WINTHROP UNIVERSITY course Syllabus
Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Geology

Semester: Summer A-2016     Course: PHYS 101 (001) – Everyday Physics
Credit hours: 3                        Meeting Days/Time: Online           

Professor: Dr. Ponn Maheswaranathan (Mahes)            Course Schedule
Office: Sims 213B, Phone: (803) 323- 4940        Office Hours: via BB Discussion Board                
E-mail: mahesp@winthrop.edu 

Textbook: The Physics of Everyday Phenomena, 8th Edition, Griffith, McGraw Hill publishing.

Course Description: PHYS 101 is an introductory physics course primarily intended for non-science majors. PHYS 101 can be used to meet the natural science requirement for non-science majors. Emphasis will be on conceptual introduction of introductory physics topics in mechanics, sound, heat, properties of matter, and electricity.  

Course Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of physics' role as the most basic of the sciences.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery.
• Learn the introductory physics concepts associated with mechanics, sound, heat, properties of matter, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
• Gain an understanding of physics' role in technology and in everyday life and to discuss the strengths and limitations of science. 
• Develop conceptual and analytical problem solving skills.

University-Level Competency:

The Everyday Physics course introduces students to the role of scientific reasoning in solving introductory physics problems (e.g., how automobile air bags reduce injury during a collision, why the beach sand warms quicker than the nearby water, and estimating the cost of electricity).  They will apply the scientific methodologies of inquiry during demonstrations to predict outcomes and write well-reasoned conclusions. They will also be introduced to the history of scientific discovery (e.g., topics and devices are introduced with historical perspectives) and learn that the theories in physics evolve into laws after continuous re-evaluations and arguments. In addition they will see how the scientific advances made in a laboratory transforms into useful technological devices (e.g., the development of the transistor from vacuum tube to silicon chip).   

General Education Requirements: PHYS 101 fulfills three hours of general education requirement for natural sciences. Listed below are the fundamental student learning outcomes (1 and 2,4,5,7) for natural science courses as well as examples of how they will be fulfilled in PHYS 101.

Upon completing this course, students will be:
1. Conversant with the following introductory physics concepts:    mechanics, sound, heat, properties of matter, electricity, magnetism, and optics. This competency will be assessed using tests and final exam.
2. Able to apply the scientific methodologies of inquiry. (e.g., Home experiments and Demonstrations are done where students will use scientific methods of inquiry to predict outcomes and write reports). The students’ ability to fulfill this requirement is assessed using their reports.
4. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery. (e.g., topics and devices are introduced with historical perspectives). This competency will be assessed using tests and final exam.  
5. Able to discuss the social and ethical contexts within which science operates. (e.g. environmental and health hazards of new devices and materials and sharing of knowledge). This competency will be assessed using tests and final exam.   
7. Able to discuss the application of scientific knowledge to the social sciences and to non-scientific disciplines. (e.g., application of technology in everyday life). This competency will be assessed using essays on assigned topics.

Writing Component: The General Education Writing Component will be incorporated into this course by requiring the following writing assignment: Essay (at least four pages) and homework assignments (at least four pages).

Student Conduct Code: The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook. 

Syllabus change policy: The instructor will make changes to this syllabus as deemed necessary for the progression of the course.

Grading: Mastery quizzes (done online using the textbook website and collected online), assignments (Blackboard), Writing (Blackboard), Mid Term (May 27, 2016) and Final Exam (June 3, 2016) via Blackboard are scheduled as follows:     

The above total will be used to assign a letter grade, which will be very close to the following:       

                        93%-100% = A     88%-92% = A-    85%-87% = B+   
                        80%-84% = B       76%-79% = B-    72%-75% = C+   
                        66%-71% = C       56%-65% = D        0%-55% = F