Syllabus as of January 9, 2015 General Physics 1052 "Algebra-based Physics" (Spring Semester 2015, Sections 001-003) Profs. Leigh M. Smith, Alexandre Sousa and Jure Zupan Sections Lectures Room Instructors 001 TTh 10:00-11:50 301 Braunstein Prof. Leigh Smith 002 TTh 12:00-1:50 301 Braunstein Prof. Alexandre Sousa 003 TTh 2:00-3:50 301 Braunstein Prof. Jure Zupan REQUIRED MATERIALS: Physics 4th Edition by James Walker Mastering Physics LearningCatalytics w/ web device A simple, non-programmable calculator (see below) This textbook and other similar textbooks will be on reserve in the Geology/Math/Physics Library in Braunstein (2 nd Floor) Instructors: Prof. Leigh M. Smith Prof. Alexandre Sousa Prof. Jure Zupan Office: 424 Geo/Physics 418 Geo/Physics 403 Geo/Physics Telephone: 556-0457 556-9691 556-5238 Off. Hrs: T-Th 1200-100pm Other times by appt. T-Th 2:00 pm-3:00pm Other times by appt. TBA e-mail: Lms.teaching@gmail.com abs.teaching@gmail.com Jure.zupan@uc.edu 1
Grading: 12% MIDTERM 1 12% MIDTERM 2 12% MIDTERM 3 28% FINAL EXAM 16% HOMEWORK (MASTERING PHYSICS) 20% Classwork (JiTT, Learning Catalytics, Quizzes) Grade Distribution: Letter grades for the course will be assigned using the following approximate guidelines: A 85-100% B 75-85% C 60-75% D 45-60% F <45% These grade guidelines could be lowered depending on the class averages, but will never be raised. Plus or Minus Grades will not be given except for exceptional circumstances. Course Objective: The topic for General (Algebra-based) Physics 1052 is thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. The goals for General Physics 1052 are to achieve an understanding of the basic concepts of thermodynamics and electricity and magnetism and be able to apply these concepts to a variety of physical situations. Students are expected to acquire skills in scientific methods, critical reasoning, and problem solving. Students are also expected to learn to organize their thoughts clearly and to express them clearly in both written and oral communication. Labs: The Labs (if you are taking one) will start the FIRST week of class. 2
Exam Schedule (PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR!): Midterm 1 450 Lindner Ctr 5:00-7:00 PM Fri., Feb. 13 Midterm 2 450 Lindner Ctr 5:00-7:00 PM Fri., Mar. 13 Midterm 3 450 Lindner Ctr 5:00-7:00 PM Fri., Apr. 17 Final Exam To be announced Exams: There are three midterm exams scheduled during the quarter and one final exam given during the finals week. All of the exams will be block exams. NO MAKEUP EXAMS WILL BE ALLOWED! If you miss an exam for a valid reason (only with the approval of your lecture Professor!) the missing midterm grade will be replaced by your percentage grade on the final exam. The place and times for the three hourly exams are stated above. The time and place for the final exam will be announced during the quarter. The Midterm will consist of three problems similar to the homework problems and/or problems discussed in class, and a fourth problem consisting of five multiple choice conceptual problems. Equations and constants useful for the exams will be provided. The FINAL EXAM will be comprehensive (all topics covered) and will consist of 6 written problems, and 10 multiple choice conceptual problems. ONLY SIMPLE (non-programmable, non graphic, non algebraic) calculators will be allowed (see below). NO COMMUNICATION DEVICES (including, cell phones, computers, etc.) are allowed during any Examination. Calculators: No graphing, programmable or algebra-solver calculators will be allowed for the exams! You can bring a simple scientific calculator which has trig functions, exponent, log/ln to the exam. such as a TI-30 or equivalent. Recitations: Usually recitations will take place the 2nd hour in class on Thursday. You will work in groups on problems and will usually have a quiz. 3
Homeworks: Homework problems will be assigned to be completed on Mastering Physics. Each homework assignment will usually be in four parts: PS-X-Tutorials (20%) Best four scores out of eight problems. PS-X-Elementary (20%) Best four scores out of eight problems. PS-X-Advanced (20%) Best four scores out of eight problems. PS-X-Preparation (40%) Four new problems to prepare you for the midterms. The problems will include problems from the book as well as extra problems. You are strongly encouraged to work in groups on the homework. The assigned problems are the BARE MINIMUM to succeed in College Physics! You should do as many problems from the book as possible. If you run out of problems to do, ask your lecturer to suggest more problems. Help with problems can be obtained from the lecturer, your recitation instructor, your supplemental instruction leaders (Brian Henderson and Anthony Spuzzillo) or at the Physics Learning Center (304 Geo/Physics Building). Supplemental Instructors: Brian Henderson (henderbi@mail.uc.edu) Tues/Thurs 4-530pm Old Chem 704 Office Hour: TBD Anthony Spuzzillo (spuzziar@mail.uc.edu) Wed/Sun 230-400pm Braunstein 312 Office Hour: TBD Clicker Responses: You will use LearningCatalytics in class to respond to questions during lecture. Participation in class using LC will be worth part of your class participation grade. To use LC, you will need a device to access the web with a browser. This could be a laptop, cellphone, ipad, ipod Touch, Tablet or any other device. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A PORTABLE DEVICE, CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY (lms.teaching@gmail.com) 4
