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PHYS 2020 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PHYS 2020 - Non-Calculus Physics II with Lab (formerly General Physics II with Lab)

4 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

A non-calculus based course with electricity and magnetism, optics, relativity, quantum, and atomic physics.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain physics principles and their applications
  • Assess physical boundaries and limitations
  • Solve physics questions by applying theory
  • Employ physics principles to daily activities 
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

PHYS 2010

Course Topics:

Module 1:

  • Chapter 15 – Electric Forces and Electric Fields
  • Chapter 16 – Electrical Energy and Capacitance   

Module 2:

  • Chapter 17 - Current and Resistance
  • Chapter 18 - Direct Current Circuits 

Module 3:

  • Chapter 19 - Magnetism

Module 4:

  • Chapter 20 – Induced Voltages and Inductance
  • Chapter 21 – Alternating Current Circuits and Electromagnetic Waves

Module 5:

  • Chapter 22 - Reflection and Refraction of Light
  • Chapter 23 - Mirrors and Lenses 

Module 6:

  • Chapter 24 - Wave Optics
  • Chapter 25 - Optical Instruments 

Module 7:

  • Chapter 26 – Relativity
  • Chapter 27 - Quantum Physics
  • Chapter 28 - Atomic Physics 

 

Specific Course Requirements:

Students should have a college level knowledge of mathematics/calculus. They must be familiar and comfortable with basic computer and Internet skills. They must be familiar with or willing to learn a variety of online tools. They must also be ready to download the necessary software such as Java programs to run the simulated labs. The ability to download software and operate the systems and simulations are basic technical skills required in the course.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Required Textbooks:
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

  • Serway, R. A., & Vuille, C. (2017) College Physics, 11th Edition. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks Cole. ISBN: 9781337763486
  • WebAssign Printed Access Card for Serway/Vuille's College Physics

Supplementary Materials:
Please refer to the Textbooks and Materials for the Course page.
There are no optional materials for this course. Any material relevant to the course may be used by the student to enhance the learning experience.

Hardware and Software Requirements:
Review the minimum hardware and software requirements

Common applications you might need:
To read a PDF file download the latest version of Adobe Reader
Don't have Microsoft Office? Explore an alternative OpenOffice

Web Resources:
Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

Student Resources:
Technical support information can be found at the TN eCampus Help Desk.
Virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. To access virtual tutoring, visit the course homepage, and select Virtual Tutoring under Course Resources.
Information on other student issues or concerns can be located at TN eCampus Student Resources.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Grading Procedures:

Graded Items

DescriptionPoints
6 of Discussion @ 40 each240
12 of Chapter Quizzes @ 10 each120
6 of Lab Activities @ 20 each120
1 of Project @ 120 120
1 of Midterm Exam @ 200200
1 of Final Exam @ 200200
Total Course Points1000 points

 

Grading Scale:
A900 - 1000 points 
B800 - 899 points 
C700 - 799 points
600 - 699 points
Under 600 points  

 

Assignments and Projects:

Quizzes, midterm exam, and the final exam will receive direct points according to the number of questions answered correctly.

Grading
Quizzes, midterm exam, and the final exam will receive direct points according to the number of questions answered correctly.
Discussions, Labs, and the Project is graded by the instructor according to the rubric. All work is graded weekly and within 7 days after the deadline. The students will not have access to the discussions, labs, and projects after the deadline. The access to quizzes, midterm, and the final will not be available after the deadline. The practice quizzes will be available for practice throughout the course. The grades of the practice quizzes are not added to the total points of the course grade. The practice quizzes are only for practice and they will prepare you for chapter quizzes and exams.

Important Note:
In order to pass the course, you must take the midterm and the final examinations and complete the projects, in addition to receiving a passing grade in the course. If you miss either of the exams due to an illness, or any other acceptable mitigating reasons, you must provide evidence and receive the professor’s confirmation before arranging to take exams on days outside the given examination period. In such cases, the final grade would be an “I” (Incomplete), until the missing exams are taken on an alternative day.

Discussions Grading (for detailed criterion see Rubrics for Discussions) The total gained according to the rubric will be doubled to match the 40 points awarded for a discussion.

 

Standard (1/4): Critical Thinking Skills & Content/Subject Knowledge Demonstrated in Original Post

Levels of AchievementScale of 0-10 Points
Distinguished10
Proficient8
Basic7
Below Expectation6
No performance0

Standard (2/4): Participation

Levels of AchievementScale of 0-6 Points
Distinguished6
Proficient5
Basic4
Below Expectation2
No Performance0

Standard (3/4): Coherence and Organization

Levels of AchievementScale of 0-2 Points
Distinguished2
Proficient1.6
Basic1.2
Below Expectation0.8
No Performancexxx

Standard 4/4: Mechanics

Levels of AchievementScale of 0-2 Points
Distinguished2
Proficient1.6
Basic1.2
Below Expectation0.8
No Performance / Severely Belowxxx

 

Lab Activities and Project:
Students will also carry out lab activities and projects and submit the work using dropbox. The lab activities and projects provide the students with an opportunity to explore learning in real life situations. The lab activities and projects should be presented with supporting references and must answer all the questions.

N.B. All writing in all assignments must be your own work.

Project Rubric: Please refer to the rubric given under the project instructions within the course.

Lab Activity Rubric - Total Points 20

SectionCriteriaPoints
Section 1 - Laboratory ReportTitle1
Section 1 - Laboratory ReportIntroduction1
Section 1 - Laboratory ReportProcedure4
Section 1 - Laboratory ReportResults - qualitative or quantitative4
Section 1 - Laboratory ReportDiscussion/Conclusion4
Section 2 - QuestionsEqually divided among questions6
Total 20

 

Class Participation:

Students are expected to communicate with the instructor on a regular basis and check the calendar, news, and email frequently for announcements or changes in the course. Students must actively participate in the class consistently and at a steady pace.

Late Policy:

To receive full credit, all assignments, including discussions, labs, projects, chapter quizzes, midterm exam, and the final exam must be submitted on time. Once the deadline is passed, students may lose access to submitting the assignments. Students who are able to work on class assignments only in the evenings should make plans to complete assignments on the evening before the day of the deadline. The late submission is acceptable only when there are mitigating circumstances and the request is submitted with evidence.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on March 21, 2022