Course Policies

Attendance Policies

“Regular and timely class participation during synchronous class time, and completion of work is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.”

More than 5 (five) days of absences (excused or not) are to be considered “excessive absences”. Under these circumstances an “F” grade for this course will be given, but the student has the option of withdrawing.

In case of situations where classes are cancelled because of weather, pandemic, or other emergencies:

The student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.”

Grading System

Grading System

Tests 40%                                                                                            A: 90-100

Final Exam (comprehensive) 20%                                                 B: 80-90

Laboratories 25%                                                                             C: 70-80

Homework 10 %                                                                               D: 60-70

Participation: 5%                                                                              F: bellow 60.

No exam will be dropped. Usually a test will have around 30% mostly conceptual multiple choice and 70% free response questions.

You must show essential work like written explanations, making or modifying sketches and/or diagrams, working problems and deriving results in order to get credit for free response questions.

All grades are final, there are no grade corrections, retakes, resubmissions, unless caused by a technical issue.

The grading and testing criteria for Physics classes can be found at https://sites.google.com/a/austincc.edu/physci-faculty-handbook/instructional-policies/grading-testing- criteria-standards

Department Policy

A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in the laboratory portion of the course as well as a grade of “C” or better in the lecture portion (basically exams) of the course in order to earn a grade of “C” or better in the course. If he or she does not earn a grade of “C” or better in both the lecture and the laboratory sections of the course, then their grade for the course will be a “D” (unless due to their overall course average they have earned an “F” for the course). The grade in each portion, either lecture or laboratory, of the course will be as outlined in the syllabus and the determination of the grades will be as stated in the syllabus.

Thus, it is possible for you to earn an “A” in the lecture/lab portion of the course, but then because you earned either a “D” or an “F” in the other portion you will get a “D” for the course even if your overall course average is > 70%.

Lab Policies

You must do all lab experiments to get credit for this course. A missed experiment must be made up by the end of the week. Unless special circumstances approved by the instructor, a penalty of 10 points/day will be applied for turning in lab reports late. The grade in this portion of the course is based on the quality of the lab report, which can be turned in at the end of the lab, or the next class day.

Exam Policies

“This class requires students to take proctored exams.

Exams will be proctored by professor.

An Honesty statement will be required to be abided by during exams.

“Oath of Honesty:

I have used only my equation sheet, calculator and pens/pencils on this exam; and I have not received help from any other source (either print or digital) or any other person other than my professor.”

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

Absences on a test date must be justified with paperwork (doctor’s note, work, other official documentation, etc.). Failure will result in a zero test grade for that particular exam.

Unless special circumstances approved by the professor, there’s zero tolerance for not turning in lab reports and homework assignments in a timely manner.

Homework and Homework Policies

1. Homework is assigned through an online homework network. Due to the specifics of this system late homework is not acceptable.
2. It is advisable to correct errors in homework after the due date, when the answers and explanations are made available by the homework system

Withdrawal Policy

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

The Final Withdrawal Date can be found on the ACC Academic Calendar page at https://www.austincc.edu/students/registration/important-dates

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Student Discipline

Students enrolled in this course are expected to comply with the provisions of this syllabus and the Student Standards of Conduct. With the exception of scholastic dishonesty, violations of the Student Standards of Conduct will be reported to the Campus Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action. Any student suspected of scholastic dishonesty will meet in private with the professor to discuss the alleged offense(s) and review the evidence that supports the charge. After conferring with the student, the professor will dismiss the allegation or assess an academic penalty. A student will be informed in writing if an academic penalty is assessed. He or she should consult the Student Handbook for his/her rights and responsibilities.

No textbook purchase required for this course, OPENSTAX is recommended

Course Description

Credit Hours: 4

Classroom Contact Hours per week: 4 Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 4

Principles of physics for science, computer science, and engineering majors, using calculus, involving the principles of electricity and magnetism, including circuits, electromagnetism, waves, sound, light, and optics. Laboratory experiments supporting theoretical principles involving the principles of electricity and magnetism, including circuits, electromagnetism, waves, sound, light, and optics; experimental design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of laboratory reports. This is the second half of the calculus- based PHYS 2425/2426 sequence.

Course Rationale/Objectives

This is a University calculus level physics course intended to develop an overview of physics using calculus-based models, as well as problem solving and critical thinking.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

Student Learning Outcomes

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes:

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

• Prepare laboratory reports that clearly communicate experimental information in a logical and scientific manner.
• Conduct basic laboratory experiments involving electricity and magnetism.
• Relate physical observations and measurements involving electricity and magnetism to theoretical principles.
• Evaluate the accuracy of physical measurements and the potential sources of error in the measurements.
• Design fundamental experiments involving principles of electricity and magnetism.
• Identify appropriate sources of information for conducting laboratory experiments involving electricity and magnetism.
• Articulate the fundamental concepts of electricity and electromagnetism, including electrostatic potential energy, electrostatic potential, potential difference, magnetic field, induction, and Maxwell's Laws.
• State the general nature of electrical forces and electrical charges, and their relationship to electrical current.
• Solve problems involving the inter-relationship of electrical charges, electrical forces, and electrical fields.
• Apply Kirchhoff's Laws to analysis of circuits with potential sources, capacitance, and resistance, including parallel and series capacitance and resistance.
• Calculate the force on a charged particle between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor.
• Apply Ohm’s law to the solution of problems.
• Describe the effects of static charge on nearby materials in terms of Coulomb's Law.
• Use Faraday's and Lenz's laws to find the electromotive forces.
• Describe the components of a wave and relate those components to mechanical vibrations, sound, and decibel level.
• Articulate the principles of reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference and superposition of waves.
• Solve real-world problems involving optics, lenses, and mirrors.

General Education Competencies:

Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate competence in:

Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Critical Thinking Skills

Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills

Apply mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.