Welcome to online PH214 at Chemeketa Community College for fall term 2025. 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!
Title: Lab for PH201 or PH211 Credits: 1
Description: Offers labs to accompany topics in PH201 or PH211.
Prerequisites: Placement into WR115 (or higher), or completion of WR090 (or higher); placement into MTH251 (or higher), or completion of MTH112Z (or higher); concurrent registration of PH201 or PH211 or successful completion of either course; or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Text: Lab instructions will be provided for free on Canvas.
Lab Times: T 2:30-5:20 pm (CRN 44687) or R 2:30-5:20 (CRN 44690) in building 8, room 236
Name: Erik Jensen (please call me Erik or he/they)
Office: building 8, room 221E, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR, 97305
Email: erik.jensen@chemeketa.edu (see communication expectations)
Phone: 503.589.7838
CV: sites.google.com/chemeketa.edu/erikjensen/cv
Office: Building 8, room 221E
Office Hours Fall 2025: MWR 10:30 am-noon, WR 12:30-2 pm
During these hours I am available for immediate support in-person or on the discussion board. I am also available by appointment in-person or on Zoom.
Mental Resources: The prerequisites for this course are listed above. It is also helpful if you are comfortable with common software such as web browsers, word processors, and spreadsheets.
Temporal Resources: It is expected that lab activities will take an average of 3 hours to complete. On occasion, you might be able to leave early after having submitted your lab report. And on other occasions you might need to do a small amount of work outside of the lab.
Other Resources: In addition to paying for the required tuition and fees, you will need to procure a variety of other resources to complete this class. Please consult the following list:
A phone with the ability to take videos and use apps
Some common household items (you may borrow lab equipment from me if you can't find what you need for a particular lab)
You will be provided a computer with access to a printer. But you are welcome to bring a laptop or tablet as this might be more convenient at your lab table.
Calculators (physical or web-based) are banned from the lab. You must use a spreadsheet for all of your calculations.
The skills I hope to help develop in you are the following:
Estimating uncertainty in measurements
Propagating uncertainty in calculations
Knowledge of common scientific writing conventions
Using spreadsheets including making graphs
Using physics lab equipment safely and with minimum uncertainty
Varying and inventing experiments using scientific methods
Group work skills
Refining skills and knowledge primarily developed in lecture
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/
Slack: This is our primary platform for communication. You will access it through links in Canvas. You can use the website or install the app on your phone or computer.
Evaluate reliability and relevance of physical evidence gathered by self and others.
Apply mathematical and physical principles to observed, measured, and given physical data to make predictions and explain past observations.
Communicate results of work using scientific writing.
Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.