|
|
|
 yes, PHYS 110 gets to play with the trebuchet ! . . . after all, if you can't have a little fun with this thang called "physics", what's the point? so . . . Welcome to the completely UN-official, UN-authorized Website for: PHYS - 110 and ASTR- 100 There are several purposes and ideas behind this site, including: - Recapping and augmenting discussions in lectures and labs - "Heads-up" info on upcoming topics and labs - Supplementary self-study assignments - Links to other sites relevant to course This site will be a constant "work in progress," and its content will change throughout the course as we move through various topics and assignments. Hopefully, it will assist you in keeping your head in the game between lectures and labs. And maybe, just maybe, we'll help you discoveryour "Inner Nerd": Your professor, demonstrating "Phun with the Physics of Pheedback" ********************************************************* |
PHYS 110 Technical Physics Course Syllabus: Title: Technical Physics & Lab Catalog Number: PHYS-110 Credits :4 (Lecture/Lab) Instructor: Kevin Kimball Total Contact Hours: 75 Contact Info: 207-741-5579 office Course Description This course represents a non-calculus, rigorously algebraic approach to the analysis of the concepts and relationships in physics. Topics of study will Scientific Method, Mechanics; Kinematics in one and two dimensions; Dynamics; Newton’s Laws of Motion; Rotation and Torque; Uniform Circular motion; Analysis of Concurrent Forces; the Laws of Machines; the interrelationship of Energy, Force, Work, and Power; Waves; Sound and Light; Electricity and magnetism; Universal Gravitation; Key Historical Figures in Physics and Their Contributions and Accomplishments; Astronomy and Cosmology; Special and General relativity; Structure of the Atom; Quantum Physics, and String/”M” Theory. Emphasis will be placed on understanding natural phenomena and solving mathematical problems in physics using both Metric (SI) and English(US) Systems of units. Laboratory experiments and exercises will allow the student to develop a feel for realistic measurements, practical critical thinking skills, and meaningful calculations. Prerequisites: Successful completion of MAT 050 (Intro to Algebra) or equivalent. Scope of Course The course consists of three hours of lecture and one two-hour lab session per week for the semester. The usual holidays and vacations of the College will be observed. Classes will run at a pace that prohibits absence except in the case of legitimate emergency. If absence is unavoidable, it is the responsibility of the student to check with other students for notes and with the instructor for make-up work. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP LABS. Text (NEW, not used!) - Phys 110 Technical Physics Workbook ( Kimball )
Equipment (required) - Scientific Calculator (must have trig functions)
- Loose-leaf, three-ring notebook
NOTE: The use of lap-top computers, “Blackberries,” cell phones and/or any other electronic data-transmitting/retrieval equipment in class is prohibited. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Enabling Objectives: - The student will become conversant in the basic terminology of physics.
- The student will become familiar with SI units of measurement and correctly apply them to physics problems.
- The student will be able to accurately express powers of ten as metric prefixes and vice-versa.
- The student will become proficient in the use and application of Scientific Notation.
- The student will be able to perform unit conversions for single and multi-dimensional values.
- The student will become proficient in using “field shorthand” techniques that expedite execution of algebraic problems and solutions.
Terminal Objectives: - The student will be able to differentiate between scalar and vector measurements.
- The student will be able to compare and contrast commonly confused and misunderstood concepts such as weight vs. mass, velocity vs. acceleration, theory vs. hypothesis, etc.
- The student will be able to use basic algebra and trigonometry skills to solve real, tangible problems in physics by interpreting given data and applying relevant data to correct physics formulas.
- The student will be able to synthesize known principles in physics and mathematics with new data to derive new insights.
- The student will be able to execute proper procedure (including relevant safety protocol) in Laboratory settings.
- The student will be able to accurately report events and findings in quantitative terms in written lab reports.
- The student will become conversant in the principles of the Scientific Method and how it relates to laboratory technique, research, peer review, and the progress of science as a whole; the student will be better able to discriminate between popular “pseudo-science” and actual science.
- The student will be able to demonstrate comprehensive grasp of physics concepts in written essay form.
- The student will be able to compare and contrast (in broad yet accurate terms) Classical Physics with Modern Physics.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS Attendance: - Three excused absences from lectures are allowed; each subsequent absence will result in a deduction of one point per absence from the final grade.
- One excused absence from Lab will be allowed; subsequent missed labs will receive a grade of zero.
- Tests/quizzes: Missed tests and quizzes must be completed within two school days of original date
- Lab reports: Lab reports are to be typed, not handwritten (the only exception allowed will be for the inclusion of calculations and hand-drawn sketches). Lab partners may submit a single lab report for the group. Lab reports are due one week from the lab.
