Course #:Barnum Course # (unknown as I am writing this)
Instructor:Michael Nordstrand
Prerequisite: Pre Calculus or concurrent enrollment in Pre Calculus
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introductory course in physics. It is designed as a preparation for students considering pre-professional & applied science careers.
The course is a study of kinematics, kinetics, momentum, work, energy, fluids, heat and sound.
Text Book: Physics, 6th edition, Giancoli
Course Objectives:
The course is designed to increase competency in necessary problem solving, scientific method skills and content knowledge. It also emphasizes practical and technical applications.
Grading:
As per Barnum High School grading policy:
All graded assignments will be worth 75% of your grade. Ungraded, formative assignments will be worth 25% of your grade.
Final exam will be worth 10%
Grading Scale:
90 - 100A
80 - 89B
70 - 79C
60 - 69D
59 or lessF
Helpful Hints:
1. If you have questions concerning homework problems or simply understanding a concept see me before or after school.
2. Read the textbook.
3. Take notes in class and review the notes. If you don’t take notes and haven’t read the textbook don’t expect me to provide much homework assistance. I will point you to the applicable section in the book and invite you to read it. Once you have read the appropriate section and copied the notes from another student, and re-attempted to solve the problem, only then will I provide assistance.
4. Partial credit will be given for correct work shown. Do not simply write down an answer; credit will generally not be given for answers without correct supporting work, even if the answer is correct. I like to see all mathematical work.
5. I expect your work to be neat, understandable and to flow in a logical sequence. By this I mean I should be able to follow your work, numbers should not magically appear, unless they are recognized constants.
6. I will expect you to know the basic equations that we will be using. As the course progresses I will likely allow the use of an equation sheet.
7. Do not crowd you work and if necessary use both sides of a sheet of paper. We will discuss my expectations more in class.
Pace of the course:
I am not going to establish a definite calendar, we will proceed at a pace that I deem appropriate. Assignment due dates and exam dates will be agreed upon by the class, there will generally be a seven day warning before an exam.
Course Outcomes:
1. Students will gain an understanding of elementary mechanics and sound.
2. Students will learn to use the scientific method to solve problems.
3. Students will learn to use elementary mathematics and fundamental physics concepts to describe the physical world.
4. Students will learn to use appropriate units when describing physical quantities. .
5. Students will learn to use vectors when describing physical systems.
6. Students will develop a basic mechanical understanding of solids, fluids and sound.
Student responsibilities:
1. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you missed.
2. If you are absent on the day of an exam, you will be expected to take the exam on the day you return. There will be exceptions depending on the circumstances, these will be handled on a case by case basis.
3. You are expected to provide your own calculator. I generally will not allow you to use a cell phone, as a calculator, or other device that can connect to the WiFi during a test.
4. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating you will automatically receive zero points on the exam or quiz. If I suspect you were cheating I reserve the right to give you a similar exam or quiz and compare the two scores. If the score on the second exam is significantly lower than the suspicious exam or quiz, I will give assume that you were cheating on the first exam/quiz and give you the score on the second exam/quiz.