GS104
General Science: Physics
Fall Term 2024
Syllabus: Introduction
Welcome
Welcome to online GS104 for fall term 2024 at Chemeketa Community College. This website will orient you to your class and function as a contract between you and me. I look forward to being your instructor.
Physics is the study of the fundamental behavior of nature, from the very large to the very small. Physics is fun!
Course Information
Title: General Science: Physics Credits: 4
Description: Covers an integrated study of the force, motion, heat, and light phenomena that we observe in the physical world.
Prerequisites: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor
Text: Conceptual Physical Science; Hewitt; 4th, 5th, or 6th edition
Hybrid Class: Lectures (CRN 31770) Tuesdays 2:30-5:20 pm in building 8, room 219, labs (CRN 31771) online
Online Class: Lectures (CRN 38184) and labs (CRN 38185)
Instructor Information
Name: Erik Jensen (please call me Erik)
Email: erik.jensen@chemeketa.edu (see communication expectations)
Phone: 503.589.7838
CV: sites.google.com/chemeketa.edu/erikjensen/cv
Office Address: building 8, room 221E, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR, 97305
Office Hours Fall 2024: MW 10:30-11:30 am and 1-2:30 pm, TR 9:30 am-noon and 1-2 pm
During these hours I am available for immediate support in-person or on the discussion board. I am also available by appointment on Zoom.
Goals and Methods
My primary goals for my students are the following:
Understanding a wide variety of physical phenomena
Scientific literacy (scientific methods, evaluating evidence, interpreting graphs, etc.)
To achieve these goals, I lead my classes based on evidence of what helps students learn:
Active learning: You will learn physics by doing physics; watching someone else is of limited value.
Teamwork with individual accountability: You will be expected to work with other students, though you will not normally be graded on the work of others.
Time on task, but have fun: You will spend a significant amount of time on this class and generally be on task during scheduled sessions. But some off-topic discussions are usually necessary for morale.
Continuous work and varied assessment: I evaluate your learning on a variety of low-stakes assignments throughout the week.
Website
The primary website we will use is Canvas (eLearn). You should normally access the class materials through the “front door” by clicking on the class and going to the modules. Do not simply react to the calendar, to-do list, or notifications.
Canvas: elearn.chemeketa.edu
Canvas Tech Support: online.chemeketa.edu/support/