Physics Course Syllabus
Required Materials:
1. Scientific Calculator - Must have scientific notation and trigonometric
functions.
Grading:
Your grade in physics is based on three areas.
50% -- test percentage
25% -- labs
25% -- homework
All three areas are important to the grade due to the fact that it takes
a minimum of 60% to achieve a passing grade. The following standard grading
scale will be used:
100% - 94% A
93% - 90% A-
89% - 87% B+
86% - 84% B
83% - 80% B-
79% - 77% C+
76% - 74% C
73% - 70% C-
69% - 67% D+
66% - 64% D
63% - 60% D-
Below 60% F
At the end of the first semester 10% of your semester grade will come from
the research paper. This paper must be at least five pages in length, be
typed (double spaced), and have a title page and bibliography. You will
not be required to hand in an outline or notecards. The subject of the
paper must pertain to physics and must be approved by the instructor. You
will be given some time in class to work on the paper, but a majority of
the work must be done outside of class time.
Expectations:
This course is considered to be a preparatory course for post high school
education of some kind. As such you are expected to take the course work
seriously and you are also expected to be prepared for each day's class.
This roughly means you are expected to bring the necessary materials to
class with you each day. Most days this will include your textbook, note
taking paper and a writing utensil. On days when a lab is to be done you
will need to bring your lab notebook with you to class as well with the
lab procedure for the day written up ahead of time (see sheet on lab write-ups).
Photocopies of lab write-ups will not be accepted.
Class room conduct is expected to be appropriate. "Horsing-around" in
the lab will not be tolerated. The lab area can be a very dangerous
place so to provide for your safety and the safety of those around you
(including the teacher), it is necessary for each individual to follow
instructions carefully and take all indicated precautions. Those individuals
not adhering to the given instructions will be warned once. On the second
offense you will be removed from the day's lab and given a zero on the
lab. A third offense will result in permanent removal from labs which will
also forfeit all lab grades (25% of total grade).