Course Outcomes

1.  Understand the scientific method, scientific modeling and measurements, and their use in technology and engineering.

2.  Understand force and motion.

3.  Understand energy and momentum and their conservation.

4.  Understand the properties and motions of rigid bodies.

5.  Understand Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

6.  Understand the basics of fluid mechanics.

7.  Understand the laws of thermodynamics and their relationship to heat and temperature.

8.  Understand the fundamental principles of relativity.

A separate document contains detailed Learning Objectives to accompany these Course Outcomes.

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Policies and Procedures

A.  GRADES:  The grades in PHYS 2110 will be as follows:

                    A          90 ‑ 100         Superior
                    B          80 ‑  89          Above Average
                    C          70 ‑  79          Average
                    D          60 ‑  69          Below Average
                    F             0 ‑  59          Failing

Students will not be allowed to register for PHYS 2110 on an AUDIT basis.  The grades in PHYS 2110 will be determined according to the following:

                    Tests                                50%
                    Laboratory                        20%
                    Final Exam                       20%
                    Homework, quizzes, etc.   10%

Failure to take the final exam will result in a grade of F for the course. In the case where the final exam is missed and the instructor has been notified in advance, at the discretion of the instructor, a grade of I may be given.  However, the make‑up final must be taken within two weeks after the regularly scheduled final and may be more difficult than the regular exam.

B.  ATTENDANCE:  Attendance at all lecture and laboratory meetings is expected.  Persistent unexcused absences exceeding 20% of the meetings may result in the removal of the student from the course per division policy.  (Consult the Division Policies section of the Student Handbook, especially section E.1.)

C.  TESTS:  Test questions will come from the lectures, textbook, homework problems and lab.  Make-up exams will not be given; if you know you will miss an exam due to circumstances beyond your control, you may be allowed to take the exam early.  If you miss an exam with a valid excuse, your grade on the final exam will be substituted for that exam.  If you miss more than one exam, or if you miss an exam without a valid excuse, you will receive a zero on that exam.  Test scores may (or may not) be scaled up at the instructor's discretion.  No test grades will be dropped. 

D.  HOMEWORK:  Physics is learned by doing, not watching!  You must work problems and read the text consistently to succeed in this class.  You will be given homework after virtually every class.  Homework will be due on most Wednesdays.  Homework will be graded on completeness and correctness.  You may work together on homework sets unless you are specifically told otherwise, but make sure that what you actually turn in reflects your understanding of the material, not someone else’s.

E.  LATE WORK:  Assignments are due at the start of class on the due date.  An assignment will be counted late if it is not turned in by the end of class on the due date.  A late penalty of 10% per calendar day will be given to any late work.  If you wish to turn in an assignment when your instructor is not in the office, you should give the assignment to the division secretary in Warf 100.

F.  LABORATORY:  There will be no make‑up labs except in extreme circumstances.  You will receive a zero for any lab you miss, and the lowest lab grade will be dropped.

G.  ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:  Cheating on any assignment will not be tolerated.  If you cheat on a test or the final you will earn an F for the course.  Other incidents of cheating will be dealt with severely.  Understand that cheating is receiving or giving unauthorized aid.  Students are expected to abide by the policies for academic integrity contained in the Student Handbook, see especially paragraph C(2) of the Conduct and Discipline section.

H.  INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: If Volunteer State Community College is officially open, this class will meet as scheduled, all assignments will be due as scheduled, and any scheduled tests/quizzes/exams will be given.  If VSCC is officially closed, all assignments will be due at the next regular class meeting.  Likewise, any tests/quizzes/exams will be also be given at the next regular class meeting.

I.  FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services to receive accommodations and services in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Only those students with appropriate documentation and who are registered with the Office of Disability Services will receive accommodations.  For further information, contact the Office of Disability Services at (615) 230-3472, TDD (615) 230-3488, or visit the office, which is located in Room 108, Wood Campus Center.

J.  EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents Institution, is an equal opportunity institution and ensures equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, age, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified veteran with a disability or veteran of the Vietnam era.

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Lecture Textbook Reading Assignments

Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, Serway & Jewett, 6th Ed.

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PHYS 2110 Laboratory

The laboratory is an essential part of this course. In many cases the laboratory will be used to develop the concepts you will be expected to master.  At other times it will supplement the lectures and provide hands-on experiences in scientific investigations.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:  All policies and procedures not described below are contained in the Policies and Procedures for the lecture section and will apply to the laboratory.

The laboratory writeups are found on the course website.  Students are responsible for accessing the writeups and studying them before coming to lab.  You may print off the writeup prior to lab or access the lab online while in lab for use during lab.  During lab you will need access to the lab writeup, a calculator and your textbook.  Your instructor reserves the right to give pre-lab quizzes to check your preparation for lab.

In most cases, students missing lab for any reason will not be allowed to make up the lab.  However, you should check with your instructor any time you are absent as a courtesy and on the chance you may be able to perform a make-up lab.

For each lab performed, each student will turn in a lab report.  The required format for writing lab reports is published on the course website.

Smoking, food or drink is not allowed in Warf 114 under any circumstances.

The laboratory grade will count 20% of the course grade.  This grade will be determined from the average of all lab reports submitted by the student.  Any lab reports not turned in or any absences from lab will receive a zero for that lab.  The lowest lab grade will be dropped.  In addition, a small percentage of test questions will come from the labs.
 

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Laboratory Schedule

The laboratory exercises are integrated into the course schedule and do not follow a regular schedule.  A general, semester-long schedule can be found on the course website, and a specific two-week schedule will be maintained on the course homepage.

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