PHYS1500, GENERAL PHYSICS I

Instructor: F. Robicheaux, 105 Allison Laboratory, 4-4366, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Text: College Physics; 7th edition volume 1, by Serway and Faughn. We will cover sections in Chs. 1-14.

Lectures and Demonstrations: Parker Hall 307, TTh 8:00-9:15. The purpose of the lectures is to introduce the fundamental ideas of the course with examples and demonstrations.

Office hours: MTu 2-4 and any time I'm not occupied with other duties.

Attendence: Mandatory for the 1st day of class. Students are responsible for all class activities and announcements.

Announcements: Announcements are made in class and on the home page of WEBCT for this class.

WEBCT: Most of the information for the class will be posted through WEBCT: homeworks, announcements, grade info, material, schedule, etc. All class announcements will be on the homepage. You are responsible for this information. You should notify me immediately if you can't log into WEBCT and send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Homework: I will suggest homework problems for you to complete each week. I strongly suggest you work these problems on your own, without help from friends or solutions manuals.

Recitation: All recitations are on Tuesday. The recitation will consist of 90 minutes of problem solving help. The last 30 minutes will be a quiz. The quiz will mostly be on material covered in the previous week but can have problems from early chapters. Your two lowest quiz scores will be dropped. If you miss a recitation for a valid reason (see Tiger Cub), you will need to see me within 1 week to take a make-up quiz.

Lab Work: All labs are on Thursday. Most of the lab experiments are in the "Physics One" laboratory textbook by Simon. You must have this to enter lab. The particular lab for each week will be announced. You will be expected to know what the lab is about before your lab session. If you miss a lab for a valid reason (see Tiger Cub), you need to see your lab instructor about scheduling a make-up.

Midterm tests: There will be three tests 75 minutes long given in Parker Hall 307. There will be a practice test/review session before each test. See Webct for schedule.

Comprehensive Final Exam: Parker Hall 307 on Wed. Dec. 13 2:00 pm-4:30 pm.

Exam protocol: You will supply a writing device. All other material, including a formula sheet, will be provided. You will not be allowed a calculator or cell phone.

Test philosophy: The goals of the PHYS1500 sequence are to teach you some physics and an appreciation of the methods utilized in a highly successful area of human endeavor. The tests are purposely constructed in a way that you can not make an A or B by memorization of the steps needed to solve problems. An "A" grade is meant to indicate a high level of understanding and a "B" grade a good level of understanding.

Grading: The final will count for 30% of your grade. The three midterm tests will be worth 15% each. The lab is worth 10% and the recitation is worth 15%.

Grade Scale: 90-A, 80-B, 70-C, 60-D. Anything less than 60.0 is F.

Missed Test: A missed test without a valid excuse will count as 0 points. You will be allowed to take a make-up test with a valid excuse (see Tiger Cub); the excuse must be submitted to me within 1 week of the absence and it must be possible for me to check it (legible signatures etc). A make-up test will be scheduled within 1 week of the absence.

Communication: There are several modes of communicating questions, problems, comments, etc to me. (1) See me personally at my office. (2) Phone: my number is given above. (3) E-mail: my address is given above; I check my e-mail a few times a day. (But make sure you include your return address, I can't reply to Auburn User < This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it >!)

Student Discipline: You should be familiar with the Oath of Honor (Tiger Cub pg 15), the Policy on Classroom Behavior (Tiger Cub pg 66) and the Code of Student Discipline (Tiger Cub pg 68). Because the class is huge (200+), I will be strictly following these policies.

Trouble with the Class:
(1) If you are having trouble with this class, you should see me before the final. Unless there was a mistake in grading, there is nothing you can "do" for your grade after the final.
(2) You can come to me if you are having trouble dealing with your lab instructor and I can act as mediator or determine the appropriate action.
(3) If you are having trouble with my style in class, tests, etc, come see me. Chain of command: me---my dept. head (J. Perez)---my dean (S. Schneller)/your dean---Int. Pres. Richardson