Course Info » Syllabus
Physics 1110 Syllabus
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- Class Info
MWF 8 AM (100) in Duane G1B30 (Prof. Dubson)
MWF 10 AM (200) in Duane G1B30 (Prof. Dubson)
MWF 12 PM (300) in Duane G1B30 (Prof. Pollock)
MWF 2 PM (400) in Duane G1B30 (Prof. Pollock)
- Lectures
Dr. Michael Dubson
Contact: michael.dubson at colorado.edu, (303) 492-4938
Office: Duane F1035 (10th floor, Gamow tower)
Office hours: Tues 9-10 AM, Thurs 9-10 AM in the Help Room, or after class, or by appointment.
Prof. Steven Pollock
Contact: steven.pollock at colorado.edu, (303) 492-2495
Office: Duane F1013 (10th floor, Gamow tower)
Office hours Right after class, first "behind the stage", then I'll move to the help room for a bit. In addition, I will hold an extra hour in the help room Tues 4-5 PM. And any other time by appointment (email!)
- Recitations
There is a 1-hour recitation meeting every Weds or Thurs in the basement of the Duane Physics Bldg.
Locations of various sections are listed here. You must attend the recitation to which you are assigned.
- Text
_________________________________________________________________________________________________NOTE: Our Tutorials text is a Custom CU version, and ALSO bundled with a mandatory homework system. So, beware - you won't find it online.
1) Tutorials in Introductory Physics (a two-book set) by McDermott and Shaffer (Special CU edition). This text is also used for Phys1120 so do not throw it away at the end of the semester. Purchase the "Tutorials in Introductory Physics" bundled with Mastering Physics at the CU bookstore, not online or elsewhere, because we use a special CU edition that is only available through our bookstore. (The bundle gives access to our required Mastering Physics homework system. Also, included within this Mastering Physics bundle you will get free access to the textbook (#2 below) Essential University Physics. So, the bundle is all you have to get, plus an iclicker)
If you prefer also getting a paper version of the textbook, you can get that at the bookstore too - that's:
2) Essential University Physics, any edition. Richard Wolfson. (This one is not custom, so if you find a better deal for a paper version online that's fine with us. But please note - the most recent version in etext form is automatically included with the mandatory bundle above!) It's a very good book, and it's a lightweight (paperback) version. We will use Volume 1 in Phys 1110, Phys 1120 will continue on to Volume 2.
Required Equipment: One iClicker “clicker”, an electronic transmitter used for audience feedback during lecture. Purchase your iClicker at the CU bookstore and register your clicker one mycuinfo. You should only have to register your clicker once, on mycuinfo, for all classes. If you ever lose a clicker and get a new one, be sure to re-register You cannot share a clicker with another student registered for Phys 1110 (even if they are in another lecture section).
*Totally optional/alternative * --Thinkwell Physics 1, S. Pollock (this is a multimedia text, with lots of 10-minute mini-lectures and supplementary notes/animations/examples) Nice if you prefer to watch than read! This product is $25 (and phys1110 students who have tried it have reported to us that it was worth it). Instructions for purchasing it are here. (We have no subscription code, but if you locate our class it should automatically give you the $25 price).
After you're signed up, the direct link is here www.thinkwell.com
We recommend that you do not buy any other books offered by the CU bookstore that are labeled "optional".
Reading is an essential part of this course. Students are expected to have completed the reading assignments (either the online lecture notes or the text or both) prior to lecture. The material in this course is too difficult to learn just by listening to lecture.
- Overview
PHYS 1110 covers classical mechanics, waves, and heat. This is the physics of how and why things move and interact as they do. It forms the basis of engineering and applications, as well as the underpinnings for all of science! It is the first semester of a 2-semester survey of introductory physics, PHYS 1110/1120. This calculus-based course is intended for physics majors, engineering majors, and others desiring a rigorous introduction to physics. (Life science majors usually take the algebra-based sequence PHYS2010/2020). Note: there is no lab in this course. (There is a separate 1-credit-hour lab course, phys1140, which is usually taken concurrently with phys1120)
We emphasize conceptual understanding and problem solving skills. Our goals are for you to continue developing knowledge and intuition about how the world works, to learn to approach physics problems on both qualitative and quantitative levels, and to relate classroom physics to the real world in which you live. We want you to feel confident in the material, and ideally get excited about it!Here is more information on our course-level learning goals.
- Disclaimer
This syllabus is as accurate as possible at the time of writing. Announcements about changes will be made in class, and posted on the web, and will take precedence over this syllabus. You are responsible for what is said in class, whether or not you are in attendance.
- Corequisite
Enrollment in a Calculus 1 course, either APPM1350 or equivalent.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. No previous knowledge of physics is assumed, but any previous exposure to science at the high-school level or above will be useful. Be aware that if you scored less than 75% on the ALEKS math placement exam (required of all freshmen) then you are probably not ready for this course. College level logic, enthusiasm, and curiosity will be helpful as well!
- Grading
For more details, please see our detailed grading page!
