Instructor: Prof. Eric Scheidly

e-mail: scheidly@drexel.edu  (sg94etu9@drexel.edu)

Office Hours: Virtual by Appointment

Text: Modified Mastering Physics for Conceptual Physics 13th Edition

   Author(s): Hewitt, Paul

   Textbook ISBN-13: 9780321908605

Course Description:

This course is an algebra-based introduction the field of physics with an emphasis on recognizing how the principles of physics apply in everyday life.  It will cover a classic assortment of physics topics including motion, energy, momentum, fluids, heat, and light.  The simplest classical problems will be solved, but the emphasis will remain on understanding the generalizing concepts.

Course Objectives:

• Basic knowledge of the discipline of physics, including phenomenology, theories and techniques, concepts, and general principles.

• Ability to ask physical questions and to obtain solutions to physical questions by use of qualitative and quantitative reasoning and by observation and experimental investigation.

• Fostering of important student attributes, including appreciation of the universe and the discipline of physics, curiosity, creativity, and reasoned skepticism.

• Understanding connections of physics to other disciplines and to societal issues.

Expected Learning Outcomes:
This course will address the Drexel Learning Priorities: Communication, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Self-Directed Learning, and Technology Use. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to think critically and employ critical thinking skills.

• Apply the scientific method in lab experiences to interpret information and draw conclusions.

• Demonstrate the quantitative skills needed to succeed in Introductory Physics.

• Read and interpret graphs and data.

• Demonstrate the ability to make connections between concepts across physics.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of science on society.

Methods of Evaluation: 

• Participation         10% (Three discussion board prompts w/ two mandatory replies.)

• Laboratory            10% (Four laboratory exercises that involve using elementary Python coding to simulate physics problems)

• Mastering Physics 40% (Simple problems provided by the textbook publisher)

• Exams           40% (Three non-cumulative exams in multiple choice format given at similar intervals)

Grade Scale: The guaranteed grading boundaries (i.e., you will receive at least this grade if you have this final average) are:

 >93.0% A; >90.0% A-; >87.0% B+; >83.0% B; >80.0% B-; >77.0% C+; >70.0% C; >60.0% D. 

Course Materials:

1. Drexel Learn (https://learn.dcollege.net):

Drexel Learn will be used as our course homepage. There you can find our syllabus (this web page), the course schedule, the discussion boards, links to the online tests, your grades, and other important course documents and resources. Please contact your instructor immediately if you are having trouble accessing/navigating our course in Drexel Learn.

2. Textbook:

Conceptual Physics 12th ed. Paul Hewitt

Reading about physics is a critical part of physics study that students often fail to appreciate.  With each lesson, there will be a number of recommended readings from the text.  Although there are no explicit assessments used to judge a student’s reading, poor performance on quizzes and exams is often symptomatic of poor reading habits.  Bear in mind, that reading any text is not the same as reading a novel.  Take notes as you read, and at the end of each section, honestly assess your own understanding and review or ask questions as necessary.

3. Online Exercises:

Simply reading about physics does not mean that you have internalized it, or that the information will be usable by you in the future. For each lesson, a number of exercises, many chosen directly from the text, will be assigned via the Mastering Physics online system.  Your score on each assignment will be immediately available via the Mastering Physics grade book and then transferred to the blackboard grade book.  Due dates for exercises will not extend beyond the lesson, so it is important to start working on the assignment early and avoid technical problems.  You should keep careful notes on your efforts as the professor may require you to submit your written work for review at any time.

4. Laboratory:

During the course, a number of individual and/or group labs will be assigned.  Labs will be announced far enough in advance for students to arrange their schedule so that they have the time to participate.  Students are responsible for making time for the labs.

5. Participation:

Your participation score is derived from the discussion board assignments. Each discussion board will require you to respond to a prompt, but also to post responses to the posts of at least two classmates.  In this way, our online course experience will include at least some student-student interaction.  Please be sure to honor the spirit of discussion by making contributions that are thoughtful and substantive as well as respectful and appropriate.

Acadmic Policies:
Students are expected to be familiar with Drexel's policies on
Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, Dishonesty and Cheating: www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp
Course Adding/Dropping: drexel.edu/provost/policies/course-add-drop/ and
Course Withdrawal: drexel.edu/provost/policies/course-withdrawal.

Students may not copy one another's work. This is considered cheating and will be dealt with in the following manner. The first infraction will result in a zero for all parties involved. The second infraction will result in an F for the course and a report to the office of academic affairs.

Student with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at Drexel University need to present a current accommodation verification letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations can be made. AVL's are issued by the Office of Disability Resources. For additional information, see drexel.edu/disability-resources/support-accommodations/student-family-resources/.

For Health and Counseling needs, students can find further information at
drexel.edu/counselingandhealth/student-health-center/overview/
drexel.edu/counselingandhealth/counseling-center/overview/

Appropriate Use of Course Materials:
It is important to recognize that some or all of the course materials provided to you may be the intellectual property of Drexel University, the course instructor, or others. Use of this intellectual property is governed by Drexel University policies, including the IT-1 Policy. Briefly, this policy states that all course materials including recordings provided by the course instructor may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or re-posted. Doing so may be considered a breach of this policy and will be investigated and addressed as possible academic dishonesty, among other potential violations. Improper use of such materials may also constitute a violation of the University's Code of Conduct and will be investigated as such.

Finally, changes to the parameters of the course may need to be made during the quarter. In the case of such events, students will be notified by the instructor through their official Drexel e-mail.

Tentative Course Schedule