PHYSICS 1101 (Section 002): Online Introductory Physics I

Instructor: Dr. Aditi Sharma
Office: 336 Grigg / 103 Burson, UNCC, Phone: 704-687-8172
Email: asharm23@uncc.edu
 (you must put “Phys1101-online” in the subject line of your email)


Office Hours: M, T, W, Th   11:00 – 11:30 at 103 Burson (Other days by appointment at 336 Grigg)

TEXT AND REQUIRED MATERIAL:

1.      Physics, Cutnell and Johnson. 7th Edition Hardcopy available at the bookstore. Note: you can get either the hardcopy or the “ebook”  through Webassign (our online HW management system)

2.       WebAssignAccess for online homework and lecture quizzes. You must register yourself with WebAssign and purchase access (it is highly recommended that you purchase access online).

§         Instructions on how to log in and purchase access to WebAssign are available on the class page on Moodle (and also on Blackboard).  Download and read these instructions before you login to WebAssign.

§         Go to:  http://www.webassign.net/login.html. Follow the steps listed in above mentioned instructions to complete your enrollment. You must use your 49er Express username as your username for WebAssign as well.

§         If you added the class late you may not be on the roster I uploaded to WebAssign and will not be able to log on.  If this is the case please email me immediately so that I may add your name to the roster.

§         Note: If you were using WebAssign in a previous semester and already have a password, you may have to try your old password to login.

§         Once you have logged in yourself, you can go ahead and pay for WebAssign (It is highly recommended that you purchase the access code online itself).  The WebAssign access code is $33.20.  You can also purchase the online version of the textbook through Webassign, for an additional $17.25 (so a total of $ 50.45 for both WebAssign access and the e-book). 

§         You have a grace period of approx 3 weeks from the start of classes to purchase WebAssign access. During the grace period you will be able to view and submit HW but after the grace period expires you will NOT be able to view or submit HW.

§         If you purchase the online textbook (i.e. the ebook), you will have an active link to the textbook when you are in WebAssign working on your homework.  The online version of the textbook is sufficient for this class.  You may use this online version instead of purchasing a hardcopy of the book. 

§         Additional information on how to use WebAssign can be found in the guide at http://www.webassign.net/guide/. 

3.      Moodle: Access the link to Moodle through your 49er express account. You will access your lecture files and videos as well as receive class related news, instructions, documents through the course page in Moodle.  Please check frequently for class related news and instructions.   Read the following documents on the homepage in their ENTIRETY:

1.      Course Syllabus

2.      Email Etiquette

3.      Course Schedule (this also contains links to lecture movies, lecture blanks, solutions to lecture quizzes etc.)


COURSE CONTENT:

This is the first course of the algebra-based introductory physics sequence. The course covers concepts of motion, force, energy, and waves.

GRADING:

Homework        : 20%             (drop 2 lowest), All students use WebAssign
Lecture Quizzes: 15%             (drop 4 lowest), In-class students use PRS RF clicker
Midterm Exam 1: 15%
Midterm Exam 2: 15%
Midterm Exam 3: 15%
Final Exam        : 20%              (Final exam score can replace one mid-term score)

THERE ARE NO LATE OR MAKE-UP EXAMS, QUIZZES, OR HOMEWORK. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS. PLEASE DO NOT ASK! 

THE POLICY OF DROPPING A FEW LOW SCORES (HW AND QUIZZES) & REPLACING THE LOWEST MIDTERM SCORE WITH THE FINAL EXAM SCORE ACCOMODATES UNPLANNED  ABSENCES/EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

Grades are assigned using a 10-point grading scale: A = 90.0-100.0, B = 80.0-89.9, C = 70-79.9, D = 60-69.9, F <= 59.9.  The course is not graded on a curve.

NO ADDITIONAL EXTRA CREDIT BEYOND THE PRACTICE EXAMS WILL BE OFFERED.  YOUR GRADE IS BASED SOLELY UPON YOUR ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS.

