PHYSICS 1130:  PHYSICS FOR POETS                                          TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

                                                                                                            Summer Session I, 2009

Objectives of Course

  1.       To learn and to apply a few basic concepts of physics.

  2.       To gain a greater appreciation of the world about us.

 

Text: Kirkpatrick & Francis: Physics: A Conceptual World View 7th Edition 2010, ISBN-13: 978-0-495-39152-4 or ISBN-10: 0-495-39152-2

 

Grades

            Your course grade will be based on your performance on four tests, laboratory, and either a term paper or a laboratory project.  The relative proportion of your grade of each is as follows:

4 tests                             60%

Lab                                  25%

Term paper                     15%

or lab project

 

The Grading Scale is established by the following standards:

90% and above                           A                 

87-89%                                        A-                

84-86%                                        B+              

80-83%                                        B                 

77-79%                                        B-                                       

74-76%                                        C+

70-73%                                        C

67-69%                                        C-

64-66%                                        D+

60-63%                                        D

Below  60%                                 F

 

Test

            Tests are closed book, about 45 minutes & require a simple calculator.

 

Term Paper or Laboratory Project

 

            You have an option of choosing either of these for your remaining 15% credit for the course.  However, please make a choice as to which of the two you prefer by Thursday, June 18.

 

            For the term paper, the topic of interest to you can be a further exploration of an area we've covered in class, material in the text not covered in class that you wish to learn about, or another topic of your own choosing.  The length should be from 5 to 7 typewritten double-spaced pages -- i.e., whatever you deem necessary to cover sufficiently your topic.  Include your sources at end, be sure to refer to your sources throughout your paper, and provide connection to our text and/or class discussion throughout.  A "tough (challenging) topic" criterion will also be used in grading.  The titles of all term papers should be approved (please!) by myself no later than Thursday. June 25.  The papers will be due on Wed., July 1.

 

            For the laboratory project you may work on this project at home and/or in the physics laboratory during the day.  I shall be happy to try to answer your questions and to provide encouragement alone the way, but you will propose the project and will do the work.  All proposals should be submitted and approved no later than Thursday, June 25.  The projects will be due at least by Wednesday, July 1.

 

Office Hours - Dr. Artz, Room RS-126                      Additional Student Help - Available upon request*

            2:30 - 3:00 right after class plus.                    Tutoring - Available*

            Office Phone 651-523-2256                           *Note: We are still trying to find students for both!

                       

 

NOTE:   IF YOU EVER HAVE CONCERNS, PROBLEMS, GRIPES, ETC. SEE ME, SEE ME, SEE ME!  PLEASE DON'T EVEN THINK OF MISSING A SINGLE CLASS!  THIS COURSE IS PACKED AND INTENSE with a wealth of material, hopefully, for life-long learning.  GOOD LUCK, WORK HARD, AND HAVE FUN! 

                                                                                                                                                                        J. Artz