Prerequisites

• Grade of "C" or better in MATH 2413 (Calculus I) or equivalent

AND

• Concurrent enrollment or credit in MATH 2414 (Calculus II) or its equivalent

AND

• One year of high school physics or a grade of C or better in PHYS 1401

Required Texts/Materials/Software

• Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Serway. 10th edition

• WEBASSIGN system for homework

Course Description

Credit And Contact Hours

• Credit Hours: 4
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 5.33
• Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 5.33

Catalog Description

Fundamental principles of physics, using calculus, for science, computer science, and engineering majors; the principles and applications of classical mechanics, including harmonic motion, physical systems and thermodynamics; and emphasis on problem solving. Intended for majors in engineering, physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

Course Rationale

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

Course Policies

Instructional Methodology

This is a lecture with a lab course which includes time for class discussions, demonstrations, student projects, labs and/or activities guided by the instructor. 

Grading System

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 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%.

The 100% of the course grade is the sum of Lecture component 75% and Laboratory component 25%.

Following is the grade distribution:

Exam and Test Policies

Two mid-term tests and a final exam will be given approximately as shown in the course calendar. Test will comprise of multiple choice question and Numerical problems. To get the full credit, detail work needs to be shown. Mid-term test will cover the relevant chapters covered and final exam will be a comprehensive exam. Equation sheet will be provided and should not be altered in any means.

Missing final exam will result in failing grade “F”.

This class require students to take proctored exams.

Exams are proctored by audio/video. There may be oral component to exams to ensure students understand the material.

An Honesty statement is required to be signed and 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.

Homework And Homework Policies

Homework will be posted on WebAssign, check schedule and announcements. There is no late homework submission.

Two of the lowest homework grades will be dropped. But do not skip doing the homework because doing HW will help you understand the subject materials and is a key to success in this course and exam (worth 60% in total). Expect to spend 6 hours or more per week doing homework outside of class hour.

Lab Policies

Your personal safety and safety of others must always be followed. Attendance in lab is mandatory to get a grade for the lab. To get full credit for lab, active participation is required, and you must spend full lab hours in lab. If you complete your lab before lab hours, you should work on your physics assignments or homework. Lab report/write up must be completed by end of the lab unless instructed otherwise. Lab reports needs to have correct units and dimensions.

Lab Safety

Specific safety training will take place before lab activities. The complete ACC science safety policy can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/sci_safe/

Attendance/Class Participation

Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergency), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.

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 Final Withdrawal Date for this semester can be found here on the ACC Academic Calendar page (https://www.austincc.edu/students/registration/important-dates) The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

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.”

Missed Exam/Late Work Policies

There is no missed exam policy unless there is supporting document with a valid reason. However you are allowed to do two make up labs, details in Lab Make up section. No late work is accepted.

Incompletes

A grade of incomplete should be reserved only for extreme cases meeting the following criteria.

1. The student has had a documented life event beyond their control that will prevent them from completing the semester on time.
2. The Student is in good standing (Grade of ‘C’ or better at the time of the life event from 1)
3. The Student has completed most of the material in the course.

Before assigning a grade of incomplete, the instructor and the student must agree to a plan of action that includes a specific list of tasks to be completed by the student with a timeline of completion. This plan needs to be approved by the department chair (or designee). Incompletes must be resolved before the final withdrawal date of the following semester.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant. The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine a plan of action that identifies all of the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person. The instructor should complete the Report

1.  of Incomplete Grade form with the plan of action and send it to the department chair (or designee) to be approved.
2. Once approved, the faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student. The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   
3. The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  
4. Students will retain access to the course LMS through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to the course LMS and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  
5. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Course Outline/Course Calendar

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement (or other resource faculty is using to communicate).

PHYS 2425 – Engineering Physics I

Student Learning Outcomes

Course-Level 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 classical mechanics.
• Relate physical observations and measurements involving classical mechanics to theoretical principles.
• Evaluate the accuracy of physical measurements and the potential sources of error in the measurements.
• Design fundamental experiments involving principles of classical mechanics.
• Identify appropriate sources of information for conducting laboratory experiments involving classical mechanics.
• Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, and acceleration), and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration.
• Solve problems involving forces and work.
• Apply Newton's laws to physical problems.
• Identify the different types of energy.
• Solve problems using principles of conservation of energy.
• Define the principles of impulse, momentum, and collisions.
• Use principles of impulse and momentum to solve problems.
• Determine the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.
• Discuss rotational kinematics and dynamics and the relationship between linear and rotational motion.
• Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.
• Define equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.
• Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to real-world problems.
• Solve problems involving the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics.

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.