Physics 113, General Physics I
Section 16470, Spring 1999

Instructor:	Dr. Thomas Gorczyca
Office:	1131 Everett Tower
Telephone:	(616) 387-4913
e-mail:	gorczyca@wmich.edu
www:	http://homepages.wmich.edu/gorczyca/
Office Hours:	Monday and Tuesday, 9:00-10:00; Thursday, 12:00-1:00;
	Friday, 3:00-4:00; and by appointment.

Lecture:

Classes meet in 1104 Rood Hall every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 10:00 to 11:40.

Course:

This course will introduce you to the basic concepts and principles of physics and will show you how to apply those concepts to real life problems. One of the main objectives of this class is to thoroughly develop your problem-solving skills. The topics covered in this course include mechanics and wave motion.

Text (required):

College Physics (4^th edition), by Serway and Faughn (1995) Saunders College Publishing. This should be brought to every lecture as it will be needed during problem-solving sessions. We will cover Chapters 1-9,13,14 during the semester (approximately 1.5 chapters per week).

Text (recommended):

Student Solutions Manual and Study Guide, by Gordon and Serway.

Calculator:

A pocket calculator will be needed and should be brought to all exams and lectures.

Prerequisite:

Math 110 (Algebra I).

1.

It is Department policy that a grade of "C" or better in a prerequisite course is required before enrollment is permitted in the next-sequence course. A student who does not meet this requirement must drop this course as soon as possible and no later than the no-refund deadline.

2.

It is University policy that the number of times a course can be taken is limited to three (including withdrawals). A student whose current enrollment is in violation of this policy must drop this course as soon as possible and no later than the deadline for no refund of tuition.

Corequisite:

Physics 114 (General Physics I Lab). Labs begin on Thursday, 5/6.

Homework:

8 Problems will be assigned every Monday, and will be due the following Monday. These (or any other) problems will be worked out, by request, during the second-half of class on Monday. One of these 8 will appear on the exam. You will receive a homework grade of up to 100 points (10%) toward your final grade.

Group Problem-solving:

15-minute group problems will sometimes be assigned during lectures to break things up. You are responsible for maintaining a group collaboration with at least 3 other students, and a grade of either pass or fail will be given to every member of the group for each assignment. A group problem-solving grade of up to 100 points (10%) will count toward your final grade.

Exams:

There will be a one-hour exam every Tuesday, starting 5/11, from 10:00-11:00, for a total of six exams. The highest 5 of these will each count 100 points (10%), for a total of 500 points (50%), toward your final grade; the lowest exam will only count 50 points (5%). You will be tested on all the material covered since the previous exam. No make up exams will be given. If you miss an exam because of a wedding, vacation, prior commitment, etc., you will receive a zero. A major medical alibi or a death in the immediate family are the only exceptions to this policy. The best way to prepare for exams is to practice by solving problems individually or in groups.

Final Exam:

The comprehensive (Chapters 1-9,13,14) 100-minute final exam will take place on the last day of class, Tuesday, June 22^nd, from 10:00 to 11:40, in 1104 Rood Hall. It will count 250 points (25%) toward your final grade.

Point Allocation:

Group Problem-solving	=	100
Homework	=	100
5 Highest Exams	=	500
Lowest Exam	=	50
Final Exam	=	250
		1000

Grading Scale:

A		920-1000
BA		860-919
B		800-859
CB		700-799
C		600-739
DC		540-599
D		480-539
E		0-479

TENTATIVE Schedule:

Week	Chapters	Comments
5/3-5/7	1,2	Last day to drop without a "W": Friday, 5/7
5/10-5/14	2,3
5/17-5/21	4,5
5/24-5/28	5,6	Last Day to Drop: Friday, 5/28
6/1-6/4	7,8	No class on Monday, 5/31 (Memorial Day)
6/7-6/11	8,9
6/14-6/18	13,14
6/21-6/22	1-9,13,14	Final: Tuesday, 6/22
		(10:00-11:40 AM, 1104 Rood Hall)