PHYS 1401-08: College Physics I

LECURE: 4:40 PM – 7:10 PM M (LHSB 1.314)

INSTRUCTORCamas KeyOffice: 206 CavalryE-mail: camas.key@utrgv.eduPhone: 406-600-8790Office Hrs: T Th 1:00pm-2:30pm, and when you can find me.

REQUIRED TEXT“Essential College Physics” Volume 1, By Andrew Rex and Richard Wolfson

RECOMMENDEDCalculator with trigonometric functions

COURSE TOPICSChapters 1-11 in Wolfson.

READING THE TEXTBOOKIt is very important that you read the textbook. Just like any other class, you must read the book to understand the essence of what you are studying. On exams, I will emphasize the material covered in class but will inevitably draw upon ideas and examples presented within the textbook.

LABORATORYA laboratory session is a co-requisite for this course. Your lab grade will count 25% toward the overall course grade. In the lab, you will have the chance to experimentally verify the physical theories learned in lecture and practiced in homework and exams.

HOMEWORKHomework assignments will be given with each class and will consist of 3-5 problems per lecture. Successfully answering the homework ensures that you understand the physics. Homework will be worth 15% of your final grade.

EXAMSThere will be a total of 3 exams during the course, each worth 20% of your final grade. The exams will be given during one of the class periods and last for 1 hour and 15 minutes. The final exam will NOT be cumulative.

GRADESYour final grade will be averaged from the: lab, homework and three exam scores. I will curve exam grades as necessary depending upon the difficulty of the exam. The grading scheme is standard:

A: 100-90, B: 89-80, C: 79-70, D: 69-60, F: 59-0

ATTENDENCEAlthough I will not take attendance during lecture, it is to your advantage to engage in every class and lab. After all, that is what you are paying for. In addition, material presented in lecture and lab will be emphasized on tests.

MAKE-UP WORKMake-up exams, and late homework will NOT be accepted. If you have a time conflict please contact me in advance and we can work things out.

DISABILITIESStudents with disabilities, including learning disabilities that wish to request academic adjustments must notify Disability Services so the appropriate accommodations can be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services counselor.

HELPFUL HINTSAs mentioned earlier, we will cover Chapters 1-11 in the text. The pace is fast, so you will have to work hard to not fall behind. In order to do well in this class, it is necessary to actively participate in lecture, lab and homework. Please feel free to ask questions to your fellow classmates or me. If you have a question, chances are someone else has the same question too so ask them.