Just-in-Time-Teaching Assignmentss and the Flipped Classroom: In a standard lecture course learning takes place on essentially two levels: 1. Go to class and listen to an overview of the material (this is information transfer essentially) 2. Go home and read the book (hopefully BEFORE class!), do homework, work through problems. The problem with this model (and there are many) is that very few people learn by listening to someone talk about it. If you ask anyone about how they learned something they are REALLY good at (and this could be anything: cooking, athletics, solving puzzles, drawing, foreign languages...) they will mention many things about how they became an expert, but NEVER will they say they learned it because they heard a lecture. Where the real work is done is in the 2nd part where students practice the material by doing homework, reading and working through the book, and so on. People learn by doing something. The fundamental idea about "Flipping the Classroom" is to as much as possible to invert these two things. Get the information OUTSIDE of class either through readings, listening to a discussion of the information online, and/or discussing things with your friends. Then IN CLASS we spend as much time as possible working in groups with your peers working through a series of guided problems. The purpose of the teacher is essentially to help guide the class as an assistant (being a "Guide on the Side" rather than a "Sage on the Stage"). This is now the third year I have attempted to do this, and I have been quite happy with the results so far. Winter quarter of 2012, for those students who came to class more than 88% of the time, 45% received an A. On the other hand (and this is what concerns me thus far) is that those students who came to class LESS than 88% of the time, nearly 40% did not do well in the class. What this seems to indicate is that if you come to class unprepared (or worse, do not come at all) then you may get very little out of the class. After Thursday's class you will see before the weekend (I hope!) the JiTT assignments to be completed BEFORE class on Tuesday. These assignments will always involve (1) a short reading, (2) working through practice conceptual problems, and (3) watching a video discussion of how to think about these problems. There will usually be 3 to 5 reading/problems/video cycles to complete each week. There may also be some tutorials to complete on MasteringPhysics. It is VITAL that these be completed BEFORE CLASS on Tuesday in order to get the most out of each class. 5
Comments on the Course: The final thing I want to stress in this class, is that the ONLY way to learn Physics is to talk about it. I strongly encourage you to form groups which meet regularly to work through problems, to question what you learn, to discuss things you see happening around you. When you find yourself thinking about the forces on players during a football game or an accident you will know that you have studied enough. Attendance: You are required to attend all classes except for emergencies. Conduct: The University Rules, including the Student Code of Conduct, and other documented policies of the department, college, and university related to academic integrity will be enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating, will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct. Withdrawal: instructor's signature is March 20. The last day to withdraw and receive a grade of "W" with the See: http://www.uc.edu/content/dam/uc/registrar/docs/calendars/spring_2015_dates_deadlines.pdf Helpful Advice: 0) COMPLETE All JiTT Assignments BEFORE CLASS! 1) Take notes during lecture. 2) After each lecture but before the next lecture review your notes. Identify the parts you do not understand. Come to each lecture with specific questions. 3) Find at least one "partner" in the class with whom you can meet at least once or twice a week to discuss materials from the lectures and the homework. 4) Take the homework assignment seriously. Do not try to do the whole assignment the night before it is due. Some version of the homework questions will appear on the exams. Physics Learning Center (Room 304, Geology/Physics): The Physics Learning Center is staffed by your recitation instructors and graders to answer questions and to provide help with any physics problems. Check at the center for opening hours. 6
Spring 2015 Semester VERY TENTATIVE Schedule Week 1 Jan. 13+15 Ch. 15 Fluids Week 2 Jan. 20+22 Ch. 16 and 17 Temperature and Heat PS#1 Week 3 Jan. 27+29 Ch. 17 and 18 1st and 2nd Law Thermo Week 4 Feb. 3+5 Ch. 18 Thermodynamics PS#2 Week 5 Feb. 10+12 Chapter 18 Entropy + Review PS#3 Fri. Feb. 13 MIDTERM 1 525 Old Chem 5-7pm Week 6 Feb. 17+19 Ch. 19 Electrostatics Week 7 Feb. 24+26 Chp. 20 Electric Potentials PS#5 Week 8 Mar. 3+5 Chap. 21 Currents and Resistance PS#6 Week 9 Mar. 10+12 Chap. 21 Capacitors, RC Circuits PS#7 Fri. Mar. 13 MIDTERM 2 525 Old Chem 5-7pm Mar. 17+19 SPRING BREAK WEEK! Week 10 Mar. 24+26 Chap. 22-23 Magnetism Week 11 Mar. 31+Apr. 2 Chap. 23-24 Induction and AC Circuits PS#8 7
Week 12 Apr. 7+9 Chap. 24-25 Induction and EM Waves Week 13 Apr. 14+16 Chap. 26 Light, refraction and dispersion PS#9 Fri. Apr. 17 MIDTERM 3 Lindner Ctr 450 5-7pm Week 14 Apr. 21+23 Chap. 28-29 Interference and Diffraction Apr. 27-30 FINAL EXAM (TBA) 8