PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics
Sections 1F51, 186H, 183B, 1H05, 186G
Fall 2015
Scores on each test and quiz automatically appear in the Canvas gradebook ("grades" on the LHS). Students can therefore
calculate, at any time, their projected grade. The 10% from quizzes is simply the (correct/total)x10%, which is then
added to the scores from the 3 tests to make 100% The only possible extra credit planned is for a course survey mid-semester. Don't ask for
individual extra credit - it is against the rules for good reasons!
Philosophy of the course:
This course is designed for people who do not necessarily have a background in physics.
It should be taken by people who want a one semester overview of physics. It counts
as a Physical Science for "P" credits. It may be useful for students, especially those
who have not taken a physics course in high school, as extra preparation for Physics I
courses such as PHY 2053 and PHY 2048.
Students are expected to listen to and watch the online lectures (which are interspersed
with demonstrations), and work through the problems themselves before looking at the video
solutions. Sample tests are available for a last stage of preparation.
"Real" office hours, as well as forums, are available.
Online quizzes are given at the end of every module to help students stay on-track.
Calender of Events
Note that quizzes are due on specific days, but they are open for submissions weeks in advance. You are
encouraged to NOT wait till the last day! Note that you can enter the quiz, print the questions, then exit
and work out at your leisure how to do them before re-entering and submitting.
Monday, August 24th - First day of "class"
Monday, August 31st - Quiz 1 due: "Introduction to PHY2020"
Monday, September 7th - Quiz 2 due: "Math Review: Vectors and Geometry"
Monday, September 14th - Quiz 3 due: "Description of Motion and Falling Bodies"
Monday, September 21st - Quiz 4 due: "Newton's Laws"
Monday, September 28th - Quiz 5 due: "Circular Motion and Gravity"
Monday, October 5th - Quiz 6 due: "Work and Energy"
Wednesday/Thursday, October 7th/8th Exam#1 all sections up to the end of "Work and Energy" Starting times 10.00 a.m. Wednesday to 5.00 p.m. Thursday, 2 hours duration
Monday, October 12th - Quiz 7 due: "Momentum"
Thursday, October 22nd - Quiz 8 due: "Rotational Motion and Equilibrium"
Monday, October 26th - Quiz 9 due: "Structure of Matter"
Monday, November 2nd - Quiz 10 due: on "Fluids and Archimedes Principle"
Wednesday/Thursday, November 4/5th Exam#2 sections from "Momentum" through "Fluids" Starting times 10.00 a.m. Wednesday to 5.00 p.m. Thursday, 2 hours duration
Monday, November 9th - Quiz 11 due: "Temperature and Heat"
Monday, November 16th - Quiz 12 due: "Waves and Sounds"
Monday, November 23rd - Quiz 13 due: "Electrostatics"
Monday, November 30th - Quiz 14 due: "Electric Current"
Monday, December 7th - Quiz 15 due: "Magnets and Magnetism"
Wednesday, December 9th - Quiz 16 due: "Light Rays"
Monday/Tuesday, December 14/15th Final Exam - mostly "Temperature and Heat" through "Light Rays", Starting times 10 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Tuesday,
2 hours duration
Hints on how to do well:
Listen to every lecture.
All material is accessed through E-learning, Canvas by clicking
here
and then choosing the option for "canvas". It will ask you for your gatorlink username and
password.
Alternatively, go straight away to the canvas interface which is
here.
Either way you should see this course on the drop-down menu labeled "Courses & Groups".
Click
here for a video explanation of the course, which serves as a sample video.
It is important that you have an internet connection good enough to watch and listen
to the above introduction comfortably, or you will find this course frustrating!
.
Do not leave it too late:. The material is quite concentrated. If you leave it all
to the last minute you will probably not understand it well and will not have a chance
to get it clarified.
Please make sure from the beginning that you are available for the exams. Make-ups
will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the instructor.
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of
Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student
who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accomodation.
Information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points can be
found in the undergraduate catalog
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
This is a University of Florida General Education course, for which credit may be obtained
in the "P" (Physical Sciences) category.
Here is the relevant "area objective":
The physical and biological sciences provide instruction in the basic concepts, theories and
terms of the scientific method. Courses focus on major scientific developments and their
impacts on society, science and the environment, and the relevant processes
that govern biological and/or physical systems. You will formulate empirically-testable
hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes and living things,
apply logical reasoning skills through scientific criticism and argument, and apply
techniques of discovery and critical thinking to evaluate the outcomes of experiments.
To achieve these goals, students will be expected to:
a) analyze particular physical situations, and thus identify the fundamental
principles pertinent to the situations
b) apply principles to particular situations
c) solve any equations arising from the application of identified principles of physics
d) communicate results unambiguously
Student Learning Outcomes
This course will also assess Student Learning Outcomes which can be defined as:
Student Learning Outcomes: Content and Skills
Content: Students demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories and
methodologies used within the discipline.
Communication: Students communicate knowledge, ideas and reasoning clearly effectively in
written and oral forms appropriate to the discipline.
Critical Thinking: Students analyze information carefully and logically from multiple
perspectives, using discipline-specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems.
The Student Learning Outcomes will be assessed through 16 graded quizzes and 3 graded and
proctored examinations.
Quiz and exam questions will cover all subjects listed in the syllabus. Typical questions will
require students to complete successfully all four steps outlined in the area objectives above.
Obtaining the correct result to the question posed in the form requested in the question
will be taken as evidence that all four of the
steps have been correctly and successfully completed.
In some questions students will be expected to choose between a series of possible explanations
of physical outcomes; such explanations may be presented as graphs, numerically or in words.
Although knowledge of the fundamental principles of physics is necessary for success in the course,
the stress is on understanding how to apply the principles to a variety of situations; rote
memorization is minimal.
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10 criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations will be open towards the end of the semester and students will be informed at that time. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results
Students requesting special accommodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of
Students Office will provide documentaion to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accomodation.
UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, "We, the members of the University of Florida community,
pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code.
On all work submitted for credit by
students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither
given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment"
The Honor Code (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code) specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of
this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to
appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.
Contact information for the Counseling and Wellness Center: http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/Default.aspx, 392-1575; and the University PoliceDepartment: 392-1111 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.