Course Syllabus

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Course Information:

Revised 8/12/2021

Instructor: Ralph J. Reda, PhD, CAP®
Office/Lab: DeLoach Hall 202

Classroom: Deloach Hall 212

Mobile Phone: 678-592-6630
redar@uncw.edu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphreda/ (Links to an external site.)

PHY102 Section 001

This class is being taught as a traditional Face-to-Face lecture + lab course.

  • Lecture Times: 2:00 PM - 3:15 pm Tues/Thur
  • Classroom: Deloach Hall DL 212
  • Link to Lab Information: http://lab.phy102.com

Office Hours: F2F office hours are held prior to class 1:30-1:50 in DL202 (or check DL 212).  Please use Outlook to schedule any 1-on-1 private discussions (24 hour notice).  I am available to meet 1-on-1 most Wednesdays 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. 

Final Exam Date: Thursday,  December 9,  3:00 PM to 4:30 PM  Synchronous, On-line via Canvas LockDown Browser

You are expected to take the final during this scheduled block.  Exceptions will be made only for true emergencies. NO OTHER EXCEPTIONS!!! Failure to appear for the final exam will result in a zero for the final.

Course Description:

This course is intended for students not majoring in physics but needing a one-year course in physics as a requirement for their major program. The course is part of a two-semester sequence whose contents may be offered in other sequences or combinations.  

We will cover Chapters 18 through 26 of the College Physics from OpenStax textbook. Previously, (in PHY101) you have learned about linear and circular motion, gravitational and frictional forces, rotational motion, fluids and thermal physics. In this second course (PHY102) we will study electrical and magnetic forces, electromagnetic waves, optics and the birth of modern physics.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically and to use appropriate concepts to analyze qualitatively problems or situations involving the fundamental principles of physics. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate mathematical techniques and concepts to obtain quantitative solutions to problems in physics.
  • Demonstrate basic communication skills by analyzing laboratory experiments and the thoughtful discussion and interpretation of data. 

Course Content:

  • Electricity electric charges, Coulomb's Law, electric potential, Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's laws, resistance, capacitance, dielectrics.
  • Magnetism magnetic fields, moving coils, electromotive forces, Faraday's Law, inductance, moving charges, motors and generators, AC circuits, impedance, reactance.
  • Electromagnetic Waves wavelength, frequency, speed, electromagnetic energy, reflection, refraction, Snell's Law, dispersion, polarization.
  • Geometric Optics plane mirrors, spherical mirrors, thin lenses, simple and compound systems, ray diagrams, optical instruments, resolving power, microscopes, telescopes.

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
College Physics from OpenStax (Links to an external site.), ISBN 1-947172-01-8

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Grading:

  • Homework Assignments (about 1 per week) 25%
  • Midterm Exams (two) 40%
  • Final Exam 25%
  • Laboratory 10%

Grading Guideline

These may be adjusted slightly depending on overall class performance
93% <= A <= 100%; 90% <= A- < 93%;
87% <= B+ < 90%; 82% <= B < 87%; 80% <= B- < 82%;
77% <= C+ < 80%; 72% <= C < 77%; 70% <= C- < 72%;
67% <= D+ < 70%; 60% <= D< 67%; 58% <= D- < 60%;
F: under 58%.

Homework Assignments: 

Almost every week, a set of homework problems (some from the book and some supplemental) will be assigned on Canvas.  Late homework is generally not accepted.   An extension may be given in the case of documented illness or emergency.  

Homework will be done in Canvas.  Homework has two parts: a numerical answer (part A) and upload a document in Canvas showing your work/calculations (part B).  Note: that there is only one submission allowed for Part A.  Do not submit your homework until all problems are complete.  Canvas will store your answers without submitting.  You do not have to complete the homework in one sitting.

Exams:

Exams will be administered in Canvas using LockDown Browser using a format similar to homework assignments. That is, you will be given a part A (enter numerical answers, multiple choice and True/False) and a part B (upload a document showing your calculations). The difference is that exams will be timed. and given synchronously during a Tues/Thurs 2:00 to 3:15 class period.  All exam work shall be done without any collaboration with any other person or outside resource. As part of the exam, all students will be required to acknowledge and affirm that they have neither given nor received aid on the exam. Written summary sheets (one 8.5 in x 11 in page front/back) are allowed for all exams (midterm), (not open book or open computer). So take good notes!  A make-up exam is only given in the case of documented illness or emergency. Instructor must be notified on or before the exam. A missed exam for any other reason will be assigned a zero. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

There are two choices for taking the exams:

  1. Bring a laptop to class and take the exam using Canvas and LockDown Browser.
  2. Take the exam at home using Canvas and LockDown Browser 

Exam 1: Chapters 18, 19, 20

Exam 2: Chapters 21, 22, 23

Final Exam:  1/2 exam Chapters 24, 25 + 1/2 Cumulative

Labs:

Your lab instructor will provide students with instructions regarding the laboratory exercises.  

