Conceptual Physics Syllabus.doc

Conceptual Physics SyllabusMr. Engmaneengmanmv.k12.wa.ushttp:/www.mv.k12.wa.us/science/physics/engman/(360) 428-6104 ext. 2114Office N3HWelcome to Conceptual Physics! In this class we will talk about motion, sound, light, electricity and many more topics in physics and science. In modern society it is becoming more important that you have an understanding of science in order to be an informed citizen and make wise choices. Your generation has to find the solutions to several difficult problems such as global warming, nuclear waste disposal and stem cell research. As a member of the voting public, it is important that you understand how science works and how to recognize the “bad” science that we are presented with every day. My main goal is that you find this class interesting and worthwhile.You will get out of this class what you put in to it. I hope that throughout this class you will be curious about the world and seek out answers to the questions that you have about it. Knowing how things work will enrich your life!Grade Scale (grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number):>92%>90%>87%>83%>80%>77%>73%>70%>65%>60%<60%AA-B+BB-C+CC-D+DFGrade Breakdown:HomeworkLabsTests & QuizzesProjectsFinal Exam20%20%30%10%20%Materials(bring to class every day)1. Pencil and pen2. Scientific or graphing calculator3. Plenty of paper4. Lab book5. Text bookClassroom RulesThe rule in this class is that you use your heads. This single rule has many implications. The first is that you think and be involved. You dont learn much unless you are involved in the class. This means that you need to think and work hard to understand the topic that we are studying. Physics is not an easy topic for many people and you will need practice. I encourage you to form study groups and to ask many questions.Another aspect of this rule is about behavior. Since you are all successful upperclassmen, I do not need to make a list of rules to follow, but you should use your heads and avoid doing things that take away the learning opportunity of others. I should note that all MVHS rules apply in this classroom.Late Work PolicyIt is incredibly important that you do your homework on time. Physics is cumulative by nature - each lesson builds on the previous one. Because of this, it is very important that you keep up. If you fall behind, it will be difficult to catch up. Homework will be due at the beginning of the class on the due date.I will accept late work for half credit until the unit test and I will not accept it after that. If your absence is excused, you may take a week to submit your homework for full credit. Labs must be made up outside of class time within one week of your absence. Tests and quizzes missed due to illness must be made up after school on your first day back to school. The reason for this is that I cannot give back graded tests until everyone has taken it. If you miss a class due to any planned event then I expect that you will have fulfilled your responsibilities for tests, projects and quizzes before the official due date. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to make up your work.Electronics PolicyThere are many electronic devices (I-Pod, cell phones, portable game machines, etc.) that are available at a relatively low cost. While they are fun and interesting from a physics standpoint, they provide a source of distraction. If you must bring them to class, please keep them out of view. Please do not use headphones during class. Cell phones should be turned off as you walk in the door. Never allow your phone to be seen or heard during class. This includes text messaging, checking your voicemail, or using it as a calculator. Improper use any electronic device in class will result in that item being confiscated. I reserve the right to read your text messages and text your friends and parents at will! Ask me ahead of time if you must be in contact with your family during extenuating circumstances.Tardiness and AbsencesCome to class! You will have a very difficult time in this class if you fail to attend. We will cover a lot of material each day you will often need to come to the lab to make up your work because of the equipment that is needed. You are responsible to make up any lab or activity that you miss.Come to class on time! I expect that tardiness will not be a problem; however if does become a problem you will be required to spend two minutes after school with me for every minute that you are late.SafetyWe will be performing several activities and laboratory experiments that could become dangerous if the materials are improperly used. Students who are participating in potentially dangerous behavior during a lab will be removed from the activity and will be unable to complete it. Be extraordinarily careful when it comes to your safety or the safety of your peers and teacher!FairnessI will attempt to be fair in all of my grading. Please check my grading. If you think that an assignment of yours has been graded incorrectly or unfairly, please talks to me about it. I am a reasonable guy!Tips for Success1. Do all of your homework on time.2. Be organized. Everything that you do should be in your lab book and since you may use them on tests, being organized will help you in the long run.3. Keep a list of questions. Write down questions that you have about anything. We will have many opportunities during this course to discuss your questions about science or physics.4. Keep everything. I will be entering hundreds of scores in a grade book and I will make mistakes from time to time. If you have kept the graded assignment, it will be much easier to give you the credit that you have earned.5. Communicate! If you do not understand something, please do not give up! Physics is difficult and probably unlike any subject that you have studied. Know that you can figure it out and that it may take some time. If you do not understand something, ask your peers and ask me. I will be available before or after school for help.