 

 

PLACE AND TIME FOR EXAMS:

MIDTERM EXAMS:  Fridays  10/02,  11/06,  12/04, 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM, in GYMNS 229 (Belk Gym)

FINAL EXAM:          Saturday, Dec 12, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM in Fretwell 100 / 121

EXTRA INFORMATION AND COURSE POLICIES:

1.       The information contained in this syllabus is very important and MAY NOT BE REPEATED ELSEWHERE.  If you ask a question that is answered herein, I may simply refer you to this document.

2.       You alone are responsible for all material covered in the online lecture movies, in homework assignments, on lecture quizzes, and in assigned reading.

3.       Lecture quizzes will be graded.  There will be NO MAKE-UP Quizzes but the lowest 4 daily quiz scores will be dropped to accommodate missed quizzes due to unforeseen emergencies.

4.       LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  There will be NO MAKE-UP HOMEWORK.  The two lowest homework grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. Solutions will be available for a week on the notice board outside your lab (134 Burson).

5.       If you have a question about an assignment, email me (make sure you have “Phys1101-online” in the subject line of your email) and I will BCC your question and my reply to the entire class (names removed) or post it on the discussion board in Moodle.  If you are stumped, it is likely that some of your classmates are too.  DO NOT WAIT FOR MY REPLY TO FINISH YOUR HOMEWORK!  I will do my best to answer all questions quickly, but this can be a challenge!  You are responsible for incomplete assignments. Seek help from other resources as well (see below).

6.       WORK TOGETHER ON HOMEWORK whenever possible. Please take advantage of the PHYSICS RESOURCE CENTER (hours to be confirmed for Fall 09), Burson Room 135A. It is open M – Th, 9 am - 5 pm  (additionally 5 - 8 p.m on Tue) and STAFFED WITH GRADUATE STUDENTS OFFERING FREE GROUP TUTORING.  For individual tutoring, you might try the University Learning Center (318K Fretwell), Phone: 704 687 2163, or visit the Department of Physics and Optical Science (100 Burson and 306 Grigg) to ask if any private tutors are available. 

1.       You are encouraged to form study groups.  You can sign up for study groups outside the resource center (Burson 135A).  IN ANY PHYSICS COURSE, YOUR CLASSMATES ARE YOUR BEST TUTORS!  Do not spam your classmates!  ONLY EMAIL WILLING PARTICIPANTS in your study groups!

2.       LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. It is better to turn in unfinished homework and get some points rather than not turn in anything and get 0 points. The two lowest homework grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.

3.       THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. The final exam is comprehensive. You may replace the score of ONE midterm exam with your final exam score.

4.       Work together on the homework as much as possible. However, YOU MUST COMPLETELY DO YOUR OWN WORK ON THE MID-TERM EXAMS AND THE FINAL EXAM. Failure to do so will be a violation of academic integrity. There will be consequences.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

All UNC Charlotte students have the responsibility to be familiar with and to observe the requirements of The UNC Charlotte Code of Student Academic Integrity (see the Catalog). This Code forbids cheating, fabrication or falsification of information, multiple submission of academic work, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials (such as Library books on reserve), and complicity in academic dishonesty (helping others to violate the Code). Any further specific requirements or permission regarding academic integrity in this course will be stated by the instructor, and are also binding on the students in this course. Students who violate the Code can be punished to the extent of being permanently expelled from UNC Charlotte and having this fact recorded on their official transcripts. The normal penalty is zero credit on the work involving dishonesty and further substantial reduction of the course grade. In almost all cases, the course grade is reduced to "F." If you do not have a copy of the Code, you can obtain one from the Dean of Students Office or access it online at www.legal.uncc.edu/policies/ps-105.html .  Standards of academic integrity will be enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty they become aware of to the course instructor who is responsible for dealing with them.

·       No cell phones or other electronics at all during exams.

·       Students with cell phones or other wireless communication devices during an exam will have the exam taken up and receive no credit for the exam.

·       Students will be required to show their university ID upon turning in exams.