PHYS 151 Syllabus
A. Learning Outcomes.
Welcome to PHYS 151, "Mechanics and Heat." In this class we will explore the foundations of modern mechanics from the point of view of our current, best understanding of the physical universe. We will focus on a relatively small number of fundamental principles in the course, and how to put them together into a cohesive explanation of how and why objects move as they do. This is a course in your General Education Program, addressing Critical Thinking, Quantitative Reasoning, and Teamwork (in the laboratory and in your Koondis Team).
B. Required Texts and materials
- Matter and Interactions, Vol. 1,4th Edition, Chabay and Sherwood
- Smartphone or computer with internet connectivity
- WebAssign License
C. Types and sequence of assignments and basis for assigning course grade:
The course grade will be determined by: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79,D=60-69,F<59
Your course grade will be determined by:
25%: WebAssign online homework assignments due online every Saturday at 9:00 am.
25%: Laboratory. Missing 2 laboratory assignments during the semester will result in you earning an F in this course. Laboratory assignments occur most weeks, and are due Saturdays at 9pm.
50%: Exams, quizzes, and final exam apportioned as follows and on the following dates:
25% Exam I: Online, week 4: Group Exam Sun-Fri. Individual Exam, Friday Jan. 15, 5-6pm.
25% Koondis Team Work, due Thursdays, 9pm (exceptions noted below).
Exams will become available for download at 5:00 pm on the exam date, and you will have until 6:00pm on the same date to construct your solutions to the two problems on the exam. You can take a picture of your work or scan it and upload it to the "dropbox" in Beachboard.
D. Withdrawals: No instructor or of?ce staff can add or change a class for you. Only YOU, THE STUDENT, can add or change classes in YOUR schedule. You may either add classes on-line through your MyCSULB account or in person at Enrollment Services during the registration period. Each student is responsible to check their MyCSULB account weekly to be certain that the Class Schedule listed accurately re?ects the courses s/he is enrolled in for the current semester. Students should also check for any notices the University has sent to them.
E. Any student missing class for a university-approved absence (university business, illness) is entitled to a reasonable make-up assignment.
F. Any student requiring accommodation through DSSC should see me about arranging accommodations.
G. Schedule and online resources: If your textbook came with a WebAssign license, please login at www.webassign.com with your CSULB student id number as your username, and your email address as your password. Please change your password when you first login.
Koondis Team Work (KTW). These are assignment you will complete in assigned groups throughout the term. The problems you will be solving come from the homework, and will help you to prepare for homework and exams. You will need to answer the invitation email from "learn.koondis.com" with login details. Your grade results from the number of posts you make and the number of votes you execute on the forum site, and how often you help other teams with postings.
Laboratories: There will be laboratory exercises during weeks 1, 2 and 3 during the term. The first is meant to familiarize you with the mechanisms for collecting data with which to analyze the motion of real-life objects. After that, you will propose experiments in response to a "Request for Proposals," approved experiments will be performed the following week (you may be required to perform an experiment proposed by another group). Laboratories will be performed in your Koondis Teams.