A pdf version is available under "Files" 

PHYS 1315: General Physics I

Academic Semester/Term: Summer 2024

(May 28 – June 28)

Course description: This is the first course in a two-semester sequence which is a survey of the basic laws and principles of physics. This course covers the topics of mechanics, energy, fluids and heat using multicultural perspectives.

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Instructor:  Dr. Dip N. Mahato

Course section number: 501

Classroom & meeting time:

TXST Zoom, MTWRF 3:30 pm - 5:10 pm

https://txstate.zoom.us/j/83731349425?pwd=K0JVbzdZbk1OK1VzbG9aZXg0R2FMZz09 

Instructor’s office: 

RFM building, room 3238; but summer office hours via Zoom  

Departmental phone:  TBD

Email:  dip.n.mahato@txstate.edu 

Office hours: 

Thursdays/Fridays 5:30pm – 6:30pm via zoom (link pasted below)

https://txstate.zoom.us/j/83424679315?pwd=Ylk0RHpwZkp3SzdINlNwZi9pdjU1dz09 

Course information and materials: Canvas

Canvas: All material and resources needed for this semester will be posted on the Canvas class website. The syllabus, textbook,  announcements, quizzes, assignments, exams, grades etc will be all posted on Canvas.

General Education Core Curriculum (Code 030)

Life & Physical Sciences Component Outcomes

Students will describe interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on human experiences.

Multicultural mission statement

While the physical topics and core objectives are still the main learning goal of this course, the course gives a multicultural perspective on the topics throughout the whole course on many occasions.

Multicultural perspective means, that many different cultures will be represented in a variety of activities and physics problems, so that every student has the chance to see the topics more meaningful for them and nobody feels left out. The different cultures can be for example: age, race, LGBTQ+, religion, origin, gender, disability, nationality, etc. This course aims for more diversity, which is also supported and requested by the Multicultural Policy Statement of Texas State University. The goal is, that the course is an inclusive space using culturally responsive teaching.

Multicultural Policy Statement of the Texas State University:

Texas State believes that freedom of thought, innovation and creativity are fundamental characteristics of a community of scholars. To promote such a learning environment, the university has a special responsibility to seek diversity, to instill a global perspective in its students, and to nurture sensitivity, tolerance and mutual respect. Discrimination against or harassment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability are inconsistent with the purposes of the university.

Core Objectives/Competencies Outcomes:

• Critical Thinking
  • Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
• Communication
  • Students will effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills
  • Students will manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
• Teamwork
  • Students will recognize different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

Additional departmental or instructor course outcomes

Learn physical problem solving using basic mathematical modeling. The course goals are:

• To provide a basic introduction to physics and its place in everyday life
• To help students develop critical-thinking skills necessary to understand modern science
• To make students become more scientifically and technically literate and to develop a healthy degree of educated skepticism as citizens of an increasingly complex
• Understand multicultural issues related to science
• Recognize the physical topics in the student’s field of study and understand their impact.

Course Organization

Texts, etc. (what you will need):

• Openstax, all course materials available on Canvas.

• Find details here: https://canvas.txstate.edu/courses/2280282/modules  

Lessons:

Lessons will be posted in Canvas. Lessons may include recorded lecture clips, youtube videos, powerpoint slides, other form of files or concise written conceptual, definitional or mathematical problem-solving contents. All your homework and reading assignments will be in mastering physics and quizzes and exams will be on Canvas (follow instructor’s policy for your section).

Homework:

Homework for this course will be completed online through Canvas. For this course, you will have frequent homework assignments. These assignments should take you, on average, between 50 – 80 minutes to complete. Homework assignments have a “soft” deadline: Incomplete problems may still be submitted after this point with some point deduction (but subject to change at your instructor’s discretion). No extension of deadlines after the last day of classes.

Reading Assignments:

Textbook readings will be assigned throughout the course. Read the textbook sections thoughtfully, identifying the most important concept in each section. These assignments may include a handful of pre-lecture videos, quick content questions and a short essay. (Note that these assignments all have “hard” deadlines; you will not have the opportunity to submit reading assignments after their deadlines.)

Assigned online homework

• Homework is assigned through the online system is embedded in Canvas.

Quizzes (In-Class quizzes through canvas with zoom camera on):

You will have semi-regular quizzes throughout this course. There is NO make-up quiz, but the lowest one will be dropped.

Semester Exams (through canvas with zoom camera on):

Semester exams will be made from materials covered in the lectures/slides, homework, and textbook. A word of warning, though: You may expect to see new or modified problems to ensure you are able to use the tools you learn in class to tackle new problems. There is no make-up for semester exams, but the lowest of the three may be dropped if you present a valid document.