Assigned Reading: Students are responsible for timely completion of reading assignments. Students are expected to check themselves for comprehension with text exercises; students are expected to report problems with exercises to the instructor for in-class discussion GRADING There will be quizzes approximately every 1-2 weeks. There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam. Quizzes and exams will feature both closed-book and open-book/notes formats. Your final grade for this course will be based on a combination of the following assessments: - Unit assignments/quiz’s (50%)
- Lab reports (25%)
- Final exam (25%)
A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: Below 60 COURSE OUTLINE/TOPICS - Intro to Physics
- The Scientific Method
- Required Math Skills, Metric System
- Basic/Derived SI units
- Vector and Scalar Quantities
- Laws of Motion, mass, force, velocity, acceleration, inertia
- Historical Figures
- Concurrent forces
- Projectile motion
- Energy, work and power
- Simple machines, The law of Simple Machines
- Wave theory, sound, light
- Electromagnetism
- Universal Gravitation
- Intro to Modern Physics, astronomy, cosmology
- Special and General Relativity, Lorentz Transformations
- Structure of the Atom, mass defect, binding energy,
quantum mechanics - Unification, String/”M” Theory
ADA Syllabus Statement Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the disability services coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be reached at 741-5629 (TTD 207-741-5667). Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number. Course Evaluation Students may evaluate the instructor online and anonymously by going to “Resources for Current Students” at the SMCC homepage and choosing “Evaluate Your Courses.” SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy Students can print 100 pages per semester for free. If you print over 100 pages, you will be charged 10 cents per page to your Beacon Bucks account. Left over pages will roll over to the following semester but will zero out at the end of the academic year. A pilot project tracking public printing has shown that this amount of free printing meets the needs of the vast majority of students. The College's pay-for-print system monitors printing on all public printers (i.e., those in general access labs, library printers, the LAC, and technology labs). Each time you log in to the system, the print station displays the remaining print quota. Once the printing quota has been exceeded, users will be charged $0.10 per page on their Beacon Bucks accounts. Color printouts will be charged at 11-page units. This means each color printout will count as 11 pages toward the quota and cost $1.10. Students can add money to their cards using a credit card online. Add-Drop Policy Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance. Withdrawal Policy A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal. Plagiarism Statement Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code. If it is proven that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, appropriate action will be taken which may result in suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Dean of Students under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. For more information consult the Student Handbook. |
ASTR 100 Intro to Astronomy and Cosmology Course Syllabus: Title: Intro to Astronomy and Cosmology Catalog Number: AST-100 Credits: 4 (Lecture/Lab) Instructor: Kevin Kimball Total Contact Hours: 60 Course Description When humans first looked to the sky and wondered about the true nature of what they were seeing, Mankind’s quest for a scientific understanding of our place in the Universe began. That sense of wonder continues to this day. This introductory course will outline the basic concepts of astronomy, its history, its scientific underpinnings, and how, in the last one hundred years, astronomy has inevitably led to the field of Cosmology. Topics will include but are not limited to: Features of our Solar System, standard units of measurement used by astronomers, direct observation and recording of astronomical phenomena, optics, star formation, galaxies and nebulae, quasars, pulsars, black holes and the Universal Gravitational Constant, electromagnetism, basic wave theory, the Doppler Effect and the Red Shift, the Hubble Law, Special relativity, General Relativity and gravitational lensing, Inflation Theory and the Big Bang, Dark Matter and Dark Energy, KOBE and WMAP discoveries, historical figures in astronomy. The course format emphasizes guided exploration, quantitative assessment, and critical thinking with particular emphasis of the Scientific Method; students are required to demonstrate an understanding of the material through independent research, written reports, and written examinations. Prerequisites: ENGL-050, ENGL-075 and MATH-050. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: - Describe, in detail, the structure of the Solar System including the characteristics of individual planets, and other key objects (asteroids, comets).
- Demonstrate an understanding of standard measures used in astronomy.
- Articulate the development of astronomy from a geocentric model of the universe to the current model citing key historical figures and societal/cultural views and reactions.
- Explain, in detail, the scale and position of the Solar System relative to the Milky Way Galaxy, the Local Group, and the Universe.
- Describe, in detail, the life cycle of stars
- Use the universal gravitational constant to calculate escape velocity in order to explain the nature of a Black Hole.
- Explain how the Doppler Effect led to the discovery of Red Shift and Dark Matter.
- Calculate the (1) distances of celestial objects and (2) approximate age of the Universe using the Hubble Law.
- Compare and contrast the concepts of Special and General Relativity.
- Calculate time dilation using Lorentz transformations to explain the physical obstacle to practical interstellar travel.
- Use quantitative methods to demonstrate why the speed of light is the absolute speed limit in the Universe and its role in defining the “observable universe.”
- Compare and contrast the concepts of the “observable Universe” with the “expanded Universe.”
- Compare and contrast the “Steady State” model of the universe with the “Big Bang” model
- Describe observed and measured phenomena that support “Big Bang” theory
- Describe “Big Bang” timeline
- Prepare concise written reports describing actual direct observations of astronomic phenomena.
Required Materials - Text: TBA
- Scientific Calculator: Use any scientific calculator for work in this class. If you do not already have one, the Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS would be a good purchase; it is inexpensive and easy to use.
- Three-ring binder – to manage what will be numerous supplementary hand-outs
- Celestron FirstScope 3.0”/76mm Reflector Telescope Kit
Grading Your final grade for this course will be based on a combination of the following assessments: - Unit assignments/quiz’s (50%)
- Lab reports (25%)
- Final exam (25%)
Course Grade: A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: Below 60 End-of-Course Evaluation In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available. ADA Syllabus Statement Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the disability services coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be reached at 741-5629. There will be some documentation for your teachers that must be supplied before accommodations can be given. Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number. SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy Students can print 100 pages per semester for free. If you print over 100 pages, you will be charged 10 cents per page to your Beacon Bucks account. Left over pages will roll over to the following semester but will zero out at the end of the academic year. A pilot project tracking public printing has shown that this amount of free printing meets the needs of the vast majority of students. The College's pay-for-print system monitors printing on all public printers (i.e., those in general access labs, library printers, the LAC, and technology labs). Each time you log in to the system, the print station displays the remaining print quota. Once the printing quota has been exceeded, users will be charged $0.10 per page on their Beacon Bucks accounts. Color printouts will be charged at 11-page units. This means each color printout will count as 11 pages toward the quota and cost $1.10. Students can add money to their cards using a credit card online. Add-Drop Policy Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance. Withdrawal Policy A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal. Plagiarism Statement Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. |
|
|
|
|
|
