PHYSICS 1121: PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Physics
through Music
Fall 2004 Semester
| PSC |
1121 |
PHYSICAL SCIENCE |
0005 |
LEC |
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| Location:
MAP 0359 |
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Bindell,
Jeffrey B |
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INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jeffrey B. Bindell
OFFICE: MAP 317
CLASS: Monday, Wednesday and Friday,
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday,
PHONE: 407-823-4194
EMAIL:
INTRODUCTION
We all live in a technological society that is based upon the principles of physics, mathematics and engineering. Success in this type of environment demands some level of comfort with these subjects. Physical Science is a course for liberal arts students who wish to learn the basics of physics so that they can understand the most important scientific concepts that they will need in the future.
Physics has developed a reputation of being a very difficult and dull course which one just has to take as a rite of passage. This is not really the case. Physics applies to many areas in which many of us are interested and there is no better example than music. This course introduces the basic concepts in physics as they apply to music. We will understand what music is, how it is produced, why we choose the notes that we have placed in our scales and how music progresses from its source to its ultimate interpretation in the brain. As such, we will also cover topics that one would not expect to see in a physics course, such as the origins of music, the archeology of music, the physiological and the psychological aspects of music that make it so meaningful to all of us. We will also cover the PHYSICS necessary to understand these and other included topics. It is hoped that this will be an enjoyable journey that will also have practical application. To be sure, we will cover the physics topics that are required. But we will try to make it as painless and as interesting as possible.
This is the first delivery of this course and the weekly scheduling is difficult to predict. For this reason, a detailed schedule for the course is not included in this syllabus. The pace will be somewhat controlled by the level of student interest in various topics as well as the material that is considered to be fundamental requirements for the course.
If you love music, any kind of music, you should enjoy this course. If you don’t like music, hopefully by the end of the course, you will.
PREREQUISITES
You are expected to have taken MAC 1105 or MGF 1106. You need to be able to do elementary algebra calculations.
TEXTBOOKS
There are two textbooks required for this course:
Physics, A Window on Our World, Sixth Edition, Jay Bolemon, Ink Press, 2004, ISBN 0-974314-0-1.
Measured Tones, The Interplay of Physics and Music, 2nd edition,
Ian Johnston,
OptionPower (OP) Response Module
This new system will be used in our course. You will have to rent the keypad module for approximately $20.00. The procedure will be discussed in the first class. DO NOT RENT THE CPS MODULE FROM THE BOOKSTORE. You will be able to pay for it over the Internet and the company will deliver the “pods” to class at the end of the first week. The pods will be used to take class quizzes and polls, as will be described on the first day of class. Each student will have an individual pod and the use of another persons pod will be considered cheating by both parties. The consequence of so violating the University’s code of academic integrity will be an automatic F and a recommendation for expulsion.
OP is a new system and the University would like to have some student feedback. Towards the end of the semester you will be asked to participate in some form of evaluation interview. Participation is optional but extra credit will be awarded to those who do.
QUIZZES
AND EXAMINATIONS
Your grade will be based on the weighted average of the following:
Three in-class examinations
One final examination
Responses to daily questions asked via the OP modules. Note that this is also a sneaky way to take attendance! Your OP grade will be the percentage of OP questions that you answer correctly over the semester. Some questions will be of the polling type (What is your favorite color, red black, …?) Any answer to such a question will be considered a correct answer and will be so counted. Attendance will NOT count toward your grade but missing classes will clearly reduce your OP grade. In borderline situations, Attendance may factor into the final grade decision.
OP questions will be of the multiple-choice type. Exam questions will be a combination of multiple-choice or short essay.
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments will consist of readings and suggested textbook questions that you should know how to solve. Homework will NOT be collected or graded. Problems similar to those assigned for homework can be expected to appear on exams.
NOTE
The details presented in this syllabus are subject to change.
EXAMINATION
SCHEDULE
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ITEM |
DATE |
WEIGHT (%) |
| Exam #1 |
Friday, 9/24 |
15% |
| Exam #2 |
Friday, 10/22 |
15% |
| Exam #3 |
Monday, 11/22 |
15% |
| OP Questions |
Daily |
25% |
| Final Exam |
Dec. 6th |
30% |
GRADING
SCALE
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A |
85-100 |
| B |
75-84 |
| C |
60-74 |
| D |
50-59 |
| F |
0-49 |
FEEDBACK
Because this is a new course, your feedback is particularly invited. Please send your comments and suggestions to my email address. This feedback may be favorable or unfavorable. Both, as long as they are sincere, are welcomed.
MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS
There will be no make-up exams in this course. Accommodation will be made for written/documented reasons from among the following: Family Emergency, Religious Observance, school athletic event, and medical crisis. Special Needs students will be accommodated – please see me if this pertains to you.
Final Exam Schedules
Fall 2004
Spring 2005 - Summer 2005
Fall 2004
December 6 (Monday) - December 11 (Saturday)
No Exams on Sunday
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EXAM DAY 1 |
EXAM DAY 2 |
EXAM DAY 3 |
EXAM DAY 4 |
EXAM DAY 5 |
EXAM DAY 6 |
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Class Meeting Times: |
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07:00-9:50 a.m. |
7:30-8:20 MWF |
7:30-10:20
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7:30-10:20
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Finals for Saturday Classes Are Held During Regular Meeting Times |
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Finals for Saturday Classes Are Held During Regular Meeting Times |
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FREE PERIOD |
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FREE PERIOD |
FREE PERIOD |
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FREE PERIOD |