Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | PHY-1041-VO02S - Physics I

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Alan Peel
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Ryan Joy

General Education Requirements

VSCS Natural Science

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course provides insight into how basic physics principles are used and applied. Students develop practical problem-solving and analytical thinking skills as applied to Newtonian mechanics, energy, fluids, and the mechanical properties of matter. Includes a laboratory. College level Pre-Calculus is strongly recommended. Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra or above.

Essential Objectives

1. Define and apply basic problem-solving techniques.
2. Describe scalar and vector quantities, the components of a vector, and employ vector addition both graphically and analytically.
3. Explain kinematics in one and two dimensions (velocity, acceleration, and displacement) and apply to problem-solving.
4. Identify the relationship between force and motion as defined by Newton's first, second, and third laws, and apply these laws to the analysis and solution of physical problems.
5. Explain the concepts of equilibrium, circular motion, rotation, work, power, energy, momentum, and conservation of momentum, and apply these concepts to the solution of physical problems.
6. Describe the mechanical properties of matter such as density and elasticity.
7. Explain such concepts of fluid mechanics as pressure, Archimedes' Principle and fluid flow, and apply these to the solution of physical problems.
8. Explain simple harmonic motion, energy in the simple harmonic oscillator, period and sinusoidal nature of SHM, the simple pendulum, damped harmonic motion, resonance in forced vibration, wave motion and its characteristics.
9. Explain the characteristics of sound, intensity, response to sound, sources of sound, interference of sound, and the Doppler Effect.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating, and applying quantitative data and information.
11. Explain how knowledge created in the natural sciences has contributed to the creation, maintenance and dismantling of social inequalities and discuss the impacts of diversity and inclusion on scientific research and practice.
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Apply knowledge of the scientific method to:
a. formulate and evaluate real-world scientific questions;
b. ethically plan and implement accurate data collection;
c. analyze and evaluate data;
d. generate conclusions based on analysis and justify claims with evidence;
e. integrate the related work of other scientists; and
f. propose ideas for further inquiry.
2. Communicate findings in a format appropriate to the discipline and type of investigation, such as a laboratory notebook, laboratory report, observational study, field investigation report, poster, or presentation using appropriate evidence to support these findings.
3. Understand the structure and purpose of peer-reviewed publications.
4. Evaluate scientific information for validity, accuracy, reliability, and methodology.
5. Identify and follow lab safety techniques that are aligned with CCV’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, Lab Safety Agreements and chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2024 textbook details will be available on 2024-05-20. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

PHY-1041-VO02S Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

I can't really prevent you from using AI, especially outside our official meeting time, but I strongly urge you to consider that AI is often wrong, and rarely helpful. You will still need to show YOUR work when dealing with our questions, and the more you rely on AI, the less your brain will absorb. Really.

Methods

(Pedagogical buzzwords: #activelearning #intuitionbuilding #socraticquestioning)

A weekly cycle which includes a recorded lecture, a REQUIRED Zoom meeting where we will go over examples and work out questions together, optional reading questions, required online discussion fora, homework, lab, and a quiz:

1. Lecture- once a week, before class (except for the first one!) you will be required to watch a video of me presenting the material warning of pitfalls and highlighting the skills you will need to build. In the video there will be poll questions you are required to answer (though you don't have to get them right just yet).
2. Zoom - once a week during our synchronous time slot. I will not "lecture" so much as open up classfor several minutes for you to ask questions about the material you saw in the recorded lecture, maybe talk about a few examples then challenge you with specific questions to work on as individuals and in groups (using breakout rooms as needed). You will present your results confidently, even if incorrect! :) We will iron out the details collectively.This will force you to explain your thought process,a very important step toward true comprehension. Given our two hour time slot, I'll do my best to put in a short few minute break for stretching and hydration. Importantly, interruptions are welcome!Ask questions in the Zoom chat or by unmuting. If there is time, we will also discuss the lab for the coming week and go over the lab from the previous week (see below).
3. Online asynchronous discussions- at least one of which is prompted by me and graded each week! These are "easy" points - don't skip them!
4. Labs conducted at "home" using a kit and/or simple household items or online virtual labs on Pivot. Some labs toward the end of the semester will include formal writeups. There may be a chance to work on labs together (but remotely, as in "parallel on Zoom").
5. Homework questions to cement analytical skills. These are very important and while graded for partial credit, your work must be legible and comprehensible by me regardless of whether you got the "right answer" or not.
6. Quizzes to assess comprehension. These come at the end of our week and challenge you to synthesize and apply what you've learned.
7. Midterm (7th week) and Final Exam because many of you will need to remember some of this material and these analytical tools beyond the classroom and into your careers - but see evaluation criteria below to avoid panic about test anxiety!

