SYLLABUS                                                                                               As of Friday 22 November 2002

PHYSICS 108

Exploring Physics for Education

 

January Semester, 2003

 

Professor:  Perry A. Tompkins

Office:  Sciencenter Room 19

email: “patompki@Samford.edu” 

Office Phone:  726-4121

Office Hours:  By Appointment

 

Teaching Assistant, Lydia Lassalle, X7890

 

Class Room:                          Sciencenter Room 35

Class Meeting:                      MTWRF 8:00 – 12:50, Break ~10:30

Open Laboratory Time         TBA

Credit:                                    4 hours

Lecture Textbook:     The Sciences, Trefil and Hazen, 3rd  Edition, Additionally a packet of books and blackline copies, available from the physics department will be needed. These books will cost ~$28-30.

Prerequisites:                        A basic understanding of algebra at the high school level is useful.

 

Grade:  The course grade will be based on the following:

 

Grading Breakdown:            Reading quizzes..........................................             15%

                                                Comprehensive Exam.................................             5%

                                                Lesson Plans................................................             20%

                                                Lesson Cards...............................................             20%

                                                Four Projects................................................             40%

Any cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero point score for that activity.

 

Grading Scale:                      Total Percent                                     Grade

                                                92.0-100                                            A

                                                90.0-91.9                                           A-

                                                88.0-89.9                                           B+

                                                82.0-87.9                                           B

                                                80.0-81.9                                           B-

                                                78.0-79.9                                           C+

                                                72.0-77.9                                           C

                                                70.0-71.9                                           C-

                                                68.0-69.9                                           D+

                                                62.0-67.9                                           D

                                                60.0-61.9                                           D-

                                                0.0-59.9                                              F

 

I expect that the average grade for this class will be a B or better.

 

Miscellaneous Nagging:

 

Classroom Behavior:  Questions of the current or related topics are always encouraged.  Discussion is the most important element of the classroom interaction for understanding how physics works.  I will not resort to lecturing even if the crickets are chirping . . .

 

Handwriting:  Since most of the work is written, the use of legible handwriting is critical for accurate grading.  If the professor cannot read or understand your answer, it is WRONG. 

 

Attendance:  You are expected to attend every class session.  Missing a class is essentially missing a week of classes. No unexcused absences will be acceptable.

 

Written work may not be made up except in the case of documented illness or emergencies.  Call before you miss, and things will be MUCH easier.

 

Reading Quizzes: Reading quizzes will be required for each chapter that we are going to cover. These quizzes will be completed by the student and emailed to Dr. Tompkins by 5:00 PM on the day due. Each reading quiz will consist of the student creating 5 multiple-choice questions and answers from different sections of the chapter. I will grade each quiz for accuracy and creativity. I will use all the of the quizzes to form a comprehensive final, see below. If one of your questions is “considered” good enough to be included in the final exam, you will receive extra-credit at the end of the class towards your total quiz score. These quiz questions must be your own work. No resources, except your textbook, and conversations with your classmates and instructor will be acceptable.

 

Exam: A single in-class comprehensive exam will be given to the students on the last day of classes. This exam will be ~50 multiple choice questions, selected from the student’s own reading question submissions.

 

Lesson Plans: Some write-ups will be in lesson plan format. You will be informed by your instructor as to which are lesson plans. You will be provided with a guide to lesson plans.

 

Lesson Cards: Some write-ups will be in lesson card format. You will be informed by your instructor as to which are lesson cards. You will be provided with a guide to lesson cards.

 

Projects: a large amount of your grade will be based from four projects. Project 1 will be an outside of class, bulletin-board on water rockets. We will take the data as a class. Groups will pair off together to design a bulletin board presentation. Project 2 and 3 will involve leading the class through a subject on the level of a Lesson Card. Project 2 will be completed with your lab partner, and Project 3 will be by yourself. The final project will be a Lesson Plan by yourself. Projects must be pre-approved by the instructor by the class preceding the due date, previous to completion.

 

Covered Chapters: We will cover chapters 1-6, 8, 12, 14 & 15. This will set the groundwork for us to discuss the in-class work and other issues. If you have any ideas of something that you would think interesting, let me know!

 

Physics is Fun, Science is Cool, but This Class is a LOT of Work, I really mean, a LOT of Work

 

Final Prayer:  My main prayer for this course is to empower you, the student, to develop a working knowledge of Physics Topics.  Within a few restrictions, I will do everything within my power to do so.  In the same regard I expect my students to work as hard as they can, to achieve this same goal.  With this in mind, any decisions made during the course, that are not covered by these policies, will be done in order to maximize the educational benefit to the students.

 

God’s Speed!

 

Samford University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their request through the Advisor for Students with Disabilities located in Counseling Services on the lower level of Pittman Hall, or calling 726-4078 or 726-2105.  A faculty member will only grant reasonable accommodations upon notification from the Advisor for Students with Disabilities.


 

Course Schedule