Class Syllabus

PHYSICS- Summer 1
Upward Bound at Pima Community College @ Desert Vista
Dr. Dave Menke, Instructor

Summer Session 2010: June 1 – July 6
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Section 1: 11 AM to 11:50 AM
Section 2: 1 PM to 1:50 PM
Section 3: 2 PM to 2:50 PM
Pueblo Building Room C109

Course Syllabus

Title: Physics

Textbook: Handout(s) by Dr David H Menke and other sources

Supplies and Equipment That Are Helpful
1. Note pad & scratch paper to take notes and scribble or laptop
2. Scientific calculator
3. Computer (or access to a computer)
4. Laminated Physics Sheet

All of the above are sold somewhere.

Website for this course: TBD if there is one

Email Address for Instructor: dhmenke@pima.edu

Purpose: To Understand the basics of physics

Grading:
While this is a non-credit course for high school and for college, the successful student will merit a super strong letter of reference from the professor, Dr Dave Menke. This letter will weigh heavily on future college acceptance.

Students will be graded on a percentage scale from points earned. There are 1000 points available. Students may earn points from tests, homework, in-class lab exercises, “mind challenge” games, and weekly essays. The total points that a student earns, divided by the total number of required points available, will yield a percentage, and the grades will be as such: 90% A; 80% B; 70% C; 60% D.

Tests There will be five (5) tests and NO final exam this session. Each test will be on the following Thursdays: June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24 and July 1. Each test is approximately 30 minutes long and will have 5 questions, taken directly from the homework and lecture material that we are studying that week. Each test is worth 100 points. All test questions will be physics problems. 5 x 20 = 100 points; Five tests = 500 points.

Final Exam There will be NO final exam.

Homework: There are five (5) homework sets. All homework sets are listed in the “Weekly Work” file. Each Homework Set has a series of problems or questions at the end of the chapters in the book. Each Homework Set is worth twenty (16) points. Research has shown if you do the homework, then you do well on the tests. If you don’t do the homework, most of the time you fail the tests. To get credit for homework, it is due each Thursday before the test; a hard copy - either hand written or printed – is fine. Total credit: 5 x 16 = 80 points.

In-Class Lab Exercises – There will be twelve (12) “In Class Lab Exercises” related to the subject at hand. Each is worth up to 25 points. The dates are listed in “Weekly Work.” Total credit: 12 x 25 = 300 points.

Challenging Mind Games Following each test, a challenging “mind game” will be offered, worth up to 10 points. Examples include solving class-related crossword puzzles. Total credit: 5 x 10 = 50 points.

Weekly Essays* About Once a week a topic related to the course will be required. The topic is listed in the “Weekly Work.” It will also be announced in class. To earn up to 10 points, you must write an ORIGINAL essay about the topic. Length? About 300 words is fine. However, plagiarism is not acceptable -- you must not cut and paste from
electronic media sources or from an Encyclopedia on CD. Nor can you copy another student’s description. A hard copy of the essay is due each Thursday. You may also turn in your essay via email – to dhmenke@pima.edu – and then it is due at midnight on Friday. Total credit: 7 x 10 = 70 points.

If you email it, you MUST place in the Subject Heading “SA1” for the first week (it stands for “essay number 1”), SA2 for the 2nd week, etc. If the subject heading is wrong, or mislabeled, or missing, your essay may be deleted as if you had never done it at all.

*Credit for essays will be a function of content only. This is not a writing class, literature class, or spelling class. You may think, “I can’t write.” So what? It’s okay. Can’t ? As long as I can understand it, your essay will be acceptable.

Students will be graded on a percentage scale from points earned. There are 1000 points available. Students may earn points from tests, homework, “mind challenge” games, and weekly essays. The total points that a student earns, divided by the total number of required points available, will yield a percentage, and the grades will be as such: 90% A; 80% B; 70% C; 60% D.



Activity Point Value Number Total Value
Weekly Tests 100 5 500
Final Exam 0 0 0
Weekly Homework Ass’ts 20 4 80
Weekly Essays 10 7 70
Mind Games 10 5 50
Lab Exercises 12 25 300
TOTAL POINTS 1000

Attendance policy: Students are required to attend each session of their classes. Missing sessions may cause students to be dropped. Exceptions may include conditions over which students have no control prevent their being present. In any case, students MUST contact the instructor as soon as they can. Prospective employers will evaluate attendance habits.

Last day to drop class without grade penalty: Within first four weeks

Last day to drop class without financial penalty: Within the first week

Course description: A review of the historical and scientific evolution and application of the principles of anatomy and of physiology

Specific objectives: At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
· Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound
· Walk on Water
· Take over the World

Policy on Incomplete Work: Missed work may be made up with the approval of the instructor. The instructor will entertain request for an Incomplete grade on a case-by-case basis with no guarantee of approval, although requesting an Incomplete grade is not recommended by the instructor.

Classroom behavior: It is expected that students will comport themselves in a mature and civil manner and govern themselves accordingly. Please keep cell phones turned off, or put to vibrate, and if you must talk on the cell phone, please excuse yourself. It is suggested that food and drink (except for bottled water) not be brought into the classroom.

ADA Policy Statement: If you have a disability that requires special accommodations, you are strongly urged to contact the Student Services office at the beginning of the term so that reasonable accommodations can be made in a timely manner. You may call Mr Dan Pacheco at 520-206-5147.


Course Outline/Calendar for PHYSICS (Tentative)*


Week # Week of Topics/Chapters
1 05/31/10 Linear, Vectors, Spatial
2 06/07/10 Newton, Work, Energy, Momentum
3 06/14/10 Rotation, Torque, Equilibrium, Gravity
4 06/21/10 Oscillation, Waves, Sound
5 06/28/10 Fluids; Heat

*Subject to change; students will be informed by the instructor or the College as soon as possible if there is a change.

How to Contact the Instructor:
1. On site, before, during, or after class.
2. During Office Hours: By appointment only.
3. By phone: Call 520- 206-5147 and leave message; emergency, Instructor’s Cell
Phone: 520-664-4109
4. By E-Mail. Send any questions, comments, or suggestions, which are directly
related to the course, to dhmenke@pima.edu

DISCLAIMER: Aspects of this syllabus may be subject to change. In the event of a change, students will be informed as soon as possible.