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PHYS 2110 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PHYS 2110 - Calculus-Based Physics I with Lab (formerly Physics I with Lab)

4 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

The first half of a two-semester, calculus-based course intended primarily for students in science, mathematics, engineering and other technical fields.

Course Outcomes:

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

  • Demonstrate an ability to use a variety of mathematical techniques for solving mathematical models.
  • Use the principles of thermodynamics to explain everyday phenomena.
  • Apply Newton's Laws of Motion to successfully solve a variety of simple kinematics scenarios.
  • Apply Conservation Laws to successfully solve a variety of scenarios.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:
Prerequisites and Corequisites:
  • Calculus I is a pre/co-requisite
  • Competence with technology tools
Course Topics:
  • Module One: Kinematics
  • Module Two: Forces
  • Module Three: Conservation Laws
  • Module Four: Thermodynamics
  • Module Five: Capstone Activity
Specific Course Requirements:

Students should consult the For Your Investigation topic for specific (non-textbook) items that they will need.

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:

For the laboratory component of this course, you will need several items, which are also delineated in the For Your Investigations: The Kit topic.

  • A smart device of some sort, capable of taking photos and videos, and able to run the "HUDI Techniqe" app which can be found on iTunes and Google Play.
  • Small items that are available at Walmart or other retailers: A small rubber ball (~ 1 inch diameter), a meterstick, tape, paperclips, scissors. (The purchase price for these items will vary, but should total less than $15.00.)
  • You will need a way to grab images from your computer screen. On Windows machines, the "Snipping Tool" works well. For OSX platforms, you will need the "Grab" utility.
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

Testing Procedures:

All tests -- including a comprehensive Final Exam -- will be conducted through the student's Sapling Learning account. Note: grades from external sites (including both Sapling Learning and McGraw-Hill's Connect) will be regularly complied and updated in the student's eLearn account.

Grading Procedures:

Grades will be organized according to performance within the modules.

Grading Scale:
PerformanceAssigned Grade
Average of 90% or higher
Average of 80% to 89.9%
Average of 70% to 79.9%C
Average of 60% to 69.9%D
Average less than 60%F

Graded Items

Description Points% of Total Grade
Sapling Learning HW assignments varies15%
Learnsmart Reading assignmentsvaries10%
4 "For Your Investigation" activities100 pts each20%
Rube Goldberg Device project100 pts5%
4 Module Tests100 pts each30%
Comprehensive Final Exam100 pts20%
Total 100%

Note: The third column indicates the percent contribution of each area to the students overall grade.

Assignments and Projects:

There are five modules to the course. Each module will have a complete set of instructions on the overview page available within it.

  • Sapling Learning homework assignments are scored by percentage of overall performance in that area. (Individual homework scores can be noted within the Sapling Learning environment.)
  • LearnSmart reading assignments are scored by percentage of overall performance in that area. (Individual reading scores can be noted within the LearnSmart environment.)
  • The "For Your Investigation" projects, the Rube Goldberg Device project, the module tests, and the final exam are scored based on points, the values of which are indicated in the chart below.

 

Class Participation:

There is no class participation grade.

Late Policy:

Given the asynchronous nature of the course and the ubiquity of technological venues, all work is expected to be completed by stated deadlines. Technological difficulties, work, travel and family-care glitches are not sufficient grounds for the instructor to accept late work or to modify deadlines on an individual basis. Your instructor will work with you regarding deadline modifications due to medical or family emergencies, otherwise, late work will not be accepted.

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 12, 2019