     I encourage students requesting disability-related accommodations to contact the Special Resource Center as soon as possible. I will work with you and the Center to provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations. An early notification of your request for test-taking and/or other accommodations is necessary to ensure that your disability related needs are addressed appropriately; testing accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. SRC Front Desk (310) 660-3295

6. VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER) The Veterans' Resource Center at El Camino College serves veterans entering college for the first time or returning to college to further their education.

 

1. Academic Honesty:

 

El Camino College places a high value on the integrity of its student scholars.  When an instructor determines that there is evidence of dishonesty in any academic work (including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or theft of exam materials), disciplinary actions appropriate to the misconduct as defined in BP 5500 may be taken.  A failing grade on an assignment in which academic dishonesty has occurred and suspension from class are among the disciplinary actions for academic dishonesty (AP 5520).  Students with any questions about the Academic Honesty or discipline policies are encourage to speak with their instructor in advance.

 

Honest and ethical students are protected in this class.

 

1. Codes of Conduct

The Standards of Student Conduct and procedures for enforcing the Standards for Student Conduct are governed by Board Policy 5500, Administrative Procedure 5500, and Administrative Procedure 5520. To read these policies and procedures, visit the Board of Trustees Board Policy webpage.

To report an alleged violation of the Standards of Student Conduct or refer a student to AIMS or Title IX, please use the Incident Report and Referral Form.

For any questions regarding the Standards of Student Conduct or Incident Report and Referral Form, please call the Student Development Office at 310-660-3593 ext. 3500.

 

1. End-of-semester course grades are assigned according to the departmental scale presented in this syllabus. The division between grades will occur at natural breakpoints in the score distribution but will always be close to the percentages given by the departmental scale. Letter grades are not based on a student’s need for a specific grade or how well a student would have performed if life’s circumstances were different in that semester. Grades are the responsibility of the student and are not negotiable. Grades can only be changed in the case of clerical errors. Asking for a grade that was not earned constitutes academic dishonesty and may result in a report being filed with the campus disciplinarian.

 

1. Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

 

Those interested in the details can view the entire Title IX Legal Manual at

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2010/12/14/ixlegal.pdf

 

Students who have experienced some form of sexual misconduct or discrimination are encouraged to talk to someone about their experience, so they can get the support they need. To learn more about support available for students, please view this document about Title IX Resources.

 

 

11. INCOMPLETES: Incomplete academic work for unforeseeable, emergency, and justifiable reasons that include circumstances beyond the student's control may result in an "I" symbol being entered in the student's record. A student receiving an "I" will be provided with a written record containing the conditions for removal of the "I." This record will be held for the student in the Records Office through the sixth week of the regular semester following receipt of the incomplete mark. If the student does not obtain the record and complete the required work by the end of the sixth week, the "I" will automatically be removed and a grade depending on incomplete work will be assigned. Any extension of the time for completion of the required work must be approved by the division dean. The student should petition for the extension of time on a form provided by the Admissions

12. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff are always at the top of our agenda. A truly safe campus can only be achieved through the cooperation of all students, faculty, and staff. This information is a part of our effort to ensure that this collaborative endeavor is effective. 

 Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these procedures today, when knowledge of what to do can be the most effective. For more information please visit Campus Safety.

 

13. DISCLAIMERS
    • Some elements of the syllabus may be changed at the instructor’s discretion. The changes will be communicated via Canvas announcement and official email. Students will be given at least 48 hours notice of changes whenever possible.
    • Instructor errors: Please let me know, promptly and courteously, if I have made a mistake in class, or if I have made a mistake in grading or in posting your grade to Canvas. I appreciate the feedback, because I want to correct errors as soon as possible.
    • If there is any aspect of this syllabus which you do not understand, or to which you take exception, please let me know within the first week of class.
    • Your continued attendance in this course constitutes an acknowledgement and acceptance of the requirements delineated in this syllabus.

 

 

Dates & Deadlines:  Review the detailed Schedule.

 

 

 

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