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Physics 100-001 - Concepts of Physics
Spring 2024
Professor: Dr. Chad Middleton

Classroom	Wubben Hall 131
Class Hours	11-11:50 MON, WED, & FRI
Office	Wubben Hall 228A
Office Hours	9-10 MON, WED & FRI
	10-11 TUE & THU
Office Phone	970-248-1173
Email	[email protected]
Webpage	www.coloradomesa.edu/~chmiddle/100_01/

Required Text:

MasteringPhysics for Conceptual Physics , 13/e, by Paul G. Hewitt, Pearson Education, Inc.
ISBN: 9780135746370

Course Objective:

The objective of this course is to provide you with a broad overview of the physical laws that govern the universe. Physics is the study of the physical universe: what it’s made of and how it works, ranging from stars and galaxies to atoms and nuclei and everything in between. Through this endeavor, you will obtain an increased conceptual understanding of physical phenomena and gain sharpened quantitative analytical skills that will last with you long after you leave this course.

From the catalog...

"Introduction to physics. Emphasis on basic conceptual aspects described in everyday language. Elementary mathematics introduced when necessary. Survey of topics such as Newtonian mechanics, heat and energy, electricity and magnetism, light, relativity and quantum theory. The course is designed for majors outside of the sciences.”

Source: 2023-2024 CMU Catalog

Prerequisites:

This course does not assume any prior knowledge or understanding of physics.  As stated in the catalog, elementary mathematics will be introduced when necessary.  It is expected that you, the student, can add, subtract, multiply, divide, raise a number to a power, and take a square root.

Course Requirements:

Homework Assignments

• There will be roughly weekly MasteringPhysics® assignments consisting of several online homework questions and problems. Notice that MasteringPhysics® is an online homework tool and tutoring system and is required for this course.
• Late assignments will be penalized by a 10% grade reduction each day they are late.

Examinations

• There will be four in-class exams administered throughout the semester.
• Exams will be closed book and closed notes, although calculators are allowed.
• Do NOT miss an exam! In the case of an illness or an emergency, you MUST contact me prior to the exam and be able to produce the appropriate documentation that justifies your absence. An unexcused absence will result in a ZERO for that exam.

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours either in-person or virtually via Microsoft Teams this semester. During these office hours we can discuss your questions via a ‘chat’ or, if you prefer, through an audio or video call, either one-on-one or as a small group. If you’d prefer an audio or video call, simply send me a message through Microsoft Teams requesting this and I will contact you ASAP. Any questions related to homework or the course material should be sent to me via Microsoft Teams, rather than email, during the designated office hours.

Grading:

Your grade for this course is based on the following activities, weighted as shown

Homework Assignments	30%
4 Exams	60%
Attendance	10%

Grading Scale:

All graded work will be assigned a numerical score. You may estimate your grade by computing a percentage score and comparing it with the table below:

%	Grade
90-100	A
80-89	B
70-79	C
60-69	D
0-59	F

Accommodation for Students with Physical and Learning Disabilities

In coordination with Educational Access Services, reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified students with disabilities. Students should contact Educational Access Services at 970-248-1856 or Houston Hall 108 as soon as possible. Please visit www.coloradomesa.edu/educational-access for additional information.

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

All incidents of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to, plagiarism and cheating, will be handled according to CMU policy. For CMU policy on academic integrity, please refer to 2023-2024 CMU Catalog.

Notice: the use of Chegg or an equivalent resource is strictly forbidden! Obtaining solutions to homework and/or exam problems constitutes a violation of academic dishonesty and will be dealt with accordingly.

Tutorial Learning Center (TLC):

The TLC offers FREE tutoring for all Colorado Mesa University students in a variety of subject areas. Peer tutors are available to support your learning and help you with your questions. We offer three different tutoring options to our students to assist with in-person and remote learning. www.coloradomesa.edu/tutoring

Factors for Success in this Course:

 

An undergraduate student should expect to spend on this course a minimum of two hours outside the classroom for every hour in the classroom. The outside hours may vary depending on the number of credit hours or type of course. More details are available from the faculty member or department office and in CMU's Curriculum Policies and Procedures Manual.



1. Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected and strongly recommended. You are responsible for all material discussed in class. It is in your best interest to always attend class and arrive on time - this class begins promptly at 11:00 am!
2. Reading Preparation: Topics discussed in class will, for the most part, closely follow the book. A reading of the text will help reinforce the physical concepts presented to you in class.
3. Homework: You should think of every problem as a test of your understanding of the material at hand. Doing the homework assignments will help prepare you for the exams and should not be taken lightly.
4. Tutoring: I am in my office and available to you everyday (see above schedule for times) to answer questions and assist you on any difficulties you may be having with your homework. In addition, CMU offers free tutoring. If you are having difficulty with course material, please see the Tutorial Learning Center.

Classroom Policies and Etiquette:

1. Cell phones are NOT to be used during class.
2. Be attentive and ready to participate in class.
3. Avoid classroom distractions.  This includes leaving class during the course time.

 

Course Calendar

This is a TENTATIVE course calendar ONLY!   The actual course can  (and most likely will) deviate from the calendar listed below!!

 

**Final Exam:  Wednesday, May 15 at 10 – 11:50 am**

 

 

 

 

 

CMU Student Learning Objectives:

This course is a critical component of CMU's essential learning curriculum and a CMU Degree. In addition to knowledge in the course content area, this class will provide specific learning opportunities in the following areas:

 

1. Demonstrate investigative and analytical thinking skills to solve problems.

2. Select and use appropriate information in an academic project.

 

3. Demonstrate quantitative literacy

 

Course Learning Objectives:

A student who has taken this course will demonstrate the ability to:

 

1.    Apply Newton's First, Second, and Third Laws to analyze the dynamics of physical situations involving one-dimensional linear motion.

2.   Apply the concepts of energy, work, and the conservation of energy to analyze the dynamics of physical situations involving linear and/or rotational motion.

3.   Apply the concepts of the conservation of momentum and angular momentum to analyze the dynamics of physical situations involving linear and rotational motion.

4.   Distinguish between quantities used to describe the different properties and phases of matter.

5.    Distinguish between and relate concepts and quantities used to describe thermodynamic systems.