Evaluation Criteria

Most assignments are graded on completion, thoroughness of effort, application of the learned material, avoidance of excessive (or occasionally insufficient!) significant figures, and a little bit on the "correct answer." However, a clearly impossible answer must be at least commented on to avoid any major point deduction ("e.g., I know this is unreasonable, and was expecting to get about..." (then put a good estimate here) "...but not sure where I made the mistake").

Quizzes and exams are open book, open notes, internet resources, etc., but no collaboration with anyone (your family, friends, AI, acquaintances, enemies, pets, classmates included!) please. Feedback (on the midterm especially) may include a tailored rubric. Even these assignments are still graded mostly on completion and thoroughness for each question and commentary if any unreasonable numbers are calculated.

• Participation (Lecture polling questions, class discussions on Zoom (required!),and Graded Discussions) 15% <- relatively easy points! Don't skip these!
• Labs 20% (it's a four credit course with labs after all!)
• Homework 20%
• Quizzes 15%
• Midterm 15%
• Final Exam 15%

In the event the grading seems on the harsh side based on overall class success, I reserve the right to curve your grade in your favor. (I will never curve the grade to your detriment!)

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

This is a traditionally difficult 4 credit synchronous course - be there or expect to be dropped from the course. (Again, occasionally we can make prior arrangements, and true emergencies are the exception.) We only have two hours per week to work together, though you are also encouraged to engage online with your colleagues on your own time.

Your camera must be on unless you have an accessibility or socioeconomic accommodation (if so, contact me about that ASAP). I don't care what your room looks like. Or your hair. We are forming a temporary community and psychologically it is better for all of us if we can mimic a "normal" classroom as much as possible. Please also try to use the same name every week and YES, by all means, please include your pronouns.

Bear in mind, Zoom is an online conferencing tool that utilizes video, audio, and visual tools. If you will require accommodations in accessing this tool, please contact your ADA advisor before the semester begins. (And again, contact me ASAP.)

Answering the poll questions from the recorded lectures in advance of our meeting and working on questions during the Zoom sessions are a part of your participation grade (you are not graded on "correctness" though!). Our meetings are aimed at

• Stimulating discussion
• Assessing student progress and understanding of the text and pre-recorded lecture
• Assess instructor efficacy (yes, really!)

In addition, graded discussions on Canvas are part of your overall evaluation - participation in these is asynchronous, mandatory, and is subject to a due date. (However, they are also not graded on getting the right answer!)

We will all learn far better when we learn together. You are intelligent hominids and can hold contradictory concepts in your head simultaneously. Only by communicating with your fellow hominids will your brain do the necessary housekeeping to chuck the misconceptions and incorrect conclusions and refine your deeper understanding.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Life happens - you must keep open lines of communication with me if there are unforeseen obstructions to your completion of an assignment. I'll have much less sympathy if you contact me after or just as the assignment is due.

Nothing accepted for full credit after the duedate without prior arrangements unless prior arrangements were not possible (i.e., emergencies are the exception - see syllabus on Canvas.)

In general, a 10% deduction of the potential maximum score will be applied for each half hour an assignment is late. If you submit an assignment six hours late without prior arrangements from me, you will receive a zero. The important exceptions are the Midterm and Final Exam which are not accepted late without prior arrangements. Period.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity