Physics 1313 Syllabus Page - McDermott Section (Fall 2003)

PHYSICS 1313
Syllabus Page
Fall 2003

**Instructor and Staff Information**
Instructor:	Chuck Hasty	Teaching Assistant:	Emanuela "Ema" Ene
Office:	PS 349	Office:	PS 054
Phone:	(405) 744-7967	Phone:	(405) 744-6694
E-mail:	chasty@okstate.edu	E-mail:	eene@okstate.edu
Class Days:	M-W-F
Class Times:	1:30pm - 3:20pm
Classroom:	PS 054
Office Hours:	M-W-- 11:30am - 1:20pm	Office Hours:	-T-R- 8:30am - 10:30am

Data Collection Notice and Discussion:
All students enrolled in Physics 1313 will take two surveys (Maryland Physics Expectations Survey (MPEX), Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument (STEBI)) and a science process test (Science Process Assessment for Middle School Students (SPAMSS)) during the course, in addition to providing answers to Exam questions and other course activities. This data will provide the instructor student feedback that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the course and instructional method. Any student data collected from the surveys or SPAMSS instrument will not affect the student's grade in any way whatsoever, nor will student responses be used in any manner other than to evaluate the course's effectiveness. Should this data be published or made available to recipients other than the instructor, all personally identifiable information will be removed to assure student anonymity. Should the student have any concerns about this data collection or the uses to which it will be put, he should visit with the instructor.

Textbook:
Lillian C. McDermott, Physics by Inquiry, Volume I, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1996. ISBN: 0-471-14440-X.
Lillian C. McDermott, Physics by Inquiry, Volume II, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1996. ISBN: 0-471-14441-X.

Prerequisites:
None. Some students have expressed an opinion that English Composition I would be valuable as a prerequisite due to the emphasis placed upon composition skills.

Course Description:
PHYS 1313 (L, N) Inquiry-based Physics. Lab 3. Properties of matter, motion, light and color, electrical circuits and energy conservation. Recommended for elementary education majors as a model course to learn and teach science.

Course Structure and Requirements:
This course is essentially a lab course that meets 2 hours each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. OSU's policy for lab courses is that they receive one credit-hour for every two contact hours in lab; thus, this is a three credit-hour course having six contact hours. Attendance during the class is mandatory and contributes to the student's participation grade. There will be NO LECTURES; instead, the student is guided through a tightly-structured inquiry by the text. The requirements for the course are that the student must take the Midterm and Final Exams, submit Semester Projects, Participate in the inquiry, and submit weekly Homework assignments for successful completion of the course. Portions of at least three modules of the text will be covered by the course: Light and Color (Volume I), Astronomy by Sight (Volume I), and Electric Circuits (Volume II). Another module may be included if time permits.

WWW Content:
The course website will be the student's most valuable resource for information regarding the course. All late-breaking course developments and information will be disseminated via the web for widest and most immediate availability. The course pages reside within the Physics Department website at http://www.physics.okstate.edu/chasty/fall2003/McDermott/physics1313-main.html. This will be the method of communicating homework assignments, exam dates, and any special announcements for this course. Be aware and visit regularly!

Course Component Weighting:
The student's course grade will be based on Homework, a Midterm Exam, the Final Exam, Semester Projects, and Participation, weighted as follows:

Homework	20%
Midterm Exam	20%
Semester Projects	20%
Participation	20%
Final Exam	20%

GPA Method:
Projects and Exams consist of multiple portions which receive individual letter grades. The final decimal component score will be calculated using the "GPA method", where "A" scores are assigned 4 points, "B"'s 3 points, "C"'s 2 points, "D"'s 1 point, and "F"'s zero points. These scores are then summed and averaged. The final component score is the numerical average of the individual portions. Homework uses a similar method but has an alternate grading scale.

Grading Scale:
The Final Course Grade will be calculated by summing and averaging all five decimal course component scores. The student's final course score will be assigned according to the following table:

**Final Grade Calculations**
Average of 5 Course Scores	Final Course Grade
4.00 - 3.50	A
3.49 - 2.50	B
2.49 - 1.50	C
1.49 - 0.50	D
0.49 - 0.00	F

Homework:
Homework sets will be given weekly and will typically include 3-5 problems, two moon observations, and one sun-plot. With the exception of the first Homework assignment, Homework will be collected weekly (usually on Fridays) at the beginning of class, and returned two class periods later (Wednesdays) at the end of class. Each Homework problem will be graded on a letter scale ("A,B,C,D,F"). Each Homework problem will be equally weighted, with sun-plots and moon observations counting as one problem each. At the end of the semester, the final Homework score will be calculated by the method outlined on the Homework page. Please see the Homework page for additional details regarding the Homework.

Problem Resubmissions:
Individual problems whose grades are "D" or "F" may be corrected and resubmitted once for regrading to earn a maximum grade of "C". Resubmitted problems are due with the next consecutive Homework assignment. Resubmitted problems must be individually stapled to the original graded problem to document corrections made.

Exams:
Midterm and Final Exams will be given to assess student performance. Examinations will be open book, meaning that the student may use the Physics by Inquiry text(s), his or her own bound laboratory notebook(s) including recorded data and comments from in-class work, and the student's own Homework assignments. The better the student notebook and Homework are done, the more helpful they are for Examinations. Examinations will typically consist of nine problems having equal weight, and will be allotted the full class time (1 hour, 50 minutes) for solution. Each problem will be assigned a letter score in the same manner as Homework problems. The Exam scores will be calculated using the "GPA" method outlined above. Please see the Exams page for additional details regarding the Exams.

Semester Projects:
A summative Project will be assigned near the end of each module based on class work, excepting the final module. That assignment will be made well prior to the end of the module. Details of each Project will be given on the Project page at the appropriate time. Each Project will be graded according to a published list of equally weighted criteria, each of which is assigned a letter grade in the same manner as a Homework problem. Project scores will be calculated using the "GPA" method outlined above, and will be equally weighted.

Participation:
The Participation score for each student will be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to: participation in group discussions and investigations, willingness to work in groups with other students, tardiness or absence, willingness to offer explanations, willingness to be "incorrect", and willingness to self-correct erroneous thinking. Students should see the Participation page for additional details.

Course Policies:

Attendance:
Attendance during the class is mandatory and contributes to the student's participation grade. Excessive unexcused absences may cause failure of the course.

Make-Ups:
Attendance will be taken every class period. Excessive absences will directly impact the Participation score and/or the course grade. Four unexcused absences will result in a letter grade deduction from the student's Participation score. Five unexcused absences will result in an "F" Participation score for the semester. Unexcused absences numbering more than 5 will result in an "F" COURSE score for the semester. Students are encouraged to visit with Chuck regarding each absence. Please be forewarned that many people somehow overlook or forget this policy. Remember: an absence affects all members of the student's group - Please be considerate! Students are expected to make up every class period missed in office hours prior to rejoining their lab partners.

Excused absences will only be awarded for documentable legitimate university activities or extremely serious situations (medical emergencies, etc.).

Excessive tardiness will affect the Participation score, and any tardiness of 30 or more minutes will be treated as an unexcused absence.

No "make-up" work for missed assignments will be given. With a timely (within one class period) and acceptable written excuse presented to the instructor, one Homework set, moon observation, or sun-plot may be dropped at no penalty. Excuses normally will be accepted for personal illness or serious family emergencies only, and require immediate (within 24 hours) notification of the instructor.

No provisions are made for missing the Midterm or Final Exams, excepting a Doctor's written verification that the student was unable to attend due to serious injury or illness. This verification will be confirmed.

Semester Projects will be collected as stated; there are no non-medical circumstances allowing late submission. Semester Projects may be submitted early, of course.

Cheating:
Under no circumstances should any two homework sets (or any other assignments) be identical or overtly similar. Group work is encouraged; however, every person must present their own work for credit. Academic dishonesty is the instructor's least favorite interaction, so please do not put yourself or others in that situation. In spite of these dire warnings, this has happened at least twice per semester for the last two years. |:-(

It is the instructor's policy to assign a score of zero for any assignment involved in first instances of academic dishonesty. Should the academic dishonesty continue, second offenders will be assigned a course grade of "F" and reported to the proper academic authorities.

OSU policies on Academic Dishonesty and Academic Misconduct will be strictly followed.

Withdrawals:
The last day to drop with an automatic "W" is Friday, 07 November 2003 (no petition required). The last day to drop all courses with a "W" or "F" is Friday, 26 November 2003 (by petition only). The University Withdrawal Policy will be strictly followed.

Consumable Materials Fee:
All students in Physics 1313 will be assessed a $6.00 consumable materials fee to be used for replenishing supplies used in the course.

Office hours:
Students are encouraged to visit their TA or the instructor as needed and as office hours permit. We will be sharing our classroom and therefore office hours will probably be constrained. Office hours will be held in our classroom (PS 054) or in Chuck's office, as indicated on the top of this page. Students may use this time to do additional experiments, address questions which have arisen, continue with the classroom work, or to make up for a missed class. Of course, students may ask questions and consult with the staff on any matters at this time.

Syllabus Attachment:
OSU generates a syllabus attachment for inclusion with all syllabi. Please follow this link to view the attachment: http://www.okstate.edu/acadaffr/facultystaff/fall_03_syllabus_attachment.htm

Special Accommodations:
If you have documentable special needs, please inform Chuck as soon as possible so arrangements can be made to accommodate you.

Document last updated: by C. Hasty.

E-mail Chuck