Exam 1 (Thurs evening, 7:30-9:10 PM, Sep 24) |
15% |
Exam 2 (Thurs evening, Oct 22) |
15% |
Exam 3 (Nov 19) |
15% |
Final Exam (Wed Dec 16, 10:30AM - 1PM, in Coors Event Center) | 30%
30% |
Mastering Physics homework, plus some prelecture assignments given within Mastering Physics (weighted accordingly) |
15% |
Tutorial attendance, and Tutorial homework |
10% |
Clickers and possible occasional optional online participation. |
Extra Credit: It's not a lot, but we "unweight" a small fraction of your missed midterm points based on clicker performance. Please see detailed grade information page, this is NOT simply added to your score!! |
- Participation and Clickers
We will use clickers during lectures, to help you learn the material. You need to purchase an "iClicker" from the bookstore. Either the “iClicker” or “iClicker +” will work.
Your iClicker responses count only as extra credit points. You will receive 2 points for participation, and 1 additional point for correct answers. Clickers start counting the second week of class. We also give you full clicker credit for the 3 days with your lowest scores, to accommodate dead batteries, sore throats, broken alarm clocks, and fresh powder.
Your iClicker responses count only as bonus (extra credit) points: they REDUCE exam weight by up to a max of 10% of midterm exam total (i.e. 4% of your course grade). Please see the exam information page for more details, this extra credit is not a simple "addition" to your course score.
There may also be occasional online surveys which add in to this extra credit.
Information on how to register your iClicker is here
- Exams
There will be three midterms and a final: Locations will be announced here!
Exam Date Time Location Midterm 1 TBA Midterm 2 "" Midterm 3 "" Final TBA
You are allowed to bring a single 8.5" x 11" formula sheet to each exam. You can write anything you want on your formula sheet (both sides!) but you must write it by hand - no photocopying, typing or sharing allowed.
Calculators with scientific notation are allowed. (But, no phones, no calculators with internet access, "electronic crib sheets", etc!)
It is your responsibility to make sure you have no conflicts with these exams! If you have a conflict, you should retake Physics 1110 in a semester when you can make it to all the exams. If you are absent for a serious medical reason, or with prior approval from Prof. Dubson, you may be excused from 1 midterm. Medical excuses must be submitted no later than 1 week following the exam. There are no makeup exams.
Students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities, or other conflicts or issues must let us know early in the semester (first two weeks) so that your academic needs may be appropriately met. Students with religious obligations that conflict with the exam dates should contact us early in the semester (first two weeks) so that accommodations can be made. (Details below)
- Mastering Physics Homework
You will get a weekly personalized homework (everyone’s is slightly different) We recommend leaving your computer terminal and working out solutions on paper often and regularly! One advantage of Mastering is the instant feedback on how you are doing. Also, you get the opportunity to change wrong answers without penalty. You get multiple tries (typically 6) on each problem, with no points off for wrong answers. If you get it wrong all 6 times, that particular problem is "closed out" but you can still work on others. You can log off and return at any time.
The system sometimes gives hints to problems. In most problems, we will set it so that these do not cost you any points. Work on the problems without using hints first, but use them to help you learn and understand.
Mastering Physics Homework is due Tuesday evenings. (We will set the cutoff at 11:59 PM) After the final deadline, entries will not be accepted by MP. If you have problems, check the Mastering Physics main help page first. We will drop your lowest week's MP score when computing your final grade. (Each week's set will count equally.)
- Written Tutorial Homework
In addition to the weekly MP there will be a written Tutorial homework assignment due at the start of your weekly recitation. You are encouraged to work together on homework, but in the end, you are responsible for generating your own solutions and understanding. We will drop your lowest written homework score (which could be a zero if you missed an assignment) when computing your final grade.
- Physics Help Room
Prof. Dubson, Prof. Pollock, and the TAs and LAs will all have regular office hours in the Help Room (Duane G2B87), open from 9AM-5PM Mon-Fri. Times when specific TAs will be in the Help Room are posted on the Help Room schedule, but you can drop by anytime. If you need to see your TA or instructor privately, contact them directly.
- Lecture Notes and Solutions
Lecture Notes and solutions of the in-class concept tests (clicker questions) and exams will generally be posted on D2L and/or the course web site. Mastering Physics lets you see solutions after the sets are due.
- Etiquette
The main etiquette policy is to be respectful and to not be distracting to your neighbors. Please mute all cell phones when entering any classroom. Please do not surf the web on your labtop or text during lecture. It is perfectly OK to interrupt the lecture by yelling “Question!” - questions are good! We encourage collaboration, and discussion, which are essential skills in all professions. Of course, for all assignments, the work you turn in must be your own: in your own words, reflecting your own understanding.
And now the fine print...
- Incompletes
Rules of the University require that grades of incomplete (I) may be assigned only if “for reasons beyond the student’s control, the student is unable to complete the course requirements.” (I) requests must be made in person to Prof. Dubson or Pollock.
- Disabilities
Students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities, please let us know early in the semester (first two weeks) so that your academic needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation from the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671), email dsinfo@colorado.edu.
www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
- Religious Holidays
We will make a strong effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with exams, assignments or required attendance. Please send an e-mail to the instructor in the first week of classes if you anticipate a conflict.
www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
- CU Behavior Policy
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. We have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are always important. Class rosters are provided to us with your legal name. We will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise us of this preference early in the semester.
www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
- Honor Code
We trust every individual in this class to understand and follow the CU honor code. Please respect that trust! It's a large class, and we realize there may be some temptations - we'll do our best to make the class valuable and worthy of your honorable behavior! Violations of the honor code may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion).
honorcode.colorado.edu
- Discrimination
CU policies on Discrimination and Harassment, Sexual Harassment, or Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Anyone who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.
www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination-and-harassment-policy-and-procedures
www.colorado.edu/odh