General Physics (PHYS 101 & 102)

Course meeting times: 10-10:50 on MWF in CNS C101

Lab times: Several sections with different times

Text: Physics (8th Edition) by Cutnell and Johnson

Instructor: Thushara Perera

Office: C007C in CNS

Office Hrs: 2-4 on M and W, 2-3 on F.  If these times do not work, you can email me to set up an appointment

email: tperera

Phone: 556-3888

Course Description and Goals

You will learn about fundamental physical principles that have been successfully used to describe many systems from the atomic to the intergalactic scale since the seventeenth century.  In addition to the usual content of an introductory physics course, we will attempt to highlight the physics concepts underlying biological and biomedical systems/phenomena, whenever possible.  The main learning goals for this course are:

1. Gain a broad enough and deep enough understanding of fundamental physical concepts so that you can identify and appreciate the physics at play in most objects and phenomena we encounter on a day-to-day basis 
2. Develop problem solving skills in physics that allow you to make basic quantitative predictions about the behavior of such systems.  Some of the problem solving skills you develop will help you in other sciences and situations as well
3. Gain experimental skills in the lab so that you are able to set up experiments and make measurements on your own, in order to investigate simple physical systems

Course Organization and Policies

One of the main themes of this course is that much of the class time (>50%) will be spent on doing problems or answering questions.  In this sense, the course will differ from traditional science courses where a lecture takes up most of the class time.  The idea behind this theme is the following: in traditional science classes, the instructor disseminates information during most of the class and true learning takes place when you study the material or do problems outside of class.  In the new model (which we will adopt here), you gather information before coming to class through pre-class reading assignments and some of the true learning takes place in class while the instructor is present for help.

The pre-class reading for each class period is indicated in the schedule below and will be STRICTLY enforced.  To ensure that you complete the reading prior to class, I will often post an online questionnaire (through moodle) for which you get participation points.  Although the answers themselves are not graded for points (only for participation), I will see your answers next to your name and photo and I will be able to determine how well you are keeping up with the reading.  I will also use in-class quizzes, including pop-quizzes to enforce the pre-class reading.

Due to the importance of goal 3, lab work will comprise 25% of your grade.  I will use weekly homework to reinforce what you have learned and keep you continually engaged with the course.  The main instruments for gauging your competency on the course content will be three in-class midterms and a comprehensive final.

Grade Breakdown

• Participation in pre-class reading questionnaires: 5%
• Quizzes: 0-5%
• Lab Grade (assigned by lab instructor): 25%
• Homework: 15-20%
• 3 midterms: 3 x 10% = 30%
• Final Exam: 20%
• Extra credit---participation in lab survey: 1.5%
• Extra credit---will include 1 or more during semester: 1.5% each

General Advice

The course and time you spend on it will be more rewarding if you allow yourself to be captivated by the material rather than thinking of it as a requirement.  Here are some practical guidelines that will help you do well in the course.

• Attend class and be alert. Participate in class activities and discuss the material with other students.
• Read the text slowly because, unlike with other classes you have taken, each sentence and paragraph usually has a quantitative meaning. Read the assigned material once before and once after class.
• Do your homework thoroughly and thoughtfully and hand them in on time.
• Speak up in class and labs. Ask questions about things you do not understand. The main activity during classes and labs is your learning. I am there to help you.

If you have problems or questions, feel free to drop by during my office hours.

Tentative Schedule