MWF 10:00 => 11:50 AM in Trailer PC1/PL1 (TR 514), Room 101.
The tan trailer w/brown trim between Commumications blding. and Classroom Blding. 1
(Location on campus map)

Content: This is a four credit-hour, calculus-based physics course that is second part of a two-semester sequence required for all UCF students majoring in engineering, computer science, and the biological and physical sciences. This course covers electricity and magnetism and possibly waves and optics (time permitting). The SCALE-UP (Student Centered Activities for Large Enrollment Undergraduate Physics) sections at UCF are experimental versions of the course that cover similar but not identical content as regular Physics 2049 sections.Prerequisites include PHY 2048 & PHY 2048L, Calculus 2, and Calculus 3 (as a co-requisite).

Philosophy: This class will provide you with an enhanced opportunity to acquire a good physical understanding of the course material and to learn how to to apply that understanding of physics to use in the course and beyond. As stated in the general objectives for SCALE-UP physics, this course places significant emphasis on qualitative physical reasoning as a complement to the mathematical quantitative aspects. Research has shown that while traditional lecture does help many, if not most, students develop a good understanding of introductory physics in colleges and universities across the country, activity-based instruction like SCALE-UP can result in significantly improved understanding of concepts and ability to solve problems.

Approach: This is an integrated lecture/laboratory course with minimal lecture (no more than 1 hour out of 6 hours of classtime per week). Like a class in Shakespeare, you are expected to read and begin understanding the course material to prepare for each class. The majority of classtime is spent of class activities to help you learn to understand and apply the material from the readings. The course will emphasize rigorous problem-solving in physics using interactive instruction, educational software, computer applications important for science and engineering students, and cooperative learning. Classtime will require students to be responsive, to think, and to perform hands-on tasks. Lab time will be interspersed with classroom discussion.

If you devote a modest amount of time each day to studying physics, you will be in a position to attack class activities and physics problems efficiently, based on a clear understanding of the fundamental physical principles that underlie all successful analyses. Students from previous semesters have made suggestions to help you succeed. (You'll have an opportunity to add to the list of ideas for future students.)

Collaborative Work: Scientists and engineers work in groups as well as alone. Social interactions are critical to their success. Most good ideas grow out of discussions with colleagues. This course encourages collaborative teamwork, a skill that is valued by most employers of scientists, engineers, and technicians. As you work and study together, help your partners to get over confusions, ask each other questions, and critique your group homework and lab write-ups. Teach each other! You can learn a great deal by teaching your teammates.

While collaboration is the rule in technical work, evaluation of individual performance also plays an important role in science and engineering. Individual quizzes, practicums, and exams are to be done without help from others; group quizzes and test problems are to be done only with members of your group/team.

You will also need to purchase WebAssign Access Code Card ($8.70 at the campus bookstore), but do not need Physics 2048 Laboratory Manual or Course Paks in the bookstore.

You are responsible for reading the textbook and working assigned problems. Keeping up with the homework and the reading is essential for getting the most out of this class. If you don't come to class prepared, we won't be able to as much in class to prepare you for the homework assignments. HW will take much longer if you don't keep up.

Remember that because this is a combined lecture/lab course, the workload is equivalent to two 3 credit lecture courses. Expect to spend 12-16 hours per week on readings and homework to do well in this course.

Homework: There are two types of homework in this class, textbook and workbook assignments. Textbook homework assignments are done through WebAssign while workbook assignments are from the student workbook described above and submitted on paper. Generally you will have 10 WebAssign and 10 workbook problems each week.

Notes: You must keep concise notes for all in-class work. Notes will be collected and graded at random. Examples of good class notes are available. Tips from previous students on how to take good notes are worth reviewing.

Missing class or homework due to excused absences:

In general, there are 4 acceptable excuses for missing class: illness or medical emergency, religious holiday, family emergency, and approved university activity (varsity sports, required club function, etc.). To receive an excused absence, you must bring me a signed paper note explaining why you were out, what work you missed, and what you will do to make it up. Documentation for your absence should be stapled to this note. You are not penalized for excused absences. Advance notice is required for religious holidays and approved university activities. Advance notice for family emergencies would be greatly appreciated. Remember that attendance counts towards your class participation part of your grade. If you miss a test or a quiz for other than an excused absence, you will receive a zero. For an excused absence, you will either be given a null (that quiz/test does not count toward your grade) or take a make-up (only for tests).

Quizzes: A quiz consists of a few short problem-solving and descriptive questions (plus an occasional real-world problem from the week before) designed to take you 20 minutes or less. Starting in week 2, there will be a test or a quiz every Friday.

Tests: Tests consist of questions pertaining to the previously assigned material. You will receive test notes including a list of objectives and a practice test (an old test) for each test. A comprehensive final exam will cover all of the course material.

Test Dates:

• Test 1 - Friday, February 7th
• Test 2 - Friday, March 7th
• Test 3 - Friday, April 11th
• Final Exam (TBA, but will be held during an open exam period on April 25th or 26th)

Grades will be assigned based on your overall, weighted class average using the weighting scheme presented below:

Weighting scheme:

Lecture & Lab Grades:

Break-points

If everyone in the class does well, grades are not curved downward. This way everyone has a chance to get an A.
Note that + or -- grades may be granted if all the Physics 2049 instructors agree.

There usually is a "gray area" between two letter grades in the final distribution. Two people getting the same weighted average grade could get different letter grades, a C and B, for example. The higher grade depends on your attendance, your interactions in class, and whether your test and homework performance show improvement..

Resources: Free help is available from the physics TAs & Faculty in the physics learning lab in MAP 418.

NOTE: This syllabus is subject to revision at the instructor's discretion. Any changes will be discussed in class when they go into effect.