Physics 201 Section 01: General Physics

Fall, 2009
Dr. Timothy Black
DeLoach Hall 214A

962-7607
blackt@uncw.edu
lab web site: http://people.uncw.edu/blackt/fizix202labs/Default.htm

Course Description: PHY 201. General Physics (4) Corequisite: MAT 161. First semester of a two semester
calculus-based introduction to the fundamental principles of physics for the physical and mathematical sciences.
Topics include kinematics, Newtonian statics and dynamics, gravitation, oscillations, and mechanical waves. Four
lecture and two laboratory hours each week.
Text: Fundamentals of Physics, by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker
Class hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:301:45 p.m., Wednesdays, 11:00 11:50 a.m. In addition, Wednesdays
from 7:00 8:50 p.m. are reserved for exams, which should occur roughly once per month.
Office Hours: Monday, 11:00 12:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 11:00, and Wednesdays, 1:00 2:00.
Grading: Grades will be assigned according to the following weights;
Tests (3): The lowest test score will
be worth 12%, the other two will be
weighted 24% each, for a total of
Final Exam:
Labs
Special Events:
Attendance:

60%
30%
10%
3 points
2 points

All tests, including the final, will be "floated" to obtain a class average of at least 78.
Course Subject Matter: Classical, non-relativistic kinematics.
Topic
Chapter
Topic
Measurement
1
Conservation of Momentum
1-dimensional kinematics
2
Collisions
Vectors
3
Rotational Motion
2 and 3 dimensional kinematics
4
Angular Momentum
Forces
5 and 6
Equilibrium
Kinetic Energy
7
Gravitation
Potential Energy
8
Oscillations
Waves

Chapter
9
10
11
12
13
14
16
17

Tests: In-class tests will be given on September 16th, October 14th, and November 11th at 7:00-8:50 p.m.
Final Exam: The final exam will be given on Thursday, December 10th, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: This is not a complete list of all you will be asked to study and encouraged to learn.
However, after successfully completing this lecture and laboratory course you should at least be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The student will demonstrate the ability to think critically and to use appropriate concepts to analyze
qualitatively problems or situations involving the fundamental principles of physics. [SAN 1]
The student will demonstrate the ability to use appropriate mathematical techniques and concepts to obtain
quantitative solutions to problems in physics. [SAN 2, QRE 1, QRE 2]
Students will demonstrate basic experimental skills by the practice of setting up and conducting an
experiment with due regards to minimizing measurement error. [SAN 2, QRE 2, QRE 3]
Students will demonstrate basic communication skills by working in groups on laboratory experiments and
the thoughtful discussion and interpretation of data. [SAN 3, QRE3]

These learning objectives satisfy the Common Student Learning Outcomes of University studies for Scientific
Approaches to the Natural World and Quantitative and Logical Reasoning as listed below.
University Studies Scientific Approaches to the Natural World
SAN 1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic scientific principles, theories, and laws as well as an
awareness of the changing nature of science.
SAN 2. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific hypotheses and theories using rigorous methods
(including statistical and mathematical techniques).
SAN 3. Demonstrate the ability to write and speak critically about the essential questions addressed by the
natural sciences, using the conventions and language of one of those disciplines.
University Studies Quantitative and Natural Reasoning
QRE1. Create, solve and interpret basic mathematical models.
QRE2. Make sound arguments based on mathematical reasoning and/or careful analysis of data.
QRE3. Effectively communicate the substance and meaning of mathematical problems and solutions.
Student Opportunities to Learn: Both lecture and laboratory classes are provided to meet these learning
objectives. Students are assigned reading from the assigned text, laboratory experiments, and homework sets. These
all contribute to the student thinking about the course content. Students learn problem solving techniques in the
classroom and then apply these methods in homework, which contains a significant number of quantitative
problems. In the lab students complete laboratory experiments covering topics from the lecture material in which
they explore basic concepts in physics, acquiring both qualitative and quantitative data using the laboratory
equipment provided and present their quantitative data. Students collect and analyze data. They report verbally and
in written language the experimental data, results, and assessment of reliability though communication with each
other and reporting to the instructor.
Methods of Assessment: Assessment is accomplished with a variety of formats, such as exams, laboratory reports,
homework assignments, or in-class quizzes. Assessment in the lab is accomplished using laboratory reports,
participation, and the assessment of laboratory skills during the execution of the labs.
Academic Honor Code: All members of UNCW's community are expected to follow the academic Honor Code.
Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty
in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Please be especially familiar with UNCW's position on plagiarism as
outlined in the UNCW Student Handbook. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty in which you take someone
else's ideas and represent them as your own.
Student Disabilities: UNCW Disability Services supplies information about disability law, documentation
procedures and accommodations that can be found at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability/.To obtain
accommodations the student should first contact Disability Services and present their documentation to the
coordinator for review and verification.
Campus Respect Compact. UNCW has recently instituted a Respect Compact to affirm our commitment to a civil
community, characterized by mutual respect. The Compact is posted in each classroom and can be accessed at:
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/pdc/documents/SeahawkRespectCompact.pdf