Poly
Physics Cal 132
Class: 132-01, MWF 3:10-4 pm
Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Fernsler
Instructor page: http://www.calpoly.edu/~jfernsle
Office Hours: M 12:10-1pm, W 12:10-1pm, 4:10-5pm R 3:10-4pm, F
12:10-1pm. Feel free to stop by- if Im busy well schedule another time.
Spring 2012
Class in Bldg. 53 Room 206
Office: Faculty Offices East (25) Rm 224
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Text and Materials (available at bookstore and elsewhere)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 2nd Ed., by Knight, Pearson/Addison-Wesley
Mastering Physics Access Code for online homework (online). The website is
http://www.masteringphysics.com The Course ID is MPFERNSLERSP12132
Spiral bound notebook for homework
Scientific calculator (trigonometric functions, scientific notation, etc.)
Class time and assignments: There will be little lecturing so your main source of information is the text. You are
to read the appropriate sections in the textbook and work the examples prior to each class meeting. During class
time there will be interactive demonstrations, and individual/group work focusing on conceptual exercises, problem
solving, and other activities. Regular class attendance is expected!!
Groups: You may be assigned to specific groups during the quarter. If so, please sit with your group in
the room and work together to complete workbook exercises and other activities.
GRADING (approximate letter grades and percentages for each category)
Homework
Quizzes
In-class Exams
Final
Laboratory
(lower counts less)
Exam
(see note)
15 %
10 %
15 % + 20 %
25%
15 %
TOTAL
100%
Homework: Homework will be done on-line using the Mastering Physics system with one problem turned into class
per assignment. The turn-in problems are listed on the class schedule, and may be a problem you did already online
or may be a new problem. Some of the online problems will have randomly generated numbers. In this situation it is
helpful to solve the problem symbolically, rather than immediately plugging numbers. I recommend that you first
solve the problems symbolically. Substitute the numbers from the book and see if they give the answer at the back of
the book. Then you can substitute the on-line numbers. Solutions will be posted on the website after week the they
are assigned. Computers can be frustrating. Dont let them be. Spend a reasonable amount of time. If things are not
working, send me an email. We can clean up the details later. However, the problems are from the back of your
book, so you should still be able to solve the problems symbolically and enter the answers later.
Quizzes: There will be quiz each week, except when there is an exam. The quizzes will be conceptual in nature and
will require explanations. There will be limited time for the quiz, ten minutes at most. Come prepared to write.
In-class Exams: There will be two exams during class period: the week of April 16 (Chaps 14, 20, 21) and the
week of May 27 (Chaps 22-24), TBA. Exams will be closed book, but you will be supplied with a formula sheet.
Final exam: The final exam will be Wednesday, June 6th from 1:10-4pm in the regular room. It will be
cumulative with emphasis on Chaps 15-19. The final exam will be closed book/notes; however, you will be
supplied with a formula sheet.
Laboratory: You must be registered for a lab section. You must attend and complete every lab. Missing a lab
guarantees youll receive F/I/U. You must receive a passing grade in the lab to pass the course. An F/I/U in either
the lab or lecture guarantees you'll receive an F/I/U for the total course grade (this is a Physics department policy).
General Policies:
I encourage you to work with other students (form groups?); however, you must do and turn in your own work.
Work submitted for credit must be on time, stapled, neat (no perforations), and readable. Your work should be
clearly organized on the page, with explanatory phrases, correct units, and the answer circled or boxed.
Late or messy work will receive less than full credit.
If there is a problem (illness, car trouble, course conflict, game, performance, etc.) let me know as soon as
possible and we might be able to make other arrangements.
Check the appropriate university documents for details and deadlines concerning academic honesty, adding,
dropping, grading, withdrawal, incomplete, etc.
Unforeseen circumstances may necessitate changes in this information. Changes will be announced in class and
posted on the course website.
jfernsle 4/2/12 132sySp12.doc