FINAL EXAM (happens online, and per university’s final exam schedule, and through canvas with zoom camera on):

The final exam will be comprehensive, and is not optional. There is no make-up or re-scheduling for the final exam except for a university, religious, or medical related reason with proper documentation.

Equipment needed:

You need a scientific calculator, and a device to login to Canvas such as a cell phone, tablet, or laptop.

Rules

Attendance is required. Don’t use your cellphone to distract yourself or your classmates with facebook, Instagram, youtube, ….No eating during class. Please refrain from unnecessary conversations during class. Mature, collegial, adult behavior is the expectation at all times. Disrespectful, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Everybody has to follow the Texas State University Honor Code.

Cheating:

Tests (semester exams and the final exam) have to be done without any help from another person. Do not plagiarize in any assignment (e.g. the homework). Any cheating leads to the course grade F.

Students with disabilities

If you have a disability, I will try to accommodate you in the lecture as best as possible. Let me know if I can do anything. You should also contact the Office of Disability Services (http://www.ods.txstate.edu/) to get further accommodations (such as extended test time for example).

Office Hours:

I encourage you to join my office hours for one-on-one attention or in groups. I can answer questions, help you with problems, listen to your study habits and make suggestions for improvement, and watch you trying to solve a new problem while coaching you on your general approach to problem solving. If you have a conflict, let me know so we can possibly schedule a zoom meeting that works for you.

Grading for the course:

Final course grade-scale:

90% to 100%	A
80% to 89.9%	B
70% to 79.9%	C
60% to 69.9%	D
<60%	F

Class Participation and Respectful Learning Community:

Every discussion session will give you opportunities to actively engage with the course material. Be respectful of your fellow students and your instructor so everyone can fully benefit from the experience. Some ways to demonstrate respect are being willing to: share your ideas and listen to the ideas of other students; explain your thinking, and have your ideas challenged by your peers; think carefully about the ideas your peers explain, and challenge them respectfully if they do not make sense to you; put your thoughts out there; be okay with being wrong sometimes; and know that by sharing your ideas (right or wrong) you are helping the learning community construct knowledge, build ideas together.

Mental Health and Wellbeing:

Students may experience diminished mental health due to significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, or problems with eating and/or sleeping. Texas State University provides free mental health services through the Counseling Center to help students manage personal challenges that threaten their personal or academic wellbeing. If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact the Counseling Center at (512)-245-2208 or counselingcenter@txstate.edu. You may visit their office in the LBJ Student Center or visit their website at https://www.counseling.txstate.edu/ They may be contacted Monday-Friday 8 a.m. 5 p.m. during university days of operation.

Special Needs:

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Office of Disability Services (http://www.ods.txstate.edu/) and identify themselves to the instructor at the beginning of the semester. If these accommodations extend to test taking (e.g. extra time) be sure to see the instructor at least a few days prior to the exam to ensure that everything is in order. Disability Services require forms to be submitted no less than two days before a test is scheduled.

Texas State Honor Code:

Texas State University expects all students to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is beyond reproach. Learning and teaching take place in an atmosphere of intellectual fair-minded openness and all members of the academic community are responsible for supporting this freedom and openness through rigorous personal standards of honesty and fairness. Plagiarism (not to be confused with collaboration; talk to your instructor if you are unclear with the distinction) and other forms of academic dishonesty undermine the very purpose of the university and diminish the value of education. Students found in violation of the Honor Code are subject to disciplinary action, which may include receiving an F for the course. The full Texas State Honor Code can be found at https://www.txstate.edu/honorcodecouncil/

Dropping and Withdrawal:

Refer to the “Office of the University Registrar” page at https://www.registrar.txstate.edu/persistent- links/academic-calendar/academic-calendar-student.html. Remember that dropping and withdrawing are administrative procedures that you must carry out.

Health & Safety Measures:

Access and follow the “Roadmap to Return” information at https://www.txstate.edu/coronavirus/road-map.html

Email Communication at Texas State:

A Texas State email address is a course requirement. Use your Texas State email address to email your instructor. Messages from other email services usually cannot be replied to. Emails can be sent via Texas State Bobcat Mail (go to www.txstate.edu and select bobcatmail). Put your course and section number in the subject line. Putting the course and section number in the subject allows for me to respond to you in a timely manner. University policy discourages sending grade information through emails. Please use office hours to discuss grading and to go over exams.

Tentative Course Schedule:

The following table is intended to give you a rough estimate of the pacing and topics covered each week. However, due to the dynamic nature of learning, some topics may require more or less time than anticipated so this schedule is subject to change (including the addition/omission of some sections).