Lab Grades:

Students are assigned a grade of zero if an individual lab is unsatisfactory, for whatever reason. Assigned a grade of one if the lab is satisfactory. The makeup lab grade replaces one of the regularly scheduled lab grades. The value assigned to your lab grade is the sum of the lab grades. For this semester it will be a number between 0 and 10, since there will be 10 regularly scheduled labs plus a make-up lab.

(See lab syllabus for detailed information)

Attendance:

You are expected to attend every lecture session. Active involvement in class will greatly enhance your learning and make it far easier. If you miss a lecture for any reason, it is your responsibility to learn the material on your own. Three unexcused absences are considered excessive. 

Academic Integrity: 

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a community of high academic standards where academic integrity is valued. All students enrolled at UNCW are subject to the UNCW Student Academic Honor Code. Disciplinary action will ensue when students fail to align themselves with the ideals and expectations outlined in the Honor Code. The full text of the Honor Code may be accessed via the following link: UNCW Honor Code. (Links to an external site.)

You are expected to act in an ethical manner.  The written homework in this course is meant to be an individual exercise.  Students will, naturally and appropriately, talk about the problems (this is encouraged) but the final submission and solution must be a student’s own work in its entirety.  This includes all calculations.  If two students submit homework problems that have identical and highly unlikely calculation errors, this is evidence that the students did not work the problem themselves.  If you ever have a question about whether your level of collaboration is appropriate, ask Dr. Reda! 

The exams, of course, differ from the homework in that all work, should be done without any collaboration with any person other than Prof. Reda.  Students should not ask for help from other students, and if a student is asked they should decline to help.  Prof. Reda may sometimes provide alternate versions of exam questions, not to try to catch someone cheating, but to discourage the behavior by making it too risky.  Establishing a solid ethical foundation is an important part of your UNCW education and will enhance the value of your degree. Violations of academic integrity policy will result in a substantial grade penalty; and typically result in a report of the incident to the appropriate university authorities.

Disability Services:

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has devoted much energy to meeting the requirements of Section 504, Federal Rehabilitation Act and to the Americans with Disability Act. If you feel you need assistance or accommodations to ensure equal opportunities in pursuing your educational goals, please contact Disability Services.

https://uncw.edu/disability/ (Links to an external site.) 

University Learning Center:

DePaolo Hall, first floor, office #1056

910.962.7857

http://www.uncw.edu/ulc/ (Links to an external site.)

The University Learning Center’s (ULC) mission is to help students become successful, independent learners. Tutoring at the ULC is NOT remediation: the ULC offers a different type of learning opportunity for those students who want to increase the quality of their education. ULC services are free to all UNCW students.

STEM Tutoring Services:

ULC offers tutoring help and study sessions for PHY 102.  Check their website to schedule an appointment or drop-in service.

https://uncw.edu/ulc/services/math/lab.html (Links to an external site.) 

Seahawk Respect Compact

In the pursuit of excellence, UNC Wilmington actively fosters, encourages, and promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance, and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff and the broader community.

~ We affirm the dignity of all persons.

~ We promote the right of every person to participate in the free exchange of thoughts and opinions within a climate of civility and mutual respect.

~ We strive for openness and mutual understanding to learn from differences in people, ideas and opinions

~ We foster an environment of respect for each individual, even where differences exist, by eliminating prejudice and discrimination through education and interaction with others.

Therefore, we expect members of the campus community to honor these principles as fundamental to our ongoing efforts to increase access to and inclusion in a community that nurtures learning and growth for all.

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

This course is subject to the Code of Student Life of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (the Code). The full Code is found here Code of Student Life (Links to an external site.) . UNCW practices zero tolerance for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies, contact UNCW CARE at 910.962.2273 or Campus Police at 910.962.3184. For University or community resources visit Safe Relate Campus Resources.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE POLICY

In accordance with NC SL 2010-211, students are entitled to two excused absences for religious observances per academic year. These absences must be requested using the form provided on SeaNet, under "Student Services." These requests must be submitted by the student prior to the absence. Once the request is submitted, an email will be sent to all impacted instructors automatically. There is no need to send additional notification to instructors or the Registrar's Office. Any absence for religious purposes will be considered unexcused unless the appropriate form is submitted.

DISASTER CONTINGENCY PLAN

In the event that UNCW closes, students will be given an assignment to make up for 1 week of missed class time. This will be emailed to students within two days of the UNCW closing announcement. In the event that the rest of the semester is online, students need to be prepared by having reliable internet access, a webcam and a microphone.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due